Does taking biochemistry, if not require, look good?

[reese07]

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I am going to take (CHEM 3603) Biological Chemistry. It's supposed to be biochem for non bio majors/ non chem minors. Would this look good as how regular biochem would look to DO schools? You guys know which DO schools require biochem?
FYI. I am applying for the 2011 cycle and my grades in fall 2010 wont be in my application. If I do take biochem it would be Fall 2010. Does this mean it wouldn't really help me out that much since med schools wont even know how I did in the course, just that I will take it?

 

[DocHomer]

I am going to take (CHEM 3603) Biological Chemistry. It's supposed to be biochem for non bio majors/ non chem minors. Would this look good as how regular biochem would look to DO schools? You guys know which DO schools require biochem?
FYI. I am applying for the 2011 cycle and my grades in fall 2010 wont be in my application. If I do take biochem it would be Fall 2010. Does this mean it wouldn't really help me out that much since med schools wont even know how I did in the course, just that I will take it?

I wouldn't take a biochemistry course for non-bio majors. The point of taking upper-level courses is to show that you can handle a rigorous curriculum. Plus, you need to do well. NOT doing well will just hurt you. Also, schools will ask for you grades from the last two semesters. If you're borderline, a good grade in a regular biochem course will help your chances.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

I am going to take (CHEM 3603) Biological Chemistry. It's supposed to be biochem for non bio majors/ non chem minors. Would this look good as how regular biochem would look to DO schools? You guys know which DO schools require biochem?
FYI. I am applying for the 2011 cycle and my grades in fall 2010 wont be in my application. If I do take biochem it would be Fall 2010. Does this mean it wouldn't really help me out that much since med schools wont even know how I did in the course, just that I will take it?

Put it in the "courses to take" category. Biochem is required by DMU, KCUMB, and UNE. Many other schools recommend it, and can only give you a leg up.

Edit: Ok after reading Homers post, will any school know that this is a Non-Bio/Non-Chem class?

 

[Mesican24]

I think the biochem for non-bio/chem majors may be harder since it will cover a full 2 quarters as opposed to one quarter for the biochem's for science majors. (assuming you're on quarters). I would take the regular biochem, at least 1 quarter/semester of it instead.

 

[christina30]

I think the biochem for non-bio/chem majors may be harder since it will cover a full 2 quarters as opposed to one quarter for the biochem's for science majors. (assuming you're on quarters). I would take the regular biochem, at least 1 quarter/semester of it instead.

How could it possibly be harder? It's a science class for non-science majors.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

I think the biochem for non-bio/chem majors may be harder since it will cover a full 2 quarters as opposed to one quarter for the biochem's for science majors. (assuming you're on quarters). I would take the regular biochem, at least 1 quarter/semester of it instead.

Nah, this junk is shoved down your throat. We are allied health science major, our one semester organic chemistry covers what chemistry majors cover in one year...Show me a student in an a BS class like this and I'll show you a student who doesn't have a gd clue what LiAlH4 does (been through both classes).

Again, if Biochem for non-majors doesn't state that it is a watered down chem take it if you feel you can get a B or better in it.

 

[PunkmedGirl]

Put it in the "courses to take" category. Biochem is required by DMU, KCUMB, and UNE. Many other schools recommend it, and can only give you a leg up.

Edit: Ok after reading Homers post, will any school know that this is a Non-Bio/Non-Chem class?

The only way a school would know is if they have a copy of your schools course catalog.

 

[christina30]

The only way a school would know is if they have a copy of your schools course catalog.

It's true.

I got stuck taking physics for chem majors (calculus-based), while the other pre-meds took a basic physics course.

My GPA and subsequent medical school apps suffered because of it, imho.

So hey, if you can get away with it, do it.

 

[PunkmedGirl]

It's true.

I got stuck taking physics for chem majors (calculus-based), while the other pre-meds took a basic physics course.

My GPA and subsequent medical school apps suffered because of it, imho.

So hey, if you can get away with it, do it.

Ouch.

 

[mspeedwagon]

I'd argue that Physics and Biochem are different. Most pre-meds take basic Physics (my school had a special physics sequence for pre-meds that was not acceptable for physics or engineering majors).

Most pre-meds take biochemistry for science majors offered in the biology department (a few in the chemistry department). I would make sure to take a course that fits this description because a lot of the schools that require biochem, will ask you for a course description OR even worse, they may be familiar with the school you attend and realize you are trying to slip this by them.

Also, to answer the OPs question, taking the course won't help you out. Firstly, you haven't earned a grade yet. Second, no single course helps you out really (cGPA, sGPA being high is what helps you out the most). At best you are taking a course that may be required at some schools, but if any of these schools find out it's a class for non-science majors (and the schools that require it definitely will as they will ask you for a course description), you'll have to take the real version.

It's true.

I got stuck taking physics for chem majors (calculus-based), while the other pre-meds took a basic physics course.

My GPA and subsequent medical school apps suffered because of it, imho.

So hey, if you can get away with it, do it.

 

[christina30]

I'd argue that Physics and Biochem are different. Most pre-meds take basic Physics (my school had a special physics sequence for pre-meds that was not acceptable for physics or engineering majors).

Most pre-meds take biochemistry for science majors offered in the biology department (a few in the chemistry department). I would make sure to take a course that fits this description because a lot of the schools that require biochem, will ask you for a course description OR even worse, they may be familiar with the school you attended.

Well it depends on your school. My undergrad had 3 or 4 different physics courses. One for non-science majors, one for pre-meds, and one for chemistry/physics majors. They were all simply called "Physics" with different course numbers, hence why med schools wouldn't know the difference, which is why I say that my application suffered a bit from it.

Anywho, my biochemistry course was given by the chemistry department -way more difficult than the bio department's version, but it probably varies from school to school.

 

[mspeedwagon]

I think the fact that my school had no core requirements and has a lot of medical school applicants has made a lot of admissions directors intimately familiar with the schools classes. I'm constantly surprised that there are admissions directors out there that actually know the individual course sequences as offered at my undergrad (which ones or for science majors and which ones are not).

I just wanted to offer a word of caution in case the OP comes across such people that are familiar with his or her program.

Well it depends on your school. My undergrad had 3 or 4 different physics courses. One for non-science majors, one for pre-meds, and one for chemistry/physics majors. They were all simply called "Physics" with different course numbers, hence why med schools wouldn't know the difference, which is why I say that my application suffered a bit from it.

Anywho, my biochemistry course was given by the chemistry department -way more difficult than the bio department's version, but it probably varies from school to school.

 

[christina30]

I think the fact that my school had no core requirements and has a lot of medical school applicants has made a lot of admissions directors intimately familiar with the schools classes. I'm constantly surprised that there are admissions directors out there that actually know the individual course sequences as offered at my undergrad (which ones or for science majors and which ones are not).

I just wanted to offer a word of caution in case the OP comes across such people that are familiar with his or her program.

Of course it's possible - and if there are a lot of people also applying from your school, OP, it could be noticeable that your biochem course is somehow strangely different from theirs. haha

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

Its not entirely unusual to have a rigorous 1 semester overview course in a hard science that is designed for science majors but not for those in that specific major. This is, in fact, becoming more common. For example, some schools are beginning to offer a 1 semester organic course for premed/prehealth to be taken in conjunction with a 1 semester biochem course. Personally, I had to take as a biochem major in a large state university in New York, had to take a 2 semester biochem sequence (with the freaking first year grad students) where as the bio majors could take the one semester overview. Similarly I had to take a 1 semester Physical Chem instead of 2 semester sequence that the hard core chemistry majors had to do.

BTW, you can easily check which schools require and which schools recommend Biochem in the Osteopathic Medical College Information Book (free download)

http://www.aacom.org/resources/bookstore/cib/Pages/default.aspx

each school listing in the second half of the book has a small chart as to what is required and what is recommended

Again, these "one course wonders" are no where near the breadth of a full year of their counterparts, and if there is ANY wording in the course description to lead an admin committee to believe that it is one of these watered down courses I would avoid it.

 

[Mesican24]

Most biochem classes are 400 lvl arent they? so if you're taking a 300 lvl biochem class they will know a difference.

 

[Everglide]

Put it in the "courses to take" category. Biochem is required by DMU, KCUMB, and UNE. Many other schools recommend it, and can only give you a leg up.

Edit: Ok after reading Homers post, will any school know that this is a Non-Bio/Non-Chem class?

+Required by MSUCOM.

Despite it sounding like a "watered down" version, I have a gut feeling this will be a science class by definition. Then again it is a 300 level and I don't have the OP's course description.

Is this a biochem for physics/biophysics/chem-e majors? If science majors must take it, I imagine it is a science course.

 

[MossPoh]

I took "human biochemistry" which is pretty much intended for premeds and other prehealth fields. The major difference was that it didn't require a lab and was the entire damn book in one semester. It was a tough class. I'd venture to say that the depth of knowledge of greater than my med school biochem class. I didn't have to memorize structures in med school. It also made my med school biochem exponentially easier once we got to the metabolism part. Genetics, not so much.

 

[sajimar25]

Do not take it, it won't look good seeing that it is meant for non-bio/chem majors--- that means it is easier. Won't help you.

 

[ScottMontgomery]

Do not take it, it won't look good seeing that it is meant for non-bio/chem majors--- that means it is easier. Won't help you.

That is absolutely not true. Who says its easier? You? In fact its probably more difficult considering its for non-majors, they do not have the background that a major would have. Might not be as intensive, but its still an upper level class, and curriculum will reflect that, or should.

I highly doubt any school is going to frown upon someone who is NOT a bio major, taking biochem, even if its for non majors. This will still help you, but you need to do good.

Example MSUCOM REQUIRES Biochem for their applicants. Along with various other Sciences, but you could still major in something other than biology like most people do. And that biochem will be just as satisfactory to their requirements as a biochem for a major.

 

[blinkboy1156]

To the OP, just sack up and take the regular biochem course.

 

[kuanileqa]

TAKE IT. It is required for a few schools (KCUMB is one of them). If you are a non-science major like myself, it is extremely helpful. If you are a science major, it is extremely helpful. You will want a leg up in your first 2 years of med school and Biochem is a huge emphasis in most school's curriculum.

 

[hv92]

.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

Put it in the "courses to take" category. Biochem is required by DMU, KCUMB, and UNE. Many other schools recommend it, and can only give you a leg up.

Edit: Ok after reading Homers post, will any school know that this is a Non-Bio/Non-Chem class?

Where does it say that on their websites.

 

[hv92]

.

 

[MedPR]

I am going to take (CHEM 3603) Biological Chemistry. It's supposed to be biochem for non bio majors/ non chem minors. Would this look good as how regular biochem would look to DO schools? You guys know which DO schools require biochem?
FYI. I am applying for the 2011 cycle and my grades in fall 2010 wont be in my application. If I do take biochem it would be Fall 2010. Does this mean it wouldn't really help me out that much since med schools wont even know how I did in the course, just that I will take it?

Only if you get an A and only if it's Biochem through the Chem department.

 

[Mehd School]

I'm taking 400 level Biochem right now. I probably won't be getting an A. In fact, no one in my class will. For this I regret taking the course. However, I feel it will be an invaluable resource when I start studying for my mcat retake next semester.

High B's make my blood boil sometimes.

 

[BabyDoc86]

Take a 400-level (or similar) biochem course to help you hone your study skills. My biochem course was probably one of the most helpful courses I took in undergrad.

 

[Mehd School]

My biochem course was probably one of the most helpful courses I took in undergrad.

Considering you haven't started medical school yet, do you mind expanding on that a little bit?

 

[BabyDoc86]

Considering you haven't started medical school yet, do you mind expanding on that a little bit?

In this class, I was able to really hone my studying skills. I read every chapter twice, made flash cards and flowcharts, worked every problem in the book, and made sure I knew the material cold. I absolutely loved this class even though it was one of the hardest I took in undergrad (following Pchem--thermo and quantum), and I feel that it definitely helped me to prepare for graduate school. I've been working as a certified biochemist (another reason my biochem courses have been extremely helpful) for the past five years, two of those while working on my graduate degree, and I still feel that it was one of the best I've taken, in regard to how it taught me what I needed to do to study effectively. While I haven't started med school yet, how I studied for this class seemed most similiar to what they have told me was necessary for them to succeed in med school.

 

[Mehd School]

In this class, I was able to really hone my studying skills. I read every chapter twice, made flash cards and flowcharts, worked every problem in the book, and made sure I knew the material cold. I absolutely loved this class even though it was one of the hardest I took in undergrad (following Pchem--thermo and quantum), and I feel that it definitely helped me to prepare for graduate school. I've been working as a certified biochemist (another reason my biochem courses have been extremely helpful) for the past five years, two of those while working on my graduate degree, and I still feel that it was one of the best I've taken, in regard to how it taught me what I needed to do to study effectively. While I haven't started med school yet, how I studied for this class seemed most similiar to what they have told me was necessary for them to succeed in med school.

Understood. Thank you for clarifying.

My class isn't hard. Honestly, there is rarely a concept that I haven't covered in previous classes (mostly cell bio). The way the professor grades the tests is what makes it challenging. So far I have an 87, 82, and 90 on the exams. I have one regular exam to go, then the final. An A would be marvelous.

 

[coolingglasses]

Do not take it, it won't look good seeing that it is meant for non-bio/chem majors--- that means it is easier. Won't help you.

This is definitely not necessarily true. At my undergrad, Chem for non-majors covered a large scope of material and included a lab. Chem 1 for science majors had no lab, but it was assumed you'd be taking Chem 2 and 3 later on (which both have labs).

Needless to say my Chem for non-majors (was a humanities major at the time) counted in my pre-req requirements. Although it wasn't marked that way outside of the course description... it was just called "Atoms & Molecules w/ lab"