jerkstore Posted September 30, 2012 Report Share Posted September 30, 2012 We know everyone says to take X amount of orgo and biochem and gen chem, but I've been under the impression that this is largely for the MCAT. Once you're actually in the door, how large of a role does chemistry play in medical school, and how much prerequisite knowledge did you feel you actually needed to have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bored Posted September 30, 2012 Report Share Posted September 30, 2012 We know everyone says to take X amount of orgo and biochem and gen chem, but I've been under the impression that this is largely for the MCAT. Once you're actually in the door, how large of a role does chemistry play in medical school, and how much prerequisite knowledge did you feel you actually needed to have? obviously you are gonna need to know how much of x (in mole, milli mole, etc) to give to patients.. in my opinion, you would need as much chem and organic chem as there is on the mcat because one part of the job of doctor is to read scientific papers and having some chemistry and organic chemistry knowledge would help a long way when reading them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellorie Posted September 30, 2012 Report Share Posted September 30, 2012 I haven't found that I've needed much chemistry at all except on a very basic level - things like solutions, osmosis, acids and bases. But nothing calculational or particularly complicated, just some idea of the main concepts. I was actually sort of surprised to find that the physiology is in some cases taught at a lower level than some of my undergraduate degree, so the really in depth biochem isn't necessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savac Posted September 30, 2012 Report Share Posted September 30, 2012 the really in depth biochem isn't necessary. I need to reconsider why I'm currently taking a second biochem course Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellorie Posted September 30, 2012 Report Share Posted September 30, 2012 Although, I have what I consider to be a strong background, so it's possible I am using it and not realizing it - it would probably be more useful to hear from someone who doesn't have any background. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bored Posted September 30, 2012 Report Share Posted September 30, 2012 Although, I have what I consider to be a strong background, so it's possible I am using it and not realizing it - it would probably be more useful to hear from someone who doesn't have any background. there is that, but don't you have to read scientific papers and stuff? it would be much easier if you know the terms rather than constantly searching those terms on google. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorelan Posted September 30, 2012 Report Share Posted September 30, 2012 there is that,but don't you have to read scientific papers and stuff? it would be much easier if you know the terms rather than constantly searching those terms on google. we read papers all the time but to a large extent the medicine is at a higher clinical level than needing to know exactly how a particular drug works. Don't get me wrong - all knowledge is useful - but it isn't like you are pulling out organic chem every day to do your job Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Journey Man Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 We know everyone says to take X amount of orgo and biochem and gen chem, but I've been under the impression that this is largely for the MCAT. Once you're actually in the door, how large of a role does chemistry play in medical school, and how much prerequisite knowledge did you feel you actually needed to have? I echo what others have said. Its important IMO to have the conceptual knowledge, not necessarily the details. It is useful when reading up literature and when learning pharmacology PROPERLY (as in not the superficial way they teach you in medical school). The details that undergraduate courses go into is a different type of detail you will want to know as a physicians - it makes sense as undergraduate courses taught by researchers and what they think is important will come up. In summary, focus on concepts, not the details. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerkstore Posted October 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 I echo what others have said. Its important IMO to have the conceptual knowledge, not necessarily the details. It is useful when reading up literature and when learning pharmacology PROPERLY (as in not the superficial way they teach you in medical school). The details that undergraduate courses go into is a different type of detail you will want to know as a physicians - it makes sense as undergraduate courses taught by researchers and what they think is important will come up. In summary, focus on concepts, not the details. For the undergrad course, the mcat, or med school? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Journey Man Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 For the undergrad course, the mcat, or med school? For all the above. Concepts at the end of the day is what you retain and what will be important when you are a physician. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerkstore Posted October 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 For all the above. Concepts at the end of the day is what you retain and what will be important when you are a physician. Yeah but, what about me grades? I assume I'll need to know the details to get a good GPA and MCAT score. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Journey Man Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 Yeah but, what about me grades? I assume I'll need to know the details to get a good GPA and MCAT score. Probably for the GPA. Not MCAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerkstore Posted October 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 I'm really considering at the point, doing an arts major and just taking a handful of prerequisite medical school/mcat courses, perhaps mostly during the summer. What do we think, 1 year general bio, 1 year gen chem, 1/2 year orgo, 1/2 year biochem? Then load up on MCAT prep books near the time. Also, what's the consensus on whether or not to take physics during undergrad? From what I've heard you really just need to memorize like 10 equations and know where to apply them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nervousnellie Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 check the prerequisites of the schools you are applying to and make sure you can cover them all off with your list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerkstore Posted October 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 I meant for MCAT prep. This would be for the MCAT 2015 btw so I know I'm going to need some psychology and social sciences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benhc911 Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 It's important to know general aspects of chem, ochem and biochem... enzymes, acids/bases, sugars/prots/lipids etc and some of the terms, and basic behaviours... it allows you to save memorization space for stuff that cant be learned through intuition. If you know that this hormone is a steroid, and steroids are cholesterol based, cholesterol is lipid soluble so it can pass through the plasma membrane etc. makes it easier for tests. Of course what you need for practice is completely different and it depends on what you plan on practicing, and how you plan on practicing... You can perscribe a drug with only the qualitative understanding of it, but it might be easier for some to understand it completely... I personally think that medicine is to bio/biochem/chem/physiology what chemical engineering is to chem/physics/math (disclaimer my UG was chem eng)... In that a good foundation is helpful, but the complication with medicine/engineering is often in knowing when and how to synthesis and apply this information, how to accommodate for imperfect models and natural variation... when to follow heuristics/guidelines and when to follow intuition... etc. Its about extracting from the science and applying to reality. Its completely different if you want to do research of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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