Online Biochem suggestions and your experiences

[TwoHighways]

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I’m not a big fan of online coursework, but I’d like to get Biochem under my belt before next fall, the only semester it is offered at the local four year school.

Are there any web based courses that have recorded lectures to watch/listen to? I’m not totally opposed to reading and I suspect that I will have to do some when taking any sort of online class, but I certainly retain information better when it is lectured.

 

[nobaddays]

University of New England has online Biochem and I'm pretty sure you can register and take it at any time... it's pretty expensive though I think.

 

[pastrynerd]

I’m not a big fan of online coursework, but I’d like to get Biochem under my belt before next fall, the only semester it is offered at the local four year school.

Are there any web based courses that have recorded lectures to watch/listen to? I’m not totally opposed to reading and I suspect that I will have to do some when taking any sort of online class, but I certainly retain information better when it is lectured.

I took the online "Medical Biochemistry" at UNE. It will teach you everything you need to know for the MCAT and even prepare you well for medical school. We actually read a medical school level textbook, Marks Basic Medical Biochemistry. I loved how the book linked biochemistry to physiology and pathophysiology and made me think like a doctor that's diagnosing patients. That course is worth every penny.

 

[TwoHighways]

How much are we talking here? Two grand? More?

 

[nobaddays]

How much are we talking here? Two grand? More?

Nah I think like $1500


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[nobaddays]

*$1425 ...

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[MotherofDragonflies]

I thought schools looked down on online science classes. Should I contact every potential school before looking into this?

That price is about on par with Ohio State U. Which is one of the most expensive state schools here in Ohio. It costs nearly the same to take one 5cr undergrad class there as it does to take the two I am currently taking at community college.

 

[nobaddays]

I thought schools looked down on online science classes. Should I contact every potential school before looking into this?

That price is about on par with Ohio State U. Which is one of the most expensive state schools here in Ohio. It costs nearly the same to take one 5cr undergrad class there as it does to take the two I am currently taking at community college.

Some might not love it, but it's kind of my only option as I work a 9-5ish job and the local universities don't offer a night session of biochem. A lot of schools don't seem to require biochem for application, but it's covered on the MCAT.

The MSAR has a line that will tell you if online classes are accepted, and I think many schools will tell you on their admissions page whether they're accepted for admission.

 

[nobaddays]

Also, FWIW.. I'm taking Biochem online through one of my in-state universities for $900 (would be about 3x as much for out of state). I'm not in Ohio, so idk what schools would have it, but you should look into whether other state schools in your state might offer an online Biochem session.

 

[Iruoma]

please, i know this is not the right thread for my question, but i seriously need help. Am a final year student in the department of biochemistry but i want to take online courses under pharmaceutical science, can anyone please assist me with any good university that's affordable.

 

[JustPaws]

I took online biochem through UC Berkeley and liked it, lectures are recorded online but you have to do the readings, the lectures are not enough. 180 days to finish and $1200. Have heard great great things about oregon state online biochem with Kevin Ahern and it was cheaper but didn't fit my schedule. The teacher records his lectures in the real class and posts them, and the book is open source

 

[HopefulPilot]

I took the OSU biochem with Kevin Ahern and it was exceptional.

 

[Violagirl]

I took Biochem through where I currently am taking classes, the University of Minnesota, and I know for a fact that the professor I had it for also teaches it online. He offers it only online in the spring and summer and both in-person and online in the fall. Check it out.

 

[BleedinBlue2016]

I took online Biochem last Spring at the Harvard Extension School and it was actually a really, really great experience. I contacted them beforehand and they let me know that there is no difference between their online spring course and their fall in-person course, so there will be basically no indication on your transcript that this was an online course.
Lectures were very straightforward, and there was a TON of support in terms of office hours with profs, Piazza Q&A, almost daily review sessions with TAs. I mean, it was pretty incredible for an online course. Definitely recommend it if you're looking for an online biochem where you will actually learn the material really well.
It was the right choice for me because HES was actually cheaper than taking courses at my state school. If there isn't much of a difference in price, I would look into it since it probably looks better to have an HES course than a less expensive one from a CC.

 

[JustPaws]

I took online Biochem last Spring at the Harvard Extension School and it was actually a really, really great experience. I contacted them beforehand and they let me know that there is no difference between their online spring course and their fall in-person course, so there will be basically no indication on your transcript that this was an online course.
Lectures were very straightforward, and there was a TON of support in terms of office hours with profs, Piazza Q&A, almost daily review sessions with TAs. I mean, it was pretty incredible for an online course. Definitely recommend it if you're looking for an online biochem where you will actually learn the material really well.
It was the right choice for me because HES was actually cheaper than taking courses at my state school. If there isn't much of a difference in price, I would look into it since it probably looks better to have an HES course than a less expensive one from a CC.

How much did you pay? UC Berkeley was about $1200 but that looks like it costs $1700 or up

 

[Itisnottoolate]

Here is my biochemistry review I posted earlier this year.

Since it has come up so much I am posting a review to the HES online Spring biochem class.

The spring course is basically identical to the Fall in class lecture. The online spring course consist of recorded lectures from the previous fall lectures.
There are three lecture exams and three problem sets. The first six lectures are taught by Travis Moore and the second half by Robin Hayes. They are both great instructors.

Even though the class is online there are several opportunities each week for live discussion through an online feature called Zoom. There are several review sections each week by the TAs. You can communicate with them and ask questions. There is also a live in person review section each week if you are in the area. The instructors also have posted office hours each week where you can speak live with them via Zoom. During exam weeks and problem set due weeks, they have additional hours. Even though this class is online, you are not missing anything that you would not get from an in class fall lecture. The exams are recorded through Proctoria. Also, I do not think it will show that it was taken online on your transcript.

The material was tough, but it is Biochemistry. Although I don't have my final exam grade back, my review stands regardless. I did very well on my first exam but did not do well on my second due to starting back to work after maternity leave and trying to fine the right mix. Don't get me wrong, it can definitely be done while working. I took organic chemistry at a local college, plus this, plus working, and plus being a mom and wife. I think I am going to edge out with a B assuming I did well on the final. I know I could have gotten an A if my plate was not so full. It does take a fair amount of studying as well.

Overall, I think this was an excellent class. The instructors were very responsive to emails and the online question forums. The live office hours and review sessions were great. The content is relevant for the MCAT.

I just wanted to post a review for those on the fence about taking the Spring online course. I know I had researched it a good bit prior to signing up and could not find a lot of information or reviews.

Hope this helps and good luck!

 

[BleedinBlue2016]

How much did you pay? UC Berkeley was about $1200 but that looks like it costs $1700 or up

Sorry about the late reply -- the total amount I paid with everything included (registration/services fees, etc.) was right around $1630. I think in terms of how it "looks" on your transcript and how much you will actually learn (especially for MCAT practice), UC Berkely and HES will be about the same so that may not factor in for you as much as it did for me when deciding between my local school and HES. I'm not sure what the reviews at UC Berkeley are like, but I think the coursework, material, instruction, etc. were all pretty highly reviewed at HES and I would definitely recommend it as well. If it's the same at UC Berkeley it probably isn't worth the extra cost for you.

 

[JustPaws]

Sorry about the late reply -- the total amount I paid with everything included (registration/services fees, etc.) was right around $1630. I think in terms of how it "looks" on your transcript and how much you will actually learn (especially for MCAT practice), UC Berkely and HES will be about the same so that may not factor in for you as much as it did for me when deciding between my local school and HES. I'm not sure what the reviews at UC Berkeley are like, but I think the coursework, material, instruction, etc. were all pretty highly reviewed at HES and I would definitely recommend it as well. If it's the same at UC Berkeley it probably isn't worth the extra cost for you.

I already took the course at UCBerk. Was just interested in the cost. Reviews for UC Berkeley are not good, but I had no issues, though I do know someone who did not pass. You have to get 70% on the final no matter what you've gotten the rest of class.

 

[petomed]

I took Biochemistry, allong with Bio I-II and Organic I-II with UNE online. They are regionally accredited and may or may not distinguish that the coursework was taken 'online'. They didn't when I started there 2 yrs ago, things may be different now. UNE has a D.O. school, your grades should at least be good there...as for the course, it's difficult. But not many of us have taken two shots at biochem, at least until med school, so who are we to judge?

 

[TwoHighways]

How are exams structured for Berkeley, HES, and UNE? Multiple choice? Short answer? Problems to be solved?

 

[JustPaws]

How are exams structured for Berkeley, HES, and UNE? Multiple choice? Short answer? Problems to be solved?

For berkeley, mostly multiple choice, occasionally fill-in, matching, solve equation

 

[BleedinBlue2016]

How are exams structured for Berkeley, HES, and UNE? Multiple choice? Short answer? Problems to be solved?

At HES it was a pretty even mix between multiple choice and short answer, with some occasional matching or ranking questions.

 

[FutureDR1995]

I took Biochemistry, allong with Bio I-II and Organic I-II with UNE online. They are regionally accredited and may or may not distinguish that the coursework was taken 'online'. They didn't when I started there 2 yrs ago, things may be different now. UNE has a D.O. school, your grades should at least be good there...as for the course, it's difficult. But not many of us have taken two shots at biochem, at least until med school, so who are we to judge?

Were the unit 2 and unit 4 exams comprised of questions from the quizzes and unit review?

 

[petomed]

Were the unit 2 and unit 4 exams comprised of questions from the quizzes and unit review?

I don't remember there being any questions on the unit exams that I had seen before, word for word. The concepts were repeated and extrapolated upon of course, but in a fair way. The biochem course with UNE was the most difficult I took with them but also the best taught, thoughtfully organized, fair with test design. and few if any unreasonable test questions. A lot of material though...as is to be expected with any biochemistry course.

 

[chemphysicsinstructor]

If you desire to hear lectures, YouTube has LOTS of recorded biochemistry lectures available. However, you will need to spend some time searching out the most relevant ones. Iowa State University did have an online biochemistry although I do not know if it is still being offered.

 

[COA1979]

As many others in this post thread, I completed my biochem course online through UNE as well. The course layout is very well structured, with their being weekly practice quizzes, 4 non-proctored unit exams, 2 proctored exams, the midterm and final. and discussions/case studies (really meant to boost your grade). The material will definitely be challenging, since it is Biochem after all. If you study around the learning objectives, you will save a lot of time filtering out the unnecessary material and study only what is relevant to the exams. From talking with others who took online biochem with other schools. it seems UNE holds the advantage with allowing students to extend the self-pace of students taking the course for up to 6 months (I personally requested an extension and it worked) which helps if you have a lot going on in your personal life. If anyone plans on taking biochem through UNE, message me and I may provide with all my saved course resources.

 

[HopefulPilot]

No. The tests were pretty tough.

 

[chemphysicsinstructor]

Good advice.

 

[futuredogDVM]

Is anyone starting medical biochemistry at UNE on 10/21/2020? I am planning on starting the class then if anyone wants to go through it together and compare notes! Feel free to message me!

 

[anniekat2025]

I took the online "Medical Biochemistry" at UNE. It will teach you everything you need to know for the MCAT and even prepare you well for medical school. We actually read a medical school level textbook, Marks Basic Medical Biochemistry. I loved how the book linked biochemistry to physiology and pathophysiology and made me think like a doctor that's diagnosing patients. That course is worth every penny.

I also took this course and had a good experience. The lectures were helpful and the textbook was great. My only gripe with online is that it was hard to get questions answered from the prof; I do better discussing things in person vs email.