biochem in undergrad necessary?

[wmosudoc]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I was a bio major in college, but never took biochemistry. I am starting med school in the fall and am debating on whether or not to take a biochem course this summer. Did any of you not take biochem in undergrad? And if not, do you feel like you have been at a disadvantage in med school because of not taking it? Would you advise taking the course? I appreciate any advice!!! Thanks!!

 

[DrMom]

Of course biochem before med school is likely to benefit you, just like anatomy, histology, etc are. That said, you can do just fine without it. I'd recommend that you enjoy your summer instead of taking another class. You'll be in school for a number of years and you'll probably only get 1 more summer off. Go have fun!!

 

[sacrament]

I wouldn't take a class during your last summer before med school--at most, I would skim through a biochem review book for a couple of days. You WILL have to work a little harder at the biochem than your classmates who've taken it before. You cover so much material, so quickly, in med school that it is always an advantage to have seen it before. It won't make or break you, though.

 

[UNMC2006]

I agree with the other brilliant posters! I was a biochem major in college, did it help me in biochem, infinitely, was it absoloutely essential, NOPE! I think that you will find that biochem in an undergraduate setting lays it on pretty thick, not always making all the necessary medical correlations. What I learned in medical school was broad-based, very fast (i.e, Glycolysis, Krebs, ETC... all in one day) The difference between medical school and undergrad you will find is not difficulty, but volume. That being said, if I could go back, I am not sure I would push myself to the max in undergrad as usually a basic review before school, or just a genuine 100% effort in medical school is plenty to learn the material. I don't want to numb it though, biochem is pretty challenging in med school as well, but not enough to ruin your last summer of freedom... Best of luck!

 

[Brewster]

I had no biochem in college. In fact, I avoided taking biochem in order to free up my schedule to take courses that I would not have in medical school (I was a chem major and wanted to take more p-chem and quantum, as well as things like art history and political science).

I am sure I worked a bit harder on biochem than my other classmates. But, I was still successful in biochem. Also, remember that biochem is only one class you will take next year.

And, to reiterate what others have said...relax this summer! Have some fun. This summer and next summer are the last you will have for a while, so you better make the best of it.