Questions about my sequence of classes and how many I need...

[rom73085]

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I didn't get a huge response over at the Pre-Allopathic forum, and I've heard mixed opinions on whether one would consider me a "non-traditional" student or not.

Anyway, a little background about myself: I'm 23 (turning 24 in July). I graduated from Emory with a B.S. spring of '07 as an Economics/Religion double major. I was immediately hired by a major investment firm shortly there after and worked as an equities/options/fixed income trader, specializing towards investment guidance. Long story short, after putting a couple months into it, passing all my series exams, and realizing that the finance industry wasn't all it was chalked up to be - not to mention more than the few months of soul searching to get the courage to quit my job and start at square one, I did it.

In August of '08 I began my post-baccalaureate studies in Biomedical Sciences at University South Florida (Close to home, and after researching on this website and talking to my advisor at Emory, it made no sense to go back to Emory and pay the private tuition).

My Post-Bacc. Schedule:

Fall '08 (9 Hours Total):
Gen. Chem I: B-
Gen Chem I Lab: A
Physics I: A-
Physics I Lab: A

Spring '09 (Current- 12 Hours Total):
Gen. Chem II: (Hope to make an A)
Gen. Chem II Lab: (Most likely will make an A)
Physics II: (Probably an A-)
Physics II Lab: (Definitely an A)
Survey of Human Diseases: (Hopefully an A)

Summer '09:
Orgo 1 w/lab
Orgo 2 w/lab

Fall '09:
Biology 1 w/lab
Biochemistry
Maybe Genetics w/lab

Spring '09:
Biology 2 w/lab
Study for April MCAT
Apply to SMP's

Summer '09
Work on Medical School Apps.

I will be finishing the program with over 40+ hours of science work.

My undergraduate GPA from Emory was not great. My first two years performance was poor due "personal issues" I would rather not get into. After my sophomore year my cumulative GPA was a 2.4. I turned my ways around my junior (3.7 gpa) and senior year (3.5 gpa). Regardless, my Emory GPA was a 2.9 (I had two F's on my transcript). When the credits transferred over to USF, they did not include the two F's and I actually have a 3.1~ gpa standing at USF. I assume medical schools will look at my Emory GPA separately from my USF one.

Assuming my MCAT goes well in April, I plan on enrolling in a SMP either at Georgetown or USF's SMP right here in Tampa, Fall of '10. (I will take the summer between the program to have my medical school applications in by August of next year.) My question is, do I need to spend more time at USF in the post-bacc. program, taking more classes? I've looked at a degree outline in biomed. sciences here at USF, and I would only be shy one-three classes of earning a second bachelors. Is it necessary for me to stay at USF for another fall/spring semester, delaying admission to medical school for another year just to take more undergrad. courses? Or, is it best to just go straight into taking classes at the graduate level. Will I be prepared to take these classes at the graduate level? From what I've gathered the worst thing that you can do is have poor performance in an SMP because it essentially shows medical schools that you are not capable of handling the work load.

Basically, is 1 year of Gen. Chem, 1 year of Physics, 1 year of Organic Chem., 1 year of Biology, and a semester of Biochemistry enough to show medical schools that you are capable of handling the undergrad. curriculum or do I need to take a whole extra year of undergraduate courses. I essentially already have everything else completed (English, Statistics, Calculus I, Psychology, etc.). On one hand, I don't want to delay the process and take courses which on one hand, may strengthen my application because of the amount of science courses I have taken at the post bacc. level, or on the other hand may just prolong applying to med. school another year, as well as attending a masters program, and frankly, may or may not benefit my performance in the SMP.

Also, I have retaken the two classes, I received F's in, and made a B+ in Calculus, and a B in the Chemistry course I received an F in. Unfortunately however, those F's are there to stay on my transcript and they're really killing my BCPM GPA. I have taken all the prerequisite math and english courses. I am short with just my science courses.

The issue I see with taking more science classes, and "trying" to raise my 2.9 Emory GPA is, each additional class minimally effects it since I already have so many credits. Right now all I'm working on is my BCPM GPA. I just don't know if I should stay at USF and take another year of classes, that like I said, may or may not benefit my performance in the SMP. For example, I've read threads where people have stated that they've been out of the sciences for years, and other's have recommended going straight to an SMP, as opposed to going back and working to up their under grad. science classes.

EC's/Clinical/Volunteer Experience: I have steadily been working towards my medically related EC's - currently have done 100+ hrs at a level II trauma ER here Have shadowed several doctors (Around 40 hrs). I've been working as a certified medical first responder for the university with EMT's and Paramedics. I also have my CNA, and will be starting work as a PCT at the same ER in the summer. I have also volunteered over 300+ hours while I was at Emory in non-medically related activities. I also had a steady job all four years of college, and have many other interesting non-medically related EC's.

Any advice/tips/comments would be greatly appreciated. I've been perusing this forum for over a year now, and it's great to join you all.

 

[punkiedad]

I didn't get a huge response over at the Pre-Allopathic forum, and I've heard mixed opinions on whether one would consider me a "non-traditional" student or not.

Anyway, a little background about myself: I'm 23 (turning 24 in July). I graduated from Emory with a B.S. spring of '07 as an Economics/Religion double major. I was immediately hired by a major investment firm shortly there after and worked as an equities/options/fixed income trader, specializing towards investment guidance. Long story short, after putting a couple months into it, passing all my series exams, and realizing that the finance industry wasn't all it was chalked up to be - not to mention more than the few months of soul searching to get the courage to quit my job and start at square one, I did it.

In August of '08 I began my post-baccalaureate studies in Biomedical Sciences at University South Florida (Close to home, and after researching on this website and talking to my advisor at Emory, it made no sense to go back to Emory and pay the private tuition).

My Post-Bacc. Schedule:

Fall '08 (9 Hours Total):
Gen. Chem I: B-
Gen Chem I Lab: A
Physics I: A-
Physics I Lab: A

Spring '09 (Current- 12 Hours Total):
Gen. Chem II: (Hope to make an A)
Gen. Chem II Lab: (Most likely will make an A)
Physics II: (Probably an A-)
Physics II Lab: (Definitely an A)
Survey of Human Diseases: (Hopefully an A)

Summer '09:
Orgo 1 w/lab
Orgo 2 w/lab

Fall '09:
Biology 1 w/lab
Biochemistry
Maybe Genetics w/lab

Spring '09:
Biology 2 w/lab
Study for April MCAT
Apply to SMP's

Summer '09
Work on Medical School Apps.

I will be finishing the program with over 40+ hours of science work.

My undergraduate GPA from Emory was not great. My first two years performance was poor due "personal issues" I would rather not get into. After my sophomore year my cumulative GPA was a 2.4. I turned my ways around my junior (3.7 gpa) and senior year (3.5 gpa). Regardless, my Emory GPA was a 2.9 (I had two F's on my transcript). When the credits transferred over to USF, they did not include the two F's and I actually have a 3.1~ gpa standing at USF. I assume medical schools will look at my Emory GPA separately from my USF one.

Assuming my MCAT goes well in April, I plan on enrolling in a SMP either at Georgetown or USF's SMP right here in Tampa, Fall of '10. (I will take the summer between the program to have my medical school applications in by August of next year.) My question is, do I need to spend more time at USF in the post-bacc. program, taking more classes? I've looked at a degree outline in biomed. sciences here at USF, and I would only be shy one-three classes of earning a second bachelors. Is it necessary for me to stay at USF for another fall/spring semester, delaying admission to medical school for another year just to take more undergrad. courses? Or, is it best to just go straight into taking classes at the graduate level. Will I be prepared to take these classes at the graduate level? From what I've gathered the worst thing that you can do is have poor performance in an SMP because it essentially shows medical schools that you are not capable of handling the work load.

Basically, is 1 year of Gen. Chem, 1 year of Physics, 1 year of Organic Chem., 1 year of Biology, and a semester of Biochemistry enough to show medical schools that you are capable of handling the undergrad. curriculum or do I need to take a whole extra year of undergraduate courses. I essentially already have everything else completed (English, Statistics, Calculus I, Psychology, etc.). On one hand, I don't want to delay the process and take courses which on one hand, may strengthen my application because of the amount of science courses I have taken at the post bacc. level, or on the other hand may just prolong applying to med. school another year, as well as attending a masters program, and frankly, may or may not benefit my performance in the SMP.

Also, I have retaken the two classes, I received F's in, and made a B+ in Calculus, and a B in the Chemistry course I received an F in. Unfortunately however, those F's are there to stay on my transcript and they're really killing my BCPM GPA. I have taken all the prerequisite math and english courses. I am short with just my science courses.

The issue I see with taking more science classes, and "trying" to raise my 2.9 Emory GPA is, each additional class minimally effects it since I already have so many credits. Right now all I'm working on is my BCPM GPA. I just don't know if I should stay at USF and take another year of classes, that like I said, may or may not benefit my performance in the SMP. For example, I've read threads where people have stated that they've been out of the sciences for years, and other's have recommended going straight to an SMP, as opposed to going back and working to up their under grad. science classes.

EC's/Clinical/Volunteer Experience: I have steadily been working towards my medically related EC's - currently have done 100+ hrs at a level II trauma ER here Have shadowed several doctors (Around 40 hrs). I've been working as a certified medical first responder for the university with EMT's and Paramedics. I also have my CNA, and will be starting work as a PCT at the same ER in the summer. I have also volunteered over 300+ hours while I was at Emory in non-medically related activities. I also had a steady job all four years of college, and have many other interesting non-medically related EC's.

Any advice/tips/comments would be greatly appreciated. I've been perusing this forum for over a year now, and it's great to join you all.

--keep doing what you are doing.

--better have a great story about the two Fs.

--NAIL the MCAT. take prep courses and all the practice exams you can to prepare. you need to be scoring in the 35 range on pratice exams..minimum

--volunteer and or get connected at a med school near you that you plan on applying. You can network to get yourself noticed.

You already know your GPA is not in your favor. wether or not you need more classes (to boos your GPS presumably) will be dependant on your MCAT score. So, you really need to nail it.

Hope it helps. If you want it bad enough you can make it happen. Never, Never, Never Give up.......best of luck.

 

[LingoLaine]

No advice really but just a thought...

Are you SERIOUSLY going to take organic chemistry I AND II AND lab all in one summer? I'm taking OChem II right now (no lab -- planning that for summer) and it is KILLING me. It's a LOT of material. I can't imaging the sheer volume of it in one summer.

 

[rom73085]

No advice really but just a thought...

Are you SERIOUSLY going to take organic chemistry I AND II AND lab all in one summer? I'm taking OChem II right now (no lab -- planning that for summer) and it is KILLING me. It's a LOT of material. I can't imaging the sheer volume of it in one summer.

I imagine it will be difficult. However, I'm trying to keep a positive perspective on it. For one, it will be the only classes I will be taking over the summer. And two, if it was impossible and everyone failed, I don't imagine the classes would be offered. Students in the past must have been successful (though far and few), for them to continually offer it year after year. I am also strapped for time, and I really would prefer not to prolong taking it in the fall and spring with my other classes.

Trust me though, I thought about it long and hard. I even spent a couple hours on here searching other students' experience with Orgo. over the summer. We'll see how it goes. 👍

 

[nabeel76]

My advice would be to check with several SMPs and see what you have to do to get competitive for their program, if your not already. If you can get into an SMP - then take that route, do well, and good luck. If you don't get into an SMP - well - than you have your answer, take another year or so of undergraduate courses and raise your undergrad cumulative GPA tell you can. Maybe even consider DO schools since they will replace those F's with the B's that you received on the retake. Good luck!

PS

Isn't a full year of Biology a prereq for Biochem? I noticed you would be taking BioChem prior to completing any intro biology, although I don't really think it would put you in a disadvantage in terms of material, it's usually a prereq at some schools. I think it would however help you get aquainted for the detailed memorization nature of bio courses in general though, you don't really get that from Chem or Physics courses. It's definitely a learned way of studying. And trust me BioChem is heavy in detail and you'll have to remember a TON of info in a short amount of time to do well. It'd be in your best interest to have honed your study skills for those type of courses prior to enrolling in biochem - just my 2 cents.

 

[rom73085]

My advice would be to check with several SMPs and see what you have to do to get competitive for their program, if your not already. If you can get into an SMP - then take that route, do well, and good luck. If you don't get into an SMP - well - than you have your answer, take another year or so of undergraduate courses and raise your undergrad cumulative GPA tell you can. Maybe even consider DO schools since they will replace those F's with the B's that you received on the retake. Good luck!

PS

Isn't a full year of Biology a prereq for Biochem? I noticed you would be taking BioChem prior to completing any intro biology, although I don't really think it would put you in a disadvantage in terms of material, it's usually a prereq at some schools. I think it would however help you get aquainted for the detailed memorization nature of bio courses in general though, you don't really get that from Chem or Physics courses. It's definitely a learned way of studying. And trust me BioChem is heavy in detail and you'll have to remember a TON of info in a short amount of time to do well. It'd be in your best interest to have honed your study skills for those type of courses prior to enrolling in biochem - just my 2 cents.

I was planning on taking Biology I and Biochemistry together in the Fall of this year. The only prereq. for taking Biochemistry (Here at USF) is having completed a full year of Organic Chemistry.

 

[hector219]

What is your work schedule like this summer? OChem 1/2 over the summer is very doable. I did it while working about 25+ hours, and I'm no superman. I'm glad I did it that way but it was a brutal summer I don't want to relive.

Definitely take Genetics. It's not only likely to be tested on the MCAT its just great information.

 

[rom73085]

What is your work schedule like this summer? OChem 1/2 over the summer is very doable. I did it while working about 25+ hours, and I'm no superman. I'm glad I did it that way but it was a brutal summer I don't want to relive.

Definitely take Genetics. It's not only likely to be tested on the MCAT its just great information.

My work schedule is very lenient. I essentially work when I want to and if I have time.

I do plan on taking Genetics most likely in the fall with Biology. It's a toss up on whether to take Genetics or Biochemistry. I'm really trying to stay away from taking anything more than 5 hours (Bio. 2 w/Lab), so I can concentrate on just studying for the April MCAT.

 

[hector219]

Here's how I made that decision. Genetics is more pertinent to the MCAT, so take that first. Take after the MCAT while you're applying. It looks like we've taken a very similar path, though reversing phys/bio. Its worked out very well for me. I take the MCAT soon and all my practices have gone very well. I plan on taking biochem during the upcoming Fall, and for this summer... NO CLASS!

 

[rom73085]

Here's how I made that decision. Genetics is more pertinent to the MCAT, so take that first. Take after the MCAT while you're applying. It looks like we've taken a very similar path, though reversing phys/bio. Its worked out very well for me. I take the MCAT soon and all my practices have gone very well. I plan on taking biochem during the upcoming Fall, and for this summer... NO CLASS!

I will most likely follow your advice since the more I hear, Biochemistry isn't really a huge prerequisite (FSU COM is the only one that requires it here in the state of FL). The issue however is I'm trying to finish all of my classes by Spring of next year. Take the April MCAT (Cross my fingers and let it be the once and only time I take it), assuming I do well, I can begin to apply to med. schools that summer, while attending an SMP that fall, during my glide year. I suppose if it came down to it, and I absolutely had to take Biochemistry to apply to FSU, I could always take it at the school where I was fulfilling the class requirements for the SMP (Though, I've heard the classes are pretty rigorous and having to take Biochem. with the other classes might be a bear).

I'm still deciding really. I suppose if I really want to give it my all this upcoming fall, I could take Bio.1, Genetics, AND Biochem. at the same time. Does that seem doable? I'm absolutely not willing to take anything more than one class while studying for the MCAT in the spring.

 

[hector219]

I haven't had Biochem yet so i can't answer that. I took genetics/physics with a fulltime work schedule, and that wasn't too much, so if you considered biochem a full time job, then it'd be possible. But still... focus on the necessary. Certainly having Biochem on your app isn't so important that'd it'd be worth turning a couple As into Bs.

Whats the deal with the SMPs? I hear about many on these boards taking them, but only to beef up their applications. However, it doesn't seem like they end up having any more success getting into school.

 

[nabeel76]

In making a decision as to either take BioChem or Genetics, I have taken both, here are some considerations to consider:

These are my personal opinions so take them with a grain of salt, your learning style or interests could very possibly be different from mine but here's my two cents:

1. As far as the MCAT is concerned,

Genetics might help you on Genetics related questions, but not much since all of the Genetics on the MCAT is very simple - you'll definitely learn and cover this in Intro Bio.

BioChem on the other hand seemed to help me more since it covered things in great detail, although you will not really need to know anything in this level of detail, it WILL help you sort through a lot of the background info presented on the MCAT passages, especially if you get passages with weird chemical structures of triacylglycerides etc. also a knowledge of the function or structure of the amino acids might help as well. This will definitely help you w/ your test taking mentality as the useless background info in the passages will seem somewhat familiar.

In conclusion, however, as far as the MCAT is concerned it doesn't really matter you'll probably pick up as much or as little benefit from Genetics as you will with BioChem.

2. As far as difficulty,

I thought Genetics was MUCH MUCH MUCH easier than Biochem. With BioChem you are constantly having to remember very very detailed information, such as Glycolysis etc. in a short amount of time. The level of detail between those two classes does not compare. Genetics on the other hand, although it will still challenge you, does not consume anywhere near the level of time that BioChem does.

3. As far as my interest in the material

I found BioChem to be much more interesting than Genetics. Genetics was kind of boring for me, didn't really enjoy it too much. BioChem has a lot of practical applications such as Antibiotic Resistance and how your body metabilizes proteins, carbohydrates, lipids etc. I found it very cool to be able to directly relate these concepts to normal everyday living. Although parts of Genetics, Genetic Engineering in particular, could be cool I didn't find it as practical as BioChem.

4. Prereq's for Med Schools

As far as med schools are concerned quite a few of them recommend a semester of BioChem, some of them even require it, and others are willing to substitute a semester of Ochem in place of BioChem. So keeping that in mind, I would think that they would def prefer to see your performance in a BioChem course as opposed to genetics. Who knows, maybe they feel that a course in BioChem is closer to the nature of a med school course? Maybe it's a better indicator for how well you might do in med school? Not sure, but I do know that there are a Ton of schools that recommend BioChem and only a few that recommend Genetics prior to matriculation.

5. Final Advice

Take what you feel you'll do better in and what you will have a better interest in - cause at the end of the day its not going to make that big a difference to anybody but you.

 

[rom73085]

In making a decision as to either take BioChem or Genetics, I have taken both, here are some considerations to consider:

These are my personal opinions so take them with a grain of salt, your learning style or interests could very possibly be different from mine but here's my two cents:

1. As far as the MCAT is concerned,

Genetics might help you on Genetics related questions, but not much since all of the Genetics on the MCAT is very simple - you'll definitely learn and cover this in Intro Bio.

BioChem on the other hand seemed to help me more since it covered things in great detail, although you will not really need to know anything in this level of detail, it WILL help you sort through a lot of the background info presented on the MCAT passages, especially if you get passages with weird chemical structures of triacylglycerides etc. also a knowledge of the function or structure of the amino acids might help as well. This will definitely help you w/ your test taking mentality as the useless background info in the passages will seem somewhat familiar.

In conclusion, however, as far as the MCAT is concerned it doesn't really matter you'll probably pick up as much or as little benefit from Genetics as you will with BioChem.

2. As far as difficulty,

I thought Genetics was MUCH MUCH MUCH easier than Biochem. With BioChem you are constantly having to remember very very detailed information, such as Glycolysis etc. in a short amount of time. The level of detail between those two classes does not compare. Genetics on the other hand, although it will still challenge you, does not consume anywhere near the level of time that BioChem does.

3. As far as my interest in the material

I found BioChem to be much more interesting than Genetics. Genetics was kind of boring for me, didn't really enjoy it too much. BioChem has a lot of practical applications such as Antibiotic Resistance and how your body metabilizes proteins, carbohydrates, lipids etc. I found it very cool to be able to directly relate these concepts to normal everyday living. Although parts of Genetics, Genetic Engineering in particular, could be cool I didn't find it as practical as BioChem.

4. Prereq's for Med Schools

As far as med schools are concerned quite a few of them recommend a semester of BioChem, some of them even require it, and others are willing to substitute a semester of Ochem in place of BioChem. So keeping that in mind, I would think that they would def prefer to see your performance in a BioChem course as opposed to genetics. Who knows, maybe they feel that a course in BioChem is closer to the nature of a med school course? Maybe it's a better indicator for how well you might do in med school? Not sure, but I do know that there are a Ton of schools that recommend BioChem and only a few that recommend Genetics prior to matriculation.

5. Final Advice

Take what you feel you'll do better in and what you will have a better interest in - cause at the end of the day its not going to make that big a difference to anybody but you.

I really appreciate your advice. Due to scheduling issues and requiring classes prior to enrolling in them, I won't be able to take Genetics in the fall like I was hoping. Genetics requires Biology 1 and 2 as a pre-req. I suppose I'll be taking Biology 1 in the fall with Biochemistry, and perhaps another science. Is Biochemistry doable WHILE doing Biology 1 (not having prior knowledge of the subject). At my school, they either require you to have 1 year of Organic Chemistry, or one year of Biology to take Biochemistry.

I definitely will take Biochemistry considering it is a requirement at many med. schools. Genetics on the other hand, though it is easy, I just don't think I can fit it into my schedule. If I do spend another semester here, (if the MCAT doesn't go as planned, or I don't go straight to an SMP in the fall of '10), then I'll certainly take Genetics, and other higher level sciences.

With that said, if everything goes swell and dandy (I'm going to keep a positive outlook on this) my schedule will be:

Fall '08:
Gen. Chem I w/Lab
Physics I w/Lab

Spring '09 (Presently):
Gen Chem II w/Lab
Physics II w/Lab
Survey Human Diseases (public health class, very interesting)

Summer '09:
Organic I w/Lab
Organic II w/Lab

Fall '09:
Biology I w/Lab
Biochemistry

Spring '09:
Biology II w/Lab
Preparing for April MCAT

Spring-Summer '09:
Apply to SMP's and Med. School
Cross my fingers.

Alternatively, if the MCAT goes poorly:
Summer '09:
Study for August MCAT

Fall '09:
Take Genetics and two other higher level sciences

Spring '09:
Continue with Sciences, enrolling in some graduate level courses.
Reapply to SMP's and Medical School.
Cross my fingers a second time.

A long and arduous journey lies ahead, but time passes by quick when you're hard at work. The key is to enjoy your time in between. When I ponder the amount of time I have left - I think of that cheesy movie Click with Adam Sandler. You may be slowly getting where you want, but if you don't open your eyes and enjoy it, time will simply pass you by. Once it's gone, its gone.

 

[nabeel76]

Well I guess if there are scheduling issues than you might not have much of a choice. As far as whether you should take biochem prior to finishing intro bio is concerned here are my thoughts,

1. Can you possibly hold off on BioChem until you finish Biology 1? Maybe you can start studying for the MCAT a semester earlier? If you have no choice and your schools pre-reqs don't necessarily require intro bio, well than go ahead and give it a shot.

2. If you do decide to take it prior to completing your intro bio sequence keep this in mind. I have a degree in Biology and am finishing a 2nd Degree in Chemistry this semester and in my personal opinion BioChem felt more like a Biology class than a Chemistry class to me, even though I took it in the Chem dept. Although you will definitely need some Organic Chemistry and basic chemistry knowledge to follow some of the reaction mechanisms in addition to discussions dealing with free energy or simple thermodynamics concepts, I felt that my biology background helped me more than my chemistry background in this course.

Specifically the terminology and language of biochemistry heavily builds on the basic terminology obtained from intro bio. For example, you will cover the details of oxidative respiration which includes glycolysis and the krebs cycle; in addition you will cover other topics in detail such as DNA transcription and translation from RNA to complete protein and so on. These are all topics that are introduced at a very broad level in introductory biology and most upper level biology courses such as genetics cover them again and again so you'd definitely be at a disadvantage amongst your classmates if your stuck trying to figure out how these concepts fit into the overall picture. Personally, having a degree in Biology, I knew these concepts very well and still had to study my ass off to learn them to the detail that biochem requires.

3. I don't want to scare you off from taking the course, but definitely ask some of the professors or students at your school what their opinions are and definitely be prepared to put in more time then the average student - considering most of the students in the class have probably already taken not only intro biology but probably some upper level biology courses as well. In my school the majority of students had taken both upper level chemistry and biology courses prior to taking biochem - in addition practically all of them were premed and ultra competitive.

On the contrary if you are taking Bio concurrently you might run across topics such as glycolysis at aproximately the same time which could reinforce or help you a bit for your biology course.

4. To answer your question on taking biology and biochem the same semester, I don't think that would be that big of a problem. They are both reading and memorization intense type courses but intro biology is not that hard and the fact that you are covering things in greater detail in Biochem should make intro bio seem somewhat easy or reinforce certain areas at the least.

5. My advice: My advice would be to ask people at your school and preferably people that have taken it from the same professor your going to be taking it with to get a better feel for the competitiveness and expectation of the course. Maybe you can actually find someone or get a feel for how many people have actually taken the course prior to introductory biology. If you can, that should give you a much better idea of how well you think you can do. Keep in mind that although you might pass the course without bio, your goal should be to kill the course and acheive an A to B+ grade which could be tough if your at that big of a disadvantage compared to your classmates. So definitely get a feel for the background of the other students in the class - cause after all you are going to be competing with them for that A. Finally, if you feel that its going to be hard to get an A then take another science course in it's place. Biochem is NOT a requirement at most schools and although it is recommended if you don't do that well than it will prove to be a disadvantage than an advantage in the application process. At the end of the day an A in another upper level science course looks better than a B or lower in a Biochem course. Since you have the prereqs for Chem courses try taking Inorganic Chemistry or another upper level chem that you feel you can do well in or that you've heard isn't that hard at your school.

Sorry for the book - hope my advice helps you.

Good Luck.