Recommended Upper Level Biology classes

[Tumi 07]

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Hey everyone, I was just wondering what would be the best upper level Biology classes that would help out for pharmacy school. I am currently taking Cell Biology and Biochemisty. I thought some good upper levels would include developmental zoology, microbial physiology, edocrinology, parasitology, industrial microbiology, enviromental biology, histology, virology, or neurobiology. Out of those, which 4 would be the most beneficial? Would you recommend some classes that I did not list?

 

[dreaminpharmd]

Hey everyone, I was just wondering what would be the best upper level Biology classes that would help out for pharmacy school. I am currently taking Cell Biology and Biochemisty. I thought some good upper levels would include developmental zoology, microbial physiology, edocrinology, parasitology, industrial microbiology, enviromental biology, histology, virology, or neurobiology. Out of those, which 4 would be the most beneficial? Would you recommend some classes that I did not list?

If I had a choice, I would take virology, endocrinology, and neurobiology. I would recommend medical micrbiology and pharmacology, but these are based on my personal interests. I recommend immunology because there is vast amount of information (humoral vs cell-mediated, specific vs non-specific).

 

[YLan1980]

If I had a choice, I would take virology, endocrinology, and neurobiology. I would recommend medical micrbiology and pharmacology, but these are based on my personal interests. I recommend immunology because there is vast amount of information (humoral vs cell-mediated, specific vs non-specific).

I agree about Medical Microbiology. I am currently taking Medical Micro (Biol 404) at George Mason University and it's a great class. It goes into all the little details, such as the genome of bacteria and viruses; what genes cause them to be virulent, etc. Immunology, Endocrinology, and Neurobiology are good classes also.

VCU allows you to test out of their Microbiology class in the Spring of P1 so if I go to VCU, I may just do that so I have 1 less class to worry about.

As far as developmental zoology, enviromental biology, and industrial microbiology, I don't think you will need those classes. IMO, you should take classes that are related to health.

 

[Mangosteen]

What about molecular biology? Is that helpful because I'm hating that class, mainly because the professor is horrible.

 

[mRNA]

What about molecular biology? Is that helpful because I'm hating that class, mainly because the professor is horrible.

I have molecular biology right now too. I don't really like the class all that much, but i'm doing fine in it. In my class we mainly have essay tests where we have to explain the protocol of several experiments. The tests would be impossible if you didn't memorize everything. I don't really see the point though in memorizing procedures that investigators followed, since I've never had to memorize a lab procedure for a lab. Is this the type of stuff you do in your class too? Fortunately my professor is a great guy and is very helpful.

My biochem class though sounds like your molecular class. The prof I have for that is horrible and no one is doing well in the class. That's a shame because with a good prof biochem could be really interesting.

Good luck with the rest of your molecular class.

 

[Mangosteen]

I have molecular biology right now too. I don't really like the class all that much, but i'm doing fine in it. In my class we mainly have essay tests where we have to explain the protocol of several experiments. The tests would be impossible if you didn't memorize everything. I don't really see the point though in memorizing procedures that investigators followed, since I've never had to memorize a lab procedure for a lab. Is this the type of stuff you do in your class too? Fortunately my professor is a great guy and is very helpful.

My biochem class though sounds like your molecular class. The prof I have for that is horrible and no one is doing well in the class. That's a shame because with a good prof biochem could be really interesting.

Good luck with the rest of your molecular class.

No my molecular biology class is multiple choice with short answers. It's just his lectures are uber boring - he read straight off his powerpoint slide (which is taken from the book). I mean, ANYONE can read the slides word for word! You do not need a phD to read! He doesn't try to make connections about the material, just dry facts. No analogies or anything. I have to self-teach myself from the book. He ask random, detail questions on the test on concepts that he told us NOT to worry about the details. There's about 200 on the enrollment sheet, 30 people show up to lectures and I'm not exaggerating. I don't learn anything new in that class and I struggle with new information. Luckily most of the stuff is from microbiology and biochem which I've already had...but still...I feel like I'm not getting what I paid for...I HATE THAT CLASS!!!!!!!

 

[twester]

I would take whatever upper division courses your degree of choice requires. So much of the content of biology courses is a repeat in greater detail, it seems. I'm taking genetics this semester and it's a lot of the same material from general biology and micro with lots of blanks filled in.

The goal is to meet the goal in a reasonable amount of time with as much knowledge as possible.

My plan B was to continue with the BSc in human biology/chemistry minor. That would have required immunology, virology, pathogenic microbiology and few other upper-division courses. Any upper divisions will help prepare you for pharmacy school (if I'm not mistaken) - except maybe "Dickens in Light of 21st Century Gender Politics" (however interesting it might be). Sorry, I'm in a ridiculous mood tonight.

Best of luck,
Troy

 

[orange_ivy]

I took Virology, Physiology of Bacteria, Molecular Biochemisty and Anatomy to prepare for pharm school. I heard that Immunology was intersting and useful though.