AP Biology Credit

[idealisticx]

I took AP Biology in high school and got a 5 on the exam. UCSD gave me 8 units and exempted me from taking the lower-division Biology classes (BILD 1-2). If I do enroll in the lower-division Bio courses, I will not receive any additional units. Should I take these courses(and not get units) or just stick with the upper-division Biology courses? Would any medical schools mind that I did not take the general Bio classes in college but the upper-division ones instead(i.e. physiology, cell, molecular biology)?

Thank you! 🙂

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[osumc2014]

I would take the upper level division classes. In fact, I did exactly the same thing, got out of basic bio and am just taking microbio (my major) and having no problems studying for MCATs (really basic bio). Med schools do not care that you didn't take lower level bio classes as long as you make it up with the upper level classes. However, there are a few exceptions but I believe it's only 2 schools and I am not applying to them that's all I know.

 

[jka0067]

I also received AP credit for biology. From personal experience, I'd recommend waiting a semester before jumping into upper-level coursework, because you don't know how you'll react to college life. It sounds preachy, but it's safe.

EDIT: Unless you're already spent a year at college. Then go nuts.

 

[idealisticx]

So the majority of medical schools don't require one year of general(lower-division) Biology, right? According to the SOM admission sites that I visited, one year of college-level Biology is required, yet it does not ask for general biology (as opposed to "general chemistry" which is required. In essence, this means that I can fulfill my Bio requirements by taking at least three quarters of upper-division Biology, correct? I apologize if this question sounds redundant; I just wanted to clarify. 🙂 Thank you!

 

[jwied73]

I would take the lower level biology classes. The most effective tool for learning is repetition- and if you can really nail the concepts in Gen Bio 1 and 2, your advanced bio courses will go much smoother. I knew a guy in college who dual-enrolled in high school and took college Bio. When he got to A&P his sophomore year, he had a tough time with it because it had been so long since he had Bio.

 

[dynezxice]

I would take the lower level biology classes. The most effective tool for learning is repetition- and if you can really nail the concepts in Gen Bio 1 and 2, your advanced bio courses will go much smoother. I knew a guy in college who dual-enrolled in high school and took college Bio. When he got to A&P his sophomore year, he had a tough time with it because it had been so long since he had Bio.

There's not much relation betw gen bio and A&P, except the basics like the systems, and even then, you can read that on your own time. Gen bio is really broad and beats around the bush, whereas A&P is more focused and specific in a particular topic.

 

[dynezxice]

So the majority of medical schools don't require one year of general(lower-division) Biology, right? According to the SOM admission sites that I visited, one year of college-level Biology is required, yet it does not ask for general biology (as opposed to "general chemistry" which is required. In essence, this means that I can fulfill my Bio requirements by taking at least three quarters of upper-division Biology, correct? I apologize if this question sounds redundant; I just wanted to clarify. 🙂 Thank you!

Usually it's implied that as a premed requirement, college-level biology is gen bio...although in some schools they also accept zoology.

I also took AP credit for Bio and went straight to upper-level classes and haven't regretted it since. why take a course again when you already know the material when instead you can learn more of bio thru upper-levels?

my .02 cents

 

[idealisticx]

According to some medical school requirements, such as UC Davis (http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/ome/admissions/requirements.html), one year of lower-division Biology is required. 🙁 I'm guessing this means that I can't get away from just taking upper-division courses?

 

[aixoise]

i was in the same boat, at another school, and i had to forfeit my credit and take bio. check with the premed advisor at your school before you schedule.

 

[jwied73]

There's not much relation betw gen bio and A&P, except the basics like the systems, and even then, you can read that on your own time. Gen bio is really broad and beats around the bush, whereas A&P is more focused and specific in a particular topic.

If you don't have the concepts down from Gen Bio, you're not going anywhere in A&P. Some people may be able to just pick up a book and catch up as they go along, but I think most people need the repetition to really retain and understand information.
A&P really isn't that focused, IMO. Sure it deals with a more specific topic than Gen Bio, but still only covers the basics on a tremendous amount of topics.

 

[dynezxice]

According to some medical school requirements, such as UC Davis (http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/ome/admissions/requirements.html), one year of lower-division Biology is required. 🙁 I'm guessing this means that I can't get away from just taking upper-division courses?

Not for UC Davis. Then again, it says on their site they don't accept AP credit, so you're lucked out anyways if you keep your AP credits.

 

[Perfectionist]

so which med schools require General biology as opposed to upper level biology classes...because from the schools I emailed, they all said as long as your college gives your credits (8 for most colleges) then you're fine...since rather than taking a year of biology again, can't you just study biology for the MCAT on your own when the time comes?

 

[idealisticx]

Do the majority of medical schools require one year of lower-division/general biology classes (as opposed to "college-level" biology -- including upper-division)?

 

[spyderracing32]

Do the majority of medical schools require one year of lower-division/general biology classes (as opposed to "college-level" biology -- including upper-division)?

That seems incredibly counter-intuitive. Why would they accept someone with 2 semesters of Gen Bio but not accept someone who didn't take gen bio and went right to Neurobio and Genetics? The latter has clearly shown they have mastered the former.

 

[idealisticx]

I couldn't agree more. But some medical schools (i.e UCD, UCLA, UCSF) strictly require at least a year of general/lower-division Biology. 🙁

 

[osumc2014]

Do the majority of medical schools require one year of lower-division/general biology classes (as opposed to "college-level" biology -- including upper-division)?

To put it simply, yes. If you have received AP credit you have to still take a year of Bio of some sort.