I am finalizing my schedule for this semester and I have a tough choice to make. I have to choose between taking a course or two labs, and I don't know how it would be viewed by medical schools.
I can either take:
CHM 4034 Advanced Biochem and Chemical Biology (4 credits)
or
CHM 4300L Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Lab (2 credits) --AND--
MCB 4034L Advance Microbiology Lab (1 Credit)
I am already taking:
BCH 5413 Eukaryotic Molecular Biology and Genetics (3) (Hard graduate level class)
BCH 4905 Supplemental Instruction leader for Intro Biochemistry (3 credits)
AEC 3033 Research Writing (3 credits)
MEL 4011 Intro to Med Profession (3 credits)
I would enjoy what I learn in the Labs more, but don't know how it would be viewed if I am only taking 1 actual Science course + Labs and teaching. Even though the graduate course is extremely challenging.
Thanks!
I don't think any schools require those labs and very few recommend you take a biochem lab. I think as long as you are taking the proper number of credits schools won't harp on whether they were labs or classes. I for one would rather take advanced biochem over two labs any day. I feel like I would get more out of it.
I thought I was going to get a lot out of the course, but then I saw the syllabus, and it just seems uninspiring. I have already had molecular genetics, and the eukaryotic molecular biology course covers some of the same material too. Here is what the topics look like:
1 Aug. 23 Physical properties of nucleic acids
2 Aug. 28 Physical properties of amino acids and proteins
3 Aug. 30 DNA and RNA synthesis
4 Sept. 4 Protein synthesis and the ribosome
5 Sept. 6 Protein expression and point mutagenesis
6 Sept. 11 DNA damage & DNA repair I
7 Sept. 13 DNA damage & DNA repair II
8 Sept. 18 Exam1
9 Sept. 20 Synthesizing modified proteins
10 Sept. 25 Incorporating unnatural amino acids into proteins in vivo
11 Sept. 27 Directed evolution of enzymes I
12 Oct. 2 Directed evolution of enzymes II
13 Oct. 4 Natural product biosynthesis I
14 Oct. 9 Natural product biosynthesis II
15 Oct. 11 Natural product biosynthesis III
16 Oct. 16 Exam 2
17 Oct. 18 Antibiotic action and resistance I
18 Oct. 23 Antibiotic action and resistance II
19 Oct. 25 Chemical genetics I
20 Oct. 30 Chemical genetics II
21 Nov. 1 Small-molecule/drug discovery I
22 Nov. 6 Small-molecule/drug discovery II
Any other thoughts?