Is P-chem required and/or recommended?

[green555]

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Hi everyone, first-time poster here, though I've lurked a bit here and there and am very thankful for the helpful info I've gotten so far.
I've been looking at some of the Ph.D. programs I might be interested in as part of an M.D.-Ph.D. While I'm not anticipating going into any hard-chore structural biology work, I was surprised to see that even many molecular and/or cell biology focused Ph.D. programs recommended or required p-chem as a prereq. Even if specific course requirements are typically waived for M.D./Ph.D. applicants (which I'm not sure if they are), I'm worried that lacking the recommended background may make some grad-school courses unduly challenging.
The biochem and molecular bio major at my school, which is more biologically focused, does not require or even recommend p-chem. It might be possible to petition to have it count as one of my unspecified electives, or at worst just take it as an additional course outside of my major. But I was wondering if anyone here has any advice on whether p-chem would be required and/or useful before I go this route. Thanks!

 

[Neuronix]

I honestly wouldn't worry about it. I don't know many people outside of chem majors who took P-chem, and yet many were applying for cell & molecular biology MD/PhD programs. I don't think the MD/PhD program is going to notice and I really doubt it's going to make grad school classes much harder, outside of someone doing a biochemistry or chemistry PhD.

 

[vixey1230]

I haven't seen any MSTP or MD/PhD program so far that has said that P-chem is either required or recommended. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[BandGeek]

I would worry either. Most of the people who have taken it are probably required to for their major. If it isn't required by the program you want, or for your major, don't sweat it. I had to take it, and it has helped me. I just wish I had taken it prior to the MCAT (I scored embarassingly low on the physical sciences....)

 

[MSTP boy]

it helps for the physical sciences section a bit, otherwise not that necessary. It is kind of cool though.