Pathophysiology vs cell physiology?

[BeastfromthEast]

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I can one of these classes next semester. Pathophysiology is a 200 level class while cell phys is a 400 level class. Which would be the better class to help prepare for MCAT (and I have taken cell bio already, and A&P is not available this semester, nor is biochem or mammalian phys).

Pathophysiology: Normal function of systems in human body followed by discussion of common alterations in function and how these are manifested in disease states.
Cell Physiology: Biochemical and thermodynamic aspects of cellular energy metabolism

 

[music2doc]

Of those two? Literature. Seriously. Most science majors suck at VR. Cell Phys would be the better of the two but w the cell bio background, you'll be fine. Take some English and, perhaps, some behavioral sciences....

 

[theWUbear]

I can one of these classes next semester. Pathophysiology is a 200 level class while cell phys is a 400 level class. Which would be the better class to help prepare for MCAT (and I have taken cell bio already, and A&P is not available this semester, nor is biochem or mammalian phys).

Pathophysiology: Normal function of systems in human body followed by discussion of common alterations in function and how these are manifested in disease states.
Cell Physiology: Biochemical and thermodynamic aspects of cellular energy metabolism

I vote pathophys 1000 times. First, it's a class of a substantially lower level (200 v 400). GPA is king. Secondly, systems biology is certainly covered on the MCAT, while cell biochemical pathways are too specific for the MCAT.

Of those two? Literature. Seriously. Most science majors suck at VR. Cell Phys would be the better of the two but w the cell bio background, you'll be fine. Take some English and, perhaps, some behavioral sciences....

I'd like a citation for that first statistic, and evidence that it's not due to self-selection bias (i.e. the people who are more likely to be non-science majors are not already the people who are more likely the people more likely to perform well on VR, making 'major' simply a lurking variable). Additionally, those lit classes are often subject to - for lack of a better word - subjective grading, making it at times more difficult to ensure you've put in the work to get an A. Again, GPA is king.

 

[music2doc]

I'd like a citation for that first statistic, and evidence that it's not due to self-selection bias (i.e. the people who are more likely to be non-science majors are not already the people who are more likely the people more likely to perform well on VR, making 'major' simply a lurking variable). Additionally, those lit classes are often subject to - for lack of a better word - subjective grading, making it at times more difficult to ensure you've put in the work to get an A. Again, GPA is king.

Have you graded labs? Reading and writing ability tend to be closely related. Ever read a discussion section in most students' labs? They are usually quite , for lack of a better word, pitiful. While agree there is almost certainly selection bias going on, I don't think there is much reason to doubt that taking a course requiring you to read less than interesting material and analyze it would likely help prepare (through practice/experience) a person for the MCAT VR. I suspect people fail at VR because they try to take shortcuts. This is an early way to avoid that error.

 

[ManBroDude]

I vote pathophys 1000 times. First, it's a class of a substantially lower level (200 v 400). GPA is king. Secondly, systems biology is certainly covered on the MCAT, while cell biochemical pathways are too specific for the MCAT.

Pathophys. I'm taking it next semester, too. It's a good follow-up to A&P, it's fairly easy, and it's a good safe bet for your GPA. It's also clinically relevant because you'll learn lab values, clinical presentations, etc. Interesting = fun.

 

[BeastfromthEast]

oh yeah, i left out an important detail: cell phys is a class i need for my major; patho phys is not...

 

[theWUbear]

oh yeah, i left out an important detail: cell phys is a class i need for my major; patho phys is not...

In my opinion this only matters if you feel you are not in good shape for finishing your major, or need the extra course space for taking something else down the road (pretty much the same thing). If that's not an issue, you're primary concerns are maximizing GPA followed by MCAT-relevance in coursework

 

[BeastfromthEast]

bump.. more opinions on this?

 

[ua2011]

I'm taking Pathophysiology next semester too!! Its my last science class to count towards my scigpa! I think it will be helpful because it reviews A&P stuff!! I'm excited to take it 😀