Biochem!

[smilin1590]

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I have a question, as I'm sitting here planning my junior and senior year I saw a thread somewhere(of course now I can't find it 😛) that said most vet schools require that the biochem class you take have orgo as a pre-req. I'm slightly confused because at my school i don't think orgo is a pre-req for biochem but orgo is a 200 level class and biochem is a 300 level. So will this look like orgo was a pre-req when I go and apply to vet school?😱

 

[deleted266066]

You'll be taking orgo because all vet schools require that, and then taking biochem is a must for most schools. There are typically two types of biochem offered at college... One which is a version without a lab, and usually is only one semester long. Or there is the version with a lab, and it takes a year to complete as they go more indepth in the subject.

The lowest level of biochem course should be acceptable anywhere to count for the biochem pre-req necessary at vet schools, so long as it covers "examination of the structure and function of major biomolecules; chemical and physical properties of nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids; gene replication and expression; biochemical energetics; principles of enzyme kinetics; vitamins and coenzymes; pH and buffers; and an examination of primary metabolic pathways in the mammalian organism." That's taken from the Tufts vet website, but all the other ones that ask for biochem basically say the same thing. So... as long as the class goes over those topics, you'll be fine.

 

[bardsle1]

I don't think the vet schools will care if it was a prerequisite or not, just as long as you took it and it meets their standards. If I was you, i would check the classes required for each school you wish to apply to and make sure that your courses cover the material that is required (the topics that is). i had to retake my bio class because the first one i took didnt cover cells and populations or something, so just make sure yours meet the requirement, especially if you got to a small college 🙂 good luck biochem was rough for me!

 

[gilch]

No, the vet schools I've talked to or looked up that required biochem required an Ochem prereq. The biochem classes that do not require ochem are typically freshman or sophomore level. Biochem classes that do have an Ochem prereq are typically sophomore, junior, or senior level. It would be on the syllabus or course description; you could also ask the professor. Another consideration is that some schools prefer a lab and/or a year long course. Half of a yearlong course, even one at the right level would not fufull the requirement. Good luck!!

 

[McVillesMom]

My Biochem course did not require Orgo as a prerequisite, and was accepted by my vet school with no problems. This may not be true everywhere, but it was for me.

 

[smilin1590]

I love you guys! This is why I come to this site because everyone is so helpful! Thanks I'll double check with the schools I'm applying to but considering quite a few pre-meds go to my school I'm figuring this shouldn't be a problem, I just got kind of worried when I was reading that way old thread! Thanks guys!

 

[smilin1590]

Is biochem going to be hard to take my senior fall semester as my last pre-req to finish. I will have also hopefully applied to some vet schools and this will be my final pre-req. It seems this is going to be the only time left to fit it in. Is this a bad idea?

 

[deleted266066]

I'm a senior this year and am currently taking biochem. I'm not applying to vet school until next year though. This has nothing to do with taking biochem late, but because I need to strengthen my application with a stronger GPA and more experience hours.

Are you more worried about the workload being too much? My biochem work load is pretty insane (I'm also taking the lab version, and I would say about 20 hours of my week are devoted to it when I include the 8 hours of class/lab I have for it a week!), and the rest of my schedule is pretty packed but isn't quite as hard. I think if I had planned on filling out applications now rather than next year, I would've had the time, but I would have had to cut down on some of my volunteering/research hours each week.

 

[lalzi22]

nah, its a good idea. when you take biochem, it will rip you apart, so by having it the last one left with no other prereqs that semester, you will feel far less stressed and also have more time to study for it. Fall semester my senior year is when I took it (I'm in my super senior last semester now).

 

[smilin1590]

OMG! This class freakin' scares me. I'm going to try and only take the minimum credit hours my senior year so I can really focus hard core on it. I really hope it goes well. Thanks for the advice!

 

[lalzi22]

Don't be scared. I know a lot of people said its their least favorite class, but if you study enough, you can def do well. It actually ended up being my favorite class that I took in college (I'm a nerd, I know haha).

 

[twelvetigers]

biochem >>>>> organic

 

[georgie339]

...

 

[rileyroo]

I think that success in biochemistry can change from person to person. I was really good at biochem and orgo, and really bad at general chemistry. I know others who are in the exact opposite situation.

i was really good at orgo and gen chem, but i get clostheslined by biochem weekly.