Northwestern Premedicine Certificate Program

This course is the first of a four-course sequence that is completed by BIOL SCI 217 in the fall quarter, BIOL SCI 219 in the winter and BIOL SCI 308 in the spring. The genetics and molecular biology course covers the principles of inheritance; gene function; mechanisms by which DNA is replicated, transcribed into RNAs, and translated into proteins; and the basics of the process of natural selection.

Prerequisite: one year of general chemistry with laboratory (CHEM 101, 102, 103 or CHEM 110, 131, 132).

This course is the second in a four-course sequence that is completed by BIOL SCI 219 in the winter and BIOL SCI 308 in the spring. The physiology course covers organization and functioning of the major organ systems in mammals.

A lab course, BIOL SCI 220 Genetic and Molecular Laboratory, may be taken concurrently with this course. 

This course is the third course in a four-course sequence that is completed by BIOL SCI 308 in the spring. The cell biology course covers mechanisms that cells use to compartmentalize and transport proteins, to move, to regulate growth and death, and to communicate with their environments. This course was formerly BIOL SCI 216. Students who have previously taken BIOL SCI 216 should not register for this course.

A lab course, BIOL SCI 221 Cellular Processes Laboratory, may be taken concurrently with this course. Prerequisite: CHEM 103 or 132.

Laboratory techniques and experiments in fundamental aspects of transmission genetics and molecular biology. Credit for this course is 0.34 units.

Prerequisite: CHEM 103 or 132.

Laboratory techniques and experiments in fundamental aspects of cell biology. Credit for this course is 0.34 units. Prerequisite: CHEM 103 or CHEM 132.

The Investigative Laboratory is a hypothesis driven, discovery based laboratory class. During the quarter, students will be engaged in independent laboratory research projects where they will design and implement their own experiments centered around a central theme. Credit for this course is 0.34 units. Prerequisite: CHEM 103 or CHEM 132.

This course is the conclusion of a four-course sequence, BIOL SCI 215, 217, and 219. The course covers basic concepts in biochemistry, emphasizing the structure and function of biological macromolecules, fundamental cellular biochemical processes, and the chemical logic in metabolic transformations. This course was formerly BIOL SCI 218. Students who have previously taken BIOL SCI 218 should not register for this course.


A lab course, BIOL SCI 222 Investigative Laboratory, may be taken concurrently with this course. Prerequisites: BIOL SCI 217 or 219 and CHEM 210-A.

Solution strategies for traditional word problems and their application to basic chemistry quantitative problems: dimensional analysis, chemical equations, stoichiometry, limiting reagents

Quantum mechanics, electronic structure, periodic properties of the elements, chemical bonding, thermodynamics, intermolecular forces, properties of solids and liquids, special topics in modern chemistry. Must be taken concurrently with the Chem 141-CN laboratory course. Prerequisite: Chem 110-CN (C- or better).

Solutions and colligative properties, chemical equilibrium, aqueous solution equilibria, chemical kinetics, metals in chemistry and biology, oxidation-reduction reactions and electrochemistry, special topics in modern chemistry. Must be taken concurrently with the Chem 142-CN laboratory course. Prerequisite: CHEM 131-CN and 141-CN (C- or better in both courses).

Chemical analysis of real samples using basic laboratory techniques including titration, colorimetric analysis, density measurements, and atomic spectroscopy. Planning, data collection, interpretation, and reporting on experiments. Credit for this course is 0.34 units. Enrollment is concurrent with CHEM 131-CN. Prerequisite: CHEM 110 (C– or better).

General Chemistry Lab 2 is a laboratory course in which techniques applied to materials science and nanotechnology, acid-base chemistry, and chemical kinetics will be employed. Major objectives involve work involving planning, data collection, interpretation, and reporting on experiments. The course must be taken concurrently with CHEM 132.

Credit for this course is 0.34 units. Prerequisite: grade of C- or higher in CHEM 131 or equivalent course, or consent of instructor.

This course is the first of a three-course sequence that is completed by CHEM 210-B in the winter quarter, and CHEM 210-C in the spring quarter. Basic concepts of organic chemistry will be presented, including hybridization, resonance, nomenclature, stereochemistry, and reaction mechanisms. The preparation and reactions of alkyl halides, alkenes, alkynes, and alcohols will also be covered. There will be some additional lectures on Saturday mornings, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., to be arranged once the quarter begins. Prerequisite: completion of General Chemistry Sequence (CHEM 110, 131, 132 and 141, 142) with a grade of C- or better, or equivalent transfer credit with qualifying score on the Chemistry Placement Exam.

Chemistry 210-B is the second course in a three-term sequence in organic chemistry. It covers the chemistry of the major oxygen- and nitrogen-containing functional groups, as well as the chemistry of aromatic compounds. Mechanism is emphasized in the study of these materials. The course includes a laboratory component which includes an introduction to basic organic laboratory techniques, as well as the preparation, purification and characterization of organic substances. The Saturday laboratory (CHEM 230-B) is held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Prerequisite: grade of C- or higher in CHEM 210-A or equivalent course.

This course builds upon the fundamentals developed in CHEM 210-A,-B. It covers chemistry of polyfunctional compounds of biological and medicinal interest, as well as modern organic synthesis, bioorganic chemistry, and recent developments in organic chemistry. The laboratory provides training in qualitative organic analysis and multistep synthesis. Includes a Saturday laboratory (CHEM 230-C) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Prerequisite: grade of C- or higher in CHEM 210-B or equivalent course.

This is the laboratory course associated with CHEM 210-B Organic Chemistry II. The lab provides instruction in experimental techniques of modern organic chemistry emphasizing chemical separations, spectroscopic characterization, and reactions of alkanes, alkenes, alkyl halides, alcohols, carbonyls, esters, and aromatic compounds. Credit for this course is 0.34 units. Enrollment is concurrent with CHEM 210-B. Prerequisite: grade of C- or higher in CHEM 210-A or equivalent course.

This is the laboratory course associated with CHEM 210-C Organic Chemistry III. The lab covers experimental techniques of modern organic chemistry emphasizing chemical separations, spectroscopic characterization, and reactions such as amide synthesis, Grignard reaction, aldol condensation, Robinson annulation, and Diels-Alder reaction. Credit for this course is 0.34 units. Enrollment is concurrent with CHEM 210-C. Prerequisite: grade of C- or higher in CHEM 210-B or equivalent course. 

This is the first quarter of a three-quarter algebra-based physics course with lecture and laboratory. Physics is the most basic of the sciences, dealing with the behavior and structure of matter. Lectures and labs illustrate physical principles: mechanics, motion, momentum and energy, and fluids. Continues in winter and spring quarters as PHYSICS 130-B, C. Requires concurrent enrollment in the PHYSICS 131-A lab. Lab times are Tuesdays 8-9:50 pm; Wednesdays 9-10:50 am; Saturdays 12-1:50 pm; or Saturdays 2-3:50 pm. Labs will meet for the first time after the first lecture session. Prerequisite: college algebra or higher college math course.

This course is the continuation of PHYSICS 130-A algebra-based physics with lecture and laboratory; the sequence concludes with PHYSICS 130-C in the spring quarter. Harnessing the forces of electrical power; how they have altered the way we live and perceive ourselves in the universe. Lecture demonstrations illustrate physical principles: electricity and magnetism, DC and AC circuits. Requires concurrent enrollment in the PHYSICS 131-B lab. Lab times are Tuesdays 8-9:50 pm; Wednesdays 9-10:50 am; Saturdays 12-1:50 pm; or Saturdays 2-3:50 pm. Labs will meet for the first time after the first lecture session. Prerequisite: PHYSICS 130-A or equivalent course.

This course is the continuation of PHYSICS 130-A,B. Wave motion, optics, and introduction to the basic concepts of modern physics including quantum mechanics, relativity, and atomic physics. The course focuses on conceptual understanding of basic physical principles and their real-world applications. Demonstration experiments will be used to illustrate physical phenomena and concepts. Requires concurrent enrollment in the PHYSICS 131-C lab. Lab times are Tuesdays 8-9:50 pm; Wednesdays 9-10:50 am; Saturdays 12-1:50 pm; or Saturdays 2-3:50 pm. Labs will meet for the first time after the first lecture session. Prerequisite: PHYSICS 130-A, B or equivalent course.

This is the laboratory course associated with PHYSICS 130-A and must be taken concurrently. Credit for this course is .34 units.

This is the laboratory course associated with PHYSICS 130-B and must be taken concurrently. Credit for this course is .34 units.

This is the laboratory course associated with PHYSICS 130-C and must be taken concurrently. Credit for this course is .34 units.

Prohealth Proseminar I will meet during the first fall quarter of the students’ pre-health program to prepare students to succeed in the professional health careers program. This proseminar series will be completed by PROHLTH 396-B: Prohealth Proseminar II in the students’ final spring quarter. This non-credit course covers topics including adjusting to life as a science student, academic resources, extracurricular resources, and preparing for the professional/medical school application process. There is no tuition charged for this course.

This course is by permission only and available only to students in the professional health careers certificate program. Please email erin.cable@northwestern.edu for a permission number.

This non-credit proseminar is for students in the Professional Health Careers certificate programss. This course prepares students for the year-long application cycle beginning in the summer. This course will provide opportunities for students to work on major application components as part of the coursework, including their AMCAS activities listing, preparing a strong personal statement, selecting target medical/professional schools, and navigating the centralized application. The course will also allow students to practice their interviewing skills and plan for their glide year.

There is no tuition charged for this course.

This course is by permission only and available only to students in the professional health careers certificate program. Please email lindsey.taylor@northwestern.edu for a permission number.