Extra class: Gentics vs Molecular Bio

[Dabears]

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Hey all
I have an extra space to fill with one more class and am debating between Genetics and Molecular Biology. I will have completed all the core prereqs including Anat & Phys 1&2, and Biochemistry. One thing I am thinking of is there too much similarity between Biochem and Molecular Bio?? What have you all seen concerning these classes and "strongly recommended" classes that schools ask for sometimes. Thanks!

 

[nlax30]

I would probably say that there would be more similarity between Genetics and Molecular Bio. Either one would be a good course as, depending on the med school, the curriculum may not spend a whole lot of time covering the basics of those topics.

I took both in undergrad and actually, at my school, I think Genetics was a pre-req for our Molecular Bio course. So you might want to check that out.

 

[nontrdgsbuiucmd]

I would probably say that there would be more similarity between Genetics and Molecular Bio. Either one would be a good course as, depending on the med school, the curriculum may not spend a whole lot of time covering the basics of those topics.

I took both in undergrad and actually, at my school, I think Genetics was a pre-req for our Molecular Bio course. So you might want to check that out.

My bet is that this is school specific. If the intent is to do well on the MCAT, the genetics questions I saw on last fall's mcat were pretty simple, answerable with only basic bio coursework. If the intent is to show the school that you can do well in advanced bio coursework, or to prove that you'll fit in well academically as you're familiar with some 1st/2nd yr topics, I'd suggest taking biochem, genetics, cell & molecular bio, maybe a few physiology courses too. Depends on your time available for these!

 

[finaaqua]

Hey all
I have an extra space to fill with one more class and am debating between Genetics and Molecular Biology. I will have completed all the core prereqs including Anat & Phys 1&2, and Biochemistry. One thing I am thinking of is there too much similarity between Biochem and Molecular Bio?? What have you all seen concerning these classes and "strongly recommended" classes that schools ask for sometimes. Thanks!

if you haven't taken the mcat yet, i would say take molecular- if you have taken the mcat, i would say take genetics because it is much more fun.
molecular was really incredibly useful for the mcat-i basically didn't study for that part because the material was still fresh in my brain- but i took a grad level genetics class after the mcat and it made me want to be a clinical geneticist. i don't think you can go wrong!

 

[olemissbabydoc]

I don't know... my april mcat was at least 50 percent genetics, and being in genetics right now made a huge difference.

 

[Dabears]

Molecular Bio is what I am steering for. I have not taken the mcat yet and thinking of it that way you are right, I think it will help a lot. Thanks for the input!

 

[Haemulon]

Molecular bio might be a tad more helpfull in med school I think since it also includes many of the genetics topics/mechanisms. Probably just pick whichever one you are most interested in though. Or maybe you have a weakness in a particular area that you could work on? You can't really go wrong either way 🙂

 

[sm007thie]

I don't know... my april mcat was at least 50 percent genetics, and being in genetics right now made a huge difference.

i second that. lucky for me, i had just finished genetics.

 

[nu2004]

i second that. lucky for me, i had just finished genetics.

i think genetics is more "verbatim" useful for the MCAT. there will absolutely be some sort of punnett square/ratio of brown to black to white hamsters questions on there.

however, the concepts that you'll learn in molecular bio will probably help you throughout the rest of the bio section.

personally, i found genetics to be the more enjoyable course. i'd recommend taking what interests you, if you are swayed one direction.