I just graduated in May, but I need to take one or two more bio courses that I never had in undergrad. What would be most beneficial for me? The classes given in my area are: genetics, biochemistry, and microbiology/immunology. There is a cost factor involved, and some schools are further than others, but what will give me the best prep for med school? Thanks.
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which bio course should i take?
Started by DrLori
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Any of the three (or four) you listed is a great choice. I've taken all of them, and I loved microbiology and immunology. If you're going to apply to MD or DO schools, it's probably a good idea to take biochemistry as some school(s) require it. I think you should take the class that is most appealing to you. Not only will you do better in a class that you like, but you'll also enjoy it and learn more in the process. 🙂 Of the four, I would rank genetics at the bottom.
Hi Dr Lori,
I would definitely recommend that you take Biochemistry first and foremost. Genetics would take second place on my list followed by immuno/micro. At MSUCOM, the first semester is divided between biochem and genetics and there is talk that they are going to begin requiring that intro courses are taken in these subjects before you can be considered for admission! Granted that this is just one school, but I wouldn't be surprised if it starts to be enforced elsewhere. I hope that this helps!
Julia
Good luck!
I would definitely recommend that you take Biochemistry first and foremost. Genetics would take second place on my list followed by immuno/micro. At MSUCOM, the first semester is divided between biochem and genetics and there is talk that they are going to begin requiring that intro courses are taken in these subjects before you can be considered for admission! Granted that this is just one school, but I wouldn't be surprised if it starts to be enforced elsewhere. I hope that this helps!
Julia
Good luck!
I think you should take biochem and micro/immunology. At my school genetics is just a subset of biochem, we only had it for about a week. Biochem can be complicated, so any past experience with it would be helpful. Micro and immunology are also clumped together into one course at my school. Immunology is definitely good to take before you come to medical school because it can get difficult if you haven't had the subject before. I found that I benefited greatly by having taken immunology and micro in undergrad before I started medical school.
Biochem - hands down.
Well, I took all of the classes listed. The classes that helped me the most are immuno and micro. Biochem was not all that helpful to me; everyone in my class who also just took one Biochem class, thought the same thing. Genetics is also a good choice and helped tremendously. But I still think that Micro/immuno is the best bet.
