Should I major in human biology or biophysics for medical school?

[Judoka1113]

I have a dilemma, I like both biology and biophysics, but can't decide what would be a better choice as a major for medical school. I would love to learn maths and physics in case I don't make it to medical school, however, given my already low 3.0 AMCAS GPA I am afraid that majoring in biophysics will keep me form being able to raise it to 3.5-3.6 range. Human biology on the other hand will prepare me better for medical school and is an easier major, I assume, but would not be a field I would like to work in if I don't make it to medical school. I am 35, so by the time I apply, which will be in one and a half years, I will be 37 and not as young as I would like to have to re major in physics in the case I don't make it to medical school. So, should I major in human biology and take my chances or major in biophysics and play it safe?

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[aSagacious]

Take whatever major you think:
- you could manage decent grades in
- you are interested in
- would prepare you for a career in case med school does not work out

In any case, know that there is not a preferred major for med school, nor is there one that 'better prepares' you for the curriculum (the scope of material covered in undergrad is a drop in the bucket).

On a side note, with a 3.0 cGPA after 1.5 years, understand that you'd have to 4.0 every class from here forward to achieve a 3.5 by the time application season rolls around. In order to be more realistic, I strongly recommend taking one more year to pull your grades up before applying (to provide yourself more room for error).

 

[Judoka1113]

Here is a list of classes that is required to get a major in human biology: 1. Organic Chemistry (Chemistry 140A, 140B) 2. Metabolic Biochemistry (BIBC 102) 3. Genetics (BICD 100) 4. Molecular Biology (BIMM 100) 5. Molecular Basis of Human Disease (BIMM 110) 6. Mammalian Physiology I (BIPN 100) 7. Mammalian Physiology II (BIPN 102) 8. Pharmacology (BIMM 118) 9. Medical Microbiology (BIMM 124) seems like more that just a drop in the bucket to me, in fact is looks like a pretty good prep for med school here's one for physics: Chem 140C (Organic Chem III) Chem 143A (Organic Chem Lab) Chem 114A (Biochemical Structure and Function) Physics 100A (Electromagnetism) Physics 105A (Mathematical and Computational Physics) Physics 110A (Mechanics) Physics 120A (Physical Measurements) Physics 130A (Quantum Physics) Physics 140A (Statistical and Thermal Physics) Physics 171 (Biophysics of Neurons and Networks) Physics 172 (Biophysics of Molecules) Physics 173 (Modern Physics Laboratory: Biological and Quantum Physics) and physics classes, I imagine, are MUCH harder that bio, but I wouldn't mind working as a physicist although I wouldn't want to work as a biologist. Should I concentrate on physics or bio, it just seems physics doesn't prepare you for the MCAT at all?

 

[aSagacious]

Here is a list of classes that is required to get a major in human biology...seems like more that just a drop in the bucket to me, in fact is looks like a pretty good prep for med school...
...here's one for physics... and physics classes, I imagine, are MUCH harder that bio, but I wouldn't mind working as a physicist although I wouldn't want to work as a biologist. Should I concentrate on physics or bio, it just seems physics doesn't prepare you for the MCAT at all?

You might be surprised

1) You will be prepared for your MCAT so long as you do well on your prerequisite classes. Technically, all that is tested on the exam is chem I/II, bio I/II, orgo I/II, and physics I/II. Any further topics will either be explained by the passages or asked on a very rudimentary level.

2) After having taken the overwhelming majority of the classes listed above (for both human bio and physics) I would say that they are comparable in difficulty. You should be able to do equally well in both, as long as you put in the effort. Granted, physics exams tend to yield lower raw scores, but the curves tend to bring the averages to a level comparable to the other sciences.

3) If you could see yourself as a physicist (should med school not work out) then that is the way to go IMO.

 

[Judoka1113]

🙂Thanks, for the info--I'm going with the physics major. I like the subject and since you say that both are about the same in difficulty, then I will choose the path with the back-up plan.

 

[aSagacious]

🙂Thanks, for the info--I'm going with the physics major. I like the subject and since you say that both are about the same in difficulty, then I will choose the path with the back-up plan.

Good choice 👍 You have my seal of approval