Prerequesites...biochem - which class should I pick?

[tuffguy13]

---

Members don't see this ad.

at some places like MSUCOM, biochemistry is a prereq. Other places don't require it but i would imagine it would help an applicant's resume significantly (I say this b/c i am non-traditional btw, not sure if you other pre-meds are required to take biochem for your major).

My school offers 2 courses for biochemistry: a 200 level and a 300 level. The 200 level is a basic biochem class while the 300 is a "general" biochem class, which looks as if it is part 1 of 2 (like gen chem 1 and 2, org chem 1 and 2, etc). I think another difference is the 200 level has no lab, whereas 300 level has a lab.

When looking at transcripts for grades and what science classes you took, would the (presumably) easier biochem 200 class be better to take than the more difficult 300 level class, or do the osteopathic med schools have specific biochemistry class equivalents they would prefer?

 

[tndoc12]

I think either biochem class would look good. However, I think that the upper level class would prepare you more for biochem in med school. My school required us to take the upper div biochem I.

 

[tuffguy13]

ok well i've also heard physiology is a big one to both look good and to help out while in med school. but heres my prob:

human anatomy and phys I - "Fundamentals of anatomy and physiology for students in Special Education, Health Education, Nursing, and Psychology."

vs.

animal physiology - "The physical and chemical basis of system physiology with reference to invertebrates and vertebrates."

which one do adcoms want??

the first one sounds more like a nursing class, but the animal one sounds less relevant...

 

[Melicopter]

Human physiology was helpful for the MCAT, but I've heard medical students (who took it) say it was not helpful for medical school. They said they covered the entire undergraduate course in the first week or two of medical school and didn't feel that it was an advantage.

Our school does a 1-term overview of biochem (same material in less time, and in less depth) and a 2-term biochem (no lab, but more in depth). The 2-term sequence was recommended by my premed committee, and I took it.

It is difficult to judge what will and will not be a struggle for someone, as we all have different strengths and weaknesses. That said, I wish I had known how hard biochem would be. I packed that year with classes and activities, and biochem was at least twice as hard as any other class. I think I expected it to be like chemistry or organic chemistry. I love chemistry, and I aced o-chem. Biochem chewed me up and spit me out. Fair warning.

 

[tuffguy13]

It is difficult to judge what will and will not be a struggle for someone, as we all have different strengths and weaknesses. That said, I wish I had known how hard biochem would be. I packed that year with classes and activities, and biochem was at least twice as hard as any other class. I think I expected it to be like chemistry or organic chemistry. I love chemistry, and I aced o-chem. Biochem chewed me up and spit me out. Fair warning.

Thank you, I appreciate that. I'm thinking now since most schools don't have a biochem requirement, maybe I should take molecular bio, cell bio, genetics, and other bio classes all BEFORE biochem...would that be wise? Then possibly taking it after in the event I didn't get accepted somewhere?

 

[PunkmedGirl]

Thank you, I appreciate that. I'm thinking now since most schools don't have a biochem requirement, maybe I should take molecular bio, cell bio, genetics, and other bio classes all BEFORE biochem...would that be wise? Then possibly taking it after in the event I didn't get accepted somewhere?

I think it all depends on which department or what type of professor is teaching the class. My biochem profess is a chemist, but the book is biochem from a biology standpoint so I get to have the best of both worlds. (YAY!!!!!!!! not.) If its chemistry depart. or chemist teaching the class then orgo I and II will be fine, but if its from a biology depart or prof then add in genetics and maybe even cellular.

 

[Grey Wind]

at some places like MSUCOM, biochemistry is a prereq. Other places don't require it but i would imagine it would help an applicant's resume significantly (I say this b/c i am non-traditional btw, not sure if you other pre-meds are required to take biochem for your major).

My school offers 2 courses for biochemistry: a 200 level and a 300 level. The 200 level is a basic biochem class while the 300 is a "general" biochem class, which looks as if it is part 1 of 2 (like gen chem 1 and 2, org chem 1 and 2, etc). I think another difference is the 200 level has no lab, whereas 300 level has a lab.

When looking at transcripts for grades and what science classes you took, would the (presumably) easier biochem 200 class be better to take than the more difficult 300 level class, or do the osteopathic med schools have specific biochemistry class equivalents they would prefer?

schools that require biochem most likely require that certain topics are covered. for kccumb, they stipulate that your biochem class must cover lipid metabolism, for instance, to be satisfactory for the pre-req. i'd call each school's admissions dept and ask if the lower lvl biochem class is adequate. have a course description on hand in case they ask what it covers.