AHS 1601/1602: The Future Physician

Freshmen interested in becoming a physician can begin their journey with the Health Careers Center!

If you are an incoming freshman or first year undergraduate* at the U of M and are interested in becoming a physician, this course sequence is designed to help you explore the field of medicine and help you get an early start on what you need to be a competitive medical school applicant.

The AHS 1601/1602 Future Physician sequence is available to highly motivated, academically-talented and focused freshmen, who are planning to pursue a careers in medicine. Each course is one credit and both courses must be taken as a sequence. Look here for a flyer on the AHS 1601/1602 course sequence.

Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for this course sequence, you must be a first year undergraduate "freshman" with an ACT score of 30 or above (or SAT score of 1340) or a high school GPA of 3.8. If you are an incoming freshman who meets the stated criteria and would like to register for this sequence, you must request a permission number from the course faculty. When you request the permission number, be prepared to provide your adviser's name and state/report your high school GPA and ACT scores.

NOTE: Exceptions for GPA and ACT scores that do not meet the minimum criteria will be considered for highly motivated and talented students.

AHS 1601: The Future Physician (1 cr)
(In-person; offered Fall and Spring semesters)
Explore the field of medicine by interacting with guest physician speakers from the University of Minnesota Medical School and the community. Learn to think critically about the challenges and opportunities of a career in medicine through interactive and reflective exercises. Learn about the knowledge and skills needed to be an effective physician, along with the challenges and rewards gained while caring for patients.

This course is taught collaboratively by Dr. Shailey Prasad, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health; Investigator, Rural Health Research Center, University of Minnesota; and Tricia Todd, MPH, Assistant Director of the Health Careers Center, University of Minnesota.

AHS 1602: The Future Physician, Part II:
Experiences and Reflections on a Career in Medicine (1 cr)
(Online; offered Fall, Spring, and Summer)
An essential component of your application to medical school is experience in a health care setting. This course requires you to complete 30-hours of volunteer experience in a setting that employs physicians and serves patients. In addition, you will complete a medical school application plan and gain additional insight into your own fit with the field of medicine.

Criteria for the Course Sequence
Requirements include a minimum ACT score of 30 and above (SAT score of 1340), high school GPA of 3.8, or instructor permission. This course sequence is open only to first-year freshmen.

To Register/Permission Numbers
Registration for this course requires a permission number, which are available until the course is filled. Please submit your request for a permission number along with your University college of enrollment (CLA, CBS, IT, etc.), your adviser's name, your ACT score, and your high school GPA to Tricia Todd, M.P.H., course instructor, at todd0002@umn.edu or 612-624-6767. If the course is filled, you can be put on a waiting list.