Lemon Bars Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Biochemistry seems to be in the "recommended" but not "required" section of many PA program prerequisites lists. 1. How important is Biochemistry for getting into PA programs? 2. How important is Biochemistry for getting through PA school pharmacology courses? 3. How important is completing a course in Biochemistry for future practice as a PA? Thanks a bunch for any info on this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted November 23, 2011 Moderator Share Posted November 23, 2011 if a program requires it then take it. newer ms programs are more likely to require it. there is no biochem on the pance or panre exams and the vast majority of practicing pa's today have never taken it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinntsp Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 You will be competing for spots with others that have taken the course. So it's up to you(if it's not required at the schools you're applying to) whether you want to make yourself a more competitive applicant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andersenpa Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 In practice biochem is sometimes applicable, sometimes just trivia. You will take in depth physiology in PA school which covers the fundamentals of biochem that you need to know. It's a basis for physio but not necessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IdahoPA Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I took it in college and found it helpful just as a way to tie a bunch of concepts together. How it relates to the program...well, I guess I'll see. It's a science class so I can't really see a disadvantage to talking it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted November 23, 2011 Moderator Share Posted November 23, 2011 Given a choice to take something more useful like pathobio or abnormal psych I would choose those options instead... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted November 23, 2011 Moderator Share Posted November 23, 2011 You will be competing for spots with others that have taken the course. So it's up to you(if it's not required at the schools you're applying to) whether you want to make yourself a more competitive applicant. if it's not required I can't see it helping more than the effect it has on gpa( an A look good, a C looks bad). if it's not required it is just another class, not something that "sets you apart". you could say the same thing about any class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinntsp Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 if it's not required I can't see it helping more than the effect it has on gpa( an A look good, a C looks bad). if it's not required it is just another class, not something that "sets you apart". you could say the same thing about any class. Taking additional upper level sciences like biochem/immunology/virology/embryology/genetics and so forth and doing well in them certainly does set someone apart from the other person that just has the minimum required pre-reqs. Many, if not most, program websites state as much. That's the point I was making. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swooshie1 Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 My personal experience, not as a PA (because I'm not one yet!) but as an exercise physiologist, is that a strong understanding of biochem basics can be huge in speaking to patients regarding healthy lifestyle/nutrition choices. That is, if you are good at discussing how the body works in "layman's" terminology. I also work with professional runners and it's extremely helpful there as well. When someone comes to you describing one of the latest diet fads or weight-loss plans or supplement blah blah blah it's nice to be able to say "well, let me explain how your body actually tackles that...." I plan to go into primary care, so I do feel it is going to continue to be helpful. If you're planning to go into surgery, not so much I suppose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemon Bars Posted November 23, 2011 Author Share Posted November 23, 2011 This is good information, thanks all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackjacks Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 You might be able to use an easy 100-level Biochem from a CC if you're worried about it. I did that and it was accepted by half of the schools I was interested in that required Biochem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annakathryn77 Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Does it make a difference to have biochem with a lab or biochem without a lab? The university I am currently at will not allow me to take with lab because i'm not a biochem major. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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