Cell bio and micro bio

[smilin1590]

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My question is "Is cell bio vital to succeeding in microbiology?" or are they two completely different things? thanks! also microbio almost mandatory for a pre-vet curriculum or am I mistaken?

 

[cRose]

they are not really related. cell bio will be more of a help for biochem than it will for micro.

 

[sunnex3]

micro isn't required for every school - some require micro and micro lab (like cornell or osu) while others (like penn, vamd, tufts) don't require micro. if you haven't taken many upperlevel bio classes, it's probably a good idea to take it even if it's not required, so you can show them that you can handle more than just gen. bio classes. but if you're a bio major (like me! 😉 ) then you probably don't need to take it (as long as you're fulfilling the other bio requirements) if the schools you're applying to don't require it, because you'll have a bunch of other bio classes that you've taken as well.

 

[smilin1590]

thanks for the help guys. is microbio hard? some say yes others say if you have a good teacher it can be quite interesting

 

[stick91]

I think that like most bio classes how hard micro is will depend on where you take it and who the professor is. I took it in 4 weeks over the summer (b/c my undergrad didn't have it at the time and I needed it for some schools that I applied to), I had a good prof, and actually really enjoyed it, especially the lab part. I didn't find it all that hard compared to bio classes I took at my undergrad.

 

[DocDVMD]

You definitely don't need to take cell bio first; I actually took cell bio after I took micro. I loved micro, and I actually found the class to be very easy (but obviously that varies greatly between professors, schools, your learning style, etc.). I'd recommend both classes regardless of whether you're planning on applying to schools that require them. Very useful.

 

[swinks]

At my school, Cell biology was learning about eukaryotic cells- cell structure, processes etc.

Microbiology was an introduction to the structure and processes in prokaryotic cells.

 

[stick91]

Microbiology was an introduction to the structure and processes in prokaryotic cells.

Is that Molecular biology that you're thinking of?

 

[oregonhopeful]

Whatever you do don't make the mistake I did and take biochemistry before cell biology. 🙄

 

[nyanko]

Is that Molecular biology that you're thinking of?

No? It's Microbiology. Molec deals with both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells equally, usually the molecular underpinnings of replication, transcription, translation, protein synthesis, etc....

Although most Micro courses also have some euks in them, particularly fungi but also other eukaryotic single-celled organisms.

<---- BS in Molecular Biology and Microbiology 😀

 

[swinks]

Is that Molecular biology that you're thinking of?

No.
That was my microbiology course.

I've not yet taken molecular.

 

[Magentacat]

My microbiology class had little to do with cell. However, cell is a huge help with biochemistry. It's like a pre-biochem class I think.

Yes microbio was really hard in my school, but mostly I think because of the tests my professor wrote. I spent more on that class than on o-chem and did better in o-chem.

 

[smilin1590]

once again thank you for all the great feedback. I'm taking micro for a 6 week summer course and the professor is supposed to be awesome. People who don't even like biology said they enjoyed the class and did well. Hopefully this is a good sign!

 

[Caninerepro]

Sounds like a great plan. I took my micro class my second semester back in school, along with organic. The class was interesting, but since I had not had any real bio classes in almost 10 years, it was a challenge. I got a B in it, took it from a germophobic virologist who was a grad student in the same lab and time as the guy who invented PCR. She was definitely a smart cookie, but overall the class was not that bad.

Now as for cell bio, that class kicked my ass big time. I took it before biochem, genetics, et and ended up regretting that decision! Unlike the previous posters I really did not have that much trouble with biochem, it was a relative breeze. Anyhow I ended up retaking cell my last semester(B+), after finishing all the other stuff and it was not nearly as bad, but still a lot of work. I am SO NOT a molecular guy. Now anatomy or endocrinology, those come easier to me. 😎 I guess everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. 👍

 

[smilin1590]

Now as for cell bio, that class kicked my ass big time. I took it before biochem, genetics, et and ended up regretting that decision! Unlike the previous posters I really did not have that much trouble with biochem, it was a relative breeze. Anyhow I ended up retaking cell my last semester(B+), after finishing all the other stuff and it was not nearly as bad, but still a lot of work. I am SO NOT a molecular guy. Now anatomy or endocrinology, those come easier to me. 😎 I guess everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. 👍

It's good to know someone else had a little trouble with cell/molecular bio. I thought I was the only one. I'm trying my hardest and still struggling to keep that B. I'm not a molecular person either. I do however love anatomy and such, so hopefully I'll feel a bit more comfortable with those subjects.

 

[Caninerepro]

It's good to know someone else had a little trouble with cell/molecular bio. I thought I was the only one. I'm trying my hardest and still struggling to keep that B. I'm not a molecular person either. I do however love anatomy and such, so hopefully I'll feel a bit more comfortable with those subjects.

Here at Colo State, cell is considered the toughest undergrad course in the natural science dept. It is killer -- makes organic look like a cakewalk. Is it an easy class at other schools? Seriously, the semester I took it only one person out of 62 got an A in it. My B+ was really killer, and only made possible by my lab grade, and that I was repeating it.

 

[jm1]

Cell Bio was terrible at my school and a prereq for microbio. Microbio was probably a little better, but I wouldve loved to skip the 5 chapters on different types of fermentation.

 

[smilin1590]

I'm glad I asked you guys about this. The thing that sucks is that cell bio is also a pre-req at my school before any other upper level bio courses. I hate it and it's funny that so many people said it's difficult and yet my stupid school makes it a pre-req. ARGH. Just keep me in your thoughts as I have a test today in cell bio! LOL!

 

[Caninerepro]

I think the only thing cell was a prereq for in undergrad was developmental bio. If it makes you feel better though, I am just finishing a YEAR of cellular physiology classes for my MS. They are the kind of class that is so highly focused that they are tag-team taught by about 5 different professors a semester. 8 credits of graduate level molecular bio -- now THAT is pain, trust me!😱 Vet school should be a breeze!🙄

Hope your test went well.