I realized today that I have one (maybe two) spots for where I have some liberty in picking an upper division elective. I want to pick classes that give me the most bang for my buck. Every medical school has the same list of recommended classes but I would like opinions from people who’ve been through or have had this answered before.
Already taken:
-Genetics
-Microbiology
-Intro to Pharmacology
Required upper divisions for my degree or med school:
-Anatomy 4cr
-Physiology 4cr
-Patho 3cr
-Biochemistry I 4cr
Classes I’m considering:
-Biochemistry II
-Molecular Cell Bio (one semester only - for bio majors)
-Molecular Bio I (first of a two semester sequence for biomed majors; dont think I can fit molec2 though)
-Neurobiology
-Immunology
-Medical Terminology
Can anyone/everyone suggest the top 3 from the last list that will help immensely in the first 2 years? I go to a university with a medical school so there are other classes I can take as well so feel free to play a wild-card!
Some med schools, like U of Mn, require biochem, so I would definitely take that. (I sure will)
I’d pick immunology out of that list. Really difficult, I thought, in med school without previous exposure. Maybe neurobiology - that was probably also up there for difficulty (within the short time frame that you generally have to absorb the vast quantities of info required in med school)
I’m answering based on my own experiences with these courses at my school, so YMMV. 
Kate
I second the choice of immunology if you only have one spot to fill. I also thought it was really difficult in med school (mostly because of the brutal pace that Kate alluded to) and found myself wishing I had at least audited the undergrad class in the glide year. These are also concepts you want to make sure you grasp, as you WILL use them in practice.
- sadako12 Said:
That is incorrect. The U of MN does not require biochem.
Below is the copy/paste of the med school's pre-req site:
Required courses
Biology with lab
Biological sciences coursework with emphasis on general principles, cell biology and/or physiology
1 semester or 1 quarter
Chemistry with lab
General or Organic Chemistry
1 semester or 1 quarter
Life sciences (additional courses)
Biology, genetics, zoology, botany, parasitology, biochemistry, chemistry (general or organic, but must be in addition to the general or organic chemistry listed above), physics, etc. At least 2 must be upper-level courses.
4 semesters or 4 quarters
Humanities or social sciences
Humanities or social sciences upper-level course, with an intensive writing requirement.
1 semester or 1 quarter
Recommended courses
Biochemistry
Ethics
Genetics
Psychology
Statistics
Foreign language
Independent learning courses
Seminar-type courses involving small group discussions
Social and behavioral sciences and humanities
- Adoc2be Said:
- sadako12 Said:
That is incorrect. The U of MN does not require biochem.
Below is the copy/paste of the med school's pre-req site:
Required courses
Biology with lab
Biological sciences coursework with emphasis on general principles, cell biology and/or physiology
1 semester or 1 quarter
Chemistry with lab
General or Organic Chemistry
1 semester or 1 quarter
Life sciences (additional courses)
Biology, genetics, zoology, botany, parasitology, biochemistry, chemistry (general or organic, but must be in addition to the general or organic chemistry listed above), physics, etc. At least 2 must be upper-level courses.
4 semesters or 4 quarters
Humanities or social sciences
Humanities or social sciences upper-level course, with an intensive writing requirement.
1 semester or 1 quarter
Recommended courses
Biochemistry
Ethics
Genetics
Psychology
Statistics
Foreign language
Independent learning courses
Seminar-type courses involving small group discussions
Social and behavioral sciences and humanities
I must have remembered wrong then. I thought AMCAS said something about taking Biochem in leiu of Orgo II or something like that.
I have heard that it's useful for the MCAT though.