Senior Year Courses...

[ClarinetGeek]

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As an undergrad, it is that time of year to start scheduling classes for the fall semester; however, with next year being my last, I want make sure I do this right. I am Mol. Bio. major. I will graduate in May 2006 and hope to enter a MSTP program in the Fall of 2006. For my major requirements, I only need a biochem course and 2 advanced mol. bio courses, but I am unsure which Biochem course to take. Madison offers a 1 sem. human biomolecular chemistry course, a 1 sem. gen. biochemistry course, and a 2 sem. gen. biochemistry course. An advisor suggested I not take the human biomolecular chemistry course, since I would be taking a more advanced version of that course in med school. Plus he suggested that I need to get a broader background in biochemistry if I am going to do basic sci. research, which makes complete sense. So basically its a question of 1 or 2 semesters of biochem. If I take the 2 sem. seq., I will only need 1 advanced mol bio course. Then it becomes a question of what is more important more biochem experience or more bio courses (i.e. General Virology, Neurobiology, Animal Development). Any advice/guidance would be much appreciated. I apologize if this is a bit confusing, but if you have any questions, feel free to ask or even PM me. Plus if you need any more information, let me know. (Btw, at this point, I would like to cell bio research in grad. school.) 😕

 

[huknows00]

I'm a little curious about the subject of biochem also, do Med schools and/or MSTP's really prefer you to take it? I am a BE major and never had the opportunity to squeeze it in, but if it is really necessary or without it will hurt my application then I guess I can drop my math minor and get a chem minor by taking bichem instead. What do you guys think I should do?

Also, I am taking a graduate level Cell and Molecular Bio class for BE, does that complement or replace biochem in the minds of the med schools? Thanks you so much for your answers!

 

[ClarinetGeek]

I figured I would try this once more...Does any one have advice on how much biochem experience would be benefinicial for MSTP programs? And whether is its worth taking more biochem at the sacrifice of more advanced biology courses? Any guidance would be appreciated... 🙂

 

[b&ierstiefel]

I don't know how detailed your biochem course is at your institution but generally, if you have taken a semester of biochem, that should suffice. You will learn plenty of biochem in med school so don't sweat it. Don't take biochem just for the sake of taking biochem. If you want to take some other course in the biological sciences, feel free to do so.

 

[ClarinetGeek]

Thanks, that is exactly what I was looking for.

 

[perpetualstuden]

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[b&ierstiefel]

I agree with the above post. It's your senior year! Enjoy yourself, have some fun! You certainly deserve it.

I took 8 credits in the fall semester of my senior year (3 of which were pass/fail). Then I graduated in December. Senior year was one continuous party. I recommend that you live it up senior year if you can 👍

 

[ClarinetGeek]

Yeah I am glad to hear that, since I was planning on taking it easy during my last two semesters. I was a bit worried about how that would reflect on applications. I will be taking about 12 credits each semester in order to maintain full time status that I way I can retain some scholarships. I will only be in two lecture courses a semester to complete my degree as I explained below. The rest will be Wind Ensemble, teaching, and then my senior honors thesis, which I need since I am not the research superstar like some of you. I am bit a concerned though that I lack some of the upper/grad level courses that many of you seem to have expereienced. All of my science classes have been honors level courses, but music has kept from accelerating to the advanced science courses. Oh well, I guess I will just have to be happy with what I have taken this semester and next year.

As always, thanks for the advice. You guys rock. 😎

 

[USAF_Dentman]

As an undergrad, it is that time of year to start scheduling classes for the fall semester; however, with next year being my last, I want make sure I do this right. I am Mol. Bio. major. I will graduate in May 2006 and hope to enter a MSTP program in the Fall of 2006. For my major requirements, I only need a biochem course and 2 advanced mol. bio courses, but I am unsure which Biochem course to take. Madison offers a 1 sem. human biomolecular chemistry course, a 1 sem. gen. biochemistry course, and a 2 sem. gen. biochemistry course. An advisor suggested I not take the human biomolecular chemistry course, since I would be taking a more advanced version of that course in med school. Plus he suggested that I need to get a broader background in biochemistry if I am going to do basic sci. research, which makes complete sense. So basically its a question of 1 or 2 semesters of biochem. If I take the 2 sem. seq., I will only need 1 advanced mol bio course. Then it becomes a question of what is more important more biochem experience or more bio courses (i.e. General Virology, Neurobiology, Animal Development). Any advice/guidance would be much appreciated. I apologize if this is a bit confusing, but if you have any questions, feel free to ask or even PM me. Plus if you need any more information, let me know. (Btw, at this point, I would like to cell bio research in grad. school.) 😕

Oh you mean 501 vs. 507/508?

I think it depends on what you like...as i think both pathways will be fine...I'm a neurobio/physics and i'll be taking Neuro 523(?), i think that is the number...

 

[ClarinetGeek]

Yeah, exactly! I take it you are ugrad @ UW. 😎 Have you taken either 501 or 507/508? If so, what did you think?

Yeah, I would really like to take Neuro 523 as well. Too many decisions.