Physio and Biochem

[MadRadLad]

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Do we need a full two semesters of both? My school offers a class called "Physiology for Pre-Health Professions" which is 4 credits, or a block of two classes "Human Physiology I" and "Human Physiology 2" that are 3 credits each. So in the end do we need 1 semester or physio or will I benefit more from taking both?

Same question with biochem really. Is a "comprehensive" 1 sem course enough or would it be better (both admission and MCAT-wise) to take the two courses?

 

[slatermd]

I don't know of a single med school that requires physiology. Only a few schools require Biochem and the ones that do require one semester.

 

[dawgbone]

The (relatively) few med schools that do require biochem generally only require 1 semester. I've yet to see any med schools that require a full year of biochem.

https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/requirements/msar/ is a good resource.

 

[MadRadLad]

Thanks.

I feel like maybe a comprehensive Biochem course would be more bio based than chem based and therefore a bit easier. Any thoughts/refutes on this?

 

[slatermd]

That would depend on the prof, so no one here knows. At my university the (organic) chemists teach Biochem so that would not be the case.

 

[Minaku]

That would depend on the prof, so no one here knows. At my university the (organic) chemists teach Biochem so that would not be the case.

this. do some digging or ask around. as it is, you don't sound terribly excited about a year of biochem so you could just take the semester class and use the space next semester for something that appeals more to you.

MCAT-wise, you just need your pre-reqs (beyond those, a biochem course probably won't 'benefit' you as much as say a physio course) and some students haven't even finished prereqs by the time they take the test. you'd still perform fine with good studying.

let me disclaim that I also did research in a biochem lab and I find this subject really interesting. so I would vouch for it.