Upper level bio courses

[Almond Barrels]

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Hey all,

I've already graduated with a biomedical engineering degree and want to apply to MD/PhD programs next spring. But I want to make sure that I've technically fulfilled all the prerequisites. So this may be a stupid question, but please bear with me because I really do want to make sure that I'm covered.

I didn't want to take intro level bio courses after a 5 on the AP Bio, as it really made my class schedule too difficult to work around, and I really wanted to be able to take all the upper level and graduate biomedical engineering courses I liked in my junior and senior years. But I've realized that most of my upper level bio classes are technically courses in the biomedical engineering department.

List of bio-related classes I've taken:
Microbiology (with lab course)
Biochemistry
a pharmacokinetics course (BME dept)
a biotransport course (BME dept)
a biomaterials course (BME dept)
a physiology course (BME dept)
a developmental bio course (BME dept)
an analytical biosystems course (BME dept)

Several of the above BME courses also had a lab that was included in the course, though I'm not sure if that makes a difference.

Will these courses (although in the biomedical engineering dept) still be counted as upper level bio courses? Any advice or insights that you guys have are really appreciated.

 

[mTORC]

Hey all,

I've already graduated with a biomedical engineering degree and want to apply to MD/PhD programs next spring. But I want to make sure that I've technically fulfilled all the prerequisites. So this may be a stupid question, but please bear with me because I really do want to make sure that I'm covered.

I didn't want to take intro level bio courses after a 5 on the AP Bio, as it really made my class schedule too difficult to work around, and I really wanted to be able to take all the upper level and graduate biomedical engineering courses I liked in my junior and senior years. But I've realized that most of my upper level bio classes are technically courses in the biomedical engineering department.



List of bio-related classes I've taken:
Microbiology (with lab course)
Biochemistry
a pharmacokinetics course (BME dept)
a biotransport course (BME dept)
a biomaterials course (BME dept)
a physiology course (BME dept)
a developmental bio course (BME dept)
an analytical biosystems course (BME dept)

Several of the above BME courses also had a lab that was included in the course, though I'm not sure if that makes a difference.

Will these courses (although in the biomedical engineering dept) still be counted as upper level bio courses? Any advice or insights that you guys have are really appreciated.

I am absolutely sure that you could designate microbiology, biochemistry, physio and developmental bio as BIOLOGY on your AMCAS. Not sure about pharmacokinetics and biotransport though. I doubt analytical biosystems or biomaterials courses will be classified as biology.


EDIT: Also look at the AMCAS FAQ to see what qualifies as biology (Page 42): https://www.aamc.org/students/download/182162/data/amcas_instruction_manual.pdf
First, it might be confusing because "Biomedical Engineering" is classified as ENGI and not BIO, so I would call AMCAS this cycle. Just to be sure, some schools may not accept advanced coursework in lieu of the intro university class, although I haven't encountered that yet. I would compile a list of schools you're interested in and scout their websites.

I never took intro bio because I got a 5 on the AP Exam. All my counselors said it was stupid and that medical schools wouldn't allow it. Of course they were wrong and I think it was the best decision I have ever made. The opportunity to learn advanced topics early is one you shouldn't miss out on.