Biochemistry

[qwertyuiop]

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Hi. I am debating on taking Biochemistry before going to Dental School since it is now a requirement for some schools. I was wondering if anyone could tell me if it has helped them out in Dental school. Will I benifit from taking the course now? Thanks for your input.

 

[JavadiCavity]

I took it in undergrad, but it wasn't as detailed as it is in d-school. However, I would say that it has helped, although not as much as I had hoped.

 

[JakeMUSC]

I did not take Biochem in undergrad...biochem in dental school is very general and unspecific, as javadi mentioned. the class is a lot like my cell bio and molec bio classes from undergrad....only easier

 

[ItsGavinC]

Don't take it. As was stated, biochem in most dental schools seems to be quite watered-down. My undergrad course was much more difficult and intense than any biochem I saw in dental school. And, the Part I biochem topics are simply and more physiology or cell bio than any true biochem.

 

[blankguy]

I am taking Biochem with Anatomy & Physiology as a post bacc at UMass-Boston. They both seem to complement Biochem deals at the molecular and cellular level while Anatomy & Physiology at the tissue level. I asked around what Biochem was like at the dental school and the impression that I am under is that they cut out any theory and derivation and just focus on applying the knowledge. Looking at some of the sample curricula listed on various dental school sites, it seems that it is geared towards rote memorization (a la anatomy and physiology).

 

[DrTacoElf]

Biochem here is like 100X easier than in undergrad.

 

[Bonkers29]

Wow... so Biochemistry in dental school is different than undergrad..?

I better drop that biochem class that I'm registered for next semester then!

 

[crazy_sherm]

I think if you have a decent grasp of o-chem, you should do fine in biochem at dental school. I took a few biochem classes in undergrad, but that was like 7 years ago. Forgot absolutely everything, but studying o-chem again for the DAT has helped me more than anything for biochem now.

 

[ncalcate]

I'll give a different opinion here. I took biochem as an undergrad and it has definitely helped me in dental school. It is not that biochem is hard in dental school... but when you have 7 other classes (like Anatomy, Histology, etc.) to study for, biochem can be tough. I re-learned all the enzymes, structures, and controls of glycolysis/Kreb cycle in about 2 hours, while my classmates who hadn't taken biochem must have spent several hours. This allowed me to spend that extra time on other classes (Anatomy and Histology) and that was a relief.

As long as your biochem course focuses on human metabolism (as opposed to plants and lots of theoretical stuff), it should help you. But that's just my opinion.

 

[blankguy]

Dr. Hagar at UMB did mention that one of his former students found med school biochem so much easier after learning all the intermediates in Glycolisys and Krebs Cycle. So I'm taking his word for it. I mean what's the worst thing that could happen, not be relevant at all.

 

[Happy2th]

Biochem in undergrad was MUCH more difficult than it was in dental school.

But be sure that you pay close attention in Biochem class and DON'T FORGET ANY OF IT. You'll use it every day in private practice and your life will just plain suck if you don't remember any of it. 🙄

 

[hokiedds]

Would a class in drug chemistry be more useful than biochem? I have room in my schedule for 1 elective and either class would fit my schedule...any thoughts?

 

[hockeydentist]

Would a class in drug chemistry be more useful than biochem? I have room in my schedule for 1 elective and either class would fit my schedule...any thoughts?

Consider taking classes that require no synaptical activity. Maybe basket weaving or jewlry making.

 

[hokiedds]

Consider taking classes that require no synaptical activity. Maybe basket weaving or jewlry making.

I know that would probably be for the best, but what can I say...I'm a glutton for punishment.

 

[crazy_sherm]

Would a class in drug chemistry be more useful than biochem? I have room in my schedule for 1 elective and either class would fit my schedule...any thoughts?

If you had to take one, biochem would probably be more useful as its more basic and you can apply the concepts elsewhere. It's unlikely that your undergrad biochem class would cover something as specific as activated glycosidic bonds in sucrose for plaque formation, but you'll understand the concept.

 

[Trookie]

Would a class in drug chemistry be more useful than biochem? I have room in my schedule for 1 elective and either class would fit my schedule...any thoughts?

I actually took that course at VT (Dr. Wolfe's, yeah?). It has been completely useless to me for dental school. However, I enjoyed the class and found it informative. It also counts towards a chem minor at Tech, which also looks good. Oh, and it is also REALLY easy.

 

[Trookie]

I also took the easier 3000 level biochem course at VT. It was still a lot harder than the course here at VCU. I never went to class and did fine. However, I would still recommend taking it in undergrad if you can just because some schools require it. Tufts, for example.

 

[Dukie]

I did not take it as an undergrad and I really wish I had. Many of my classmates who took it before said it helped a great deal. They really assume a level of understanding coming in which several of us really just didn't have. I got through just fine, but I think it would have helped...

 

[Rezdawg]

Take biochem...that was the class that gave me the most trouble during 1st semester. Thank god its over.

 

[HuyetKiem]

If you have a choice, take Clinical Biochem (not general biochem). Clinical biochem is prety much same as one in dental school.

 

[boogaking]

Biochem is not different in Dental School... Its just presented in a condensed manner... I guess its all depending on the school ..but I would have to say its just presented on a quicker pace... it's just fast!. Just remember...along with biochem ...you would be taking things like Histo, Gross, Dental Anatomy... plus a ****znicken of dental related courses...most in the same semeseter or quarter.... So taking it in advance would be helpful... I am telling you this from first hand experience... does it mean you will work less in them classes you took before.. who knows? But one things for sure... seeing it for the second time in Dental school is a lot better than seeing it for the first time..... same concept goes for those other courses you will see in your first two years....

 

[DIRTIE]

Our biochem was one month long integrated into a giant course, we had about 3/4ths of what was in my biochem in undergrad, the other fourth was in the cell biology section. Take cell bio and biochem, it will help a great deal.

 

[Mustt Mustt]

Biochem was one of the hardest class I took in the undergrad. I liked the class but I took it over the summer 7 week session and had to memorize those enzymes, intermediates, etc. in a short time, so I hated it. If you take it, take it in the regular semester. I hope it helps me in the Dental school becasue I spent hours studying for the class.