Picking Classes to take before the PCAT

[Greggy Weggy]

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So I'm a junior in college and am planning on taking the PCAT next summer, so Ill have 2 semesters to get the classes I need.

Classes that I have already took that are worth mentioning:
- Calculus
- Pre Calc with Trigonometry
- Gen Chem1
- Gen Chem 2
- Physics 1

Classes I'm taking in the Fall:
- Organic 1
- Physics 2
- Intro to Biomolecular Science

Classes: Im planning on taking in the Spring:
- Organic 2
- Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology
- Either, Analytical Chemistry, Microeconomics, Genetics, Cell Biology


The only thing worrying me is the fact that I haven't taken General Biology I or II, because its not needed for my major. Is "Intro to Biomolecular Science" and "Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology" sufficient enough for the PCAT?

 

[Rockinacoustic]

Physics is not tested on the PCAT, so that will not help (for the test).

You seem to have Chemistry and Calculus covered (so long as your calc class touches integration).

What is your major that permits you to take these upper level Biology courses without the intro classes? You seem to have the molecular and cellular parts of Biology covered, but you will need to self-study on the basic anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and ecology questions of that section.

Seeing as most Pharm programs require A&P and/or Micro, I'd try and fit at least one of them into your schedule.

 

[Greggy Weggy]

Physics is not tested on the PCAT, so that will not help (for the test).

You seem to have Chemistry and Calculus covered (so long as your calc class touches integration).

What is your major that permits you to take these upper level Biology courses without the intro classes? You seem to have the molecular and cellular parts of Biology covered, but you will need to self-study on the basic anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and ecology questions of that section.

Seeing as most Pharm programs require A&P and/or Micro, I'd try and fit at least one of them into your schedule.

My Major is Biomolecular Science. The class I'm going to take in the spring of 2011 "Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology" is the prereq for all those upper biology classes, including A&P.

In my school catalog, you could not even take Cell Biology, Genetics, or Microbiology without "Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology" without permission of department chair, because those classes are under Biomolecular Science and not Biology. Only A&P could be taken with either prereq of General Biology or my class.

Strange thing

 

[delano2000]

My Major is Biomolecular Science. The class I'm going to take in the spring of 2011 "Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology" is the prereq for all those upper biology classes, including A&P.

In my school catalog, you could not even take Cell Biology, Genetics, or Microbiology without "Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology" without permission of department chair, because those classes are under Biomolecular Science and not Biology. Only A&P could be taken with either prereq of General Biology or my class.

Strange thing

Wouldn't that somehow fall under General Biology I&II? Well all schools are different so...😕

 

[Greggy Weggy]

Wouldn't that somehow fall under General Biology I&II? Well all schools are different so...😕

That's what I'm hoping, because the prereq to that class is either General Bio I or the class I'm taking in the fall, "Intro to Biomolecular Science"

I just hope the pharm schools that require Gen Bio as a prereq will take the other classes instead.

 

[delano2000]

That's what I'm hoping, because the prereq to that class is either General Bio I or the class I'm taking in the fall, "Intro to Biomolecular Science"

I just hope the pharm schools that require Gen Bio as a prereq will take the other classes instead.

Most times they will ask for a course description if they have no articulation agreements with you school so they will be able to figure it out. You can also try contacting someone in the AdCom and see if it will be acceptable or not.

 

[Rockinacoustic]

You can also try contacting someone in the AdCom and see if it will be acceptable or not.

Absolutely do this. 'Intro to Biomolecular Science' seems like a real stretch in equivalency to a General Biology sequence, but then again I'm just assuming.

 

[Greggy Weggy]

Most times they will ask for a course description if they have no articulation agreements with you school so they will be able to figure it out. You can also try contacting someone in the AdCom and see if it will be acceptable or not.

Im sorry, but what is AdCom?

 

[SparkLy09]

Admission Committees.

Is there no other way to take a normal Gen bio course? The bio section of the PCAT is extremely broad, they go from plant biology to human to microbes to theories in evolution, classification, to physiology etc and usually a gen bio course covers most of the important concepts, which people then supplement with taking A&P and Microbiology.

You seem to be preparing yourself well for the other components though.

 

[Greggy Weggy]

Admission Committees.

Is there no other way to take a normal Gen bio course? The bio section of the PCAT is extremely broad, they go from plant biology to human to microbes to theories in evolution, classification, to physiology etc and usually a gen bio course covers most of the important concepts, which people then supplement with taking A&P and Microbiology.

You seem to be preparing yourself well for the other components though.

I mean I could take it in the spring, but it wont help me towards my major with regards to credits. But then again, the main goal is Pharmacy School.

 

[SparkLy09]

Personally, since your goal is Pharmacy school, I would take a Gen Bio course even if it doesn't directly go for your major. I'm pretty sure it's a pre-req for almost 100% of the schools out there and it should greatly help in studying for the PCATs, AND you won't have to verify anything with each school making for a much smoother application process.

 

[Science Girl]

Personally, since your goal is Pharmacy school, I would take a Gen Bio course even if it doesn't directly go for your major. I'm pretty sure it's a pre-req for almost 100% of the schools out there and it should greatly help in studying for the PCATs, AND you won't have to verify anything with each school making for a much smoother application process.

agree! 👍