When do I take biochemistry?

[deleted1064610]

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This might seem like a very basic question but this class is not in my curriculum so I don't know any students who have taken it. Do I take it before or after organic chemistry?

 

[brockhamptonfanacct]

I recommend after

 

[Blueprint Med School]

Orgo is usually a prereq for biochem. Most students take biochem the fall of their junior year if they're trying to avoid taking a gap year. As long as you take it before your MCAT, you're fine.

Kevin W, MCAT Tutor
Med School Tutors

 

[seanm028]

I took it once before OChem, and then again several years later after I had taken OChem. It made a lot more sense the second time.

 

[charactercomic2]

I plan on no gap years, and am taking it the fall of my junior year (next semester AFTER I take my MCAT :/ ).

 

[seanm028]

I plan on no gap years, and am taking it the fall of my junior year (next semester AFTER I take my MCAT :/ ).

Why are you taking it so early? You understand that biochem is a huge component of the MCAT, right?

 

[PapaGuava]

Definitely take it after because although you could pass Biochemistry without organic, you will need the fundamentals of organic to have the basic understanding of the interactions between molecules, amino acids, ions, etc.

 

[charactercomic2]

Why are you taking it so early? You understand that biochem is a huge component of the MCAT, right?

I am planning to self study Bio Chem this summer, however if my test date approaches and my FLs aren't near my target score I will ultimately move back my test date. This summer was the only prime window to study heftily with work and school. I understand that Biochem is a huge portion, but I have a solid background in every other subject already so I will pool more of my time into Biochem

 

[medigal97]

I’d say definitely take after ochem 1 (dont think ochem 2 really applies much) but from personal experience, I really was grateful that I took biochem during the semester I was studying for the MCAT. Made everything much more fresh in my mind since the MCAT is incredibly biochem heavy and memorizing everything again can eat away at study time.

As far as physics goes, unless your physics is calculus based i don’t see why there’s a need to take it at the same time vs another semester. If calculus will be used in your physics class (i know it wasn’t for me) it is best to take it before.

 

[deleted1064610]

I’d say definitely take after ochem 1 (dont think ochem 2 really applies much) but from personal experience, I really was grateful that I took biochem during the semester I was studying for the MCAT. Made everything much more fresh in my mind since the MCAT is incredibly biochem heavy and memorizing everything again can eat away at study time.

As far as physics goes, unless your physics is calculus based i don’t see why there’s a need to take it at the same time vs another semester. If calculus will be used in your physics class (i know it wasn’t for me) it is best to take it before.

thanks for answering! organic chemistry is actually a prerequisite for taking biochem at my school. So I'm going to have to take an extra semester just for biochem.