Course Requirements Overview
This is a guide to common pre-dental course requirements.
Professional schools have a variety of prerequisites required for admission to their programs. On this page, we include information about timelines for pre-dental requirements and the options available.
- Many programs prefer in person coursework, and some programs may not allow online coursework. See individual schools for policies.
- Individual schools may require or recommend additional courses.
- All Prerequisites must be completed with a letter grade of C or higher.
- Schools vary on Credit-By-Exam (AP/IB/CLEP) policies and preferences for prerequisites. Please see "Can I Claim AP/IB Credit?"
School requirements can change. See individual school websites and admissions guides under “Research Dental Schools Before You Apply." We always recommend checking for any updates.
Recommended Pre-Dental Courses
Most Texas dental schools require:
- Biology: Lecture – 12-15 hrs; Lab – 2-3 hrs
- General Chemistry: Lecture – 6 hrs; Lab – 2 hrs
- Organic Chemistry: Lecture – 6 hrs; Lab – 2 hrs
- Biochemistry: Lecture – 3 hrs
- Microbiology: Lecture - 3 hrs
- General Physics: Lecture – 6 hrs; Lab – 2 hrs
- Math: Statistics – 3 hrs
- English: Rhetoric (Composition) and/or Literature – 6 hrs
(Dental School Prerequisite Course Timelines and a Pre-Dental Science Courses Flowchart are available at the bottom of this page.)
Humanities and Social Science Course Options:
- Psychology and Sociology
- Ethics
- Analytical problem-solving and Critical thinking
- Writing, Interpersonal communications, and Presentation skills
- Small business management and Accounting
- Mechanical drawing and studio art
- Cultural studies
- Spanish and other language studies relevant to your career goals
UT Austin Courses Typically Taken to Fulfill Requirements
In addition to the course lists below, see explanations of requirements on the TMDSAS (Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service) Undergraduate Course Requirements & look at the TMDSAS Approved Course List
Science Requirements
| Subject | Lecture | Lab |
|---|---|---|
| Biology |
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| Microbiology |
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BIO 226L was previously listed as a required course. Currently, BIO/MBS 226L is NOT required for any Texas Dental School programs. Please make sure to check with any out of state programs you may be interested in for their required pre-requisite courses. |
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Anatomy
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Physiology
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| General Chemistry |
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| Organic Chemistry |
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| Biochemistry |
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| Physics |
UT Austin offers 4 accepted lecture/lab sequences. Dental schools have no preference.
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Starting FALL 2021, PHY 105M/N will replace lab numbers PHY 102M/N, PHY 103M/N, and 117M/N.
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Non-Science Courses
| Subject | Course | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics |
Statistics usually fulfills math requirement at Texas schools. See TMDSAS acceptable statistics courses |
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| Rhetoric (Composition) |
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Choose 1 courses from rhetoric (composition). |
| Literature |
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Choose 1 courses from the literature. Remedial, developmental, and "English As a Second Language" courses are not accepted. |
Dental Schools Prerequisite Course Timelines
Completing the pre-dental courses and extra-curricular activities generally requires six semesters or longer, regardless of the student’s age or year in college. Your personal timeline may differ from these samples. Work with your academic advisor to incorporate these courses into your degree plan.
- 4-Year Plan
- 5-Year Plan Including Bridge Year
- Pre-Dental Science Courses Flowchart
Important Note: Timelines do not include all course options and details. To be sure that you are fulfilling all requirements, see individual school websites and Research Dental Schools Before You Apply.
Additional Course Information
- Currently a UT student and thinking of taking courses away from UT? (This may not be applicable if you are not yet enrolled at UT.)
- Are Extension Courses Okay for Dental Pre-Reqs?
- Other courses of interest to health professions students