Question about Pre-Reqs for Med School

[ItsML]

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I just have have some questions regarding the prereqs for med schools that I hope you guys can help me with so I can choose the proper coursework in future terms.

I have taken an intro bio and intro chem class, both with labs, and I have taken a Microbiology class with a lab. Does the intro bio and microiology class satisfy a med school's biology requirement? Does my intro to chem class satisfy one portion of my inorganic chem requirement?

I have also taken college algebra, trigonometry, and two terms of statistics for medical research from a quarter system university. Does that satisfy my math requirement for any med schools that do not require calculus? I should probably take calculus anyway though right? Do I have to take pre-calculus or can I just take one course of regular calculus?

I am posting this in the nontraditional forum because I am a Respiratory Therapist, going back for my bachelor's at Loma Linda University, married and working and I want to take care of all my pre-reqs as soon as possible, possibly even take a post-bacc program. I hope you guys can give me some idea of which classes I'll need to take. Thank you.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

don't know about math, but intro classes generally won't work. you need the full year sequence of bio and chem that majors are required to take.

and being that you only took intro to bio, i would highly doubt that microbio class is upper level, so i would bet it wouldn't fulfill it.

EDIT: i only had college algebra and stat and i didn't have any issues. granted i applied DO. but the requirements are more or less identical. i'd imagine the math would be fine. but definitely not the sciences. You need general chem (or inorganic chem) and general bio.

 

[CeeEstee0]

From what I have read on Med School websites, you need Gen Chem 1&2 with Lab, Gen Bio 1&2 with Lab, Physics and Lab ect. Check the website checklists at the schools you plan to apply to.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

already responded to your double post in allo located here: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=888009

 

[plumhill]

You normally need the equivalent of a year of chem, bio, o-chem and physics. At some schools, this might only be two quarters, whereas at another university it might be a full year (two semesters). Ultimately, as long as you've covered everything that's going to be on the MCAT in terms of those four subjects, you should be alright. To be on the safe side though, I'd take another general bio class. Your intro chem class will satisfy one portion of the chemistry requirement.

As for math, I think your classes will satisfy the requirements for schools not requiring calculus, but the only way to be sure is to contact schools directly. I was under the impression that the vast majority of schools required either two semesters/two quarters of calc, or one quarter/semester of calc and one quarter/semester of statistics. I highly recommend taking at least one calculus (not pre-calc) class because it will help you in physics. I don't know what all is covered in your pre-calc class at your school, but I remember that in my high school pre-calc class, none of it was useful towards AP calc. But it couldn't hurt to take pre-calc, especially if you have the time to do so, and if it won't hurt your GPA. This is a question I'd raise with your adviser or someone in the math department at your school.

 

[plumhill]

and being that you only took intro to bio, i would highly doubt that microbio class is upper level, so i would bet it wouldn't fulfill it.

Not necessarily; at my university the intro microbiology class is an upper-level class (520) and the only pre-req is one quarter of intro bio (113 or 114). If OP's course numeral is above a certain number (usually ~300 for semesters and 400/500 for quarters) it's still considered "upper-level"

 

[QofQuimica]

OP, please don't double post the same thread in multiple forums. I've merged all of your posts here.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Not necessarily; at my university the intro microbiology class is an upper-level class (520) and the only pre-req is one quarter of intro bio (113 or 114). If OP's course numeral is above a certain number (usually ~300 for semesters and 400/500 for quarters) it's still considered "upper-level"

true. which is why i said "highly doubt." It could very well be upper level, but the colleges I have attended haven't offered anything that you have said. That means nothing, just where I am coming from. But even if it was, I have no idea if it could fulfill a prereq requirement.

 

[ItsML]

Thank you everyone for the help answering my question. I have a better idea of what I'll need to do before applying to med school.

I am currently taking algebra based physics with a lab at a community college as part of a physics requirement for my bachelor's degree. This community college only offered it as an algebra based physics but covers similar material (one class of physical/mechanical and another class of electrical). Does this count towards med school requirements? I could try and take the second portion of this set of physics classes during the summer but I don't know if I should waste my time on it if it will not help me get into med school.

Should I take the second course of physics that is algebra based or should I skip it and just focus on a post-bacc program that will give me calculus based physics in fall? I am debating whether or not to take all my pre-req's on my own at a community college or try and get into a post-bacc program that will cost more but schedule all my science classes in the program.

 

[theseeker4]

Thank you everyone for the help answering my question. I have a better idea of what I'll need to do before applying to med school.

I am currently taking algebra based physics with a lab at a community college as part of a physics requirement for my bachelor's degree. This community college only offered it as an algebra based physics but covers similar material (one class of physical/mechanical and another class of electrical). Does this count towards med school requirements? I could try and take the second portion of this set of physics classes during the summer but I don't know if I should waste my time on it if it will not help me get into med school.

Should I take the second course of physics that is algebra based or should I skip it and just focus on a post-bacc program that will give me calculus based physics in fall? I am debating whether or not to take all my pre-req's on my own at a community college or try and get into a post-bacc program that will cost more but schedule all my science classes in the program.

You do not need calc-based physics. Algebra-based is fine. Whether you take more sciences at the CC or not is up to you, but know good grades in a CC are not weighted as strongly as good grades at a University. Some schools have a bias against classes, especially pre-reqs, taken at a CC, and a few wont' accept them at all.

What is your GPA currently? If you have a high GPA, I wouldn't worry much about how the CC classes look. If your GPA is low, I would personally take the sciences at the university to prove I can handle the material at the university level and still get A's.

 

[ItsML]

You do not need calc-based physics. Algebra-based is fine. Whether you take more sciences at the CC or not is up to you, but know good grades in a CC are not weighted as strongly as good grades at a University. Some schools have a bias against classes, especially pre-reqs, taken at a CC, and a few wont' accept them at all.

What is your GPA currently? If you have a high GPA, I wouldn't worry much about how the CC classes look. If your GPA is low, I would personally take the sciences at the university to prove I can handle the material at the university level and still get A's.

I am currently at Loma Linda University for my upper division courses for an allied health bachelor's degree and so far I have about a 3.88 GPA. I have some bad grades from when I first started going to community college and wasn't sure what to do yet and some are not even transferrable (respiratory therapy courses designed for the community college only), but those bring my GPA down to probably overall a 3.55, if I don't include those then it's back up. I have so many courses from different schools that i'm not sure how to calculate everything in for my GPA.

I'm just not sure what to do about my classes next. Post bacc or community College.

Post Bacc - costs more and I'll have to repeat a few of the courses I've already taken, such as physics and microbiology. But I will be able to get guaranteed classes at a university level and set me on a scheduled path so I know all the classes to take.

CC - way cheaper and I have some classes already done such as my intro classes (which probably don't count), microbiology and one course of my physics requirement. The grades might look as good coming from a CC and it may take longer if I can't get all the classes that I want.

 

[D0CTORX]

I am currently at Loma Linda University for my upper division courses for an allied health bachelor's degree and so far I have about a 3.88 GPA. I have some bad grades from when I first started going to community college and wasn't sure what to do yet and some are not even transferrable (respiratory therapy courses designed for the community college only), but those bring my GPA down to probably overall a 3.55, if I don't include those then it's back up. I have so many courses from different schools that i'm not sure how to calculate everything in for my GPA.

I'm just not sure what to do about my classes next. Post bacc or community College.

Post Bacc - costs more and I'll have to repeat a few of the courses I've already taken, such as physics and microbiology. But I will be able to get guaranteed classes at a university level and set me on a scheduled path so I know all the classes to take.

CC - way cheaper and I have some classes already done such as my intro classes (which probably don't count), microbiology and one course of my physics requirement. The grades might look as good coming from a CC and it may take longer if I can't get all the classes that I want.

They look at cc credits as hurting you when enrolled in University. i.e. You are in Loma Linda, you should do your prereqs there.

If you started at a cc, took prereqs and then went to University for upper level courses, it will be fine(so I've heard from schools)