does this ucsd extension course list seem okay for reinvention?

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bigspongebobfan

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Hello,

These are the classes I am hoping to take. Please advise as you deem fit.

  • Exercise Physiology
  • Epidemiology
  • Human Anatomy (I took this freshman year & got an A, so I'm hoping this version is a little bit more in-depth and a good refresher)
  • Analytic Chemistry
  • Electricity and Magnetism or Cell and Molecular Biology (I received a C freshman year in cell bio so I'm unsure if I should take this).
  • Organic Chemistry Lab (I received a C-) but I'm sure if I should retake this at my alma matter.
I'm aware of the rule that ideally you should not retake classes above a C, but I would like to take 15 credit hours this semester, so I can hopefully apply to a SMP in the upcoming cycle if my grades have upward trend.

Thank you!
 
Hello,

These are the classes I am hoping to take. Please advise as you deem fit.

  • Exercise Physiology
  • Epidemiology
  • Human Anatomy (I took this freshman year & got an A, so I'm hoping this version is a little bit more in-depth and a good refresher)
  • Analytic Chemistry
  • Electricity and Magnetism or Cell and Molecular Biology (I received a C freshman year in cell bio so I'm unsure if I should take this).
  • Organic Chemistry Lab (I received a C-) but I'm sure if I should retake this at my alma matter.
I'm aware of the rule that ideally you should not retake classes above a C, but I would like to take 15 credit hours this semester, so I can hopefully apply to a SMP in the upcoming cycle if my grades have upward trend.

Thank you!
All good!
 
Um... it's fine in the sense that they're all science and science-adjacent coursework.

I don't know I'd take all these in one semester. For starters, these are all extremely different disciplines that will stretch you mentally in way too many directions. It would be different if you were taking a bunch of hard courses clustered in one discipline, but you're learning like 6 different vocabularies here.

Do you really want to take analytical chemistry if organic was already a challenge? (I think I'd rather have hairpins in my eyeballs Oedipus style than study proton NMR again, or God forbid do math in chemistry like back in general chemistry again)... Same with E&M, which I can only assume is like a Physics 2+++.

For what it's worth, and the advisors will correct me if I'm wrong here, but if you retake a class you've already taken, I'm pretty sure they will either average both or omit one. So if you got an A in anatomy freshman year and you get another A this semester, it'll be a complete waste of time. If that is the case, I only see downsides to taking it.

Epidemiology and exercise physiology are fine if you have personal motivations to learn that content, but personally, if you know you're taking the MCAT soon, I'd be taking supplemental courses for that. Embryology, immunology, cancer biology, endocrinology, microbiology are all -ologies I would target. There's plenty of basic science to review that I think would benefit you for the explicit purpose of applying to medical school.
 
Um... it's fine in the sense that they're all science and science-adjacent coursework.

I don't know I'd take all these in one semester. For starters, these are all extremely different disciplines that will stretch you mentally in way too many directions. It would be different if you were taking a bunch of hard courses clustered in one discipline, but you're learning like 6 different vocabularies here.

Do you really want to take analytical chemistry if organic was already a challenge? (I think I'd rather have hairpins in my eyeballs Oedipus style than study proton NMR again, or God forbid do math in chemistry like back in general chemistry again)... Same with E&M, which I can only assume is like a Physics 2+++.

For what it's worth, and the advisors will correct me if I'm wrong here, but if you retake a class you've already taken, I'm pretty sure they will either average both or omit one. So if you got an A in anatomy freshman year and you get another A this semester, it'll be a complete waste of time. If that is the case, I only see downsides to taking it.

Epidemiology and exercise physiology are fine if you have personal motivations to learn that content, but personally, if you know you're taking the MCAT soon, I'd be taking supplemental courses for that. Embryology, immunology, cancer biology, endocrinology, microbiology are all -ologies I would target. There's plenty of basic science to review that I think would benefit you for the explicit purpose of applying to medical school.

Oh, I didn't know they averaged retakes. I assumed it was all grades were applicable towards the sgpa. Thank you! I will try to create a schedule around that. I was just trying to reach ~15ish credits the sem, so I was thinking retaking classes would also help boost.

And on analytical chemistry... yeah, I think I'll skip that one haha. Thank you so, so much!
 
Please keep in mind that AMCAS BPCM course classifications are extremely specific. For example, engineering, public health, and exercise courses might not be considered BPCM unless they are cross listed as mathematics or biology courses as well. See this resource as a guide. If you are looking to purley take BCPM courses, you should ensure what you ultimately enroll in classifies and will aid you in a future MCAT attempt or medical school curriculum.
 
Please keep in mind that AMCAS BPCM course classifications are extremely specific. For example, engineering, public health, and exercise courses might not be considered BPCM unless they are cross listed as mathematics or biology courses as well. See this resource as a guide. If you are looking to purley take BCPM courses, you should ensure what you ultimately enroll in classifies and will aid you in a future MCAT attempt or medical school curriculum.
Hello, thank you so much for your response. This resource is a major help. I'll switch exercise physiology with toxicology. Do you think clinical hematology is alright? Thanks!
 
Hello, thank you so much for your response. This resource is a major help. I'll switch exercise physiology with toxicology. Do you think clinical hematology is alright? Thanks!
It all depends on what the course is encoded as IE what department offers the selection. For example, if the course code is BIOL 123, then it would be considered a biology course. If it is PHIL 123, then the course would be housed under the philosophy department because it teaches the history of clinical medical hematology. The point is that the description of the course coupled with the department of origin is key.
 
Which department is teaching it? When I see "clinical" on a course title, start to think health science rather than biology.
It all depends on what the course is encoded as IE what department offers the selection. For example, if the course code is BIOL 123, then it would be considered a biology course.
Oh, thank you so much! That really simplifies it. I just assumed red/white blood cells = science/medically relevant. I suppose not : ( Thank you!
 
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