Taking Bio Chemistry with no prior biology or chemistry class

[missrv]

I wanted to take either biology or chemistry this semester but both courses were completely filled so my only option is to take biochemistry. I have never taken a chemistry or bio class. Would it be hard for me if i took biochemistry with no prior course knowledge of the information?

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[HK06]

It would be similar to taking calculus before even being introduced to algebra. You'll be very unfamiliar with a great deal of the "language" of general biology and chemistry and more importantly many of the topics. I would strongly advise against it and would actually be surprised if your school allowed you to take biochemistry without any pre-requisites to begin with.

 

[spiffysteve]

I would say yes. The professor is going to expect you to have an understanding of the fundamentals of chemistry, and probably the basics of organic chemistry.

 

[raiderette]

Do not set yourself up for failure like that. It is better to start late than get a bad grade on a key class. Can you get into physics? Or take your other general ed classes and double up on classes next semester?

 

[Catalystik]

I wanted to take either biology or chemistry this semester but both courses were completely filled so my only option is to take biochemistry. I have never taken a chemistry or bio class. Would it be hard for me if i took biochemistry with no prior course knowledge of the information?

Considering Biochemistry is a med school level course and that you'd want to excel, taking it prematurely without learning appropriate background material first would be a bad idea.

 

[Imperius]

I'm surprised your school doesn't have biology and/or chemistry and/or o.chem as a pre-req for biochem. You will have a tough time with no background.

I wanted to take either biology or chemistry this semester but both courses were completely filled so my only option is to take biochemistry. I have never taken a chemistry or bio class. Would it be hard for me if i took biochemistry with no prior course knowledge of the information?

 

[terra330]

You can probably survive without bio, but you'll have a hard time without at least a basic understanding of chemistry.

 

[missrv]

Do not set yourself up for failure like that. It is better to start late than get a bad grade on a key class. Can you get into physics? Or take your other general ed classes and double up on classes next semester?

I cant get into physics yet because i haven't done technical math, which is one of the prerequisites. I guess i will just have to do a general ed class for this semester.

 

[Imperius]

To be blunt, you seem to have a lot of work to do before you take higher level science classes. During Freshman and Sophomore year is usually when you complete physics, bio, and chem. Sometimes O.chem too if you do chem freshman year. Just try to register as early as possible for future semesters to ensure you have a spot in those classes.

I cant get into physics yet because i haven't done technical math, which is one of the prerequisites. I guess i will just have to do a general ed class for this semester.

 

[member000000000]

No pre reqs for this course at your UG institution?

 

[Rhizobium]

Don't do it. Seriously. The biggest factor to getting into med school is a high GPA and a high MCAT score. Your GPA needs to be above 3.75, and the higher the better. You can't do anything that might jeopardize this. Ochem is one of the hardest classes pre-meds face, so don't start until you are prepared as possible. I would say that if you've never taken a bio or chem course, take intro bio or intro chem as long as chem 1 or bio 1 are full. I'm tutoring an undergrad right now, and he also has no background in science. He's a smart kid, but he has struggled to pass his science classes, much less get an A. I always thought the best thing for him would have been to go back and take the intro classes meant for someone without high school experience. If you want to do med school, take the slow and steady route so you can get the best grades possible.

 

[MarioKart]

Go with the general education class. To succeed in biochem, you need a solid foundation of both biology and chemistry. No point in doing bad in the course just because you want to take another science class. Plus, biochem is now its own subject on the MCAT; don't you want to make sure you can get as much from the class as possible????

 

[Bermie]

Your college may have a chemistry class with biochemistry in the title like a pre nursing class or a chemistry for non-science majors course. I seriously doubt they would let anyone take biochemistry without at least some introduction to chemistry. Make sure when you sign up for classes you are taking the right classes, this would be an example where a real life advisor is helpful because they should at least know which courses to take. I knew someone that took pre-nursing chemistry thinking it would count for medical school pre-req and it didn't.

 

[missrv]

No pre reqs for this course at your UG institution?

no, they dont have any pre reqs for this course.

 

[missrv]

Your college may have a chemistry class with biochemistry in the title like a pre nursing class or a chemistry for non-science majors course. I seriously doubt they would let anyone take biochemistry without at least some introduction to chemistry. Make sure when you sign up for classes you are taking the right classes, this would be an example where a real life advisor is helpful because they should at least know which courses to take. I knew someone that took pre-nursing chemistry thinking it would count for medical school pre-req and it didn't.

 

[blackroses]

That appears to be an introductory level class - check to see if they offer another Biochemistry class at a 300-400 level. If they do, that's the Biochem that you want for the MCAT/as a prerequisite, as an introductory course would not be even close to in-depth enough.

 

[terra330]

Looks like it's a community college, they probably don't have any 'upper level' courses

 

[adfalcon]

That's intro-level, not the biochemistry I was thinking of.

I would recommend you take chemistry and biology beforehand, but you won't be as lost as you would be if it was a legit biochemistry class.

 

[blackroses]

Good catch. A quick Google shows they don't have a Biochemistry course that would work as a prerequisite. So in summary - you should be fine taking this course, as it's introductory level, but you would need to take a different Biochem course for the MCAT.

 

[missrv]

That appears to be an introductory level class - check to see if they offer another Biochemistry class at a 300-400 level. If they do, that's the Biochem that you want for the MCAT/as a prerequisite, as an introductory course would not be even close to in-depth enough.

my biology courses only go up to level 265. I go to a community college but will be transferring to a university next fall. http://www.stcc.edu/schedules/?Code=BIO

 

[raiderette]

Wait to take biochem after you transfer.