bio prereq confusion

[fatty19]

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So here's the situation. I graduated in chemistry in dec. and I'm applying this summer and I'm wondering about my biology prereqs. The only biology I have besides my AP credit is cell bio and biochem. My university didn't require labs with either of these courses but I do have a boatload of upper division lab credits for chemistry one of which is a DNA/inorganic chem lab.

My question is what classes do i need to take this summer/fall as a postbac to make sure I meet bio prereqs? And also would it be ok to take them at a community college since money is tight. I already have my degree from a 4-year research university I just want to make sure there is no question about my prereqs on my application. Will it hurt me to be taking these classes after graduating? Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[fatty19]

anybody?

 

[hoot504]

First off, AP credit is pretty much worthless when applying to med school. Labs are required for just about every med school, even if your undergrad institution didn't need them.

As far as taking bio courses at community college; I've been told that taking any of the core pre-reqs at CC is generally looked down on

 

[mvenus929]

First off, AP credit is pretty much worthless when applying to med school. Labs are required for just about every med school, even if your undergrad institution didn't need them.

As far as taking bio courses at community college; I've been told that taking any of the core pre-reqs at CC is generally looked down on

Not true. More than a few medical schools will gladly accept AP credits, provided you show your knowledge well on the MCAT or advanced courses.

OP, you do need lab credits in biology. Do something simple, like Micro with a lab and you'll be golden. It's not like you haven't proven that you can handle a difficult course-load.

 

[Revilla]

Not true. More than a few medical schools will gladly accept AP credits, provided you show your knowledge well on the MCAT or advanced courses.

OP, you do need lab credits in biology. Do something simple, like Micro with a lab and you'll be golden. It's not like you haven't proven that you can handle a difficult course-load.

This is school-dependent. I can tell you from personal experience, some med schools won't accept AP credit. Also, Biochemistry may not pass as a Bio class anyway, depending on what department offered the course. You do have to take your labs so I would call a few schools and ask if you can take something like physiology and microbio with labs to satisfy the requirement.

Taking classes at a CC shouldn't be a problem since you've already graduated, provided you have a strong undergrad GPA. From what I found out by asking the same question, schools look down on CC credits when they're taken while the student is concurrently enrolled at a four-year school. For non-traditionals, it's not as big a deal. Of course, if your undergrad GPA isn't very good, I'd steer clear of the CC and take the pre-reqs at a four-year school to be safe.

 

[boaz]

Also, Biochemistry may not pass as a Bio class anyway, depending on what department offered the course.

That is very true. I wanted to take human physio in my school's Health & Nutrition Dept. So I got in touch with several schools and about 50% of them said they accept courses give by a biology department only. Anyway, biochem might have other problems--it might be seen as a chemistry course rather than bio regardless of what the med school's policy is or what dept. gives that course.

There seems to be so much confusion regarding bio. Wouldn't it be nice if there was some kind of standard?