Single semester or double semester of Biochem to prepare for new MCAT

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

Blackjack7

Full Member
7+ Year Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2015
Messages
96
Reaction score
12
So my school offers two types of Biochem courses and I have two options.

1) Take a single semester biochem class from the Bio dept and spend spring semester dedicated to MCAT study

2) Take double semester biochem class from the Chem dept but take second half of Biochem during the spring while simultaneously studying for MCAT.

Which sounds smarter?
 
Last edited:
Option 1. I opted for the condensed single semester biochem course and it covered everything on the MCAT. And if you can dedicate time to doing nothing but the MCAT, I'd go for it!
 
Option 1. I opted for the condensed single semester biochem course and it covered everything on the MCAT. And if you can dedicate time to doing nothing but the MCAT, I'd go for it!
Thanks! Was that the new MCAT? Or does it not matter.
 
Thanks! Was that the new MCAT? Or does it not matter.

It matters much more for this MCAT than the old one! But yeah, it was for the new one.

My only word of caution is that I've heard other test-takers mention that their one-semester of biochem was insufficient. I was okay because mine made us memorize amino acids and other biomolecular structures and thoroughly covered metabolic pathways, so you want to make sure yours will be doing the same.
 
It matters much more for this MCAT than the old one! But yeah, it was for the new one.

My only word of caution is that I've heard other test-takers mention that their one-semester of biochem was insufficient. I was okay because mine made us memorize amino acids and other biomolecular structures and thoroughly covered metabolic pathways, so you want to make sure yours will be doing the same.

I agree with this. I have heard of a few cases in which "Biochem I" only covered the basics (protein, DNA, sugars, fats) while "Biochem II" covered metabolism. It would probably be in OP's best interest to find out which of the available courses cover all aspects of Biochem that are on the MCAT.
 
I took biochem I and II and I think the classes I took are the same as what you are describing. Biochem I was offered through the biology department during Fall semester and biochem II was offered through the chemistry department in the Spring semester.

I would just take biochem I and not biochem II. Biochem II is really only for biochem major. I am not a biochem major, I just took it to increase my sGPA.

For me biochem I covered your basics. Amino acids, carbs and lipids. And the various metabolic pathways.

Biochem II focused on replication, transcription, translation, various enzymes and how they work in detail, and biochem lab techniques.

You would be better suited for the new MCAT to review biochem I during spring semester rather than take biochem II. Biochem II is a cool class tho.
 
Being from two different departments will it be different in how it's taught? like will the bio dept. focus on metabolism and pathways directly pertaining to the human body as a whole, and will the chem dept. focus on intermediates and the mechanisms behind how certain things are happening? Or will they be taught the same over a different time period. It should be the latter but it wouldn't hurt just to double check.

Furthermore it depends on you as well, I found that while still in certain classes during studying for the MCAT, it was very easy to bring that knowledge directly into the kaplan/tpr books I was using. Then again having an entire semester to review a subject already taken can never hurt. This matter is pretty subjective.
 

My only word of caution is that I've heard other test-takers mention that their one-semester of biochem was insufficient. I was okay because mine made us memorize amino acids and other biomolecular structures and thoroughly covered metabolic pathways, so you want to make sure yours will be doing the same.
 
Just really make sure that your biochem class, whenever you take it, deals a lot with amino acids, metabolism, protein structure, METABOLISM and all the stuff AAMC wants you to know. For my Uni, this was all cram packed into one semester of biochem for premeds whereas the topics were spread out over two semesters for biochem majors. I felt incredibly prepared with this class, though.
 
I took a biochem class that only covered amino acids, nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids. I did not cover metabolism but obviously had some exposure to it in other biology classes. It isn't like the MCAT covers anything other than the basic metabolic pathways such as glycolysis, TCA cycle, and electron transport. Just get a clipboard and write out all the intermediates and regulatory arrows/check points.
 
So it seems... single semester does most of the trick, and I should check the curriculum/syllabus and the PreMed office for more feedbacks
 
Top