Thoughts on BioChem, MicroBio and Immun

[TonyRx]

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Regarding admissions to schools that do not require BioChem, MicroBio and/or Immun for pre-reqs....I'm curious to what extent would taking these classes be beneficial to my application?

I've heard mixed thoughts from fellow classmates and people regarding how important they might be. Some say pharmacy schools highly encourage knowledge in these areas, and others say it doesn't really matter. Just wanted to gather your pulse on this and any insight you all have on this matter.

Looking at the P1-P2 courses for a lot of schools, I will have to take the grad-level version of these courses anyhow. Based upon that alone, I would personally think that; A) these pre-reqs would help with getting through P1-P2 courses a little easier, and B) Pharmacy schools would see that as a favorable thing.

Your thoughts?

 

[Kaxa2000]

Yes, I was thinking that same thing exactly. They go over bio chem anyway in pharm school, that's why I'm just going to get a degree in Bio + any extra pre reqs like Micro, Anat, then I can expect it to be easier at pharm school where it really counts. I've heard of people who were in pharm school that were really wishing they had taken classes like Biochem in undergrad. So it makes sense that the schools would look at this as a favorable thing. I just wonder why alot of pharm schools don't have this as a pre-req(bio chem). At USN, you have to learn an undergrad semester's worth of Biochem in just 2 weeks on a block schedule according to what I've read, and they don't even have Bio chem as a pre-req.

 

[tahi193]

Sure, any time you take a hefty science class and perform well in it, it will be beneficial you as far as admissions goes. The pre-reqs are just the minimum classes required to be accepted. If you take the extra classes and do well, that's another gold star for you.

Since I'm not in pharmacy school I can't vouch for these classes preparing you for graduate level work, but I can't imagine it would hurt you. If you've got the credits to spare, I say go for it! 🙂

 

[FLPharm2Be]

To the op, I am taking a stab that you are referring to UF admissions(since your location is Orlando). If all you are concerned about is whether you need those courses to make yourself more competitive, it may help but it isn't necessary. I was accepted w/o taking any of those courses. (and I don't have a great gpa) Now, I will have to admit that come next week, I am sure I will be at a disadvantage when Biochem starts and I have zero background in it. I am not sure I will regret it, but it will make my life a little more difficult in the beginning.

 

[TonyRx]

Thanks for the replies and insight...much appreciated and helpful.

Regarding FLPharm's response; yes, UF is def one of the many schools I plan on applying to...along with Nova and LECOM in Florida. I have been looking at a lot of out of state schools too, that I feel I will have a good shot at making. If you don't mind me asking, to the best of your knowledge, what was the average gpa/pcat for fall 2008 admitted students at UF? And/Or, what kind of numbers did you put up and got in with? If you don't wanna share that info, no sweat.

Just want to know what I am up against when I apply in the near future...thanks!

 

[diastole]

I'd take them because they are cool classes. If you don't think they are cool, then skip them. I'm sure you can do something else with your time that you enjoy more that will enhance your application if those classes aren't to your liking.

 

[FLPharm2Be]

Absolutely, my stats are as follows:

overall GPA: 3.24
prereq GPA: 3.5-3.6
PCAT: 97
bachelors

And also I was accepted to Nova. I don't know the average accepted gpa/pcat for UF, however, usually pharmcas posts this information on the school pages. It probably isn't up yet because they are waiting for classes to start to make a final calculation.

Thanks for the replies and insight...much appreciated and helpful.

Regarding FLPharm's response; yes, UF is def one of the many schools I plan on applying to...along with Nova and LECOM in Florida. I have been looking at a lot of out of state schools too, that I feel I will have a good shot at making. If you don't mind me asking, to the best of your knowledge, what was the average gpa/pcat for fall 2008 admitted students at UF? And/Or, what kind of numbers did you put up and got in with? If you don't wanna share that info, no sweat.

Just want to know what I am up against when I apply in the near future...thanks!

 

[38ctk]

check the curriculum for each pharmacy school you are applying to. Call the school and ask them if it was possible to waive pharm school courses if you have taken them in undergrad. This way, it will save you time.

I took two quarters of biochem in undergrad and my biochem was waived in pharmacy school.

 

[mrblah]

In your first year of pharm school, they will go over cell bio, molecular bio, and bio chem. So even in schools that don't require it, it is really nice to have some background knowledge before hand.

At my school, you don't need to know all the concepts covered in the above courses, so they don't require you to take those classes prior to entering your P1 year. However, the concepts that they do cover are in depth enough to where some students are struggling (mainly they have to spend more time to learn the concepts vs students who only have to recall the info provided they had good professors in undergrad).

 

[TonyRx]

Thanks again to everyones' responses....very helpful and insightful.

 

[PhatPharm2012]

To OP, make sure to take Biochem and MicroBio in undergrad even if it's not required for entrance to pharm school. Most importantly, make sure to learn as much about Biochem before you enter pharmacy school. I'm in my first year of pharm school right now and all the profs stress to us about the importance of Biochem and how it's the foundation for all the other courses later on. I regret not taking Biochem in Undergrad and i'm having to learn Biochem for the first time in Pharm school and it's really intimitating.