organic chem and bio chem?

[cookderosa]

Hi! I'm looking at an accelerated BSN program. One of the requirements is "advanced science class." I asked for a list of class titles that would work, and the list included:

Physics 1

Organic Chemistry

Bio Chemistry

Now, my question is, what is the difference between bio chemistry and organic chemistry? As I look at several websites, I'm seeing class titles like "Organic and Bio Chemistry" being taught as one class. I'm also seeing Organic Chem 1 and 2, and then Biochemistry. Which is higher? Which would be a better class? What would normally be the sequence of these?

I will have completed General Chemistry 2 by the time I register, but have never taken math higher than intermediate algebra. Suggestions?

[Michaelxy]

Well, let me say this about that. O-chem and bio-chem are pretty much the same thing as they both deal with organic molecules. Now here is the thing, Bio-chem is usually a follow on from O-chem as Bio-chem assumes an understanding of the former. O-chem often misleads people into believing that it is the study of living things such as a leaf, and albeit this is true, but many are surprised to learn that petroleum, gasoline, and plastics are all organic as well--so be careful the next time you buy organically grown veggies, they could have been grown with oil based fertilizer.

Okay, back to the topic, organic is carbon based molecules and the planet is full of em. Bio-chem focuses more on the chemistry as it applies to biological organisms. For example, in bio chem you will learn that glucose (C6H12O6 a organic molecule) will be phosphorolated and then cleaved by an enzyme called aldolase, and the result is 2 phosphorolated carbon molecules that are isomeric to each other. This was about half the steps involved in glycolysis which occurs before the citric cycle.

Now why did I go through all that wanky dee doo da hoopla? Well, if that sounded strange to you, I would say that this is because your o-chem background is weak. Get my point? Usual progression is o-chem, then bio-chem. That is not to say you could not pass Bio without the other chem discipline, only it will be somewhat more tricky. My suggestion is O-chem first. :)

[caliotter3]

Most schools require org chem before biochem. Others integrate biochem into the end of the org chem semester in course sequences where there is no separate course for biochem, such as basic chem courses for nonchem majors.

[cookderosa]

THANK you both!! The BSN program is hospital based, thus my gen eds have to be taken elsewhere....so I am only just looking at catalogs without much real advising. You both were very helpful. Thank you!