Question about "general biology" prequisite

[Zguy]

Hello all,

So I have spent several hours trying to research this further, but I still have not found a clear answer. I didn't even think about it being an issue before, considering I was a microbiology major. I figured that completing tons of upper level biology coursework would fulfill the biology prerequisite, but I am seeing mixed messages. I have taken classes like microbiology w/ lab, immunology w/ lab, microbial genetics w/lab, virology w/lab, etc. Do I still need to go back and take biology II? I did a second bachelors degree over the past couple years in clinical laboratory science and got certified to work as a medical laboratory scientist, so there was a bunch of additional biology coursework there (hematology, immunohematology, clinical microbiology, clinical immunology, etc). I guess I expected such a requirement to be more strictly enforced on those doing the bare minimum in the sciences.

I will be applying to my state MD (KUMC) and various DO schools. I have noticed some DO schools (such as KCUMB) only provide a vague list of categorized credit hours (13 hours chemistry, 12 hours biology, etc.). Do DO schools handle this differently? Do I have to figure out a way to take freaking biology II now, while working full time and studying for the MCAT? Sigh... being a nontrad is a rollercoaster. Anyway, thanks in advance.


Zguy

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[Geo16]

I was going to ask the same thing on DO pre-med forum.
Some schools I've seen are okay with 8 credits of any "Biological Science (Microbio,Neurology, Molecular Biology etc.)" So I thought it was okay to take 8 credits of any Biological Science.
One prime example would be Michigan State.
http://www.com.msu.edu/Admissions/Applying/Requirements_for_Admission.htm
But it varies by schools.. it's not all unified under Osteopathic.
So I'm just gonna do two semesters of General Biology next year. Or 20 units at UCLA if I do transfer
Sorry, I don't have a clear answer for you. But my conclusion is that some DO schools lets you take any Biological Science for their Biology requirement. I think most of them do this way. I'll check individual schools for you.

 

[Zguy]

Well, it is true that the simplest solution would have been to just take biology II 6 years ago. But, when I saw I didn't need to take it to proceed with my degree, I didn't bat an eye. It was only later that I discovered that it could be a problem. Now I am married and working evenings full time. It would be very very challenging to take a course with my schedule as a MLS. There is no way I can stop working for the foreseeable future, as I am the bread winner. I just think that it is really silly that, with a background as science heavy as mine, an ADCOM might say "oh... but he doesn't have bio 2..."

 

[Geo16]

This is all I've found. Other schools only mentions "Biology" or "Biology/Zoology" but not "Biological Science."
http://arcomedu.org/admissions/admissions-requirements/
http://www.liberty.edu/lucom/index.cfm?PID=27880
(but beware, LUCOM might not be a school for you)
http://www.wmcarey.edu/academic-requirements
http://prospective.westernu.edu/osteopathic/requirements-12/
http://osteopathic.nova.edu/do/admissions/index.html
http://www.vcom.edu/admissions/admission-requirements

I believe Biological Science just represents all Biological courses like Neurology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, etc.

I'll ask this on DO forum if you'd like. To see if all (or most of them) DOs accept any Biological Science courses to fulfill Biology requirements.

 

[Zguy]

Thanks for the info. I think I'm going to just call some schools directly to discuss my situation. I will report back if I find out anything interesting.

 

[Geo16]

But please, ask this one again on pre-DO and pre-MD forum as well.
Do it por favor.

 

[mrjbb]

Some accept it some don't. I asked a similar question here a few days ago for a friend. She ended up calling Lecom and they said her having Bio 1 and Micro w/lab was more than enough to fulfill the 2 semesters of bio req and it wouldn't put her at a disadvantage app wise. She also called another northern DO school and they said the same.

 

[Zguy]

Update: I called several schools today, and they all said it was fine. Off the top of my head: PNWU, KCUMB, UNE, Touro Nevada, PCOM...

 

[mrjbb]

Update: I called several schools today, and they all said it was fine. Off the top of my head: PNWU, KCUMB, UNE, Touro Nevada, PCOM...

Thanks for the update. Good luck on your app.