How relevant is physiology course for MCAT?

[doctorrr-t]

So my school offers a class called animal physiology, and the class is about the structure and function of organ systems, organs, tissues, etc. of various animals. It includes some stuff about humans, but it's not primarily a human anatomy class; my school does not offer anatomy. How relevant do you think this class will be for the MCAT? What about for admissions in general, do you think adcoms will look at favorably? My other option is to just take a math course that I think I could do well in. I'd love to hear your opinions!

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[jamaica jan sun princess]

Not very helpful at all. I wouldn't take it unless you're required to for your degree or find it interesting.

 

[doctorrr-t]

Not very helpful at all. I wouldn't take it unless you're required to for your degree or find it interesting.

could you elaborate why? Is it because the physiology of animals isn't particularly similar to that of humans and MCAT only tests human anatomy?

 

[jamaica jan sun princess]

could you elaborate why? Is it because the physiology of animals isn't particularly similar to that of humans and MCAT only tests human anatomy?

An animal physiology course is likely to be far more in-depth than the MCAT would ever test you on. The MCAT doesn't have many if really any anatomy or physiology questions; at least none that would cause me to recommend a dedicated course.

 

[Hoosierpride99]

Are you at NU? I wouldn't take Animal Physiology, but I would take Human Anatomy through the School of Professional Studies. You'd have to take a shuttle to the Chicago Campus for it but I took it and it was soooooo helpful. It might also still be online because of COVID which would be even better so you wouldn't have that commute.

 

[doctorrr-t]

An animal physiology course is likely to be far more in-depth than the MCAT would ever test you on. The MCAT doesn't have many if really any anatomy or physiology questions; at least none that would cause me to recommend a dedicated course.

do you know if the mcat tests only human anatomy/physiology or does it sometimes cover animal physiology/anatomy?

 

[NJDEVILS1997]

If it involves human physiology that is very high yield. I took physiology 1 and 2 and it helped me know the bio section like the back of my hand. If it involves human cardio, endocrine, GI, renal or pulmonary physiology then definitely take it IMO. If its mainly animal physiology then it would be a waste of time.

 

[Blueprint Med School]

If it involves human physiology that is very high yield. I took physiology 1 and 2 and it helped me know the bio section like the back of my hand. If it involves human cardio, endocrine, GI, renal or pulmonary physiology then definitely take it IMO. If its mainly animal physiology then it would be a waste of time.

This. I took a human physiology class at Rutgers which was really designed for pre-meds and found it to be very helpful even if the details were beyond the scope of the MCAT (what really asks mostly superficial physiology questions).

I'm sure animal physiology would be neat, I had a friend in med school who took a couple evolution classes and was brilliant at embryology because of it. Classes that are peripherally relevant like this tend to not have no value, but don't take it if you think it's going to help you for the MCAT itself.

Also, go Devils!


David D MD - USMLE and MCAT Tutor
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[RespectTheChemistry]

If you also feel that Animal Physiology wouldn't give you the kind of information you're looking for, a really good free resource that is geared towards med students but accessible to undergrads is Ninja Nerd Science. (It's a YouTube channel.) Honestly, I took a Human Physiology class and learned more from YouTube than I did from regular school. If you learn well from books, get a copy of Linda Costanzo's Physiology. Perhaps other posters can comment on if this is overkill, but my philosophy is that deeper understanding is usually better, especially for people who are inclined to enjoy science.

I really liked using those resources to give myself a good foundation before tackling the Berkeley Review chapter for that thing.

Anatomy isn't covered on the MCAT. (Perhaps indirectly from its intimate relationship with Physiology, but you'll get that stuff from Physiology studying.)

Best of luck to you. Please don't hesitate to follow up if there are other ways we can support you! 🙂