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Do I have to take Organic Chemistry II in order to apply for Microbiology PhD program?


Anh Pham

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Hello guys,

 

I am just wondering whether I have to take Organic Chemistry II in order to apply for Microbiology PhD program? In my degree, Organic Chemistry II is not mandatory.

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I've never lived in a world where Orgo II wasn't mandatory. :) It all really depends on how you do in Orgo I. If it's a struggle for you, don't take Orgo II but do take other difficult, relevant science classes that you have the potential to excel in.

Edited by poweredbycoldfusion
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Oh I got A in Organic chem I. I really want to take Organic Chem II but it conflicts with my Bioengineering class. 

 

My advisor said i should be okay, but I don't trust him. haha

Edited by Anh Pham
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I graduated with a B.S. in microbiology. We were required to take 2 semesters of ochem and 1 semester of ochem lab. My undergraduate school has an excellent graduate microbiology program, so I think it would be advisable to take at least 2 semesters of ochem to be competitive.

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I graduated with a B.S. in microbiology. We were required to take 2 semesters of ochem and 1 semester of ochem lab. My undergraduate school has an excellent graduate microbiology program, so I think it would be advisable to take at least 2 semesters of ochem to be competitive.

Thank you so much for your advice. I think I should do it as well. Perhaps I will take it in my last semester since my school offers organic chem II only during Spring sem

Edited by Anh Pham
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I think you should definitely do it. I applied to many microbio programs and they all asked about upper division science classes, generally expecting everyone to have taken a year of ochem. Most programs expect at least a year of biology, calculus, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. I recommend you take a year of biochem as well. If you know what programs you plan on applying to, this information should be in their admissions requirements. 

Edited by nutellarain
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I think you should definitely do it. I applied to many microbio programs and they all asked about upper division science classes, generally expecting everyone to have taken a year of ochem. Most programs expect at least a year of biology, calculus, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. I recommend you take a year of biochem as well. If you know what programs you plan on applying to, this information should be in their admissions requirements. 

I agree 100% with this, so much research today requires a solid understanding of proteins and genes, biochemistry gives your the foundation necessary. In modern biomedical research you can't skimp out on the chemistry.

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Where I do my undergrad, "full-time student" status is 12-17 credits. I've taken between 14-18 each semester, but 1 credit is always band and the past two years I've used research for 3 credits each semester. So 14 "real credits"

 

One tip, for those who are less math-oriented, all of the programs I considered would accept 1 semester of calculus and 1 of statistics instead of 2 of calculus, which is something to consider.

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I am just wondering how many credits do you guys usually take in one semester?

 

Mine doesn't translate well because I was on the quarter system, but I will say this, try not to take more than 3 upper div. science courses at any one time. 

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Mine doesn't translate well because I was on the quarter system, but I will say this, try not to take more than 3 upper div. science courses at any one time.

Yes! This is solid advice. The semester I took Calc 3, biochem 2, pchem 2, analytical chem, and biophysical chem in the same semester it almost pushed me to the limits of my sanity. At least only one required a lab!

Edited by ERR_Alpha
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Yes! This is solid advice. The semester I took Calc 3, biochem 2, pchem 2, analytical chem, and biophysical chem in the same semester it almost pushed me to the limits of my sanity. At least only one required a lab!

Inorganic chem 2, pchem 2, analytical chem 1, behavioral genetics, plus Physics Lab...was a rough winter quarter. 

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Inorganic chem 2, pchem 2, analytical chem 1, behavioral genetics, plus Physics Lab...was a rough winter quarter. 

 

Inorganic lecture/lab, biochemistry, microbial genetics, and cell biology for fall semester....Inorganic here is the "Dreaded course" and is considered to be death even without any other science courses

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Haha. I am very happy that you guys answer my questions so quickly. 

 

I am currently registering: Bioengineering, Biological instrumentation, Dianostic parasitogy and molecular. Tbh, I am feeling that I will not be able to get straight As and study for GRE at the same time.

 

Probably I will take Biological instrumentation next year

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Inorganic lecture/lab, biochemistry, microbial genetics, and cell biology for fall semester....Inorganic here is the "Dreaded course" and is considered to be death even without any other science courses

 

I had a tough time even with science friends explaining what inorganic was. I always got the, "Isn't that just Gen. Chem? How could it possibly be so hard?" I did have a blast in that lab though, felt like Walter White. 

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I never took organic (I only took my 2 semesters of gen chem) and I am doing fine in the micro application process. However, I am applying to ecology-centered programs so perhaps that has something to do with it.

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Haha. I am very happy that you guys answer my questions so quickly. 

 

I am currently registering: Bioengineering, Biological instrumentation, Dianostic parasitogy and molecular. Tbh, I am feeling that I will not be able to get straight As and study for GRE at the same time.

 

Probably I will take Biological instrumentation next year

You could always do the GRE during the summer break or schedule it so that you take the exam soon after the fall semester starts. With the GRE I honestly most prepared for the quantitative section and it was just by doing sample math problems so I could get the feel for what kind of math it expected me to know. None of the questions were terrible difficult and the verbal section was mostly a lot of reading comprehension and logic based questions.

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