choosing courses: evolution?

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I'm trying to pick out some science courses for my senior year. My plan was to take biology research methods and something else. As to the 'something else,' I don't have anything I technically need to take, but I thought having an additional 300-level science course would strengthen my application. However, I got sort of screwed over with the bio department restructuring when they offer what, so the only one available (other than the research methods) is Evolution.

So, my question: How would medical schools look at a 300-level course on evolution. Many I've looked at won't count an evolution course as meeting the bio requirement, so will taking it as an extra do anything to strengthen my application? To be honest, it doesn't interest me all that much, it doesn't fit very easily into my schedule, and I already am taking the bio research methods course, so my semester won't be devoid of 300-level science classes, so all things being equal I'd rather not, unless it would be a material advantage to me.

 

[Tiktaalik]

I'm trying to pick out some science courses for my senior year. My plan was to take biology research methods and something else. As to the 'something else,' I don't have anything I technically need to take, but I thought having an additional 300-level science course would strengthen my application. However, I got sort of screwed over with the bio department restructuring when they offer what, so the only one available (other than the research methods) is Evolution.

So, my question: How would medical schools look at a 300-level course on evolution. Many I've looked at won't count an evolution course as meeting the bio requirement, so will taking it as an extra do anything to strengthen my application? To be honest, it doesn't interest me all that much, it doesn't fit very easily into my schedule, and I already am taking the bio research methods course, so my semester won't be devoid of 300-level science classes, so all things being equal I'd rather not, unless it would be a material advantage to me.

Evolution by natural selection is the central theory of Biology and gives you good insight into why anatomy is as counterintuitive as it is, so it certainly can't hurt you.

 

[specter]

Evolution by natural selection is the central theory of Biology and gives you good insight into why anatomy is as counterintuitive as it is, so it certainly can't hurt you.

I've gotta say, I have a hard time seeing how that would confer any material advantage come medical school when you are memorizing a laundry list of anatomical terms.

Overall, I don't think evolutionary bio would be particularly helpful. It just seems like something you'd take if it interests you. And as far as med schools see it, I doubt it matters one way or another.

 

[dottoressa]

Evolution ended up being one of my favorite and most memorable courses in college. It will help you think about modern science & medicine on a background of billions of years. Don't write it off, you might enjoy it 😉

 

[Tiktaalik]

I've gotta say, I have a hard time seeing how that would confer any material advantage come medical school when you are memorizing a laundry list of anatomical terms.

Overall, I don't think evolutionary bio would be particularly helpful. It just seems like something you'd take if it interests you. And as far as med schools see it, I doubt it matters one way or another.

Conceptual understanding really aids memorization. That said, this might be more help for vet students, since we have to learn multiple anatomies.

And, of course, if the OP dislikes the subject, as he implies, then it would probably not be worth the effort.

 

[metalgirl14]

If you don't like the topic and it'd be difficult to schedule it, you probably shouldn't take the class. I took an upper level evolution class only because it interested me and I liked the professor (it also raised my sGPA a little). 😉

 

[Danlee07]

I'm doing Evolutionary Bio since it's the only upper science I could do without having done O chem I yet...

It's not really about how we come from apes. More of the whole theories that came up during the really short life of the subject of genetics.

Basically another memorize-out-your-butt kind of class...

 

[rockaction]

Evolution is awesome! Med school adcoms will think you are a well-rounded understander of science if you take it 😉

 

[seelee]

Trust me, if you don't want to take it, and you don't need to take it, and it doesn't fit into your schedule, then don't take it.

It could be a course you enjoy, it could not. It won't make a lick of difference to the adcoms.

 

[Jrsharp70]

Hardy weinberg usually shows up on the mcat. Plus you will learn a lot about the application of mendelian genetics as applied to Darwinian selection and geological events. Take it for your own enrichment.

plus it counts toward your sci gpa

 

[Jrsharp70]

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[Jrsharp70]

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