Curriculum and Faculty
The postbac curriculum is designed so that students can complete the basic requirements for medical school or other health professions in one year: a summer term beginning in June, followed by a fall and spring term ending in June the following year.
After a summer of classes that are exclusively postbacs, students work alongside upper-level undergraduates in classes that generally number no more than 15 students.
Our philosophy of education is that you learn science by doing science; therefore, our emphasis in the courses is in applying the concepts and participating in discussions. Students are expected to present articles, develop experimental ideas and projects, and do problem sets. Our faculty are practicing scientists, bringing to the program the vibrancy of science in action. There are often opportunities to assist in research. Faculty members are available often for help and cooperative studying is encouraged.
You will meet regularly with a faculty pre-med advisor and have ongoing access to your teaching faculty and to all of the other curricular and extra-curricular resources of Bennington's vibrant College community.
Many classes include a term project that might be experimental or research based.
While recognizing that the postbac curriculum is governed by requirements for access to medical school and other health-related professional schools, our objective is to make this experience intellectually stimulating and satisfying in its own right.
The Field Work Term offers students the opportunity to work or volunteer in a setting of your choosing—shadowing a doctor, assisting in research, volunteering abroad—or many other possibilities—to further gain hands-on experience prior to medical school. While not mandatory, Field Work Term projects are strongly encouraged.
Course curriculum
Summer
- Biology 1: Introduction to Cell Biology with lab
- Chemistry 1: Chemical Principles with lab
- Chemistry 2: Organic Structure & Bonding with lab
Fall
- Animal Physiology with lab
- Physics 1: Forces & Motion with lab
- Chemistry 3: Organic Reactions & Mechanisms with lab
Spring
The basic requirements for acceptance into U.S. medical schools are two terms each of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics, with accompanying labs. One term each of calculus and biochemistry are also recommended.
If you have fulfilled one or more of the course requirements listed here, you may consult with your advisor about choosing an alternate course.