Chemistry in PA school?

[gibsml1]

Of all the pre req's required for PA schools, chemistry is the nastiest. I worked super hard and did pretty well, but it's still a problem subject for me. In the book, Getting Into The PA School of Your Choice, the author asys that if you struggled in chemistry, then you would have a lot of difficulty in PA school. I have spoken to PA program directors at open houses, and they said the program was not chem intensive. In fact, they said just "get through it" that they would be more focused on A&P along with Microbiology throughout the didactic year. Does anyone have input/experience on this?

[flyingsquirrel]

General chem and organic chem have very little (directly) to do with anything. Biochem (at least the parts of it that deal with metabolic pathways) is very important for understanding normal metabolism, genetic and metabolic defects, and pharmacology. That being said, what is important for PA school from biochem is not always what is stressed in undergrad biochem classes.

Take as much micro, advanced micro, pathogenic micro (bacteriology, virology), and immunology as you can. It will serve you well. Cell biology and molecular biology will also help if you have the chance to take them.

[jen0508]

i dont remember there being any chemistry in PA school. you might need to know some very basic chem for pathophys, but thats all i can think of

 

maybe the author is just saying if you struggled with a prereq, the vigorous nature of PA school may not be for you

[cinntsp]

Biochem is helpful. General and organic...not so much.