A&P for Pre-Medicine

[OtisO]

Hi! I am a pre-medicine Biochemistry major in my second semester of my Freshman year. Just wondering if you guys recommend Anatomy and Physiology even though it will not go toward my major? I am sure I will cover it plenty in Medical School. I took an AP class of A&P in high school. So, i'm thinking: not to take it in undergrad but maybe learn the basics through some online resource like Khan Academy, etc. Thanks for the input!

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[OtisO]

There is no requirement for A&P in UG for med school. what it your concern

You are right, I don't know. I think I am more concerned about if I will be prepared, but since it is not a requirement, it makes sense. I guess what I am asking now if for insights from those who have been through medical school with or without UG A&P credits. Thanks for your advice 🙂

 

[goatmed]

For what it's worth, some of the content that was on my human physiology class (like kidney stuff and hormones) was MCAT material, so it might help a bit in that area.

 

[TheBiologist]

tissue and organ physiology is 25% of the bio section of the MCAT (so ~6.25% of the whole exam). you should have a basic understanding of the neuron, the nephron, the reproductive organs, cardiopulmonary organs, immune system. there might be 1 question on the musculoskeletal system, digestion or the skin. either way, what you learn from Campbells general bio textbook should be more than enough content

an whole course on A&P is almost entirely extraneous information, but that doesn't mean it won't help you understand it better

 

[Aerus]

A full course dedicated to Physiology will be more ideal, but this A&P course wouldn't hurt. The majority of medical students will not have taken Anatomy before, so you can do just fine without any exposure. With that said, it won't hurt to have some experience coming in, as that will definitely ease the transition a bit. Physiology is still much more important, so if you have the option to take a more rigorous course in that, choose that.

 

[ADSigMel]

I didn’t take A&P during my post-bac (wasn’t a science major the first time around), because my pre-Med advisor thought it would be a waste of time, unless I wanted to go to PA school instead of medical school. But I kind of wish I had taken - not that I think I’ll *need* it for medical school or anything, but just because I think it would have been interesting. Oh well, I’m sure I’ll learn all the anatomy and physiology I can stand over the next few years.

 

[dj-Roomba]

It might be helpful to take the class because then you won't be learning completely from the beginning in med school

 

[21Rush12]

I took A+P, and I agree with the above poster who said that Campbell’s Biology should cover enough for MCAT. A+P was one of my favorite classes in undergrad, but realistically medical school level anatomy and physiology are another league and you won’t really be any better off when it comes time for the real deal.

I’d say don’t worry about it, if you really like it then feel free to take it but it’s not going to give you an advantage in medical school or for the MCAT provided you study content from a good source.

Good luck!

 

[Forever Geebs]

Only take the course if it's required for your degree or is of particular interest to you. Otherwise, focus on degree and med school pre-req courses.

Best of luck to you.

 

[getdown]

They'll teach you whatever needs to be learned in medical school. Whatever you learn in undergrad will either barely scratch the surface of what you need to know or be irrelevant as the focus may be different.

 

[stayathomemom]

OHSU recommends that their applicants take the series, but they don't require it.