MCAT Physiology (intro course or upper div)

[triplebond]

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Hi everyone,

I'm beginning my preparations for the MCAT and was wondering if it would be better to take an intro physiology class or an upper division physiology class, because the upper division class requires a prerequisite that I don't need for anything. How much in detail does the MCAT cover physiology? Also, is it necessary for me to take an anatomy class to prepare for the MCAT too?

Here are the descriptions of either physiology classes:

intro physiology class (4 units with lab): general introduction to the functional integration of human body systems; intended for majors in biomedical engineering, physical education, and the allied health fields

upper division physiology class (3 units no lab, prerequisite: ecology/physiology): function of various mammalian body systems, primarily of humans; emphasis on integration of homeostatic mechanisms of nervous, muscular, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, digestive, and reproductive systems

Thank you!

 

[Cytarabine]

List of biology classes I had before the mcat:

Introductory biology.

...

Made a c. Got a 35 on the MCAT.

The new mcat apparently formally tests biochem though? Have a feeling it still wouldn't require a biochem course

 

[triplebond]

That's very impressive. Yeah it does test the first semester of biochem.

 

[Cytarabine]

That's very impressive. Yeah it does test the first semester of biochem.

Don't misunderstand the intent of my post. Not a brag. My point is the required content knowledge for the mcat doesn't much exceed what you'll find in review books. It's much more a test of applying that relatively small amount of core knowledge to learn new material and answer questions on that. Advanced classes and extensive content knowledge from those classes will undoubtedly help, it's just unnecessary and imo an inefficient use of time

 

[genericpremedstudent]

https://www.aamc.org/students/services/343550/mcat2015.html

physiology isn't on the mcat

 

[triplebond]

https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/map/mcat2015knowledgemapconcepts2/368642/bb3.html

Seems like it relates to physiology ^?

 

[Cytarabine]

https://www.aamc.org/students/services/343550/mcat2015.html

physiology isn't on the mcat

What would you call biological foundational principle 3 on the page you linked

 

[GrapesofRath]

https://www.aamc.org/students/services/343550/mcat2015.html

physiology isn't on the mcat

How did you look at the link you put on here and come to that conclusion

 

[7331poas]

How did you look at the link you put on here and come to that conclusion

All of that content should be in your intro classes. You dont need a 3000 level physiology course. Thats what he is referring to.

 

[genericpremedstudent]

What would you call biological foundational principle 3 on the page you linked

How did you look at the link you put on here and come to that conclusion

Its all 1st year bio stuff. you don't need a physiology class for that. If you read the link like I did, AAMC even states that it is covered in 2 semesters of general bio.

 

[genericpremedstudent]

I guess I worded that weird. I meant you don't need to take a physiology class in preparation for the mcat. happy?

 

[triplebond]

My first year bio classes only covered evolution/diversity and intro cell biology, though.

 

[triplebond]

If it should be covered in first year bio classes, I guess I'll just take the intro physio class.

 

[panda16]

My Intro Physio course was perfect for the MCAT, taught me the basics of respiration and cariovasular and a LOT about reproduction and endocrine.

 

[GrapesofRath]

If it should be covered in first year bio classes, I guess I'll just take the intro physio class.

You definitely don't need to take an advanced physiology class to learn material for the MCAT.

But the key thing Ill say is this; AAMC doesn't determine what is and isn't taught in a first year bio class. Your teacher does. The idea that my intro bio teachers taught even half the material on the AAMC list is laughable.

That said, anybody is capable of learning the extra material by themselves. It's just a matter of spending extra time and how much extra time you have. The MCAT isn't a test of content; it's reasoning and comprehension.Iif you are very good at those 2 skills you can still get a very good score with just an intro bio class that skips alot of that material even if you only give a cursory and brief review to whatever isn't cover on your own time. Biochem however is a harder class to learn by yourself.

 

[triplebond]

Ok thanks! I will just self study from the EK prep book.

 

[Cytarabine]

Ok thanks! I will just self study from the EK prep book.

If you don't understand something, look it up elsewhere to get more depth, but I think that's the right move^^

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

When I showed my friend the "Worst advice you received as a premed" thread, he said that the worst advice he received was that you don't need to take physiology for the MCAT.

 

[PSiloveU2013]

@triplebond I only took the intro physiology course in undergrad (along w the 2 intro bio courses) and I did fine on the mcat. I'd recommend taking physio over anatomy if you can only take one (I took both)

 

[triplebond]

I guess it won't hurt to enroll for the intro physio class then and if it doesn't seem like a good fit, I'll just drop it within the first two weeks to avoid the W. Thanks though everyone!