Bio classes

[Verijao15]

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I have already taken 3 bio classes. A&P 1 & 2 and Health Science Micriobiology. The pre-med professional counselor at school reccomends that I take additional bio before entering into medical school. Even though I have met all medical school pre-req's, how many bio classes should I take? I was thinking about taking cell bio, general gentics, and molecular genetics. Do you think this will be too many? Should I only take one additional bio? Which one is best?

Any advice/discussion on this will help a lot.

Thanks,


Concerned pre-med student

 

[Verijao15]

Also, Is there a huge difference in genetics and general genetics? Will it matter if I choose one or the other?

 

[Gurby]

Most medical schools require 2 semesters of "general biology" for science majors. It doesn't sound like you have fulfilled that requirement.

What were your chem/physics classes?

 

[Verijao15]

The counselor told me that A&P 1 & 2 would be enough to fill the gen bio requirement, but she still reccomends an additional upper division bio. They are phys 1&2, gen chem 1&2, o chem 1&2, and biochem 1&2.

 

[Gurby]

The counselor told me that A&P 1 & 2 would be enough to fill the gen bio requirement, but she still reccomends an additional upper division bio. They are phys 1&2, gen chem 1&2, o chem 1&2, and biochem 1&2.

Sounds like your other sciences are in order, but I would get a second opinion on whether A+P can fill the bio requirement.

It is likely going to vary school-to-school. Some schools are going towards a competency-based system where you just need to have covered certain topics, in which case A+P and some upper level courses is probably fine. However, some still want "BIO 101 + 102". @Goro can probably give you a better answer!

 

[Verijao15]

So in your oppinion, I shouldn't take any of those bio courses listed above?

 

[Verijao15]

If my counselor is wrong about me not having to take gen bio 1 & 2, I will not be able to enter med school on my expected time. However, I still have the time to take these courses if need be. I messaged @Goro

 

[Gurby]

If my counselor is wrong about me not having to take gen bio 1 & 2, I will not be able to enter med school on my expected time. However, I still have the time to take these courses if need be. I messaged @Goro

You could still take the classes after you apply - just need to have finished all prereq's prior to matriculation. The only question is whether you have any big knowledge gaps that would hurt you on the MCAT.

As for whether you should take those classes, I don't know. I would get a second opinion from one of the resident AdComs (Goro, LizzyM, etc)

 

[Save a life]

I have already taken 3 bio classes. A&P 1 & 2 and Health Science Micriobiology. The pre-med professional counselor at school reccomends that I take additional bio before entering into medical school. Even though I have met all medical school pre-req's, how many bio classes should I take? I was thinking about taking cell bio, general gentics, and molecular genetics. Do you think this will be too many? Should I only take one additional bio? Which one is best?

Any advice/discussion on this will help a lot.

Thanks,


Concerned pre-med student

Many schools are starting to prefer/ require classes like genetics. Look at the MSAR. Take as many upper level bio as you can...

 

[Verijao15]

My school offers gentics and general genetics. Will there be a difference if I took either one?

 

[GreenDuck12]

My school offers gentics and general genetics. Will there be a difference if I took either one?

It's hard to say based on the name of courses. You should compare the syllabi and determine which class will 1) prepare you for the MCAT and 2) which will lend itself to a career in the medicine the most.

 

[FCMike11]

That's seems really unusual that General A&P 1&2 would cover for gen bio requirements. Talking about general overview of body systems vs Krebs cycle and photosynthesis.

 

[Verijao15]

So will I be expected to have certain pre-req's filled beyond what my school says that I need to apply?

 

[Verijao15]

How does this sound? I go ahead and take the gen bio to assure I'm not lacking anything fudemental, then I take one or two more upper division bio courses (cell bio, genetics) before I start.

 

[esob]

Genetics or Embryology. But yeah, the material in A+P is drastically different from what is covered in Bio I+II for science majors.

 

[FCMike11]

So will I be expected to have certain pre-req's filled beyond what my school says that I need to apply?

Your best bet is to ignore what your advisor says and peruse numerous medical school (especially schools you will apply to) and compare their pre-reqs with what you have. General consensus is is that advisors are out of touch, I was almost burned listening solely to one.

 

[DrMikeP]

Do some reading on SDN about advisors and use caution in what you're told. As stated check out specific med school websites for reqs and you need certain prep for the MCAT.

Example:
2 GENERAL BIOLOGY courses w/ labs 8 hours
2 GENERAL/INORGANIC CHEMISTRY courses w/ labs 8 hours
2 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY courses w/ labs 8 hours
2 PHYSICS courses w/ labs 8 hours
2 ENGLISH courses 6 hours
1 BIOCHEMISTRY course 3 hours