How much biochem to take?

[kelminak]

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Hello,

I've got a year left of GPA boosting before applying for the 2017-2018 cycle, and to make myself able to apply to the most amount of schools, I want to take biochemistry. However my school has a few different options:

Option 1) Take 'Fundamentals of Biochemistry' for 3 credits: "A course designed for non-majors who need one semester of biochemistry to satisfy program or professional school requirements. An overview of the biochemical principles governing the properties and activities of biologically relevant molecules: nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. The emphasis will be on biomolecule structure and function as they relate to human metabolism and disease"

Option 2) Take a full year of biochem which includes biochem 1 and 2, with the option to take a biochemistry lab course as well. Overall 8 credits (3, 3, 2 for lab).

I know that most schools only require three credits, so would the fundamentals class be sufficient? Would I be at any advantage for taking a full year worth of it?

Thanks!

 

[deleted407021]

The 3 credit course would be sufficient. If you've yet to take the MCAT -- which is my assumption -- then that course would also be adequate introduction to the biochem you need to know.

I doubt taking an extra semester of biochemistry would have a meaningful effect on your chances of acceptance, considering all the other factors that come into play.

 

[Terror Billy]

It really depends on what you want. You can help yourself not only for medical school but also the MCAT by taking a more immersive biochemistry sequence or fulfill the core requirement (3 credit course) and learn MCAT specific biochem when you have to.

It depends on the school, but I know some older guys who found the couple core biochem classes at my school to be very helpful for their first year in medical school.

 

[kelminak]

The 3 credit course would be sufficient. If you've yet to take the MCAT -- which is my assumption -- then that course would also be adequate introduction to the biochem you need to know.

I doubt taking an extra semester of biochemistry would have a meaningful effect on your chances of acceptance, considering all the other factors that come into play.

I have actually taking the MCAT: 28 (7/12/9). I do want to have a good shot at the new MCAT in case I don't get in during the 2017/2018 cycle and it expires, so I'm glad to know that would be good enough. 🙂

 

[deleted407021]

I have actually taking the MCAT: 28 (7/12/9). I do want to have a good shot at the new MCAT in case I don't get in during the 2017/2018 cycle and it expires, so I'm glad to know that would be good enough. 🙂

Yep! I think it would put you in a good position to make the most of your content review while still not giving you too much extra work -- allowing time to work on more important parts of your app.

 

[QueenJames]

That verbal tho! I felt so good during my verbal section but only ended up with a 9. 🙁

 

[oOKawaiiOo]

1) Are you financially stable to take biochem for the whole year?
2) If yes, then I would go that route.

I took a sequence of biochem and lab (taught by the same Prof. who also teaches same course at an MD school) and I'm glad I did.

Also, I took "Intro to Biochem", Biochem 601, Biochem 602, and Biochem lab."

 

[oOKawaiiOo]

That verbal tho! I felt so good during my verbal section but only ended up with a 9. 🙁

Dont grade yourself base on a single subsection. If it makes you feel better, I scored a 3 on my verbal (there is a reason why, its kinda funny but unfortunate)

 

[Sisu00]

I took a 3 credit biochem course. The main advantage of taking the full year is that if you can get an A in both semesters, you will help your science GPA more. I'm unsure if the additional biochem will help when you actually get to med school. The comment I have heard many current medical students say is that the courses cover so much more material that after the first few weeks, you will have already gone through all the material that was covered in undergrad classes.

 

[kelminak]

That verbal tho! I felt so good during my verbal section but only ended up with a 9. 🙁

Thanks! Would it be bad to say I didn't even study for it? :S I did it on a couple of practice tests, understood the format they were asking for, then just skipped it going forward assuming I'd be fine. Turns out I was. xD

1) Are you financially stable to take biochem for the whole year?
2) If yes, then I would go that route.

I took a sequence of biochem and lab (taught by the same Prof. who also teaches same course at an MD school) and I'm glad I did.

Also, I took "Intro to Biochem", Biochem 601, Biochem 602, and Biochem lab."

I could take biochem for a full year, but I'm really worried that it's going to be so hard that it's going to drop my GPA, not boost it. I'm sure it depends on the teacher, but the reviews of this class say it's extremely hard and you have be amazing to get an A. :S However, I'm running out of meaningful biology classes to take at my university, so I might just suck it up and do it. I'm still undecided. :/

 

[oOKawaiiOo]

I could take biochem for a full year, but I'm really worried that it's going to be so hard that it's going to drop my GPA, not boost it. I'm sure it depends on the teacher, but the reviews of this class say it's extremely hard and you have be amazing to get an A. :S However, I'm running out of meaningful biology classes to take at my university, so I might just suck it up and do it. I'm still undecided. :/

If you play TOP lane with Kennen, do you stop at the 1st tower? Or go for the win via nexus?

1) Make smart choices -- make friends with smart people in class.
2) Stay motivated because the path to medicine will only get harder
3) Believe in yourself!


I'm not smart at all. But if I can do it, you can to.

 

[QueenJames]

Thanks! Would it be bad to say I didn't even study for it? :S I did it on a couple of practice tests, understood the format they were asking for, then just skipped it going forward assuming I'd be fine. Turns out I was. xD



I could take biochem for a full year, but I'm really worried that it's going to be so hard that it's going to drop my GPA, not boost it. I'm sure it depends on the teacher, but the reviews of this class say it's extremely hard and you have be amazing to get an A. :S However, I'm running out of meaningful biology classes to take at my university, so I might just suck it up and do it. I'm still undecided. :/

Lolz that's legit man. That's a good score for DO nonetheless. As for your actual biochem dilemma, if I were to do it over again, I would take one semester and maybe pad your GPA with a few more burner courses like Nutrition or something in Public health (which I'm sure AACOMAS counts as your science GPA).

The rest of the biochem you'll cover for the new MCAT (if you decide to take it) can be found on solid youtube sources or even good prep course books most likely. That's just what I would do. Good luck nonetheless my man!

 

[QueenJames]

.

 

[kelminak]

If you play TOP lane with Kennen, do you stop at the 1st tower? Or go for the win via nexus?

1) Make smart choices -- make friends with smart people in class.
2) Stay motivated because the path to medicine will only get harder
3) Believe in yourself!


I'm not smart at all. But if I can do it, you can to.

I'm all about maximizing my chances of getting into medical school, and I'll be the first to admit that chemistry is not my strength. I would rather take other science classes if I'm not going to disadvantage myself by taking additional biochemistry.

Lolz that's legit man. That's a good score for DO nonetheless. As for your actual biochem dilemma, if I were to do it over again, I would take one semester and maybe pad your GPA with a few more burner courses like Nutrition or something in Public health (which I'm sure AACOMAS counts as your science GPA).

The rest of the biochem you'll cover for the new MCAT (if you decide to take it) can be found on solid youtube sources or even good prep course books most likely. That's just what I would do. Good luck nonetheless my man!

So I've basically got a year left and this is one of the next questions I'm going to end up making a thread about: What do I take over the next year? I've basically taken every single upper-level biology course relevant to medical school, so I'm not really sure what to do anymore. Would I be looked down on by taking health studies classes which are clearly going to be easier than a pure science course when I'm trying to boost my GPA? If so, what science courses should I take instead? xD

 

[AM508]

I would take the more expansive biochem. The biochem you take in med school is no joke. I took a very rigorous biochem in undergrad and it has made medical biochemistry a lot easier than it would have been had I taken the lesser class.

 

[kelminak]

I would take the more expansive biochem. The biochem you take in med school is no joke. I took a very rigorous biochem in undergrad and it has made medical biochemistry a lot easier than it would have been had I taken the lesser class.

I appreciate the input from you and everyone else in this thread. I think I'm pretty decided on taking the 3 credit "Fundamentals" course that satisfies the basic requirement. I know it doesn't put me in the best position in terms of preparation compared to the year, but I don't like either of the professors that teach biochem at my university and I'd rather get it out of the way and not risk my GPA taking a hit. Interestingly, the course is a 6-8:45 PM one night a week in a "flipped classroom" where you study outside of the class then come to class to do problems? Has anyone had experience with this?

 

[Buddy.the.Elf]

I appreciate the input from you and everyone else in this thread. I think I'm pretty decided on taking the 3 credit "Fundamentals" course that satisfies the basic requirement. I know it doesn't put me in the best position in terms of preparation compared to the year, but I don't like either of the professors that teach biochem at my university and I'd rather get it out of the way and not risk my GPA taking a hit. Interestingly, the course is a 6-8:45 PM one night a week in a "flipped classroom" where you study outside of the class then come to class to do problems? Has anyone had experience with this?

We do flipped classroom sessions often. I like them a lot, and I feel as though they help me retain the material more. The research seems to show that flipped classroom is generally well received by students, and the students tend to do better. I'm taking a medical education elective, and we were just talking about how if biochem is a good subject to be in a flipped classroom. It probably all depends on the professor, but I think it could work.

If you're interested in learning more about it, these two short articles would be good to read: Lecture halls without lectures—a proposal for medical education. Prober, C. G., & Heath, C. (2012).N Engl J Med, 366(18), 1657-1659. Vodcasts and active-learning exercises in a “flipped classroom” model of a renal pharmacotherapy module. American journal of pharmaceutical education, Pierce, R., & Fox, J. (2012). 76(10)

 

[kelminak]

We do flipped classroom sessions often. I like them a lot, and I feel as though they help me retain the material more. The research seems to show that flipped classroom is generally well received by students, and the students tend to do better. I'm taking a medical education elective, and we were just talking about how if biochem is a good subject to be in a flipped classroom. It probably all depends on the professor, but I think it could work.

If you're interested in learning more about it, these two short articles would be good to read: Lecture halls without lectures—a proposal for medical education. Prober, C. G., & Heath, C. (2012).N Engl J Med, 366(18), 1657-1659. Vodcasts and active-learning exercises in a “flipped classroom” model of a renal pharmacotherapy module. American journal of pharmaceutical education, Pierce, R., & Fox, J. (2012). 76(10)

Thanks for the information! That calms my nerves to know it can be a good method to learn. Biochem seems scarier than ochem to me (which I already suck hard at), so I don't want to do anything that sets me up to fail. 😛

 

[AM508]

Interestingly, the course is a 6-8:45 PM one night a week in a "flipped classroom" where you study outside of the class then come to class to do problems? Has anyone had experience with this?

We had a couple of professors that tried "flipped classroom" in my UG. For the most part my class hated them and we petitioned the department to go back to the more traditional lecture/lab format (which they thankfully did). I personally abhor flipped classroom. At my med school, the majority of the classes are non-mandatory lecture which works well for me. A few classes have a small team-based learning component that, much like flipped classroom, I feel are a flagrant waste of time as I seem to learn about half as much in twice the time with those sort of activities. So if you are a group learner that methodology might work well, if you are a solo learner like myself, it is a waste of time.