Online biochem advice needed

[flyhi]

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I am currently enrolled in BiochemI at a university - it is a 400 level course, meets everyday and is 5 weeks long. With my current work responsibilities, I am finding it very difficult to put in the required time for this class since it is so short and intense. I have been accepted to vet school for fall 2010 and must get a B or better.

I am planning on continuing to attend the lectures and see how i do, but if all is not going well by June 19th, I will drop and look for another option that fits my schedule better.

With that in mind, I know several of you have recently taken this course online at several different schools.

I am not considering Oregon based on feedback, but am looking at ISU (anxious for LVT2DVM's update), KSU, UC Berkeley Extension, Univ of MN and UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine.....

I am hoping some of you can provide feedback as to the course design, delivery method, grading policies, testing procedures and overall thoughts on the course. I would like a well-organized, straight-forward (put in the work, you will be fine), self-paced course.

Once I narrow my choices down, i will submit to the vet school for their approval.

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[cubs11]

out of curiosity, from the schools listed, is the biochem course one complete course combined into one semester or is it two semesters? the biochem course i'll be taking this fall is split into two semesters (as are all of the biochem courses at the institutions around me), but if there were a one semester/combined course i might be interested in the information as well. 🙂

 

[sumstorm]

out of curiosity, from the schools listed, is the biochem course one complete course combined into one semester or is it two semesters? the biochem course i'll be taking this fall is split into two semesters (as are all of the biochem courses at the institutions around me), but if there were a one semester/combined course i might be interested in the information as well. 🙂

The one at OSU online is a single semester combined, no lab. Having said that, I don't recommend it, any semester, but especially not summer semester. Poor media, poor professor attitude, extremly little interaction, proctoring required, out dated materials (not for the field, but for the class...media is several years old and schedules don't correlate and professor's statements on media about what is covered on the test is incredibly inaccurate), poor text selection.

I can give more specific details if needed, but of all the distance/online courses I took, this was the worst, with the least prof interaction but the greatest demands in terms of knowledge, skill, time, homework, self motivation, etc.

 

[Pomona2006]

As someone who has taken courses at both Berkeley and UNE I can say that I strongly prefer Berkeley. Not only are Berkeley's courses cheaper, but IMO they are better managed. I am currently taking both biochem and genetics at Berkeley and I think they are both fine classes. They aren't easy to me but at least I am not frustrated by taking them.

I took physiology at UNE and it was a miserable experience for me (possibly because of the 3 uncoordinated professors and the fact that I was the first person to complete the course). I experienced a TON of technical issues from their blackboard (things I have not experienced ever before with online courses), the lectures were not even all posted when I started the course (I had to wait over a month for 1 chapter which delayed me from taking the midterm by 1 month), and the professors outright misspoke on so many occasions in the lectures that it became incredibly confusing. The only positive thing that I have to say about them is that they give you free transcripts for life (something I just learned today when I submitted my transcript request). But it figures since the course cost like $500 more than the Berkeley course. In any case, I'm sorry for my rant! I really cannot be sure if all UNE's online courses are as bad as the physiology one was for me, but I can tell you that I would not recommend UNE based upon my experience.

Of course I will add that you should ask the schools you are applying to which courses they will accept (and get the approval in writing if possible) so you know what your options are.

 

[cubs11]

The one at OSU online is a single semester combined, no lab. Having said that, I don't recommend it, any semester, but especially not summer semester. Poor media, poor professor attitude, extremly little interaction, proctoring required, out dated materials (not for the field, but for the class...media is several years old and schedules don't correlate and professor's statements on media about what is covered on the test is incredibly inaccurate), poor text selection.

I can give more specific details if needed, but of all the distance/online courses I took, this was the worst, with the least prof interaction but the greatest demands in terms of knowledge, skill, time, homework, self motivation, etc.

thanks for the info!

 

[flyhi]

Pomona - Can you elaborate on Berkeley's Biochem at all? I spoke with them today and got the syllabus. It seems pretty straightforward. Is it definitely possible to finish the class in 3 months? Have you taken the midterm? If so, what did you think since it says the final is designed the same way? What do you think of the textbook? Have you had any interaction with the prof regarding something you needed further explanation on? If so, how was he?

My first exam for my summer class is tomorrow and i am just overwhelmed with the amount of info we have to know in a week and a half. Just the rote memorization - be able to draw structures of all 20 amino acids and know their charge in certain pH's, DNA, RNA and a few others, know about 10 reagents, what process they are used in and what they do....etc. etc. etc. And the above is only for 25% of the exam. I would only feel comfortable with this if I had nothing else going on in my life right now and could study all day every day.

That's good to know about UNE as they were my second choice - i thought the medical biochem seemed to be a more interesting class.

thanks

 

[Pomona2006]

Pomona - Can you elaborate on Berkeley's Biochem at all? I spoke with them today and got the syllabus. It seems pretty straightforward. Is it definitely possible to finish the class in 3 months? Have you taken the midterm? If so, what did you think since it says the final is designed the same way? What do you think of the textbook? Have you had any interaction with the prof regarding something you needed further explanation on? If so, how was he?

I'd be happy to elaborate as much as I can...

I think it is definitely possible to finish in 3 months (but that depends on what else you have on your plate). I'm taking 5 science classes now, so my self-paced Berkeley courses were on the back burner for a while. Now that I'm finishing up with my other courses, I'm getting through the material faster.

The professor is pretty decent. He's quick to get back to your emails and usually lets you know if you're missing anything from your assignments and what he will expect from you for the midterm and final. My issues with him are that he can be picky and that he sometimes gets back to you about assignments and provides additional information that you will be responsible for but that is not mentioned in the text or lectures. Kind of annoying, but I'll live. Just makes me keep track of the emails we exchange.

As for the midterm - I just did it today and submitted it. Keep in mind the midterm is available to you on the website as soon as you sign up for the class. It's just in your best interest to not look at it until you are studied up and ready to take it. He recommends that you treat it like you would the final and give yourself 1.5 hours to complete it. It was all definitions and short (or long?) answer questions. I don't know how I did yet, but I think it was a pretty fair exam. I don't know think he wants us to know how to draw all 20 amino acids...although I had to do that along with DNA, RNA, the entire glycolytic pathway, in addition to all the codons for amino acids for my last CC biochem exam, so I know how you feel! In the end, I think there will still be a lot of memorization for the Berkeley course, but I guess that's pretty standard. (And...if you caught on to that, yes, I am taking 2 biochem courses at the same time 😱 ...long story but UC Davis requires Biochem to be upper division from a 4-year school). 🙄

Hope that helps, and feel free to let me know if you have any other questions about the Berkeley courses (or UNE).

 

[jglovicz]

Pomona - Can you elaborate on Berkeley's Biochem at all? I spoke with them today and got the syllabus. It seems pretty straightforward. Is it definitely possible to finish the class in 3 months? Have you taken the midterm? If so, what did you think since it says the final is designed the same way? What do you think of the textbook? Have you had any interaction with the prof regarding something you needed further explanation on? If so, how was he?

My first exam for my summer class is tomorrow and i am just overwhelmed with the amount of info we have to know in a week and a half. Just the rote memorization - be able to draw structures of all 20 amino acids and know their charge in certain pH's, DNA, RNA and a few others, know about 10 reagents, what process they are used in and what they do....etc. etc. etc. And the above is only for 25% of the exam. I would only feel comfortable with this if I had nothing else going on in my life right now and could study all day every day.

That's good to know about UNE as they were my second choice - i thought the medical biochem seemed to be a more interesting class.

thanks

Not to be the party pooper, but Biochem is a tough course. I can't imagine that you will ever take an appropriate biochem class (one that would count for vet school) that won't have you memorize 20 amino acids and to know all that...that's biochem. You'll also need to memorize probably 3 major pathways and be able to draw the structures. I'm not trying to get you down, I just don't think that the course is going to be easy if you take it elsewhere...it is a weed-out class. Good luck!

 

[flyhi]

Not to be the party pooper, but Biochem is a tough course. I can't imagine that you will ever take an appropriate biochem class (one that would count for vet school) that won't have you memorize 20 amino acids and to know all that...that's biochem. You'll also need to memorize probably 3 major pathways and be able to draw the structures. I'm not trying to get you down, I just don't think that the course is going to be easy if you take it elsewhere...it is a weed-out class. Good luck!

I am more than willing to put the work in. I'm not looking for easy, just more time to study I do not find the material difficult, but with my career responsibilities and having class in the middle of the work day, every day for 5 weeks, it is just not turning out to be doable. I wanted to give it a shot because i want to get the class out of the way, but it simply not going to be possible with this type of class.

I do not doubt that what I am being asked to regurgitate on an exam won't occur in an online class, i will just be able to regurgitate it at my own pace when my schedule allows. My point with the memorization of the structures was simply that the exams are obviously so closely held, it is a massive amount of information in a short period of time - which i did expect, BTW.

Soooo.......did you have something to offer regarding a particular online class, or did you just want to bust my cubes thinking i was trying to take the 'easy' way out? 🙄

 

[flyhi]

Pomona - thanks SO much. Your feedback was extremely helpful. I forgot to mention the codons too! Fun, fun stuff. I totally feel your pain taking both biochem classes at once....oh my word.

It is not too practical, but do you think i would benefit greatly by continuing to attend the summer course lecture while concurrently starting the online course? Do you feel it has helped you?

thanks again!

 

[Pomona2006]

You're very welcome!

I would say that my CC class has been helpful to some extent, but not tremendously. That might be because the CC course is a mix of o-chem and biochem and the exams are completely different formats. If I was in your shoes, I would probably prefer to just have the online class as it is probably more practical for your schedule. If you want to and/or can show up to the lecture, I doubt it could hurt!

Of course, for anyone reading this...a lot of what I am saying is dependent on your ability to motivate yourself. Some people don't have an easy time doing that, and that's totally fine. You just need to be realistic with yourself.

 

[Perfbird]

Pomona--I am a current Berkeley student who had to drop out of Biochem this spring because I was not getting a good grade. It is a notoriously difficult class at Berkeley because the professors are honestly out to try and fail students. Their exams are so ridiculously difficult it's inhumane...people always try and take it during the summer because the professor is more fair (not easy by a long shot), and because she actually gives a somewhat fair test.

Who is the prof for Biochem extension, if I may ask? And how are the exams proctored through extension? How long do you have to finish the Biochem class? I know I'm picking your brain, but I need to know if taking it via extension would be a good idea. I was planning on taking it next summer, but then I'd have to cut a few schools out that I want to apply to, so I'm thinking maybe extension is the way to go.

Thanks!

 

[Pomona2006]

Sorry to hear about your situation!

The professor is John Forger but I'm not sure whether he is actually professor at UC Berkeley - perhaps you can tell us!

This is the link to the class: http://www.unex.berkeley.edu/cat/course351.html

For taking the final, you find a proctor and register them. Berkeley approves them and then sends them the exam. You schedule when to take the exam with your proctor and then I believe the proctor mails the exam back to Berkeley to be graded. This link might be helpful: http://www-cmil.unex.berkeley.edu/resources/exam_req.html

You have 6 months to complete the course and it is self-paced. You submit assignments whenever you want (one at a time) but the prof usually gets back to you within 24 hours with your grade for that assignment. I think 6 months is plenty of time to complete it. Essentially you have 10 written assignments, a unproctored midterm after assignment #5 and then a proctored final at the very end.

Happy to help...so if you have any other questions, just let me know... 🙂

 

[flyhi]

Perfbird - I wonder if it is the same Biochem? This is X105 - Introductory Biochemistry which may not satisfy your requirements. The professor is Dr. Forger.

 

[Perfbird]

Yeah, I didn't think about that until now. We are required to take MCB 102, and I'm pretty sure the XB class won't satisfy the college requirement. Boo. During the semester we have 3 different professors teach each section of class--I had Calender (Calendar?), Buchanan, and Zusman.

I'll ask a counselor though, since it's worth it. I don't think it will work as I have never heard of anyone taking the XB class in place of 102, I guess we're stuck with the awful course.

Thanks for the info, though, it is good to know options like that exist. 🙂

 

[flyhi]

Sorry 🙁..... Good Luck 👍👍

 

[Lambgirl]

Yeah, I didn't think about that until now. We are required to take MCB 102, and I'm pretty sure the XB class won't satisfy the college requirement. Boo. During the semester we have 3 different professors teach each section of class--I had Calender (Calendar?), Buchanan, and Zusman.

I'll ask a counselor though, since it's worth it. I don't think it will work as I have never heard of anyone taking the XB class in place of 102, I guess we're stuck with the awful course.

Thanks for the info, though, it is good to know options like that exist. 🙂

I am applying to WSU this year and planning on taking the Bio Chem course through Berkeley this fall online. I sent in the syllabus to WSU Vetmed and the course will satisfy their bio chem requirement. So it might be a good idea to check with the schools you are applying too. At least you will know what works before you spend money on something you can't use.

Good Luck to everyone applying this year.

 

[Perfbird]

Lambgirl-I believe the online course would work for most Vet schools, my problem is that Berkeley (specifically, my major) would not accept that course to fulfill my biochemistry requirement. We have to take a biochem that is tailored to our Ochem classes. And while I could take the online one to get a better grade, then take the regular 102 one to fufil my college requirements, I'd have to think long and hard before taking on 2 biochems. Haha!😱

 

[cwazy cat lady]

flyhi, are you still taking classes but already accepted to Edinburgh?

 

[flyhi]

flyhi, are you still taking classes but already accepted to Edinburgh?

Yes, I am. I was accepted conditionally on finishing and getting a B or better in Physics (done..YAY!) and Biochem 🙁. I was originally accepted to the 5 yr, but they will offer me the 4 yr GEP for 2010 entry upon completion of Biochem.

BTW, the Biochem at UC Berk Ext was approved by Edinburgh.

I noticed you just recently went there? What did you think? Are you attending UofE?

 

[Caninerepro]

Why didn't you come here and take the 8 week class at CSU. :cry: Yeah you talk a big game but when it comes to delivering....

 

[flyhi]

Why didn't you come here and take the 8 week class at CSU. :cry: Yeah you talk a big game but when it comes to delivering....

😍

Plus, you're supposed to be moving or something...aren't you??

:troll:

 

[Caninerepro]

😍

Plus, you're supposed to be moving or something...aren't you??

:troll:

For you, I'd stay! 😍 Actually, I was just going to give you the tests and quizzes since I took the class last summer and he doesn't change much.

 

[flyhi]

For you, I'd stay! 😍 Actually, I was just going to give you the tests and quizzes since I took the class last summer and he doesn't change much.

Hmmm, your timing is interesting..... Plus, just where oh where would i have stayed all the way out there in CO for eight whole, long lonesome, weeks??????

 

[Caninerepro]

Motel 6 😛

 

[Emmie]

Other than UC Berk online Biochem, is there any good online biochem class?

Anyone knows where I can find good biochem lectures for download?

 

[VeganChick]

I took the online Biochem class at KSU and actually really enjoyed it!

 

[Emmie]

Do you have the link? Thanks.

 

[Sweetcaroline14]

Sorry to hear about your situation!

The professor is John Forger but I'm not sure whether he is actually professor at UC Berkeley - perhaps you can tell us!

This is the link to the class: http://www.unex.berkeley.edu/cat/course351.html

For taking the final, you find a proctor and register them. Berkeley approves them and then sends them the exam. You schedule when to take the exam with your proctor and then I believe the proctor mails the exam back to Berkeley to be graded. This link might be helpful: http://www-cmil.unex.berkeley.edu/resources/exam_req.html

You have 6 months to complete the course and it is self-paced. You submit assignments whenever you want (one at a time) but the prof usually gets back to you within 24 hours with your grade for that assignment. I think 6 months is plenty of time to complete it. Essentially you have 10 written assignments, a unproctored midterm after assignment #5 and then a proctored final at the very end.

Happy to help...so if you have any other questions, just let me know... 🙂

Cheers to Dr. Forger! I took this class after finishing my undergrad with biochemistry and it was great! He was an excellent professor and I'm glad to see other's liked his course. It worked for me as well! Biochem in vet school is tough, so his class was good to get the basics! Good luck to you and congrats!