[steddyeddy]

Originally Posted by Anthony16

Id like to get peoples opinions on whether ye think there is more understanding involved in biochemistry as opposed to other subjects?A classmate of mine who is mind bogglingly brilliant at anatomy struggled to just pass an MCQ on biochem(think he got 50%). A friend and i discussed this and he believes its because there is a larger need to understand what is going on in biochemistry. Personally,im not sure I totaly agree with this,it seems pretty similar to the rest of the modules to me but a lot of my classmates struggled with it and they are all really bright kids.

Well I'll put it this way. I find biochemistry at all levels really easy and physiology quite tough. my mate who's a doctor finds biochem really had and phys quite easy. There's not a real difference in our respective intelligences and I can only put it down to interest in the subject.

I love biochemistry and my mate loves phys. We both research various aspects of it for fun and that plays a major part in how well we will do in the subject.

There has been a gradual decline in the popularity in biochemistry and some universities are even trying to phase it out. This year in UCD only 7 people going into third year will have picked it as a degree choice. The only reason why I'm not worried is because biochemistry will always be needed. It underpins the basics of all life sciences.

The modules that are offered to med students and first year biological science students involve learning pathways like gluconeogenisis, the pentose phosphate pathway or basic molecular structures like nucleotides or amino acids. I think there should be a greater emphasis on working in labs and working with basic biogenic substances rather than rattle off pathways.

Understanding for me came when I could work with these molecules. Modifying genes or enzymes really gave me an understanding of how biochemistry is relevant.

[chanste]

Passed my finals! Chuffed!

[donkeyoaty0099]

Well done chanste! On the biochem thing, do they still teach it with loads of reaction cycles? Krebs cycle etc? I'm all for students understanding ehat happens and why at each stage of a cycle, but having to learn the f-ing thing off by heart is rubbish. I hated biochem at undergraduate but now love it at PhD level, strange how things change.

[PhysiologyRocks]

Bringing belated news of the fact that I am all graduated up!

[RobFowl]

Originally Posted by PhysiologyRocks

Bringing belated news of the fact that I am all graduated up!

Well done and congratulations

[sillymoo]

Originally Posted by PhysiologyRocks

Bringing belated news of the fact that I am all graduated up!

Well done to you and AI and the rest of the class of 2013! Enjoy this period of partying, holidays and graduating - have a ball and make the most if it! This time next year you will be envious of the class of 2014 as you head on call...

[hazelnutoc]

Hi
I am a 26 year old Irish lady who is a third year nursing student in the U.K just about to qualify and I am thinking of taking a pre medical exam in 2014 to study medicine in Prague.
Good idea or bad one!! All help and advice is greatly appreciated

[Saracarroll]

Originally Posted by hazelnutoc

Hi
I am a 26 year old Irish lady who is a third year nursing student in the U.K just about to qualify and I am thinking of taking a pre medical exam in 2014 to study medicine in Prague.
Good idea or bad one!! All help and advice is greatly appreciated

From what I hear, they are easy to get into but hard to stay in once you are there. Also, I think it is pretty hard to get an internship back here after

[PhysiologyRocks]

I got a lovely intern post!