<p>Hi all, </p>
<p>I've been looking around at various med schools and I am confused about some of the additional requirements required for various schools. </p>
<p>It looks like many also require biochemistry and that is plainly stated then others say something to the effect:
Upper division biology courses are recommended, Biology/Zoology required or,
Biochemistry,biology/zoology, genetics are recommended</p>
<p>Is this saying that in addition to upper division Bio course the applicant should also take a zoology course? And for the second example are all Biochemistry,biology/zoology, genetics courses required or only one of the three? </p>
<p>I'm using this as my source of information
<a href="http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/sites/dsa/files/handbooks/Medical%20Schools%20with%20Addition%20Biology%20Requirements%2010_11.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/sites/dsa/files/handbooks/Medical%20Schools%20with%20Addition%20Biology%20Requirements%2010_11.pdf</a></p>
<p>I’d take that to mean “I will take biochem before graduation, and will do my best to take as many of the other classes as possible.” And to me, if it said “biochem, bio, genetics recommended,” I would take all 3 of them. I’d use any upper level bio course for that “bio/zoo” class. </p>
<p>I personally believe having taken these courses is good prep for med school–it’s nice to have at least seen the material/terms before, which is why I would go for it. Others will disagree, and say that the classes you take during med school don’t matter because med school’s on such a different/higher level anyway.</p>
<p>when will you be taking the MCAT? </p>
<p>If you’ll be taking the exam in 2015 or later, you will need biochem before the MCAT because biochem will covered on the new exam. (So will human behavior–basically psychology with some sociology and behavioral biology thrown in.)</p>
<p>RE: the bio-zoology listing. Some schools list courses like human and mammalian physiology/anatomy, or/and genetics in the zoology dept; others list them in the biology dept. It looks like some schools expects some upper division coursework, but don’t care under which dept. a specific undergrad lists it.</p>
<p>also recommended does not literally mean required, but i’d probably try to take anything that’s “recommended”</p>