Cell Bio

[lokiperson]

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Here's my situation.. I graduated in the spring with a comprehensive double major in Biology and Psychology. I'm currently applying to med school right now and have signed up for Cell Bio this fall since it wasn't required for my major (I had the choice between that or biochem). The reason I signed up for it is that my advisor and my cousin, who's in ATSU-SOMA's program right now, both said that Cell Bio would be beneficial for med school. Since I have a year off (hopefully no more), I thought it might be a good idea. My problem is that the class is going to cost just under $1k, which I have the money for, but my car just crapped out on me a week ago so now I'm trying to decide if I should go ahead and take the class or put that money towards a car..

How much would it benefit me to take the class this year?

 

[gonj]

that is so weird...a bio degree with no cell bio? i assumed cell bio, along with zoology and botany, is one of the required lower div pre-reqs for all bio programs everywhere. anyway, if your class is anything like mine, you'll learn about cellular metabolism, respiration, communication, and the cell cycle among other things - all of which are typical MS1 science subjects.

 

[lokiperson]

that is so weird...a bio degree with no cell bio? i assumed cell bio, along with zoology and botany, is one of the required lower div pre-reqs for all bio programs everywhere. anyway, if your class is anything like mine, you'll learn about cellular metabolism, respiration, communication, and the cell cycle among other things - all of which are typical MS1 science subjects.

I know.. The degree I have is geared towards pre-chiropractic/physical therapists/occupational therapists. Apparently a lot of those schools require a few hours of behavioral sciences, so our school created the Bio/Psych major. We had botany, zoology, gen. chem, and physics as required biology major classes, plus so many hours of biology electives (anatomy, phys, cell, micro, histo, immuno, etc.). Essentially it was a "build your own major" type deal bc there was very few of us that took the same classes. I was originally wanting to do PT, but had some experiences that made me decide to go the physician route, and by then I was running out of time and had to fill in the rest of my schedule with the required med school courses. So cell bio got pushed out since it wasn't a requirement and I had 18 hours each semester of my senior year.

 

[Substance P]

that is so weird...a bio degree with no cell bio? i assumed cell bio, along with zoology and botany, is one of the required lower div pre-reqs for all bio programs everywhere. anyway, if your class is anything like mine, you'll learn about cellular metabolism, respiration, communication, and the cell cycle among other things - all of which are typical MS1 science subjects.

I was thinking the same thing, but then I remembered that my cell bio course was an upper division elective and not required.

OP, if I were you I would fix your car (or use the money down on a new one) and buy "The Cell" by Alberts for ~$100. Just read the book. You'll learn everything you could want to know and more. Plus, it's self-paced and you can just enjoy the material and not stress about a grade. I'm not kidding when I say enjoy the material either, that stuff is so amazing.

 

[AMEHigh]

There is no reason you need to take Cell Bio. You will learn everything you need to in med school. Many people come from many diverse majors and only have the minimum pre reqs and do just fine. My advice would be to take time off from school before taking the plunge into med school...I'm so glad I did!

 

[harvardman]

I highly recommend a course in Cell Bio. It is very helpful with the MCAT, especially if you all you had was 2 courses in Gen Bio. I took Genetics, Microbio, and 2 semesters of Gen Bio, but by far out of all of these the most helpful was Cell Bio which went way in depth which ended up really helping me for the MCAT.

 

[lokiperson]

I highly recommend a course in Cell Bio. It is very helpful with the MCAT, especially if you all you had was 2 courses in Gen Bio. I took Genetics, Microbio, and 2 semesters of Gen Bio, but by far out of all of these the most helpful was Cell Bio which went way in depth which ended up really helping me for the MCAT.

I already took the MCAT, so it doesn't help much for that. I dunno. I think I'm gonna drop it and hope I get in somewhere this year. If I don't, I'll probably try to take it next year while I'm waiting.

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[nlax30]

Have you not taken any biochem course? Make sure none of the schools you're applying to require biochem then.

 

[lokiperson]

Have you not taken any biochem course? Make sure none of the schools you're applying to require biochem then.

Yes. I took biochem instead of cell. That's why I didn't take cell before I graduated.