Upper or lower level biochemistry

[allre]

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I'm a senior applying this year. If I can't fit upper-level biochem into my schedule, would it be advisable to take a lower-level version (intro to biochem for nursing and other health students) instead? Or should I wait and take the "real" biochem next semester?

 

[hydroxyurea]

At least at my institution they are not even in the same ballpark and I would recommend the "real" one. The nursing one will likely be focused on more macroscopic observations not intermolecular processes and organic-chemistry based knowledge.

Adcoms may or may not know- if they do, quite frankly the nursing one should not count. If they don't, congrats, you just gamed the system and took an easier class.

 

[allre]

At least at my institution they are not even in the same ballpark and I would recommend the "real" one. The nursing one will likely be focused on more macroscopic observations not intermolecular processes and organic-chemistry based knowledge.

Adcoms may or may not know- if they do, quite frankly the nursing one should not count. If they don't, congrats, you just gamed the system and took an easier class.

Oh, I didn't know the course would be like that. I think I will definitely wait to take upper level biochemistry.

 

[hydroxyurea]

At least at our school, biochem for nursing was "What is the structure of a sugar? Okay if the reagent test indicates [color] what does that mean about the contents of the selected material?" It was for students who often did not have an ochem requirement.

"Real" biochem on the other hand had arrow-pushing mechanisms, enzyme pathways, "the good stuff" that will also more likely prepare you for future coursework.

Again, I went to a small liberal arts school. This may not be typical of other schools, particularly larger state schools, or your particular institution. Ask other students what their experience was like.

 

[FutureOncologist]

Had a similar situation happen to a buddy of mine. Biochem II was more of a "special topics" biochemistry, where it was medically-based. Professors would have an interest in a specific part of medicine and teach that. I took a professor that specialized in Diabetes type I and II. Biochemistry I is not a prereq for Biochemistry II, so anyone could take it after Orgo II. He opted out of Biochemistry I in hopes that he could get credit for biochemistry to apply to medical schools (via Biochemistry II). Well, he got rejected from all schools he applied to requiring biochemistry because he didn't satisfy the biochemistry requirement.

 

[hydroxyurea]

Our 2nd semester was also "special topics" which at the time I thought was unusual, but I guess makes sense since at some level professors have to talk about the specific field of their PhD study to introduce new knowledge and build on basic concepts.

 

[optimistic3]

At my school, the intro biochem was more of a light summary of normal biochem 1 and 2 combined into one semester. My friend took it for PA school prereq and I could tell she didn't learn much (and she's an excellent student, not a slacker). I'm always glad I took it/majored in it. It has helped me in other classes and even a bit on the MCAT.