Molecular Biology

[youngin]

---

Members do not see this ad.

So I was planning to take molecular biology next semester after finishing general biology, but now I have a weird situation, there are 2 molecular biology to choose from, one with a lab and one without. They are worth the same credit, but do most ppl's schools have molecular biology with lab or is this normal to have them separate? Also should I just take it easy without the lab component since it's not a pre-req and I'm not sure if labs will be that much more useful.

 

[2badr]

So I was planning to take molecular biology next semester after finishing general biology, but now I have a weird situation, there are 2 molecular biology to choose from, one with a lab and one without. They are worth the same credit, but do most ppl's schools have molecular biology with lab or is this normal to have them separate? Also should I just take it easy without the lab component since it's not a pre-req and I'm not sure if labs will be that much more useful.

I would assume you need to check the schools you want to apply to. None of the ones I plan to appy to requires it, but a major in Biology at my school would. So I guess it dpends on your individual situation.

Is it required for your major?

 

[dr.z]

I didn't have that option. My Molecular Biology course had a lab. The lab work for the course maybe very helpful if interested in research. Techniques from the course is used very often in everyday lab.

 

[DianaLynne]

I was thinking of taking this class too. I'm a postbacc student and I'm trying to take classes that will give me a headstart on med school. Do you guys think this would be a good one or should I go for genetics?

 

[Khenon]

I was thinking of taking this class too. I'm a postbacc student and I'm trying to take classes that will give me a headstart on med school. Do you guys think this would be a good one or should I go for genetics?

Definitely do molecular biology. Though genetics is a great class (take both if you can), it's too specific. Unless, of course, you plan on being a genetisist (sp?). Molecular biology is more broad, and as a "molecular biologist" you could still work/do research in a genetics lab.

Also I recommend taking the molecular biology lab if it's offered to you. My school didn't have it, but if you go to grad school or apply for jobs, the more labs you have under your belt the better. Not only is it good experience, but it looks better on applications to have a lab-heavy transcript.

 

[youngin]

Thanks for the responses, the class with lab is not required for my major. I am still hesistant to take the lab now, because I might want to take a physics course and at that point if I took molecular biology with lab then I'd have 3 lab courses. However, I do want to try out research so if the techniques in molec. bio. is valuable then its hard not to do the lab section.