Principles of Biochem vs Biochem 1

[danielterrones]

Hi There,

I will be taking the MCAT in the summer of 2016 but in planning for this I noticed that I need to take Biochem. My school offers both Principles of Biochem and Biochem 1.

Which should I take to prepare me for the MCAT? I'm sure the Principles of Biochem would be "easier" and that might translate into a better grade. But does Principles of Biochem fulfill requirements for med-schools AND prepare me for the 2015 MCAT?

Thanks so much 🙂

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[DocKingh]

Hi There,

I will be taking the MCAT in the summer of 2016 but in planning for this I noticed that I need to take Biochem. My school offers both Principles of Biochem and Biochem 1.

Which should I take to prepare me for the MCAT? I'm sure the Principles of Biochem would be "easier" and that might translate into a better grade. But does Principles of Biochem fulfill requirements for med-schools AND prepare me for the 2015 MCAT?

Thanks so much 🙂

First of all Biochem is not a prerequisite for most med-schools. I took Intro to Biochem (I guess that would be the same as Principles of Biochem) and it provided me with a lot of knowledge that helped a lot while studying for the current MCAT. From what I understand, the new MCAT is going to be more biochem heavy than it currently is. So, I definitely think that either class will prepare you well for the 2015 MCAT. I think the Principles class will cover more material/topics compared to the other class (which will cover less topics, but will be more in-depth). Anyways, IMO either class would be fine. Just choose the one that fits your schedule better.

 

[danielterrones]

I appreciate your opinion and input. Thank you very much @DocKingh ! 🙂

 

[V_K]

Hello!

I took Biochem 1 this past semester and I will be taking my MCAT in January, which is still the 2014 version. However, I found biochem 1 to be beyond helpful because it covers a massive portion of the biology and chemistry (hence the name, Biochemistry) that you will be tested on the MCAT.
I am not sure what would be covered in the Principles of Biochem course, but if you are to take that for the sole purpose of receiving a "better grade"...that's really not the way you should be approaching this. If you put your time and effort into preparing for the class and devote time to studying, you WILL do well...taking the easier route will not help you in the long run because you will not have that option in Medical school.
If you really try, you will succeed, so why not have more knowledge from a more detailed course than the watered down version?

 

[Cawolf]

Have you looked at the course descriptions? If you want to post them here I am sure we could take a look.

Those usually offer good insight into whether the intro or principles course is not an adequate substitute.

 

[danielterrones]

I'm a non-traditional student, (work full time and have a family) so my reasoning for taking the principles of biochem are not to just get a better grade, but to make my studying easier. I do not want to "over-study" if I do not have to. Trying to work smart whenever possible.

The Principles of BioChem Course Description:
Principles of Biochemistry
Units: 4
LECTURE, 3 HOURS; LAB, 4 HOURS Students gain a systematic and theoretical understanding of the biochemical activities of living cells, including an introduction to the structure, properties, and metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids.


Biochem 1 Course Description:
Biochemistry I
Units: 4
Lecture, 3 hours; Lab, 4 hours
Students gain a systematic and theoretical study of the biochemical activities of living cells in this course. It is an introduction to the structure, properties, and metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids.

You'll notice that they course descriptions are almost exactly the same. Any input will not go overlooked. Than you very much 🙂

 

[sillyjoe]

Hi There,

I will be taking the MCAT in the summer of 2016 but in planning for this I noticed that I need to take Biochem. My school offers both Principles of Biochem and Biochem 1.

Which should I take to prepare me for the MCAT? I'm sure the Principles of Biochem would be "easier" and that might translate into a better grade. But does Principles of Biochem fulfill requirements for med-schools AND prepare me for the 2015 MCAT?

Thanks so much 🙂

Will you be taking biochem II as well? If so take biochem I. If not take principles of biochem.

 

[wuhsabee]

I'm a non-traditional student, (work full time and have a family) so my reasoning for taking the principles of biochem are not to just get a better grade, but to make my studying easier. I do not want to "over-study" if I do not have to. Trying to work smart whenever possible.

The Principles of BioChem Course Description:
Principles of Biochemistry
Units: 4
LECTURE, 3 HOURS; LAB, 4 HOURS Students gain a systematic and theoretical understanding of the biochemical activities of living cells, including an introduction to the structure, properties, and metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids.


Biochem 1 Course Description:
Biochemistry I
Units: 4
Lecture, 3 hours; Lab, 4 hours
Students gain a systematic and theoretical study of the biochemical activities of living cells in this course. It is an introduction to the structure, properties, and metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids.

You'll notice that they course descriptions are almost exactly the same. Any input will not go overlooked. Than you very much 🙂

Schools that require Biochemistry as a pre-req will most likely accept Biochem courses intended for science majors - meaning that it's taught in the Biology/Chemistry department. If other majors (Nursing, Nutrition, etc) take the Principles of Biochem course, other than Biology/Chem/etc. majors, I would be wary.

If I were in your position, I would contact different medical schools you plan on applying to and ask if they will accept the Principles course vs. the Biochem 1 course. If you end up taking the wrong class a year from now, it would be a waste of time, money, and effort. 🙁

 

[Cawolf]

Hm. Those do look exactly the same.

I would think one would normally be directed towards pre-health, or one may be directed towards the major. From the description they appear the same, but I would assume the Principles one is less intensive in some fashion.

I can't imagine that a school would know the difference, but with no clear difference, I would definitely speak to an adviser or the instructors before choosing.

Are the under the same department? Such as BIO 222 and BIO 199 or is one under a different department?

 

[danielterrones]

Both courese appear to be specifically designed for the Biology/Chemistry depts. Ie. the course description calls them BIOC 360 (principles of biochem) and BIOC380 (biochem1)

My school ALSO offers "CHEM 112 - Biochemistry for the Health Sciences " - but I was advised from my school that this is for Nursing/Physical Therapy etc

 

[DocKingh]

http://www.swarthmore.edu/Documents/slife/pre_med/Advanced_Science_Requirements.pdf

Here's a list of schools and their advanced science requirements. I thought it might help.

 

[danielterrones]

@DocKingh Wow! Not sure why I haven't seen this before. Thank you so much!