Microbiology

[bm499ucf]

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Is it important to take microbiology before I actually apply to medical school? As of now my spring semester is physics II, molec cell, ecology, and another gen ed. I will be taking microbiology in the fall of my senior year. The reason why I pose this question is because my pre-med "advisor" suggested I will have a really tough time competing against applicants who have already taken microbio before they applied. Thank you!

 

[nysw]

No, you will be fine whenever you decide to take micro.

 

[gravitywave]

your "advisor" is full of it

 

[bm499ucf]

^thank you guys lol

 

[Espadaleader]

Most medical schools recommend biochemistry and upper level BIO. I imagine that Molecular Biology or Microbiology are equivalent in terms of showing competence in upper level BIO.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

Don't worry about taking it before you apply. My adviser is the type that will tell you to take 20+ credit hours a semester of all science classes because "it looks good". Advisers are there to advise, not to set your future in stone. Do what is best for YOU and you and your grades will thank you in the end!😀

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

lol at micro being upper level bio.

 

[rubisco88]

lol at micro being upper level bio.

I believe at some schools microbiology is upper division. I know at my university (a Uni of Cal school) it is considered upper division biology. The only lower division bio they offer is Bio I, II, III, which are general bio courses that you can pass out of with AP credit. Also the biology classes that are required as an elective for non-science majors are lower division. Even physiology or mammalian physiology as they call it at my university is upper division.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

Physio is pretty hard though. I'd consider something as "upper-level" like Cell and Molec, Neurobio, or Microbial Pathogenesis.
I hear Genetics is really useful and is an upper-level so I would take that if I were you, although is is probably harder than Micro.

 

[rubisco88]

Physio is pretty hard though. I'd consider something as "upper-level" like Cell and Molec, Neurobio, or Microbial Pathogenesis.
I hear Genetics is really useful and is an upper-level so I would take that if I were you, although is is probably harder than Micro.

Haha..Genetics was definitely my least favorite upper division bio course. I don't like probablility or math that much. I think in order of usefulness for the MCAT biology section, the classes that seem most helpful to me are Molecular biology=Cell Biology= metabolic biochemistry > recombinant DNA lab=biochemical techniques lab> physiology > microbiology > genetics (genetics on the MCAT seems SUPER BASIC).

 

[Cinclus]

I believe at some schools microbiology is upper division. I know at my university (a Uni of Cal school) it is considered upper division biology. The only lower division bio they offer is Bio I, II, III, which are general bio courses that you can pass out of with AP credit. Also the biology classes that are required as an elective for non-science majors are lower division. Even physiology or mammalian physiology as they call it at my university is upper division.

It's upper division at my school, and it's amazing how many people fail it. You shouldn't fail micro if you're putting in any sort of effort. But yeah, OP, you don't need to take it.

 

[RetroBA]

Kinda weird, physio and genetics are both lower div. at my uni and micro is upper. Seems to be a bunch of variation between schools.

 

[rubisco88]

I should have answered the main question ><. I don't think it will hurt you if you do not take microbiology. But as someone previously stated, most med schools recommend you take biochemistry. You might have already taken biochem though. I think statistics is a recommended course at some medical schools also.

 

[bm499ucf]

lol thanks everyone looks like i will be okay then

 

[Brachyury]

Is it important to take microbiology before I actually apply to medical school? As of now my spring semester is physics II, molec cell, ecology, and another gen ed. I will be taking microbiology in the fall of my senior year. The reason why I pose this question is because my pre-med "advisor" suggested I will have a really tough time competing against applicants who have already taken microbio before they applied. Thank you!

Bio classes that will make med school easier/are worth taking in UG
1. Biochem
2. Physio
3. Anatomy

 

[Mithril]

I find microbi to be a hell of a lot more useful than biochem in med school.