Would any of these courses satisfy the 2nd semester general chemistry requirement?

[chemgirl15]

Hi, so I'm a biochemistry major and I technically don't need to take inorganic chemistry (which would be considered our second semester of general chemistry at my university) because my elective upper level lecture class was a grad-level organic chemistry course. I'm also in the unique situation that I was surprisingly selected to TA inorganic chemistry this semester, although I haven't taken it. So technically I would have taken an inorganic chemistry and learned the material before applying, I just won't have a grade for it.

So, do you think that any of these courses would fulfill the requirement?
Analytical chemistry + lab
3 semesters of biochemistry + biochemistry lab
2 semesters of P-chem + Lab

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[MCATISEZ]

It depends on the school. Some say "6 credits" and lab etc. and some specifically say "1 year of <b>general chemistry</b>. Either way you can always contact schools you're interested in.

 

[aSagacious]

It does vary by school to some extent, but I think it's fairly common to require a year of "general chemistry" with a lab component. While it's obviously an irrational requirement for someone like yourself, I think it would behoove you to take it so you don't preclude yourself from applying to a large number of schools. Consider it a free 4.0 for your transcript. 😉

P.S. - Somewhere in the cobwebs of my memory I recall select AP high school coursework satisfying the requirement. Something to consider if it applies to you.

 

[DBC03]

Did you have AP credit for Gen Chem? I saw on Columbia's site that they request you take Physical Chemistry if you received AP credit. I was going to call to find out if they meant a *type* of physical (not biological) chemistry or P-Chem proper. However, I need to take P-Chem only because it's the only class that fits my schedule right now. Wish me luck. Or contact me if you take it and we can be study buddies.

Most schools seem somewhat flexible on the class as long as you have AP credit. I don't know what they would say without it, but I would create a list of schools you might be interested in and review their websites and start calling around. From what I've heard, Analytical Chemistry is just an accelerated version of Gen Chem, but if a med school doesn't think that then you might be out of luck. Kudos to @gonnif as he often finds some of the more specific and/or unusual requirements and I really appreciate that. Each of us applies to only 20 to 30 schools and we might not know the requirements for others. I went through each school I applied to very carefully before adding it to AMCAS and can give you the information on that. I know Mt. Sinai and a few others accepted my two semesters of Organic and two semesters of Biochem in place of Gen Chem & Organic/Bio requirement. I hope that helps a little!

 

[1forrest1]

To add to the above, some schools specifically do not allow higher courses to substitute except in AP course credit scenario.

Frequently Asked Questions | College of Medicine | SUNY Upstate Medical University
What prerequisite courses do you require?
We require the following prerequisite courses:

• General Biology I & II w/labs
• General Chemistry I & II w/labs
• Organic Chemistry I w/lab
• Biochemistry*
• General Physics I & II w/labs**
• Writing/Composition
• English elective
• Statistics*** (3hrs)

Can other science courses like Organic Chemistry II or Microbiology be used to complete your prerequisites?
No. We will not accept any other science courses as substitutions for our required prerequisites.

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[hurtem&healem]

To add to the above, some schools specifically do not allow higher courses to substitute except in AP course credit scenario.

Frequently Asked Questions | College of Medicine | SUNY Upstate Medical University
What prerequisite courses do you require?
We require the following prerequisite courses:

• General Biology I & II w/labs
• General Chemistry I & II w/labs
• Organic Chemistry I w/lab
• Biochemistry*
• General Physics I & II w/labs**
• Writing/Composition
• English elective
• Statistics*** (3hrs)

Can other science courses like Organic Chemistry II or Microbiology be used to complete your prerequisites?
No. We will not accept any other science courses as substitutions for our required prerequisites.

This is so ridiculous. My undergrad didn't other a General Bio II course. We had one semester General Bio and then went into the more specific courses. If you take advanced courses, what is the point of having a hard requirement for a lower level course? It's good that many schools are moving to the competency based requirements.

 

[whatIknow]

Came from a large competitive Public University. I perceived the lower level weed out classes as much harder grade wise than the upper level courses. Many medical school aspirations were killed in Bio I and II. Surviving the pre-reqs at a known respected pipeline university gives cred.