<br/>Biochemistry embodies the molecular basis of the chemistry of life, while unifying and strongly contributing to many other scientific disciplines. In addition, Biochemistry is a complex discipline incorporating knowledge from several biological disciplines. In order to gain a more profound understanding of the central concepts of Biochemistry, students must have a strong understanding of Chemistry prerequisite material. In fact, in addition to fundamentals of biology, biochemistry builds on important topics, concepts, and trends previously learned in other Chemistry courses. These essential prerequisite material will be briefly described. Throughout the Biochemistry course, students should be able to build upon what they have learned in previous chapters as the focus gradually shifts from monomers to polymers and ultimately to complex biochemical systems. It comes as no surprise that Biochemistry is becoming increasingly valued in the premedical and health professional undergraduate science curriculum. Indeed, the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), a computer-based standardized multiple-choice examination for prospective medical students in the United States, now has a more profound focus on Biochemistry. The MCAT was recently revised and medical school faculty explicitly identified Biochemistry as the most important discipline for later mastery of medical school curricula. The presenter will discuss examples of Biochemistry course topics that have been identified as essential for a one-semester survey course of Biochemistry for Health Science majors. Additionally, strategies for practicing and strengthening process skills which are highly sought after by professional programs in health related fields, such as critical analysis of data, will be discussed.<br/>

Implementation of optimum course content and key process skills in a one-semester undergraduate biochemistry course as preparation for taking the medical college admission test (MCAT)

254th National Meeting (2017)

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