Cell Biology vs Principles of Molecular Biology

[mspeedwagon]

Hi All,
First, a little background. I'm a non-traditional applicant gearing up to taking the MCAT next year. I was a biology major, but am very hazy in the area of cell and molecular biology. I have included the two course descriptions. Which one do you think would be more helpful for the MCAT? I'm leaning toward cell biology (I was able to find good reviews for the professor, and it fits my schedule better), but I would like to hear opinions. I'm afraid it may not cover genetics, though I will be taking TPR course (only one that meets on the weekends and fits my schedule) to help prep for the MCAT as well.


Cell Biology: Get an introduction to cell biology from a molecular perspective. Learn how cells are studied, and investigate current knowledge of cell membranes, organelles, cytoskeletons, cell growth and division, cell communication, and particularly the mechanism underlying cellular events. At the end of this course, you should have an understanding of general concepts in cell biology and be able to read and interpret cell biology literature.


Principles of Molecular Biology: Study DNA structure and replication, RNA and protein synthesis, and the genetic code. Gain an understanding of the fundamental concepts and complexities of aspects of molecular biology, both structures and processes, common to most organisms. You also learn to critically evaluate current scientific literature, learn about important molecular biology tools and techniques, and investigate the experimental basis of molecular biology.

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[Oncoloman]

Cell sounds great for the MCAT, although more and more molecular biology passages are showing up on the MCAT. I personally would take cell since you are hazy with the topic because primarily your general biology & cell biology foundation will be tested on the MCAT ( in every way possible). Along the way or after the cell course you can always read up on the molecular biology but I wouldn't take it lightly. If you read through the 3/27 forum starting from from 3/37 6:00 pm you will understand what I mean. Don't just take my word for it though...Good Luck👍

 

[Drexon]

BACK WHEN DINOSAURS WALKED THE EARTH...
i took cell and molecular bio classes. They were both a part of my bio curriculum but i digress. Cell bio is so much more than what's inside a cell and functions. You'll learn a lot about the cell from cellular division to cellular communications. That means you'll learn about mitosis and meiosis... then for cellular communication you'll learn about action potentials of neurons ( i had to for my class and it was included in the book ) , extracellular communication between cells with ligand-receptor interactions.
So all the things i've talked about thus far in cell bio will be tested on the MCAT. However topics in molecular bio will also appear on the test as well. Topics in molecular bio include; transcription, translation, protein functions , microbiology experiments ( a lot of molecular bio is used in conjunction with bacteria ) etc.

Bottom line:
So both classes has their merits and both will have topics not covered in each other and could potentially appear on the MCAT. I'd personally take both classes. Look at the pre-reqs of classes for med school. Some suggest bio chem , cell bio and molecular genetics.
If you're taking TPR then you'll have someone that will teach you topics covered on the mcat. But will they go into the same detail as the classes... i think not. They're operating under a premise that you've learned all this before and they're just there for reviewing the general and specific themes of everything.

BTW based on your original post... about how you're not sure if the cell class will cover genetics.. could you clarify what type of genetics you're referring too.. molecular genetics or inheritance genetics..

Best of luck.

 

[mspeedwagon]

Unfortunately, I'm in a one or the other situation (I'd love to take both, but this isn't an option). I work full-time, part-time and over the next two semesters I have to fill in my missing pre-reqs (g-chem II and lab, physics I and II (and lab) and possibly o-chem labs (already took the lecture and technically took the o-chem 1 lab several years ago)). I also already took biochem. So basically, I have this summer to take some bio.

As for genetics, I was referring to molecular genetics (granted, I don't really know much about either at this point, but I think I should be able to refresh my inhertience genetics knowledge).

Thanks.

Bottom line:
So both classes has their merits and both will have topics not covered in each other and could potentially appear on the MCAT. I'd personally take both classes. Look at the pre-reqs of classes for med school. Some suggest bio chem , cell bio and molecular genetics.
If you're taking TPR then you'll have someone that will teach you topics covered on the mcat. But will they go into the same detail as the classes... i think not. They're operating under a premise that you've learned all this before and they're just there for reviewing the general and specific themes of everything.

BTW based on your original post... about how you're not sure if the cell class will cover genetics.. could you clarify what type of genetics you're referring too.. molecular genetics or inheritance genetics..

Best of luck.

 

[MegaSpectacular]

Unfortunately, I'm in a one or the other situation (I'd love to take both, but this isn't an option). I work full-time, part-time and over the next two semesters I have to fill in my missing pre-reqs (g-chem II and lab, physics I and II (and lab) and possibly o-chem labs (already took the lecture and technically took the o-chem 1 lab several years ago)). I also already took biochem. So basically, I have this summer to take some bio.

As for genetics, I was referring to molecular genetics (granted, I don't really know much about either at this point, but I think I should be able to refresh my inhertience genetics knowledge).

Thanks.

I am taking both courses right now.

Cell bio is by far better. Genetics is a lot more lingo, if you get a good cell bio book (molecular biology of the cell), it has everything in it (genetics/cell bio)

 

[mspeedwagon]

Thanks guys. Cell biology it is.

 

[2dStar2theRight]

One thought (having take the MCAT today) -- if you're nontrad (I'm a non-science major, just have barely had the 8 required pre-reqs for science) you need to seriously focus on cell bio and molecular bio. I wish I had taken a molec bio course before this test today -- so if you take cell bio, not molec, make sure you learn the molec anyway (which I tried to do). People have been saying they're putting more of it on there and, from what I saw today, they are absolutely correct.

 

[MegaSpectacular]

One thought (having take the MCAT today) -- if you're nontrad (I'm a non-science major, just have barely had the 8 required pre-reqs for science) you need to seriously focus on cell bio and molecular bio. I wish I had taken a molec bio course before this test today -- so if you take cell bio, not molec, make sure you learn the molec anyway (which I tried to do). People have been saying they're putting more of it on there and, from what I saw today, they are absolutely correct.

wikipedia

Molecular biology is the study of biology at a molecular level. The field overlaps with other areas of biology and chemistry, particularly genetics and biochemistry. Molecular biology chiefly concerns itself with understanding the interactions between the various systems of a cell, including the interactions between DNA, RNA and protein biosynthesis as well as learning how these interactions are regulated.

Molecular Bio is my major, I would say that molecular genetics can be SUPER complicated and the class can be good or bad based on your prof. Genetics has more of an ability to go WAYYY over MCAT knowledge because there is so much going on. Cell bio does NOT, it is so pertinent and a good cell bio class touches these bases anyway (biochem/genetics/etc/note: weaker on biochem obviously, but still touches it).

Cell Bio really is the most important course I think in my Ugrad. If you went overboard and learned all you could in the class (more than is tested), it would do you a lot of good. It is the basis of all bio. Buy the book Molecular Bio of the Cell. Even genetics courses use this textbook.👍

 

[docelh]

Flip a coin.

 

[JoyceMD]

I plan to take both. They will both benefit us for the MCAT as well as Med School.

 

[bugbunny]

Hi, I'm in biology major too. Cell bio is little bit better than molecular bio but both of the courses will have great uses for med-school. I have to take them both since I am required to. For the toughness of the course, I think molecular bio is tougher. Good luck.

 

[mspeedwagon]

As it turns out the molecular bio course uses that very textbook, "Molecular Biology of the Cell." After talking to a few people at the particular school, I think I'm going for molecular biology (supposedly more relevant topics for the MCAT are covered at this particular school).

Also, the topics in cell biology, while vague, look strangely familiar (touched on in physiology and neuroscience) so I think I can easily learn them on my own, while I know absolutely nothing about molecular biology. As molecular starts a little later, I'll use the extra time to work on learning some cell biology.

I wanted to post an update in case any one is in this situation (in NorCal). Thank you all for your input.

wikipedia

Molecular Bio is my major, I would say that molecular genetics can be SUPER complicated and the class can be good or bad based on your prof. Genetics has more of an ability to go WAYYY over MCAT knowledge because there is so much going on. Cell bio does NOT, it is so pertinent and a good cell bio class touches these bases anyway (biochem/genetics/etc/note: weaker on biochem obviously, but still touches it).

Cell Bio really is the most important course I think in my Ugrad. If you went overboard and learned all you could in the class (more than is tested), it would do you a lot of good. It is the basis of all bio. Buy the book Molecular Bio of the Cell. Even genetics courses use this textbook.👍

 

[ceng2doc]

BACK WHEN DINOSAURS WALKED THE EARTH...
i took cell and molecular bio classes. They were both a part of my bio curriculum but i digress. Cell bio is so much more than what's inside a cell and functions. You'll learn a lot about the cell from cellular division to cellular communications. That means you'll learn about mitosis and meiosis... then for cellular communication you'll learn about action potentials of neurons ( i had to for my class and it was included in the book ) , extracellular communication between cells with ligand-receptor interactions.

So all the things i've talked about thus far in cell bio will be tested on the MCAT. However topics in molecular bio will also appear on the test as well. Topics in molecular bio include; transcription, translation, protein functions , microbiology experiments ( a lot of molecular bio is used in conjunction with bacteria ) etc.

Hey, I've taken Bio-I, and I'm pretty much sure that we have already covered all of those topics in detail.

I'm from engineering discipline, haven't completed my second bachelors (yet!), thus may have been short-sighted on this. but, I wonder what else you guys are expecting from those cellular and/or molecular bios, except for just taking necessary courses in order to complete your degrees?

 

[MegaSpectacular]

As it turns out the molecular bio course uses that very textbook, "Molecular Biology of the Cell." After talking to a few people at the particular school, I think I'm going for molecular biology (supposedly more relevant topics for the MCAT are covered at this particular school).

Also, the topics in cell biology, while vague, look strangely familiar (touched on in physiology and neuroscience) so I think I can easily learn them on my own, while I know absolutely nothing about molecular biology. As molecular starts a little later, I'll use the extra time to work on learning some cell biology.

I wanted to post an update in case any one is in this situation (in NorCal). Thank you all for your input.

That textbook is amazing. I would take whichover course uses it.

Btw, but the problems book with it. It is 30 bucks and is absolutely phenomenal at teaching the concepts and deepening your understanding.

also, cell or molecular bio ... depending on the university they could be the same class. Molecular Bio of the Cell book is all Cell Bio.

 

[mspeedwagon]

Thank you for the advice. I'll be sure to get the problem book as well.
I'm going to wrap up orgo II and do a content review for biology and o-chem to diagnose my weak areas before this class starts. It gives me a little longer break and I can enjoy time with my gf after she takes her USMLE, so all-in-all this worked well (minus a change fee I had to pay the school, but c'est la vie).

That textbook is amazing. I would take whichover course uses it.

Btw, but the problems book with it. It is 30 bucks and is absolutely phenomenal at teaching the concepts and deepening your understanding.

also, cell or molecular bio ... depending on the university they could be the same class. Molecular Bio of the Cell book is all Cell Bio.