Dental School Course Requirements
Most programs require two semesters of biology (some require an additional course or two in biology), four to five semesters of chemistry (starting with general chemistry and including organic and for a number of schools biochemistry), two semesters of physics, two semesters of English, and up to two semesters of math. Advanced courses can typically substitute for introductory-level courses, but check with the programs that you are interested in. At Skidmore, we recommend the following courses to meet those requirements.
Always check for specific course requirements for each school you are going to apply to—this is only a guide!
| Class | Semesters | Skidmore Course(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | four semesters with lab typically required, including general and organic chemistry, and, increasingly, biochemistry | CH 125 or 126, CH 221, CH 222,& CH 341 with CH 342 highly recommended |
Must take placement diagnostic. Schools that require two semesters of general chemistry will typically count CH 341 as the second semester (CH 115 does not fulfill the requirement). A number of schools require four semesters of chemistry and a semester of biochemistry. CH 342 is therefore highly recommended to have 4 semesters of chemistry with lab and a semester of biochemistry without lab. |
| General biology | two semesters with lab |
BI 107 BI 108 |
Note- some schools may require additional biology courses (e.g., BI 246, BI 245, BI 244, or BI 247) |
| General physics | two semesters with lab* |
PY 130 (formerly 207) PY 140 (formerly 208) |
*must take Calculus I and II; to take physics at Skidmore, algebra-based physics would be sufficient |
| English | two semesters | ||
| Math | up to two semesters* | * Check with programs, as some require statistics, others calculus, and a number do not have a specific math requirement. |
Note: some schools still require two semesters of calculus.
Tests
The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is designed to measure general academic ability, comprehension of scientific information, and perceptual ability. Tests are administered year-round at Prometric Test Centers in the United States. You will need to obtain a DENTPIN before taking the DAT. Please plan to schedule your exam at least 60 to 90 days ahead of time. Official scores are reported electronically to the dental schools you select on your DAT application. Additionally, when you select dental schools on your DAT application that participate in a standardized application service, the Department of Testing Services will report your official scores to the application services. At the completion of your testing appointment, you will receive an unofficial score report at the Prometric Testing Center.