Biochemistry before medical school questions

[THEBACKANDFORTH]

Hi,

I was just accepted to med school. However, i have not taken biochem, and my biology MCAT section was by far my weakest section. While I know everyone says not to to study before medical school before class starts, I think taking a free self-paced biochem course would be beneficial. I am only working 30 hours a week, and truly enjoy studying, especially without the stress of exam. I also have a textbook from UNE course that I was going to take for a DO school I was accepted to and could incorporate that. More structure would help me, however.

What suggestions for biochem courses/ways to study that are free or cheap do you have? Would you recommend learning some biochem before matriculation? I do have some knowledge from cell bio and MCAT study already, but certainly not comprehensive or up to par with many matriculants.

Thanks!

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[Lannister]

I wouldn't waste your time. I basically didn't take biochem before med school (my "biochem" class consisted of a full semester of lab techniques, didn't even cover metabolism) and while biochem was more difficult for me than most of my classmates, I put in the work and did decently well. Plus, it's not like med school is all about biochem. Our biochem class really boiled down to about 3 weeks of material. So maybe taking biochem now would help you do better for a few weeks of medical school. Doesn't sound worth it to me. Enjoy your free time while you still can.

 

[workaholic181]

I would agree with the above poster. If you were determined to get a little background before school begins next year, I honestly would recommend Khan academy biochem videos.

 

[DBC03]

UCSD has all of their classes on podcasts, and many are available to the general public. I plan to listen to some classes for fun over the next few weeks. I agree that not having exams makes it enjoyable, not like actually being in school.


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[TypeADissection]

Never took a single biochem class in undergrad and didn't have any issues in med school. Med school will teach you what you need to know. It's a train bruh, the choo choo kind. Starts slowly but once it gets moving it doesn't stop. So don't fall behind because it ain't waiting for you. Still trying to figure out if it was my least favorite class ever. Oh wait. Nevermind. Embryology is terrible. It's just the worst. Cheers.

 

[infectiousdisease101]

The dean of a medical school told me there's a high correlation between those that failed it in medical school and those that didn't take it. But based on what TypeADissection said, that may not be true for you.

If you want to take a biochem course, ask a biochem professor at your school if you can sit-in.

 

[Lannister]

The dean of a medical school told me there's a high correlation between those that failed it in medical school and those that didn't take it.

But based on what TypeADissection said, that may not be true for you.

Not surprising, but most med students don't fail any classes.

 

[THEBACKANDFORTH]

@gyngyn @Goro What do our learned faculty think??

I appreciate all the insight everyone. At this point I am learning towards not, but medical schools must be beginning to require it for a reason.

Is there one subject or two that may provide me the most benefit, a narrow focus with which to introduce myself? Or am i just being too Type A?

USCD has their current course available, and the lectures look genuinely enjoyable.

 

[Goro]

@gyngyn @Goro What do our learned faculty think??

I appreciate all the insight everyone. At this point I am learning towards not, but medical schools must be beginning to require it for a reason.

Is there one subject or two that may provide me the most benefit, a narrow focus with which to introduce myself? Or am i just being too Type A?

USCD has their current course available, and the lectures look genuinely enjoyable.

You'll leanr what you need in med school. Just be prepared to sketch out lots of pathways and know enzymes, products, substrates and diseases caused by lack of same.

 

[THEBACKANDFORTH]

Thank you all for the insight. The next 6 months will be for relaxing, friends, family, my dogs, and my first love, literature.

 

[TypeADissection]

Thank you all for the insight. The next 6 months will be for relaxing, friends, family, my dogs, and my first love, literature.

This is the best thing you can do. Just enjoy it because you can’t get this back. Cheers.

 

[CyrilFiggis]

Biochemistry takes up roughly 10% of First Aid and boards love to integrate them into questions:

"55 YO man evaluated for chronic weakness. Over the last few months he's experienced increasing difficulty going up stairs and lifting objects over his head. Blah Blah Blah. Evaluate for polymyositis.... The anti Jo-1 antibody inhibits which cellular mechanism?"

That being said, it's not imperative to do any pre-work. I came into med school with an arts degree and 1 semester of basic biochem. Just keep up with your classes and take the time to learn it well and not just for the immediate exam.