UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY
REQUIRED COURSE WORK
Following is a list of requirements for the School of Dentistry and the U of MN classes that will
fulfill them. Keep in mind, “pre-dentistry” is not an academic major at the U of M, and you
should meet with your undergraduate advisor to determine what is required for the major of your
choosing. There is no preferred major for pre-dental students. Your major should be one that
interests you and would provide an acceptable alternative if you are not admitted to dental
school.
Subject
Credits Needed*
U of MN Courses
General Biology
full sequence ≥ 8 credits
BIOL 1009, 3211, & 2005 or
BIOL 1009 & 2012 or
BIOL 1001, 1002, 3211 & 2005
General Chemistry
full sequence ≥ 8 credits
CHEM 1021 & 1022
Organic Chemistry
full sequence ≥ 8 credits
CHEM 2301, 2302, & 2311
3 credits
BIOLC 3021 or 4001 or 4331
Biochemistry
The appropriate class will have organic
chemistry as a prerequisite. You are not
required to take a corresponding lab.
Physics
full sequence ≥ 8 credits
PHYS 1101 & 1102 (algebraic) or
PHYS 1201 & 1202 (calc) or
PHYS 1301 & 1302 (engineering)
English
8 credits
composition courses are preferred,
however, any designated writing
intensive course will work
Math
3 credits
college algebra, calculus, statistics, etc.
General Psychology 3 credits
PSY 1001 or any other applied human
psychology course
*credits needed are listed in semester hours
RECOMMENDED ELECTIVE COURSES
Elective courses should be selected to achieve as broad and liberal an education as possible.
However, competitive students will take some combination of the following courses: art
(drawing or sculpture), cell biology, histology, human anatomy, microbiology, and physiology.
These electives are especially important for those who have completed only the minimum credits
required (87 semester/130 quarter) to enter dental school.
COMMUNITY COLLEGES
Taking select courses at an accredited liberal arts community college is also acceptable. Note
that the School of Dentistry will only accept a maximum of 64 semester credit hours from
community colleges. Following is a list of a few Twin Cities area community colleges and their
courses that meet our requirements. It is important to speak to an advisor at the school you plan
on attending to verify the courses as the sequences can change.
Anoka-Ramsey CC
Century College
Inver Hills CC
Minneapolis Community & Tech College
Normandale CC
Biology: BIOL 1106 & 1107
Chem: CHEM 1061 & 1062
Organic: CHEM 2061 & 2062
Physics: PHYS 1127 & 1128 or 1117 & 1118
Biology: BIOL 1041 & 1042
Chem: CHEM 1041 & 1042
Organic: CHEM 2041 & 2042
Physics: PHYS 1041 & 1042 or 1081 & 1082
Biology: BIOL 1154 & 1155
Chem: CHEM 1061 & 1062
Organic: CHEM 2061 & 2062
Physics: PHYS 1081 & 1082
Biology: BIOL 2200 & 2260
Chem: CHEM 1151 & 1152
Organic: CHEM 2204, 2205, 2224, & 2225
Physics: PHYS 1131, 1132, 1135, & 1136
Biology: BIOL 1105 & 1106
Chem: CHEM 1061 & 1062
Organic: CHEM 2061 & 2062
Physics: PHYS 1110 & 1111 or 1121 & 1122
For a full list of community colleges in Minnesota visit: http://www.50states.com/cc/minn.htm
OTHER HELPFUL WEB SITES
American Dental Education Association: www.adea.org
American Dental Association: www.ada.org
University of Minnesota School of Dentistry: www.dentistry.umn.edu
Dental Admissions Test: www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/index.asp
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): www.toefl.org
DAT TEST PREPARATION MATERIALS
Kaplan Test Preparation –provides many options for preparing for the DAT: books, CD-ROM,
classroom instruction, and tutors. www.kaplan.com
Top Score Pro – offers CD-ROM, full-length sample tests, and score reports. www.scholarware.com