Dropped Organic Chemistry

[chanchan]

Hi all,

 

Totally new to the forum... and to grad school apps.

I was originally nonchalant about applying to schools out of sheer fear of facing the daunting task.

Now I'm scrambling to start but have nagging questions. Any help would be appreciated.

 

I always assumed I would go to grad school but never gave much thought to what specific field within biosciences (dumb, I know. I still have yet to take the GRE). I graduated this year with a B.S. in Genetics, Cell & Developmental biology and I currently work in a bioinformatics dry lab. I have done some research on schools now and have decided I would like to pursue biomedical sciences/molecular pharmacology rather than bioinformatics. I have researched in a translational wet lab for a year as well and much prefer it to what I do now. 

 

I am worried that my undergraduate training is not sufficient for what I am now interested in studying. 

I completed one semester of O. Chem with a B in the lecture and A in the lab (A+ in both semesters of gen chem). I absolutely hated O Chem and was taking 19 credits during the second semester. My major advisor told me I didn't need two semesters of O Chem for my degree and so I dropped it. I was also not required to take Biochemistry, so I did not.

 

My question is: Am I not prepared/qualified for a biomedical PhD program due to my lack of O Chem and Biochemistry? Should I explain the W on my transcript? This also actually happened with physics. Was overloaded and my advisor said I only needed one semester to graduate so I dropped second semester of general physics. 

 

Sorry for the long post. I hope if there are others in this situation they can benefit from any responses, too!

[Monochrome Spring]

I think that the lack of biochemistry and organic chemistry may hurt your applications, but to what degree will depend entirely on the specific programs that you are applying to. A lot of graduate programs will list their course requirements that they want you to have taken before you enter the program. You can see if they list organic chemistry and biochemistry. Also, a lot of programs will simply have you take those courses at the undergraduate level as part of your graduate course plan if you are missing them. Definitely look at the program websites to see what they suggest. And if you can't find the information there, call the graduate admissions secretary; they usually know the requirements or can get you in contact with someone who does.

[chanchan]

Thanks for the reply, Monochrome Spring!

I have checked the prerequisites for my schools and only one lists specifically a full year of organic chemistry.

I am worried more so now about biochemistry as they all say it should be apart of completed coursework.

I plan on calling the coordinators of the programs because I have lab experience with biochemistry and most of my upper division classes touched on biochemistry (cell biology, animal phys, molecular basis of diabetes, etc.). But I did not ever take the specific general biochemistry course my university offered.

I am hoping the biochem subject test will be enough to prove I am competent in biochem without having taken the course.

[feelingsupersonic]

Thanks for the reply, Monochrome Spring!

I have checked the prerequisites for my schools and only one lists specifically a full year of organic chemistry.

I am worried more so now about biochemistry as they all say it should be apart of completed coursework.

I plan on calling the coordinators of the programs because I have lab experience with biochemistry and most of my upper division classes touched on biochemistry (cell biology, animal phys, molecular basis of diabetes, etc.). But I did not ever take the specific general biochemistry course my university offered.

I am hoping the biochem subject test will be enough to prove I am competent in biochem without having taken the course.

Did you get a resolution on this? I'm in the same boat, have never taken biochemistry at my university but am familiar with it through labwork.