Allopathic Medicine (M.D.)

What does a Physician (M.D.) do?

Physicians diagnose and care for people of all ages who are ill or have been injured. They take medical histories, perform physical examinations, conduct diagnostic tests, recommend and provide treatment, and advise patients on their overall health and well-being. While there are several different types of physicians, they can usually be divided into three broad categories:

Primary care physicians are the doctors patient usually visit most frequently. They treat a wide range of illnesses and regularly provide preventive care, and they also enjoy long-term relationships with their patients. Pediatricians, family practitioners and general internists are primary care physicians.
Surgeons perform operations to treat diseases and repair injuries.
Specialists have expertise related to specific diseases as well as body parts, organs, and systems. Cardiologists, Oncologists, Neurologists, and ophthalmologists are examples of specialists. View the AAMC’s Careers in Medicine website for more information and links concerning various specialties in medicine.

(Source: Association of American Medical Colleges, June 6, 2014)

What should I major in?

Although the majority of Medical Schools do not require a specific undergraduate major, due to the
academic preparation required for the MCAT and Medical School application, the most common Pre-Med
majors at NMSU are Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Kinesiology.

Required Courses:

General Biology (BIOL 2610G/2610L and BIOL 2110G/2110L)
General Chemistry (CHEM 1215G and CHEM 1225G)
Organic Chemistry (CHEM 313, 314 and 315)
Biochemistry (BCHE 395)
Physics (PHYS 1230G/1230L or PHYS 2230G/2230L & PHYS 1240G/1240L or 2240G/2240L)
Mathematics including Calculus (MATH 1511G)
Statistics (MATH 1350G or A ST 311G)
English Composition (ENGL 1110G and ENGL 2210G)
General Psychology (PSYC 1110G)
Sociology (SOCI 1110G or SOCI 2310G)

Recommended Courses:

Calculus II Human Anatomy Physiology Embryology Immunology Microbiology Cell Biology Molecular Biology Virology

Although coursework listed is recommended by most Medical Schools, admissions requirements may vary from school to school. Please check specific medical school admission websites for detailed prerequisite requirements.

Career Opportunities

Anesthesiologists administer the drugs that reduce or eliminate the sensation of pain during an operation or another medical procedure.

Family and General Physicians assess and treat a range of conditions that occur in everyday life.

General Internists diagnose and provide nonsurgical treatment for problems that affect internal organs.

General Pediatricians provide care for infants, children, teenagers, and young adults.

Obstetricians and gynecologists (OB/GYN) provide care related to pregnancy, childbirth, and the female reproductive system.

Psychiatrists are primary mental health physicians.

Surgeons specialize in treating injury, disease, and deformity through operations.

Other specialties:

Allergists (diagnosing and treating allergies)
Cardiologists (heart specialists)
Dermatologists (skin specialists)
Gastroenterologists (digestive system specialists)
Ophthalmologists (eye specialists)
Pathologists (study body tissue)
Radiologists (review and interpret x-ray pictures and deliver radiation treatments)

Salary and Job Outlook

Median Salary: $187,200 per year or $90.00 per hour.
Projected 18% growth from 2012 to 2022