Genetics or Pathophysiology

[tndoc12]

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Hello! I am just registering for my Spring 2010 classes and cant decide if i want to take pathophysiology or genetics. The genetics professor is a MUCH better teacher but he is also MUCH harder at the same time.

Which class will be better prepare me for the mcat and matriculation?

Thanks!

 

[swamprat]

Hello! I am just registering for my Spring 2010 classes and cant decide if i want to take pathophysiology or genetics. The genetics professor is a MUCH better teacher but he is also MUCH harder at the same time.

Which class will be better prepare me for the mcat and matriculation?

Thanks!

For the mcat, genetics.

I would take pathophysio ... IMO its more interesting I hate genetics.

 

[bocciball]

MCAT genetics can be learned in about 3-4 hours. Take which ever class you are interested in

 

[scpod]

Which class will be better prepare me for the mcat and matriculation?

Thanks!

The biological sciences you need for the MCAT are covered in BIO 1 and 2. Take the class that you are more likely to make an A and improve your GPA.

 

[Absentia]

Genetics is easy but there's a lot of details that you have to memorize, definitely passable though.

 

[tndoc12]

Thanks for all of the replies! My major requires me to take either Genetics or Cell Bio and Molecular Genetics instead. Cell Bio and Molec is only offered in the fall and Genetics is only offered in the spring. Well, i couldn't fit cell bio into my schedule this fall so i figured i would take gen. in the spring to also help me on the mcat. However, this is what my next semester would look like if i did so:

Physics II
Organic II
Herpetology
Honors Practicum
Bible
Genetics

Does that seem feasible or should i replace gen. with pathophysiology and then take cell bio and molec gen next fall (post mcat)?

 

[scummie]

Idk, cell bio was pretty useful for me and made the biology on the MCAT really easy for me. I agree with the previous posters about learning the genetics on the MCAT in just a few hours. It only gets as about advanced as the p2+2pq junk and sex-inherited traits. If I were you, I'd chuck out genetics and take another class instead.

 

[Grey Wind]

I'd go with Genetics personally.

 

[kopitar]

Taking genetics now, very interesting class. pathophysiology sounds interesting but in broader terms genetics may be more beneficial.

 

[CardioPlus]

However, this is what my next semester would look like if i did so:

Physics II
Organic II
Herpetology
Honors Practicum
Bible
Genetics

Are you taking the labs that go along with Organic 2 and Physics 2 in that semester also?? If so, that's one balls schedule!! lol

 

[tndoc12]

Are you taking the labs that go along with Organic 2 and Physics 2 in that semester also?? If so, that's one balls schedule!! lol

Yeah sure am. My current semester is pretty rough too. Ive got:

Physics I and lab
Organic I and lab
A&P I and lab
Trigonometry
Bible

I think ill be alright for next semester. We just got back our midterm grades and I had all A's in everything except for trig (had a B).

 

[CardioPlus]

Yeah sure am. My current semester is pretty rough too. Ive got:

Physics I and lab
Organic I and lab
A&P I and lab
Trigonometry
Bible

I think ill be alright for next semester. We just got back our midterm grades and I had all A's in everything except for trig (had a B).

Niceee, I send props your way. haha good luck in the spring!

 

[scummie]

Yeah sure am. My current semester is pretty rough too. Ive got:

Physics I and lab
Organic I and lab
A&P I and lab
Trigonometry
Bible

I think ill be alright for next semester. We just got back our midterm grades and I had all A's in everything except for trig (had a B).

You're doing pretty well. I took A&P and Bio II concurrently and it was pretty rough, but I got through it. Oh, the memorization! Have you guys dissected anything yet? I can still smell the cat.

 

[tndoc12]

haha i remember the fun times in the bio II lab! such potent smells that i shall never forget!

any of you guys looking at vcom or dcom?

 

[PunkmedGirl]

Yeah sure am. My current semester is pretty rough too. Ive got:

Physics I and lab
Organic I and lab
A&P I and lab
Trigonometry
Bible

I think ill be alright for next semester. We just got back our midterm grades and I had all A's in everything except for trig (had a B).

Uhmmm can you help me in Physics?? LOL I got a C in the right now, but still hoping for a A.😀

 

[tndoc12]

I'll be completely honest with ya. I have no idea how I have an A in there. Im guessing the lab reports are pulling my grade up! Just stick to it and study hard!

CG

 

[PunkmedGirl]

I'll be completely honest with ya. I have no idea how I have an A in there. Im guessing the lab reports are pulling my grade up! Just stick to it and study hard!

CG

I'll try.🙂

 

[scummie]

I'll try.🙂

Do a ton of problems.

 

[PunkmedGirl]

Do a ton of problems.

Thanx.

 

[Ibn Rushd]

Your school offers a course in pathophysiology?! That sounds pretty sweet. If I were you, I'd take that.

Oh, can you copy/paste the course description, please? I'm curious.

 

[tndoc12]

Your school offers a course in pathophysiology?! That sounds pretty sweet. If I were you, I'd take that.

Oh, can you copy/paste the course description, please? I'm curious.

Sure man. Here it is:

BIO 318. Pathophysiology. 3 hours. Sp.
The pathological effects of altered physiology of each major organ system will be studied. Particular attention will be given to major diseases that affect the U.S. population. Critical thinking, research findings and scientific knowledge are applied to analyze clinical implications and potential treatments. Prerequisites: CHE 121 General Chemistry I and CHE 121L General Chemistry I Lab or CHE 111 Biochemistry for the Health Sciences, BIO 211 Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Pre or Co-requisite: BIO 212 Human Anatomy and Physiology II. Same as NSG 318.

 

[nlax30]

While pathophys would probably be more intereresting I'd lean toward Genetics or just wait and do cell bio next semester if you can.

The rest of your academic career, and life, will pretty much be pathophys and sometimes genetics may get rushed through in med school depending on the curriculum.

 

[tndoc12]

While pathophys would probably be more intereresting I'd lean toward Genetics or just wait and do cell bio next semester if you can.

The rest of your academic career, and life, will pretty much be pathophys and sometimes genetics may get rushed through in med school depending on the curriculum.

Thanks! i just registered ani opted to go with genetics. like you said, it will more than likely be more beneficial at this stage of the game.

 

[calbredj]

The choice of course depends on what your goal is. Biochem is technically a topic on the MCAT, but the level of biochem/genetic tested on the MCAT is pathetic. Honestly you will learn much much more info in an average 1 semster undergrad biochem/genetics class than the MCAT could ever hope to test.

On the flip side, as stated previously, pathophysiology is a much more intersting (to me anyway) and thinking oriented subject. In addition, an intro to pathophys now will help you in med school (not much, but it might make your first couple weeks of the class easier). However, the same can be said of biochem/genetics.

From all my friends who went though med school with me (at various school inthe U.S.) most students are unhappy with the way their school teaches biochem/genetics. They are very dry, fact memorizing intense topics so understanding and grasping of key concepts doesn't come up much. There isn't too much difference between an undergrad or med school biochem/genetics class. You'll just be responsible for a lot more of the details and minutiae in med school.


Bottom line if you are looking for something to help your mcat studies, go biochem/gentics. If you don't really care and want a more critical thinking oriented class, go pathphys. Neither class is required at most U.S. med schools and only Biochem/genetics will be of any help on the mcat and even then, the amount on the mcat will be paltry. Good luck!