The Curriculum

Programs of study—which take into account science courses already completed are developed through discussion between individual students and faculty. The basic requirements for acceptance into U.S. medical schools are two semesters each of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics, with accompanying labs; one semester of calculus is also recommended. At Bennington, post-baccalaureate students are encouraged to take additional advanced courses, particularly in the biological sciences, as their schedules permit. Various veterinary medical colleges have additional course requirements in biology which Bennington can accommodate. For students wishing to study in areas not formally addressed by course offerings, individual or group tutorials may be arranged with qualified faculty members. Students are also invited to take courses outside of the sciences and mathematics as their schedules permit.

Program Options.

A student may choose to complete the program in one year (June to June) or in two years. The one-year option includes an intensive three course summer schedule and two full semesters. The two-year option gives the student two full academic years with the usual academic schedule [2 hour and a half classes per week per course plus afternoon labs]. The two-year program allows the student to select more elective courses. The options can be discussed with the premed advisor.

One-Year Program:

The Post Bac curriculum for the one-year program is designed to give you the basic requirements for med school or other health professions in a summer term followed by a fall and spring term (June to June). Our philosophy of education is that you learn science by DOING science therefore our emphasis in the courses is in applying the concepts, developing experimental projects, and participating in discussions. All of our courses focus on involvement in the science. Our classes are small (10-20) and students are expected to present articles, develop experimental ideas, and do problem sets. Professors are available often for help and cooperative studying is encouraged. Many classes include a semester project that might be experimental or research based.

Suggested course curriculum for the one-year program:

Summer	Fall	Spring
Biology 1: Cells, Genes & Energy*	Animal Physiology*	Biochemistry
Chemistry 1: Chemical Concepts*	Calculus I	Chemistry 4: Equilibrium Processes*
Chemistry 2: Organic Structure & Bonding*	Chemistry 3: Organic Reactions & Mechanisms*	Physics I: Fields & Atoms*
	Physics I: Forces & Motion*	Biology Elective (e.g., Genetics)
*Indicates a course with a lab component.

Two-Year Program:

The Post Bac curriculum allows students to take courses over two academic years; students opting for the two-year program typically have greater flexibility in their course options and can choose a greater number of electives.

Suggested course curriculum for the two-year program:

Year 1: Fall	Year 1: Spring
Biology 1: Cells, Genes & Energy*	Chemistry 2: Organic Structure & Bonding*
Chemistry 1: Chemical Concepts*	Genetics
Calculus I	Statistics
Elective	Elective
*Indicates a course with a lab component.

Year 2: Fall	Year 2: Spring
Animal Physiology *	Biochemistry
Chemistry 3: Organic Reactions & Mechanisms*	Chemistry 4: Equilibrium Processes*
Physics I: Forces & Motion	Physics II: Fields & Atoms*
Biology Elective	Biology Elective
*Indicates a course with a lab component.