Can I Take Biochemistry Without Taking Introduction to Chemistry?

[enileg]

Would anatomy, physiology, and microbiology be enough? I already took those three classes, but I skipped introduction to chemistry because I took it in high school (2 years ago), and did not want to retake that in college. Instead, I thought I'd skip introduction to chem. and organic chemistry. But, do I really need those to chem. classes for biochem? How hard is biochemistry, for those of you who took it?

 

[Amy]

If you did well in high school (AP?) chemistry, then you can skip intro to chem. I'd be more wary of skipping organic chem if it's listed as a prerequisite. You can probably get away with it if you're willing to look up the chemistry that you don't understand. Usually biochemistry is offered by the biology department and organic chem by the chemistry department, so the professors don't really coordinate.

How hard it is will mostly depend on your professor (or TA). I don't remember having much trouble, but then, I'd already taken at least a year of chemistry.

 

[adam]

I totally agree with Amy. It really does depend on the professor. I took biochem I and II. Biochem I was taught by a professor who majored in chemistry during his undergrad years but then got his PhD in biochemistry. You could tell he loved chemistry because there was quite a bit of it on every test. But then in biochem II the professor taught the course like it was straight biology.

Tell ya what....follow this link http://web.virginia.edu/Heidi/home.htm

It's an EXCELLENT virtual biochem text book. Browse through the chapters just to get an idea of what you'll be covering when you do take the course.

If you feel comfortable with most of it then go for it. In my personal experience I have to say I'm glad I had a few chem courses under my belt before taking biochem.

Good Luck!