Biochemistry + Physics = ???

[Amrazzz]

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I'm currently a rising junior at a large public university. I was wondering how I should go about my schedule for the upcoming quarter. Currently I have scheduled Advanced Cell Biology (3 creds), Anatomy and Physiology I (4), Ancient Civ: China (3), College Physics w/ Lab (5), and Undergraduate research (3). I've pretty much taken 16+ credits every quarter of college and maintained a solid 3.98 cGPA, with 4.0 sGPA. I'm very interested in Biochem but I don't know if this will be overkill. Our Biochemistry class has a reputation of being one of the hardest in the university, taught by a medical school professor who is on the selection committee. Also, our physics department is on academic probation due to Teacher shortages.

Here are my options:

1) Keep schedule as is
2) Substitute advanced cell biology with Biochemistry
3) substitute A&P with Biochemistry
4) Substitute advanced cell with Biochemistry and drop A&P

I do intend on taking biochemistry before I graduate. Is it more helpful to take it during junior or senior year? I'm inclined to take it senior year because it will be fresher in my mind once time comes for medschool.

 

[FlowRate]

If you can take ANP later, or if you don't need it at all, I would drop ANP and sub in Biochem.

 

[Cypher321]

Which physics are we talking about here? Personally for me, I found all my physics to be fairly easy save for the heat, light, and oscillations section. That aside, my gut feeling says wait til summer or senior year to take it. No reason to overextend yourself (and thus hurt your gpa) unless there's some pressing reason to do so.

 

[Beaker 11]

I had Physics II with Biochemistry this past spring with 19 credits and it was my hardest semester. I don’t know how difficult those classes are at your school but you seem to have a heavy science load already. If I were you, I would just hold out on taking Biochem until the spring. As far as taking it as a senior to help you for med school, from what I understand everything you learn in an undergrad biochem course is pretty much covered in med school within the first two weeks so I don’t think it will put you at much of an advantage. Just do it when it fits in your schedule the best. When I took the class it sucked up a lot of my time. I actually enjoyed it but wish I took it when I had a lighter course load so I could have spent more time really understanding and absorbing everything. Physics on the other hand, was a complete disaster for me. I hated every second of it!

 

[ohgodidonteven]

Took Biochem, physics, and orgo+lab at the same time. The biochem was two semester shoved into one as well.

 

[Amrazzz]

I had Physics II with Biochemistry this past spring with 19 credits and it was my hardest semester. I don’t know how difficult those classes are at your school but you seem to have a heavy science load already. If I were you, I would just hold out on taking Biochem until the spring. As far as taking it as a senior to help you for med school, from what I understand everything you learn in an undergrad biochem course is pretty much covered in med school within the first two weeks so I don’t think it will put you at much of an advantage. Just do it when it fits in your schedule the best. When I took the class it sucked up a lot of my time. I actually enjoyed it but wish I took it when I had a lighter course load so I could have spent more time really understanding and absorbing everything. Physics on the other hand, was a complete disaster for me. I hated every second of it!

Thanks for the advice! I think I'll end up taking it senior year when my course load will be at a minimum (taking 16+ creds/quarter sure helps in the long run!). Biochemistry at my school is actually the medical school version extended over 3 quarters. To be honest, I'm afraid to take it with Physics which has earned an infamous reputation at my school along with MCAT studying. I'll play it safe for now.

Cypher - I'm taking the algebra based physics
Flow - I really don't want to take A&P senior year when things turn out hectic with interviews and applying so trying to plan a balanced schedule during that year. Also being an Ohio resident, Ohio State requires one unit of A&P - might as well knock it out early.
Ogodidonteven - FYL lol

 

[LoveTheRunner]

its not even that biochem + phys would be the killer combo. biochem, A&P, and cell bio are heavy reading courses. physics problems are a nice breakup between what could easily be 120+ pgs a night if you are someone who keeps up with book stuff

 

[FlowRate]

Thanks for the advice! I think I'll end up taking it senior year when my course load will be at a minimum (taking 16+ creds/quarter sure helps in the long run!). Biochemistry at my school is actually the medical school version extended over 3 quarters. To be honest, I'm afraid to take it with Physics which has earned an infamous reputation at my school along with MCAT studying. I'll play it safe for now.

Cypher - I'm taking the algebra based physics
Flow - I really don't want to take A&P senior year when things turn out hectic with interviews and applying so trying to plan a balanced schedule during that year. Also being an Ohio resident, Ohio State requires one unit of A&P - might as well knock it out early.
Ogodidonteven - FYL lol

Sub cell bio then. Don't kill yourself. More is doable but not necessary. I don't think too many people plan out ultra easy semesters for their senior year. I know that most of my friends premed and otherwise don't.

 

[deleted307836]

And here I was ready to respond biophysical chemistry 😡

 

[chman]

biochem+physics=biochemaphysics 😀

 

[Cleavername]

biochem+physics=biochemaphysics 😀

i wonder what they would teach in that class....

 

[Beaker 11]

biochem+physics=biochemaphysics 😀

Sounds like a great gpa booster. Actually, you can take Physical Biochemistry at my school... I think I'll pass on that one.

 

[chman]

Sounds like a great gpa booster. Actually, you can take Physical Biochemistry at my school... I think I'll pass on that one.

Yea, that sounds pretty rough.

 

[mickey512]

I took Biochem and Physics I together in the Fall of this past year, and I managed to get out alive so I guess it's not that bad.

Physics I at my school was absolutely horrible, so combining that with all the reading and studying Biochem requires did give me a decent challenge. There were times when I was like "WHY DID I DO THIS??!!!" but then at the end, it really wasn't too bad and I'm glad I did it. Nothing worth achieving is ever easy, right ? 😉

But, I really did LOVE Biochem and would definitely suggest taking it if your courseload allows 🙂 Physics on the other hand...*vomit*

 

[dmblue]

Yea, that sounds pretty rough.

Biophysical chemistry courses usually discuss the effects of diffusion, fluid properties (like viscosity and shearing), and thermodynamics on biological environments.

 

[FlowRate]

Sounds like a great gpa booster. Actually, you can take Physical Biochemistry at my school... I think I'll pass on that one.

At my school, they made Physical Biochem because all the Biochem majors were getting C's in Physical Chem and then complaining because they wouldn't get into med school. So they made a 1 semester, easier, BCH phys chem course.

(I'm sure that it's different in other places, jus' sayin..)

 

[Beaker 11]

Hmm I think P-Chem is a prereq for it at my school. Well I know one of my super smart chemistry major friends took P-Chem and Biochem II before taking Physical Biochem because she would complain to me about it all the time. Sort of made me feel stupid complaining about not understanding the right hand rule in physics (you see I'm left handed) or really anything I was supposed to learn in those two semesters. Either way, you will not find me in any of those classes. Give me Biochem or Organic anyday. Actually, in a few short week I will be totally done with all of my undergrad chem courses forever!! I've never been more excited for a final in my life ! Ok sorry OP, this got way off topic.

 

[latrala2300]

Sounds like a great gpa booster. Actually, you can take Physical Biochemistry at my school... I think I'll pass on that one.

yeah im taking physical biochemistry. so i got a little excited when i saw the title.

 

[latrala2300]

(you see I'm left handed) .

just switch the x and the y planes and you're good (i'm not sinisterly-handed but had to tutor some peeps who had the same problem)

 

[Luveroni]

I'm currently a rising junior at a large public university. I was wondering how I should go about my schedule for the upcoming quarter. Currently I have scheduled Advanced Cell Biology (3 creds), Anatomy and Physiology I (4), Ancient Civ: China (3), College Physics w/ Lab (5), and Undergraduate research (3). I've pretty much taken 16+ credits every quarter of college and maintained a solid 3.98 cGPA, with 4.0 sGPA. I'm very interested in Biochem but I don't know if this will be overkill. Our Biochemistry class has a reputation of being one of the hardest in the university, taught by a medical school professor who is on the selection committee. Also, our physics department is on academic probation due to Teacher shortages.

Here are my options:

1) Keep schedule as is
2) Substitute advanced cell biology with Biochemistry
3) substitute A&P with Biochemistry
4) Substitute advanced cell with Biochemistry and drop A&P

I do intend on taking biochemistry before I graduate. Is it more helpful to take it during junior or senior year? I'm inclined to take it senior year because it will be fresher in my mind once time comes for medschool.

You have an outstanding GPA and seem to be able to do well in classes!
Think of this biochem class as an opportunity to maybe secure a great rec. from the medical professor!

 

[NickNaylor]

I've found biochemistry to be helpful for the MCAT, but it's certainly not something you absolutely must take before you take the test. I'd recommend fitting it in before then if you can.