Biochemistry Question

[clc8503]

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Let me start by saying, I'm still pre med. I'm not applying to med school till next may. That being said, I have a serious dilemma on my hands that I feel more comfortable discussing with students that are actually in medical school. I've heard that it is recommended and beneficial that students take biochemistry in undergrad to prepare them for the biochemistry that is taught in medical school. My degree is in Medical Technology and in my clinical year I took 5 hours of Biochemistry and Toxicology and 4 hours of Clinical Biochemistry as well. These courses taught Biochemistry as it was related to healthcare. However, we didn't have to learn all how to draw all the amino acids or anything like that. It was just a lot of memorization in terms of how chemical processes take place in the human body and how disruptions can lead to disease. Endocrinology encompassed a great deal of the subject, blood gases, osmolality, ketones, abnormal hemoglobins, etc. I was wondering if you guys knew if that would be enough biochem to prepare me for medical school or if I should take the eight hours of general biochemistry on top of what I've already taken?

I'm not trying to be lazy or anything like that. During my years in college, I transferred schools and lost some credit/courses since my school sucks at accepting credit from other schools. I've also had to take a great deal of pre med courses that were outside my major. I have 182 credit hours right now so I'd like to not take anymore if possible.

Thanks

 

[whatdapho]

Let me start by saying, I'm still pre med. I'm not applying to med school till next may. That being said, I have a serious dilemma on my hands that I feel more comfortable discussing with students that are actually in medical school. I've heard that it is recommended and beneficial that students take biochemistry in undergrad to prepare them for the biochemistry that is taught in medical school. My degree is in Medical Technology and in my clinical year I took 5 hours of Biochemistry and Toxicology and 4 hours of Clinical Biochemistry as well. These courses taught Biochemistry as it was related to healthcare. However, we didn’t have to learn all how to draw all the amino acids or anything like that. It was just a lot of memorization in terms of how chemical processes take place in the human body and how disruptions can lead to disease. Endocrinology encompassed a great deal of the subject, blood gases, osmolality, ketones, abnormal hemoglobins, etc. I was wondering if you guys knew if that would be enough biochem to prepare me for medical school or if I should take the eight hours of general biochemistry on top of what I’ve already taken?

I’m not trying to be lazy or anything like that. During my years in college, I transferred schools and lost some credit/courses since my school sucks at accepting credit from other schools. I’ve also had to take a great deal of pre med courses that were outside my major. I have 182 credit hours right now so I’d like to not take anymore if possible.

Thanks

If you have elective hours to fulfill and BC can take care of that, I would suggest taking it during UG. BC here at DMU is a lot of material thrown at you in a very short period of time. We had 6 test over a period of 2 months I believe, including all other things going on. So it would be beneficial for you to at least have seen most of the material presented in med school. The material you have encountered thus far will be covered to some extent, but there are a lot of metabolic pathways and chemical structures that can give a person a headache if you haven't seen it before. Some people can do just as well as a person who hasn't seen BC before. It just depends. But do I think it's a waste of time to take BC.....nope. Go for it. Same goes for anatomy. If you have the time, you should take it. It helps later on w/ absorbing all the material presented in anatomy. Hope this helps.

 

[SexPistol]

I think one of the most important ways yo learn is seeing things multiple times and from different angles. It will certainly not hurt to have more biochem in your undergrad. I only took the first semester of undergrad, maybe you can do that. It is very helpful

 

[jpatzi]

It is also worth mentioning that many schools are starting to require Biochem as a pre-req for admissions.

 

[DnB607]

I took Biochemistry in college and while some things did look familiar while taking it again in medical school, that's all I can really say. I couldn't remember the specific structures or mechanisms. You are going to learn Biochemistry all over again in a different way in medical school as the professors stress certain topics and it is just more clinical. I would say if your school doesn't require it, then you are fine and don't need to take it again. My school doesn't make you memorize many structures and makes it all very clinical.

 

[Natatiap]

It would be helpful but not necessary. I just finished biochemistry in med school and I never had it before and I did very well. Matter of fact I haven't most of these classes before and I did well overall....I was a psych major for undergrad. For undergrad I just took what was required as a pre-med and quant, biotechniques and cell biology. I feel as long as you have your foundation classes you should do fine with anything they throw your way. Depends on you if you feel it may help but I personally know ppl who have had biochem before and didn't do as well as I did in the course and I've never seen the material in my life. Good luck!

 

[Natatiap]

I did want to add that biochem may be good to have for the MCAT. My test had a good amount of biochem on it. Taking biochem will only help, it won't hurt for both the MCAT and med school but for school you should make it through whether you have had the course or not.