The Major in Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities

Requirements of the Major: Pre-Med Humanities

This is designed specifically for students who are intending to complete the prerequisites for advanced study in the health sciences -- generally called "premed" students. Its focus is primarily the same as with thematic concentrations, but there are fewer course requirements and there is no language requirement other than the regular University requirement. In addition, students choosing Pre-Med Humanities usually will take at least three courses that address issues related to science and medicine.

Distribution of Courses

Students must present a program of study proposing eight courses, four humanities courses in an area of concentration, three humanities courses addressing issues related to science, and one course in the arts.

Students must also take all the courses required for admission into medical school. These will vary depending on an individual student's AP certification and upon some other factors. Students must be sure to seek the advice of a premed adviser through the Undergraduate Advising Center.

Humanities courses:

• 4 courses in area of concentration (national culture, historical period, etc.)--Generally, these four courses should address different aspects of literature, history, and philosophy (20 units)
• 3 courses in medical ethics, history or philosophy of science, science and literature or science and the arts (15 units)
• 1 course in the arts (5 units)

Science courses:

• 2 years organic and inorganic chemistry (25-26 units)
• 1 year physics with labs (12-14 units)
• 1 year biology with labs (usually 23 units; HumBio option-38 units)
• Math: Statistics or psychology 60 (5 units)

Advising and Approval of the Concentration

When selecting courses, a student choosing Pre-Med Humanities will be expected to define the focus in a brief "statement of purpose" and receive the Chair's approval of the concentration and the plan of study.

Each student may elect to arrange for a Humanities adviser in the particular area of focus, or may simply be advised by the Chair of the Program.

It is important to note that the faculty and staff of the Humanities Honors Program are NOT particularly knowledgeable about the prerequisites for medical school. Students choosing the Pre-Med Humanities must continue to seek and heed advice from the trained staff at the Undergraduate Advising Center, who are experts in this area and who keep up to date on the changes in prerequisites and expectations from a variety of medical schools.

Information about being a "premed" at Stanford can be found by visiting:

• The Undergraduate Advising Center
• The Stanford Premed Association

If a student choosing Pre-Med Humanities within the Interdisciplinary Major in Humanities should change his or her focus and decide not to complete the premedical requirements, he or she will be expected to switch to a thematic concentration.