Coe science students

Course Requirements


Four-Year Plan

The following represents only one of many paths students can take to prepare for study to attend dental school. A chemistry or biology major will work well with this set of courses, but other majors are possible. (The coursework is based on the University of Iowa’s requirements for admission, including recommended courses.) Dental schools may vary in their required courses for admission, so be sure to check your preferred school’s requirements.  

Note that students typically take four courses per semester for a total of eight each year. Check the Coe catalog to review all of your options.

First Year

  • BIO-145 Cellular and Molecular Biology 
  • BIO-140 Introduction to Biology Laboratory
  • BIO-155/ -150 Organismal and Ecological Biology and Laboratory
  • CHM-101/ -101L General Chemistry I and Laboratory
  • RHE-137 Creative Nonfiction and American Culture

Second Year 

  • MTH-135 Calculus I 
  • CHM-101/ -102L General Chemistry II and Laboratory
  • BIO-235/ -230 Genetics and Genetics and Laboratory
  • BIO-245/ -240  Integrated Human Anatomy and Laboratory
  • CHM-221 Organic Chemistry I
  • SOC-107 Introductory Sociology

Third Year

  • CHM-321 Organic Chemistry II
  • CHM-322 Organic Laboratory
  • PHY-115/-110 Basic Physics I & Laboratory
  • PHY-135/-130 Basic Physics II & Laboratory
  • PSY-115 Introductory Psychology

Fourth Year

  • ENG-128 Exploring Literature: Diversity in Western Culture
  • BIO-370/ -375 Integrated Human Physiology and Laboratory
  • BIO-525/ -520 Cell Physiology and Laboratory
  • BUS-205 Principles of Accounting I
  • PHL-165 Bio-medical Ethics