The Importance of Biochem

[SargonZ]

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Now that I'm in, I get to start worrying about how to make sure I'm best prepared for the scary scary workload that is medical school.
Never having taken biochem, I'm thinking about taking it next semester, despite Dr. Haight's warnings not to take any more unnecessary science courses once you're in. Technically I graduate in December, so I'd probably take it locally, just as something for my own personal benefit.
So, what do you think? Should I take biochem or just kick back and enjoy my few months off? Chemistry has never been my strongest suit, so I am seriously considering taking it, but I don't want to do unnecessary extra work, you know?

 

[jonb12997]

Could you take it as an audit or something to that extent? Something where you'd still get the information but not have to worry about taking the tests and all that stuff. Even if you can't, I'd still take the course. I have a feeling taking an undergraduate biochem class is going to be hard at the time but it's going to be a lot easier when you roll around to biochem next year. Since you graduate, it'll keep you in the studying mode too. Hope this helps, best of luck. BTW, I hope you're not applying to UNE, they require biochem.😱

 

[raptor5]

Does the school you got accepted to offer biochem before you matriculate. I was accepted to PCOM and they offer a 4 week Biochem class over the summer. I have not had Biochem either. I will probably pay the $500 or whatever it is and take it.

 

[ad_sharp]

I have taken biochem because I was told by persons at medical schools that I have visited that I would help me do better once I got in. My reasoning is this: Why not take it now so that much of what you will learn in medical school will be reviewing or adding a little to the concepts that you already know? There will be plenty of new stuff, but this will decrease my load somewhat so that I may spend more of my time on the things that are new. btw, congrats on your acceptance.

 

[OSUdoc08]

I was told my current medical students at all of the schools I interviewed at to not prepare for biochem or med school in general after graduation and prior to matriculation. It is best to take the time off. You will learn what you need to know in class and you will do well---after all you got in! There is no need to worry about doing well. For goodness sakes, it's pass/fail anyway.

I never took biochem, by the way.

 

[drlexygoat]

Originally posted by BUmedic
For goodness sakes, it's pass/fail anyway.

Not all schools are pass/fail. Wouldn't it be nice if they were?

 

[SM-UCLA tech]

I would suggest taking biochem in undergrad. It is not necessary, but it will definitely be helpful. If you are going to go crazy though by taking an extra class, then don't worry about it.

But if you have a background in biochem, it's going to make things easier.

 

[cdreed]

As a first year med student, my advice would be to:

1. If you have time during the winter or spring, take biochem. Perhaps audit it if you're nervous about a letter grade.

2. During the summer prior to matriculation... take the time to relax, read, travel... school will begin soon enough at full throttle.

Overall, some background in biochem will make your life as a first year med student easier. Just my opion though.

 

[VentdependenT]

I don't think you need to take a biochem course. However, if you would like dampen your anxiety, you can pick up a copy of Lippincot's Biochemistry and read through it at your "leisure"....that book is great and is more reflective of the material you will be dealing with in school.

If you are still interested in taking a course to help you during medical school, I suggest anatomy if you have never had it before. It is truely a unique subject, and often requires unique study approaches to excel in. Otherwise I fully agree with your peers in that relaxation should be the key in your life until school begins.

Best of luck and congrats
AZCOM MS IV🙂

 

[DOtobe]

Echoing everyone else's opinions...

I took biochem in undergrad, and I feel like it definitely helped me for med school biochem (I had an awesome biochem professor in undergrad). I know some people in my class who didn't have biochem who struggled a bit with it. But on the other hand, some did well who had never had biochem. So I don't think it's essential to take biochem, but it can't hurt. I agree that you should audit the class if you are really concerned about the subject. By auditing the class you can just sit and absorb the information, not worry about tests, and not even show up if you don't want to.

But as the others have said, definitely take some time and relax! You won't have this much time to just do nothing once med school starts!

 

[bigmuny]

I took a whole year of biochem prior to med school as preparation, and think it was basically a waste of time(at least for the reason I was taking it, learning is always a good thing). I do wish I that I had taken an anatomy course however, and some histology and immunology would have been helpful as well. There is a book called "how the immune system works" by L. Sompayrac that is a quick and easy read that I would reccomend. You will do fine without taking any of these classes though. Don't spend your summer studying, enjoy it, because it may be the last real time off you have for awhile.

 

[irish79]

I think that the more classes you take in preparation before medical school, the easier it is when you get here (you aren't seeing it for the first time). The class that I took in undergrad seemed much more indepth (minus the clinical correlates) than they do in medical school--and that has made the classes much easier (for me at least).

However, it isn't impossible to not take it and still do well. If you can take it before summer then I say do it (as long as it doesn't add too much stress to your life). If it is a matter of taking it over summer, I wouldn't take it--spend your time relaxing and having fun (and ENJOY NOT STUDYING!).

Good luck.