Chemistry & Chemical Biology - Frequently Asked Questions

A STEM major falls under one of these four fields: science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Yes; biology is the scientific study of life so a biology major is categorized as a STEM major. Biology has a foundation in chemistry, physics and math and relies on scientific experimentation, data analysis and statistics.

A biological sciences major is the broader interdisciplinary approach to the scientific study of life and living systems. Fields covered include genetics, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, computational biology and bioinformatics.

A major in biology may be useful for pursuing a graduate nursing degree. However, a nursing degree is required to become a nurse. Nursing degrees vary from associate’s to bachelor’s to graduate degrees (i.e. master’s and doctoral).

While an introductory biology course is required for the chemical engineering curriculum, further study in biology is not needed for chemical engineering unless you are interested in pursuing a specialization in the field (i.e., biochemical engineering).

A professional chemist or biochemist may pursue a wide range of careers, including but not limited to pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, consumer products, business, forensics, environmental careers and the health professions.

You can use a chemistry degree to pursue a wide range of careers, including but not limited to pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, consumer products, business, forensics, environmental careers, and the health professions.

A Doctor of Pharmacy degree is required to become a pharmacist. A major in chemistry may be beneficial for applying to Ph.D. programs in pursuing this degree and becoming a pharmacist.

Chemistry is “the central science” in that it bridges the physical sciences (physics) and life sciences (biology) as well as other applied sciences (medicine, engineering, etc.). Chemistry is a field of science that seeks to understand the behavior of matter by studying its composition (atoms and molecules). Studying chemistry is applicable to a wide range of scientific fields.

Examples of problems that chemists work on include drug discovery, clinical research, computational chemistry, food safety, and environmental protection.

A Ph.D. in chemistry requires a strong background in chemistry and related sciences as well as research experience. In addition to graduate coursework, chemistry Ph.D. students conduct original research with the support of a faculty advisor, and they write a dissertation about their research that they must defend to a committee of faculty members.

No — you can choose any major and still apply to medical school, as long as you complete all the math and science prerequisites.

Stevens does not offer degrees in Bioengineering or Biological Science. If you are interested in a traditional pre-med path, our Biology and Chemical Biology majors integrate all required coursework to prepare you to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) during your junior year and apply to medical school on schedule.

In addition, our Biomedical Engineering department offers a dedicated track for students interested in applying to medical school, combining engineering rigor with pre‑health preparation.

While Biology, Chemical Biology and Biomedical Engineering have structures in place for pre‑health and pre‑med students, these paths are not your only options at Stevens. We encourage you to select the major that best reflects your interests and strengths, and our advisors will help you shape your vision into a clear, achievable pre‑health plan.

If your goal is a medical or health career, you can choose any major at Stevens, as long as you complete the required coursework for medical school.

Recent pre-med graduates have majored in areas including:

• Biology

• Biomedical Engineering

• Business and Technology

• Chemical Biology

• Chemical Engineering

• Chemistry

• Mechanical Engineering

• Science Communications

• Science, Technology and Society

Pre-med requirements include coursework across disciplines such as biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, humanities and social sciences.

For a current, detailed list of recommended courses, visit the Preparing for a Career in the Health Professions section of the Stevens Academic Catalog.

You can also explore our Pre-Health Advisory Program page for a more detailed course listing, as well as the robust variety of programs and opportunities available to you as a pre-med or pre-health student at Stevens.

Your four years as a pre‑med undergraduate will be focused on preparing for medical school. To stay on track, you should declare your interest in medical school as early as possible, ideally during your first year. Doing so enables your academic and pre‑health advisors to help you plan an efficient course sequence that prepares you for the MCAT and the medical school application process.

No; pre-med is one of many paths within pre-health. Pre-med refers specifically to preparing for medical school. Pre-health is broader, including preparation for schools including:

• medical (M.D. and D.O.)

• chiropractic

• dental

• optometry

• pharmacy

• physical therapy

• physician’s assistant (P.A.)

• podiatry

• veterinary

Stevens’ pre‑health advising supports students across all of these professional goals.

Most pre-med students take biochemistry in their junior year so the material is fresh when they sit for the MCAT that same year. Here’s how your pre-med course sequence at Stevens is structured:

• Sophomore year: Two semesters of organic chemistry (a prerequisite for biochemistry)

• Junior year (fall semester): Biochemistry

• Junior year (winter): MCAT exam

Students who plan to take the MCAT earlier may choose to self‑study biochemistry, often during the summer after sophomore year.

As a pre‑health student at Stevens, you will complete all required science and mathematics prerequisites for health professions programs and the MCAT as part of your coursework. Many students also take psychology and sociology to strengthen their MCAT preparation. Students typically complete two semesters of organic chemistry during their sophomore year, followed by biochemistry in the fall of junior year.

MCAT preparation usually begins during the summer after sophomore year, using a combination of resources such as:

• Stevens‑offered MCAT boot camps and study programs

• Third‑party study materials

• Third‑party MCAT preparation courses

Most students take the MCAT either during the summer after sophomore year or in the winter of junior year.

Medical and health professions schools evaluate applicants holistically, looking beyond GPA and test scores to assess overall readiness for the profession. Competitive applicants typically demonstrate strength in areas such as:

• Meaningful extracurricular involvement

• Leadership experiences

• Clinical exposure and physician shadowing

• Community service and volunteering

• Collaboration and teamwork

• Strong letters of recommendation

• Well‑written personal statements and secondary essays

• The ability to clearly articulate motivations, values, and experiences during interviews

Together, these elements help schools evaluate an applicant’s commitment, character and potential for success in a health professions career.

Yes. Engineering students can complete pre‑med or pre‑health requirements and still graduate in four years with careful planning. Common engineering majors for pre‑med and pre‑health students include Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.

To stay on track, it’s important to declare your interest in pre‑med or pre‑health early, ideally during your first year, and work closely with your academic and pre‑health advisors to plan your course sequence and workload.

While it is possible to complete all prerequisites within four years, some courses may be taken during senior year. As a result, students planning to take a medical or health professions entrance exam may choose to include a gap year before matriculating into professional school.

As a pre‑dental student, you will receive the same comprehensive advising and support provided to all pre‑med and pre‑health students at Stevens. Your academic and pre‑health advisors will help you plan required pre‑dental coursework such as microbiology with lab and anatomy, which may also count toward technical electives within your major.

In addition, student‑run pre‑health organizations offer regular meetings that connect students pursuing similar career paths, fostering a supportive community, peer mentorship and shared resources.

Stevens offers a wide range of resources to support pre‑med and pre‑health students throughout their undergraduate experience and beyond.

• The Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC) provides academic and professional guidance and programming, from planning your first semester through applying to health professions schools.

• Our Director of Pre‑Health Advising offers dedicated, ongoing support tailored to your goals.

• Student organizations such as the Stevens Health Professions Club (SHPC) and the national pre‑health honor society Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED) provide educational programming, volunteer opportunities, and recognition.

Students also have access to meaningful hands‑on clinical and service experiences, including:

• Participation in Stevens’ clinical program, originally established in 2022 at Jersey City Medical Center and now continuing at Montefiore Einstein Medical Center

• Enrollment in a Clinical Experiences course launching in 2026, featuring an academic internship at Atlantic Health medical centers in Morristown and Overlook

• Volunteer opportunities with organizations such as the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Jersey City Medical Center

Stevens continues to expand its pre‑health programming, offering students growing opportunities to explore, gain experience, and build confidence on their path to the health professions.

Yes. Students at Stevens can pursue a pre‑veterinary track with dedicated support from pre‑health advisors. Advisors guide students through a rigorous and relevant curriculum, along with research and extracurricular experiences to help them meet veterinary school prerequisites and prepare for a career caring for animal health.

Stevens pre‑vet graduates have been accepted into top veterinary programs, including the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell University.