When to take genetics?

[medicalmnt]

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Currently a freshman (2nd semester).

Have taken/taking
Calc1
calc2
Gen chem1
Gen chem2
Cell bio
English1 (gen Ed)
Communications (gen Ed)
Art history (gen ed)


Taking in the fall (soph)
biostat
Org1
Physics1 (college; no more calc!!)
Psych

Possible spring (soph)
Org2
Literature
Physics2
History

As you can see I've taken most of my premed classes. However, I haven't taken genetics which is apparently on the MCAT(?). I might take sociology my junior year but since they'll be adding it into MCAT; I was wondering if I should take it instead of history my spring year of sophmore.
Any suggestions or changes?

I'm a biochem major B/S.
I want to graduate in 4years and don't want to overload on tough classes that will potentially kill my GPA.

 

[Ismet]

Genetics is not necessary for the MCAT. Some basic genetics is covered, but you will get the majority of that in any intro bio course and whatever you don't get can be easily learned from MCAT review books. No need for a whole course if it doesn't fit or if it might drop your GPA.

I see you've taken cell bio...what about intro bio 1 and 2?

If you do decide to take genetics, don't do it with physics 2 and orgo 2. It can be done, but orgo 2 is a notoriously difficult class, and physics 2 can be difficult as well, depending on your comfort level with math and physics concepts.

 

[Garosen]

There isn't a defined section for genetics on the MCAT... but genetics concepts come up frequently on the MCAT. So, if you want to do well, you will need to have done Genetics. This is what I have learned from others who have taken the MCAT already and also from my advisor.

 

[rs0147]

I plan on taking genetics during the spring of my sophomore year, along with Orgo 1 & psychology. By this time, I would be done with Bio 1/2, Chem 1/2, Orgo 1, Calc 1, Stats 1.

 

[medic86]

There isn't a defined section for genetics on the MCAT... but genetics concepts come up frequently on the MCAT. So, if you want to do well, you will need to have done Genetics. This is what I have learned from others who have taken the MCAT already and also from my advisor.

This is an absolutely ridiculous assumption.

As Ismet has pointed out already: the amount of genetics material required for MCAT success is found in an introductory bio course. There is no way that you'll need the amount of detail that a dedicated genetics class covers.

 

[Garosen]

This is an absolutely ridiculous assumption.

As Ismet has pointed out already: the amount of genetics material required for MCAT success is found in an introductory bio course. There is no way that you'll need the amount of detail that a dedicated genetics class covers.

Assumption? Those who have taken the MCAT have numerous times remarked that taking Genetics and Biochemistry had been VERY helpful to them. Now- I said helpful, not required. As I mentioned in my first post, there isn't a genetics or biochem section on the test. However, those who have taken Genetics have said to have an easier time with genetics-related concepts on the MCAT. This is advise that I, myself, plan on follow before taking the MCAT in 2014.

Don't agree? What you do is up to you. The same piece of advice hasn't been parroted through the years by pre-meds for nothing.

 

[deleted407021]

If those who came before you found that genetics helped on the MCAT, go ahead and take it. At my school we take it after Gen. Bio. I and II, so, Fall Sophomore year.

 

[Bamfu]

There was quite a bit of genetics on the MCAT I took. It wasn't crazy intensive, but it was more than I learned in Bio 1.

If you're taking it during sophomore year, I'd pair it up with organic 1 rather than organic 2.

Also, depending on what your degree is and your university, genetics can satisfy some upper level biology requirements. It was a 3000 (junior) level course for me.

 

[Iso4ane]

Currently a freshman (2nd semester).

Have taken/taking
Calc1
calc2
Gen chem1
Gen chem2
Cell bio
English1 (gen Ed)
Communications (gen Ed)
Art history (gen ed)


Taking in the fall (soph)
biostat
Org1
Physics1 (college; no more calc!!)
Psych

Possible spring (soph)
Org2
Literature
Physics2
History

As you can see I've taken most of my premed classes. However, I haven't taken genetics which is apparently on the MCAT(?). I might take sociology my junior year but since they'll be adding it into MCAT; I was wondering if I should take it instead of history my spring year of sophmore.
Any suggestions or changes?

I'm a biochem major B/S.
I want to graduate in 4years and don't want to overload on tough classes that will potentially kill my GPA.

Don't worry the hardest thing you will see on the MCAT genetics wise is AaBbCcDdEeFfGgHhIi x AaBbCcDdEeFfGgHhIi Punnett square.

And to the people who keep saying it the three hydrogen bonds that make GC pair stronger, stop spreading the lies.

 

[slz1900]

Don't worry the hardest thing you will see on the MCAT genetics wise is AaBbCcDdEeFfGgHhIi x AaBbCcDdEeFfGgHhIi Punnett square.

And to the people who keep saying it the three hydrogen bonds that make GC pair stronger, stop spreading the lies.

Genetics is also transcription, translation, the structure of DNA, mutations... most of the molecular biology stuff listed on the bio content outline is covered in a genetics class, which is why it is so useful.

 

[DrEnderW]

This is true. The level of genetics on the MCAT is not above Bio I/II.

I was a genetics major and of course taking genetics specific classes helped reinforce lower level concepts that appear on the exam. I recommend taking it because its incredibly medically relevant and will reinforce and expand your knowledge. It's definitely not required to score highly on the exam. Biochemistry is higher yield IMO.

 

[medic86]

Assumption? Those who have taken the MCAT have numerous times remarked that taking Genetics and Biochemistry had been VERY helpful to them. Now- I said helpful, not required. As I mentioned in my first post, there isn't a genetics or biochem section on the test. However, those who have taken Genetics have said to have an easier time with genetics-related concepts on the MCAT. This is advise that I, myself, plan on follow before taking the MCAT in 2014.

Don't agree? What you do is up to you. The same piece of advice hasn't been parroted through the years by pre-meds for nothing.

If you need to take a course that's dedicated to genetics to have an easier time with introductory genetics material, then you probably have other problems.

 

[Garosen]

If you need to take a course that's dedicated to genetics to have an easier time with introductory genetics material, then you probably have other problems.

Right. Bigger problems. I am going off of what people who had taken the MCAT have personally told me: It HELPED them. Genetics along with Biochemistry. These two courses are regarded as given subjects to take at my school if you're premed. Although I may be more open to the idea that there is introductory level material...eh but honestly I wouldn't take the mcat without taking genetics. I know for a fact that there are basic genetic concepts that have not been covered in my bio I/II classes. There's my problem big guy.

 

[sakabato93]

Right. Bigger problems. I am going off of what people who had taken the MCAT have personally told me: It HELPED them. Genetics along with Biochemistry. These two courses are regarded as given subjects to take at my school if you're premed. Although I may be more open to the idea that there is introductory level material...eh but honestly I wouldn't take the mcat without taking genetics. I know for a fact that there are basic genetic concepts that have not been covered in my bio I/II classes. There's my problem big guy.

Certainly, taking genetics and biochemistry is very beneficial for the MCAT. Remember that different schools have variable curricula for teaching genetics in bio I/II. Some schools don't cover genetics adequately for the MCAT. If that's the case, taking a genetics course would definitely cover the blind spots. If not, then taking genetics would only strengthen your ability in understanding concepts that are common on the MCAT like Mendelian ratios, reading pedigrees, understanding replication/transcription/translation, etc.

In summary, its definitely a smart, smart, smart choice to take genetics before taking the MCAT, but its definitely not necessary.

 

[sakabato93]

genetics is also transcription, translation, the structure of dna, mutations... Most of the molecular biology stuff listed on the bio content outline is covered in a genetics class, which is why it is so useful.

+1

 

[Noggin]

OP take genetics before the MCAT. One of the main reasons why I did well on the Biology section of the MCAT was because I had taken a genetics course, and my test had a bunch of genetics.