Upper level bio... What would you take?

[wjs010]

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I've searched this but have only come up with answers about which upper level bio courses are best for the mcat. However, I'm done with the mcat.

I'm in the middle of the cycle and just want to take a few more classes to look good. Tell me, out of this list of available classes, which I should take. It's winter quarter coming up so unfortunately classes like immunology are not there. Anyway, which courses do med schools LOVE to see?

Hematology
Bacterial genetics
Genetics
Histology
Ecology
Protein analysis.

Thanks for your help.

 

[JDMcNugent]

Definitely histology and genetics. It's too bad you can't do immunology because that course is awesome and tends to be on those "additional reccomended courses" listed on admission requirement pages for med schools. I don't see how ecology could really help you out.

 

[wjs010]

Definitely histology and genetics. It's too bad you can't do immunology because that course is awesome and tends to be on those "additional reccomended courses" listed on admission requirement pages for med schools. I don't see how ecology could really help you out.

Thanks! Should have mentioned that I'm taking molecular alon with One of those listed classes. So which One is MOST important. I don't want to take two of the ones listed because they have combined bloody labs. I really only wanted lecture! It is good that the molecular is only lecture lol. So was immunology but of course it's not available.

 

[Warrenc]

I was the same way as you at one point in UG-- only taking classes that I thought would look good. You should really consider taking classes that you want to learn about. If you really don't care about protein analysis, why would you even consider it? Essentially, most upper-level biology classes that are related to subcellular/molecular/structure+function/physiology are going to be beneficial to medical school.

I know this wasn't your main topic, but if you start to drift towards ecological/plant-based biology or anything not medically related and you enjoy classes like those, then you should take them.

I don't think schools have a preference with what specific classes you take.

on topic: i would take hematology, it seems more applicable to medical school than the others.

 

[JDMcNugent]

This is true. Since you probably have all of the pre-reqs completed, go with what you think you would enjoy most as additional "bonus" courses for upper level bio. That's great that you're in molecular right now and I agree with the above post that if you're looking for something to prep for then any cellular/molecular/physiology course would be reccomended.

I was the same way as you at one point in UG-- only taking classes that I thought would look good. You should really consider taking classes that you want to learn about. If you really don't care about protein analysis, why would you even consider it? Essentially, most upper-level biology classes that are related to subcellular/molecular/structure+function/physiology are going to be beneficial to medical school.

I know this wasn't your main topic, but if you start to drift towards ecological/plant-based biology or anything not medically related and you enjoy classes like those, then you should take them.

I don't think schools have a preference with what specific classes you take.

 

[wjs010]

Well I'm in micro right now. The molecular and one of those other classes would be for the winter quarter coming up. I've already taken cell so molecular can't be too much harder right? You guys comments are helpful, but so far I gather histo, hematology, and genetics are equally good. I'll have to decide , probably based on small factors like schedule.

 

[Lost Vagus]

Take a class you will get an A in.

 

[Kinch]

Take a class you will get an A in.

This.

 

[Mehd School]

You didn't list it, but I would go out on a limb and say that Physiology is the best upper level bio for the MCAT. I took Anatomy, Histology, Genetics, Biochem, etc, and all my friends that took Physio (and did well) killed the BS section as it's extremely high yield. I did marginal with a 9, though that was below my AAMC average. Let me remind you again how much of a crapshoot the BS section is. My MCAT was just nonstop immuno.

If I had to do it all over again I would make Physiology my #1 priority as upper level bio class.

 

[Elevencents]

If you already took the MCAT and are already applying take what you are interested in. Don't worry about what the adcoms want to see, you're beyond that.

 

[wjs010]

You didn't list it, but I would go out on a limb and say that Physiology is the best upper level bio for the MCAT. I took Anatomy, Histology, Genetics, Biochem, etc, and all my friends that took Physio (and did well) killed the BS section as it's extremely high yield. I did marginal with a 9, though that was below my AAMC average. Let me remind you again how much of a crapshoot the BS section is. My MCAT was just nonstop immuno.

If I had to do it all over again I would make Physiology my #1 priority as upper level bio class.

I took physiology years ago and made an A. I am most interested in immunology but it blows that it's not available.

 

[Mehd School]

I took physiology years ago and made an A.

Excellent.

Out of the few you posted, I definitely recommend Histology. Not only will this be excellent for medical school, but it will also be extremely helpful with the mcat. As you go through each tissue group your lecture will probably go over the physiology so that you can pair the structure with a function. It probably won't be as in depth as your physio class, but mine was invaluable.

It was definitely my favorite class I've taken so far. The professor was great, too. That makes a world of difference.

 

[wjs010]

Excellent.

Out of the few you posted, I definitely recommend Histology. Not only will this be excellent for medical school, but it will also be extremely helpful with the mcat. As you go through each tissue group your lecture will probably go over the physiology so that you can pair the structure with a function. It probably won't be as in depth as your physio class, but mine was invaluable.

It was definitely my favorite class I've taken so far. The professor was great, too. That makes a world of difference.

Thanks a lot. I've already taken the mcat though. I had a hunch that med schools love seeing really high level bio courses. I think the answer is probably a "it depends" type of thing. Min curious why you don't recommend genetics?

 

[cabinbuilder]

Thanks a lot. I've already taken the mcat though. I had a hunch that med schools love seeing really high level bio courses. I think the answer is probably a "it depends" type of thing. Min curious why you don't recommend genetics?

Because genetics is about 3 hours of lecture total during biochemistry in medical school. It really is minimal and to torture yourself needlessly in under grad is just silly.

I think biochem is the best high yield for med school, then micro, then histology and physiology.

 

[wjs010]

Because genetics is about 3 hours of lecture total during biochemistry in medical school. It really is minimal and to torture yourself needlessly in under grad is just silly.

I think biochem is the best high yield for med school, then micro, then histology and physiology.

Thanks a lot. I'm not a fan of genetics either so ill be sure not to take it. I wish I could take biochem but my school teaches it in a sequence of 3 quarters and I can't jump in and start without having taken the first one.

 

[JDMcNugent]

Have you considered UNE's distance biochem course? It is around $1100 or $1200 and its a 4 credit course online and many students take it, including myself. That cost covers tuition, fees, textbook and materials.

 

[wjs010]

Have you considered UNE's distance biochem course? It is around $1100 or $1200 and its a 4 credit course online and many students take it, including myself. That cost covers tuition, fees, textbook and materials.

Yea I have heard about that course, but I also need the lab. Thanks

 

[Escape_Goat]

I don't see how ecology could really help you out.

All biology is relevant to all biology.

The good thing about ecology is that it offers a perspective of the biological sciences that many who are focused on molecular/physio don't appreciate or understand. For a pre-med, it is really an opportunity to see the forest for the trees, instead of just staring at a little piece of bark under a microscope. It's a very "big picture" type of course that bridges the disconnect many students have about how selection of phenotype by selective pressures (environment, competition, sexual, pred/prey) affects the genetics of populations. There's usually a bit about conservation and biocontrol and remediation, if that interests you.

I took ecology as a pre-med and thought it was so interesting, I ended up completing a second bachelors in Ecology/Evolution I think went on and did a masters in Microbial/Molecular before applying to med schools.

One thing I noticed, particularly during my masters, is that having a broader knowledge base made me an infinitely better scientist. I understood concepts and could make connections that my peers had no clue about. During literature discussions, I could talk circles around everyone else in my class, even the professor on a few occasions (who was a brilliant molecular geneticist). One time, after I completely ripped apart this paper that was published in Cell, he actually told the class one time, "see? This is how you guys should be reading these papers."

I digress, but there's certainly relevance of ecology to medicine, particularly when looking at things like pathogenesis of nosocomial infections. Is it more relevant than immuno or histology? Probably not, but having a different perspective on a topic can't be discounted.

 

[Warrenc]

Take a class you will get an A in.

This mentality is so sad and even sadder that it's true.