Best biology class to prepare for MCAT

[HealthE]

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I took biology about 10 years ago and I plan on taking the MCAT in May 2013.
I was wondering what courses people suggest I should take to prepare for the Biology section. I will be fresh with orgo and biochemistry in time for the MCAT. However, I have not taken intro bio in such a long time I am afraid I will do bad.

Should I take genetics, microbiology, physiology.. or another class to prepare? I only have time in my schedule for one extra biology class.

Thanks!

 

[LifeTake2]

IF the purpose is just for the MCAT you will get the best bang for your buck by retaking BIO1 for science majors (or whatever your school calls it).

You can be sure there will be basic bio questions, there may be 5 genetics and 0 micro, or 5 micro and 0 genetics, or none of either. Look at an MCAT study guide, take a practice test or two and use that to judge where you need to focus.

 

[Palam]

I took biology about 10 years ago and I plan on taking the MCAT in May 2013.
I was wondering what courses people suggest I should take to prepare for the Biology section. I will be fresh with orgo and biochemistry in time for the MCAT. However, I have not taken intro bio in such a long time I am afraid I will do bad.

Should I take genetics, microbiology, physiology.. or another class to prepare? I only have time in my schedule for one extra biology class.

Thanks!

Honestly all of those classes would help you but having your basic bio down is the most important part. I'd like to give you a definitive answer on which one is "best" to take, but there isn't much of the Bio you can't get down just studying intensely for 1-2 months. It's mostly memorizing facts and reading comprehension.

I knew very little Bio going into the mcat, having only had intro 1 and 2 (and both were absolutely subpar courses) and that was my highest score.

 

[Palam]

If I had to pick I would say genetics or micro. I knew my physio pretty well just from studying by myself, but genetics can get overwhelming if it's foreign. They won't ask you anything nearly complicated as what you would see towards the end of your genetics course, it's mostly basic stuff.

 

[StudyShy]

I'd say genetics, at least for me, since it seems way less intuitive than the other subjects. Microbiology is fun.

 

[Jas1360]

I find Genetics fairly easy and really learned a lot in my Physiology course. At my college if I would have needed to choose just one before the MCAT I would have gained the most from Physiology.

 

[curt656]

I would say Molecular or Cell Biology and Microbiology. Molecular Bio has a LOT of genetics in it as well as cell processes (glycolysis, Krebs, photosynthesis, etc) and a good bit on testing methods (SDS-Page, microscopy, PCR, etc.). Microbio is essential if only for the immunology portion. If you don't have a great grasp in these areas, you will suffer. There is a lot of experimental bio on the MCAT. I took about 7 or 8 weeks ago and basic bio is nowhere near enough.

 

[wholeheartedly]

For me personally, I'd take genetics or molecular bio. I just struggled with genetics. Molecular bio is pretty interesting and like curt656 said it's going to hit a lot of the experimental stuff.

But my other suggestion would be to go flip through an MCAT bio review book. Whatever makes your eyes gloss over is what you should take 😉

 

[TriagePreMed]

At my school, Human Biology class literally covers 100% of the MCAT bio topics.

 

[doctorold]

What about Anatomy? It's not helpful if I take it in undergrad?

 

[ShoTyme]

Anatomy is not on the MCAT

 

[HealthE]

At my school, Human Biology class literally covers 100% of the MCAT bio topics.

Good luck with your apps. I liked your profile.

 

[wjs010]

Oh boy I wish more anatomy/ phys was on it. Take cell bio if you can

 

[TriagePreMed]

Good luck with your apps. I liked your profile.

Thanks, haven't had any luck, unfortunately.

 

[TriagePreMed]

What about Anatomy? It's not helpful if I take it in undergrad?

I took anatomy and it wasn't useful for the MCAT. In fact, it was overkill.

 

[HealthE]

Thanks, haven't had any luck, unfortunately.

I am sure you will. Just keep pushing.

 

[thlaxer]

I agree with the people who suggested intro bio, that'll give you the best refresher since it'll cover (or at least touch on) most/all of the MCAT Bio topics. Upper division classes go into way too much detail and focus on such a small part of what's tested by the MCAT, it won't really help that much in my opinion. It's possible to ace the Bio portion of your MCAT by just having a strong foundation from Biol 101.

 

[Yellow Jacket]

I took biology about 10 years ago and I plan on taking the MCAT in May 2013.
I was wondering what courses people suggest I should take to prepare for the Biology section. I will be fresh with orgo and biochemistry in time for the MCAT. However, I have not taken intro bio in such a long time I am afraid I will do bad.

Should I take genetics, microbiology, physiology.. or another class to prepare? I only have time in my schedule for one extra biology class.

Thanks!

I am in a very similar situation as yours. I highly recommend taking Bio 1 and 2 for science majors. Biochemistry also helps but only after you take Bio 1 and 2 for science majors. Bio 1 and 2 are fairly simple so if you do not have to take the class, I would study the content by myself as it may cost you lots of time between classes and lab and projects.