4 hardcore science courses a semester?

[tuanpro]

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Hi. I'm about to take 4 science classes upcoming fall. Would it be too horrendous? Anyone would recommend it? Thanks
Biochem I
Physics II Calc based
Cell Biology
Anatomy and Physiology

 

[pitupua]

sounds pretty horrible to me.

 

[PhiPhenomenon]

Hi. I'm about to take 4 science classes upcoming fall. Would it be too horrendous? Anyone would recommend it? Thanks
Biochem I
Physics II Calc based
Cell Biology
Anatomy and Physiology

I'm doing it now and yes it is.

Molecular & Cellular Biol
Chem II & Orgo (UBC has to do everything ass-backwards, don't ask why)
Physiology
Physics II
Biol II

It's a bitch but it 'can' be done but that doesn't necessarily mean it 'should' be done. If you have nothing but time to study and have the energy, go for it. If not, eh...

 

[Catalystik]

That does seem a bit intense. Hoepfully, only 1-2 of them have associated labs. If there are more than that, you might rethink the plan.

 

[Cornu Ammonis]

I did this last year and all I can say is that there is only one upside: everything afterwards seems easy.

 

[flatearth22]

There's no point taking a tougher courseload than necessary because you risk hurting your GPA. Just take some token upper level classes before you apply to show adcoms you can handle them but spread them out so you can focus on them and do well on them.

You're actually better off saving the hard courses in your major for the year that you apply since it won't really affect your chances then. Med school admissions is one big game. Play the game to win, OP.

[youtube]YNooFZPfmgE[/youtube]

 

[PhiPhenomenon]

i did this last year and all i can say is that there is only one upside: Everything afterwards seems easy.

+1

 

[Dranger]

I'd rather take an extra semester or summer course then do that load with labs. Rethink your plan man. Why calc based physics? Just do algebra based.

I took A&P I/II for nursing school. I know it looks good on applications but why not wait and do it as a compression during the summer instead of the regular academic year?

 

[music2doc]

Hi. I'm about to take 4 science classes upcoming fall. Would it be too horrendous? Anyone would recommend it? Thanks
Biochem I
Physics II Calc based
Cell Biology
Anatomy and Physiology

I had a very similar semester (Ochem II w/ Lab, Physics I Adv Calc w/ Lab, Cell Bio, Physio w/ Lab, Chem Special Topics course + taught a chem lab + work and other ECs) and, while it wasn't "easy" I wouldn't say it was too bad (I had no problem pulling straight A's that semester). I think it's doable, but it really depends upon who you are and what is manageable for you. It's crucial you assess your own ability here. As others have said, it isn't necessarily a case of can you do it but should you do it (and in that case, I would propose the question "why do you want to do it?" If you need to...then do it, but if not, spread things out for yourself).

 

[notbobtrustme]

*******, i took 6 upper division science classes for three semesters.

It's only hard if you don't take it seriously.

 

[PhiPhenomenon]

*******, i took 6 upper division science classes for three semesters.

It's only hard if you don't take it seriously.

Not all upper level science courses are created equal.

 

[DahlkeA]

*******, i took 6 upper division science classes for three semesters.

It's only hard if you don't take it seriously.

This is going to be me for the next 3 semesters. After this semester all my core classes are done... As a Microbiology major all i have left is upper division bio and chem classes... I can't wait... not

 

[Thego2guy]

I'd rather take an extra semester or summer course then do that load with labs. Rethink your plan man. Why calc based physics? Just do algebra based.

I took A&P I/II for nursing school. I know it looks good on applications but why not wait and do it as a compression during the summer instead of the regular academic year?

This has been somewhat touched upon in other forums, but is algebra based physics actually easier than calc based? Does it, or does it not make a difference in adcom's eyes which one you take? I was always confused about this subject. Don't know which one to take myself.

OP, nice load. Its not a nice load if you are doing research + community service + leadership activity + volunteering at a hospital. Might want to consider everything into an equation.

 

[tuanpro]

I take physics Calc-based because I major in Biochem and it is a required physics. Idk, maybe it will be helpful when I reached PChem. I will be volunteering so i think i wont be able to handle it.

 

[plumhill]

I personally draw the line at three, but hey, if you can do it all the more power to ya. If you find that your workload is too much to manage, don't be afraid to drop a course.

 

[tuanpro]

I personally draw the line at three, but hey, if you can do it all the more power to ya. If you find that your workload is too much to manage, don't be afraid to drop a course.

I may take one class off and take it in the summer. But even if that's the solution, should I take biochem 1 or physics 2 off?
Is it even good to take only 3 science courses a semester and nothing else, which is equivalent to 11-12 credits while the average is like 15 credits? Would that be kind of slow to meet up with the graduation? Or should I add in a core requirement class? My head is spinning right now.

 

[JESSFALLING]

I would base it on your past performance. If you've taken three before, and done well, then go for it.

 

[notbobtrustme]

Not all upper level science courses are created equal.

I majored in Bio and Chem at the same time so I had, in one semester, Micro, Immuno, Phys Chem, Linear Algebra, Calc 3 and Ecology.

 

[kpcrew]

Once I took 4 advanced science courses along with an econ course while working in a lab. I learned a lot but it sucked, so I don't recommend it. I had 4 exams in 3 days right before spring break and that was a pretty terrible week. You'll probably be spending a lot of time studying so do it if you have good time management skills but avoid it if you can.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

I personally draw the line at three, but hey, if you can do it all the more power to ya. If you find that your workload is too much to manage, don't be afraid to drop a course.

This. No more than three "hard sciences" together at once. Its not about getting the As. I would like to learn the material AND still have free time to do ECs or fun stuff not related to academics.

 

[PhiPhenomenon]

I majored in Bio and Chem at the same time so I had, in one semester, Micro, Immuno, Phys Chem, Linear Algebra, Calc 3 and Ecology.

Micro - rofl
Immuno - rofl
Phys Chem - challenging
Linear Algebra - challenging
Calc 3 - rofl (Calc II's little sister)
Ecology - Depends on the prof. Some make it easy, others, not so much.

This was fun 🙂

 

[plumhill]

I may take one class off and take it in the summer. But even if that's the solution, should I take biochem 1 or physics 2 off?
Is it even good to take only 3 science courses a semester and nothing else, which is equivalent to 11-12 credits while the average is like 15 credits? Would that be kind of slow to meet up with the graduation? Or should I add in a core requirement class? My head is spinning right now.

I never take science classes exclusively (I'm also a philosophy major...but even if I wasn't...). I find taking at least one or two humanities/social sciences course along with my science classes keeps me more sane.