recommendation for biochem book?

[lorelei]

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I haven't taken any biochemistry classes, but I'm applying to several schools that "strongly recommend" coursework in biochem. Since I work full-time, I'm not willing to actually take a non-required class (it messes with work too much), but I was thinking of studying it on my own. That way in case I get asked about my lack of biochem preparation in interviews (who knows if they'd actually ask it) I will be able to say I'm working on it, plus I'll be more prepared for med school classes.

So, does anyone have a recommendation for a biochem textbook that would be good for self-study?

 

[TTSD]

There's Voet & Voet and Lenningher (can't remember correct spelling), those two are like the standard undergraduate biochem books and about a gazillion times more in depth than what you will get into in medical school. Though if you want a good thorough overview of Biochemistry the Lippincott's Illustrated Review that they use in most medical schools is fantastic. Short, concise, has everything you need to learn.

 

[Jason110]

BTS (Berg, Tymoczko, Stryer) is a good biochem book. Another good one is Lehninger.

As for interview preparation, I strongly doubt you will be asked about your biochem knowledge in an interview (even if the school recommends the course). They might ask you why you haven't taken it, even that seems remote too.

Jason

 

[Snowboarder]

Don't know of any "Biochemistry for dummies" kind of book, but my favorite text (and you'll probably have to buy it for med school anyway) is by Lehninger, "Principles of Biochemistry." Third edition is the most recent.

 

[lorelei]

Thanks! I appreciate the responses. I'll keep those in mind when I'm at the library or looking for used texts.

 

[BlackstarNYC]

I use Lehninger. It has ridiculous amounts of information but the diagrams are well drawn out and I often use them for clarification of whats in the text. I'd recommend the 3rd edition over the 4th.

 

[adamj61]

One of my rec letter writers is the author of Lehringer....Lehringer died and two profs at UW took over. The new addition just came out, and chapter 11 on membranes is amazing. I have never seen pics like that in a general textbook. By far the best book 👍

 

[randallB]

I recommend Voet & Voet...it's fairly easy to read (for a biochem text)

 

[adamj61]

I recommend Voet & Voet...it's fairly easy to read (for a biochem text)

Boo! Who cares how a science book reads, its not a novel. Nelson and Cox have the best figures, organization, and pure information than anything out there. Every scientist I know has a copy of that right next to Genes VI...

 

[TRUE]

I know Stryer was recommended, but I personally didn't like that book at all. I haven't used any of the others, though, so maybe I can't stand biochemistry in general 🙂

 

[Gleevec]

Stryer is generally considered the gold standard, its a good, not great book.

 

[adamj61]

Then what is Lehringer....I know it is the most used, I thought it was also the best.

 

[azzarah]

Check out Lippincott Biochemistry and High-Yield Biochemistry. Lippincott got me through year 1 biochem! And also Berg, Stryer Biochemistry...it is a great textbook.

 

[Medikit]

I recommend Lehninger (Now written by Nelson and Cox) over Voet and Voet. Voet and Voet is a little more difficult to approach for the first time biochem student, although overall it is superior in terms of bulk of information. Lehninger is also one of the best biochem books when dealing with metabolism and anabolism. I felt that parts of their nucleic acid chemistry was shoddy, but most one semester courses don't reach that portion.

I have both books 🙂

 

[MsEvolution]

I was just checking these out at the UW Med school this morning... $146 for Voet & Voet!! I didn't see Leninger... but I wasn't really looking...

How do the prices run for these texts where you guys live? Is there anywhere you can get a new book for cheaper? I'm also going to have to do the "home study" route... the class is simply not offered on an after hours basis anywhere around here...

 

[TTSD]

If you have some cell/molecular background and understood ochem and gchem really well.. Lippincott might be able to help. It's kind a of like a super-condensced information packed book.

 

[Medikit]

I was just checking these out at the UW Med school this morning... $146 for Voet & Voet!! I didn't see Leninger... but I wasn't really looking...

How do the prices run for these texts where you guys live? Is there anywhere you can get a new book for cheaper? I'm also going to have to do the "home study" route... the class is simply not offered on an after hours basis anywhere around here...

ebay, they probably only sell voet at your school

 

[Putrescine]

I recommend Lehninger

Yeah, used this book for my year-long biochemistry series. I recommend it as well.

Oh, Medikit heres a question for you: Do you have stairs in your house?

 

[Medikit]

Yeah, used this book for my year-long biochemistry series. I recommend it as well.

Oh, Medikit heres a question for you: Do you have stairs in your house?

I am protected

I take it you got into school in Fall 2004? MCAT scores were good enough?

 

[adamj61]

Leeeeeeeeeehninger

 

[Putrescine]

I am protected

I take it you got into school in Fall 2004? MCAT scores were good enough?

Yup.

 

[Medikit]

Yup.

Here are some rather ****ty emoticons

 

[PostalWookie]

It's an awesome book. Totally different approach from anything else you may see. The only problem is that it's out of print, but if you can hunt down an edition somewhere, it's worth its weight in gold

 

[Mistress S]

If you go to this site you can read Stryer's biochem for free:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?call=bv.View..ShowTOC&rid=stryer.TOC&depth=2

I just took a biochem course that used this book, I just printed the relevant chapters from this website and saved myself ~$130 by not buying the book.