I wanted to get a head start on medical biochemistry, so I wanted to know what books I should buy.

Should I buy all the books on the list provided on the SABA website?

If not, then what books should I buy from that list?

What other books are needed for this subject?

Thanks!!

Why would you want to start trying to learn Biochem now? That's a second semester course..and you may not be emphasizing the high yield material you will need for the step 1 just reading the book. Don't break your head on biochem...if you do anything, start memorizing lower limb in netter's anatomy...if you do anything.
Most students here use Guyton's Biochem and the BRS for biochem.

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PGY-1 Psychiatry

Hey Bolly,
I'm a first semster going into second and I asked upper semesters what books I should get.... For biochem, I was told to get Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews : Biochemistry (3rd edition) and BRS biochemistry...

Also, I agree with Wolf....
My advise to you is you should start studying when you get here because you're going to have plenty of time to study and it will be more efficient. Enjoy the time you have now and just relax. That's the advise many doctor's gave to me when I told them that I wanted to start studying before I got to the rock.

About that Guytons biochem...I think wolf meant Guytons Physiology. That's the books 2nd semester students use for Physio. Oh yeah, one more thing...Physiology is harder than Biochemistry here (in 2nd semester). Hope this helps....

ok thsi is probably a stupid question, but what is BRS? is it a brand like kaplan or some thing else? sould i get BRS for all the courses i take in saba? if so is there like a auther for this?? i am planning to get all my books from the saba online bookstore, can i get them there?
thanks

P,

BRS stands for Board Review Series. It's a review book for medical school subjects. They are useful for your classes and when you prepare for Step 1. They run about $30 (give or take a couple of bucks). I don't suggest buying one for all your subjects, but just for the major subjects like gross anatomy & histology (1st semester), physiology (2nd semester) <--I heard this one is a bible..., etc. Yes, they do have them on the online bookstore (www.universitybooksonline.com) but it is expensive.

thanks for the quick reply. is there a particular brand? i mean by a particular publisher etc? woldfgang, whats your take on this?
thanks

Salutations "bolly01":

Studying Medical Biochemistry? Wow, you are way ahead of the game there buddy. If I were you, I'd save all the braincells for Gross Anatomy first. I heard that course is a killer. I would also recommend getting the BRS for the major subjects. I've read tons of posts by people who swear by them. Ciao.

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"To achieve success, you must first define success."

Why do you say lower limbs, is that covered first? Any chance you would like to share what you covered in the first 6 or so weeks of anatomy? Thanks

From one of Wolf's earlier posts, lower limb is the first subject covered in Gross. It's also (IMHO), the easiest section to start with. Enjoy.

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IHMS,

omega's

Yes, lower limb is covered first. I honestly have no idea why...I'm just speculating, but perhaps it is thought to be less traumatic emotionally to dissect a human body from the bottom up...or maybe it is easier? For me, the blocks seemed to get easier and easier as I moved through the semester.
We have five blocks:

Block 1: Lower limb. This was hardest for me, maybe because it was all so new to have to memorize so much while getting adjusted to island life, the expectations at med school, an entirely different culture altogether than rural Texas. We only had two weeks in this block. A crash course, almost. Many failed this block.
Block 2: Upper Limb. Slightly easier than lower limb, I think only because I was finally gettting used to the island and school, and started to figure out how to study a little...and now we had 3 weeks in this and following blocks.
Block 3: Abdomen and Thorax. For me, this material was easier. Maybe it's because througout my prior education internal organs and systems were always stressed above muscles of the limbs. Also, I had progressed in my personal adjustment to this place. Finally got a study strategy that worked.
Block 4: Head and Neck The most interesting and easiest so far for me
Block 5: Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat, and Comprehensive Review Mostly review...so how well you do here depends largely on how hard you worked up until the final. Everything is on the final...and don't forget that embryology is taught along with anatomy here each block.

Now, right before finals I think I am finally putting things together so I can see the big picture in my courses. I wish I could have made more clinical correalations and gained deeper understanding earlier in the semester, but I was too busy memorizing stuff all the time just to score a decent mark. I think that is true for the majority of students. But it is a good experience to feel like I am finally understanding most of what I have memorized, however late in the semester. Only few students appear to be in danger of failing; many of us could fail the final exam and still pass...but that is because we worked very hard already.
Good luck
~W

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PGY-1 Psychiatry