Bio 1 and Lab in 7 weeks?

[CaptainObvious]

Afternoon all.

Class selection for the Summer A and B sessions is opening up on Monday. I have been waived by my advisor into Bio 1 and Lab without having first taken Intro to Bio. I haven't had a straight Bio class in a long time, but I've been a medic for many years and feel like I have a pretty strong science background.

The Summer A session is 7 weeks long. Of course, I'm shooting for the A. Is this a bad idea or what? If an A is doable, I don't mind taking it during summer. If an A is unlikely, I'll wait until Fall. I just don't want to sacrifice my GPA for speed.

Also, will the condensed nature of this class have a negative impact come MCAT time?

Suggestions?

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[ChE04]

I did this with Bio 1 (mine was a 6 week session). It was a pain in the ass (lab every day, ugh), but totally doable if you're motivated. It might be worth mentioning that when I took bio 1, I had just taken Bio 2 and biochem the previous (Spring) semester, so I had had a little bit of exposure to the material. Regardless, I feel like I could have handled it either way. I was also working part time, and keeping up my volunteering gigs.

At the state U where I took it, the total classroom time was the same as during a regular semester, so they covered all the same material, we just had a test about every 1.5 weeks. For what it's worth, I'm taking the MCAT next week and I don't feel that taking it this way put me at any disadvantage.

 

[Econ2MD]

If you are able to dedicate time to it without many other obligations, it will be completely manageable.

Especially with Bio I. If you were considering an upper level bio with introductory courses taken years and years ago, it might give one pause.

Go for it. Everyone's different, but if you are struggling early drop it and take it in the fall.

 

[nabeel76]

First off, I am not sure what you mean you were waived into Bio 1? The premedical requirement biology 1 does not have any prereqs associated with it as far as I have seen. The prereq bio (bio 1) is considered "introductory biology."

Anyways, I had been out of school for over 12 years and did not have any background in bio and immediately started off with biology 101 and didn't find it too hard. Although I didn't take bio 101 in the summer, the summer sessions at my uni are 6 weeks long and people often take even harder courses such as Ochem + lab, biochem + lab, etc. and do just fine. I took physics + lab one summer session and then genetics + lab + a humanities course during another session and did just fine. Don't get me wrong, I had to work my but off during those sessions but it was definitely doable. Take it, you'll be fine.

 

[CaptainObvious]

First off, I am not sure what you mean you were waived into Bio 1? The premedical requirement biology 1 does not have any prereqs associated with it as far as I have seen. The prereq bio (bio 1) is considered "introductory biology."

At my school, a 2 year State College, in order to enter Bio 1, you must have acheived a certain SAT/ACT score, or have had Intro to Biology first. Well, obviously, a 20+ year old SAT score is meaningless, and I haven't had Intro. But the advisor had no problems waiving those requirements based on my work in the medical field.

Thanks to all for the encouragement. Looks like I'll give Bio 1 a shot in the summer. I'm certainly not averse to working hard to slam dunk this class. I'll also be taking an online World Civ. class that's writing intensive, but I don't see that as having too much impact.

BTW, Econ, I don't anticipate having to drop, but how does that reflect on one's transcript? Does it show as a W that you'll have to explain later?

 

[MandaKay16]

Bio 1 in the summer is deff. possible - Just make sure you study and have a firm understanding of what is being taught, as this is the Bio class that will set you up for all the rest.

I had several friends who just blew through Bio 1 and just memorized what they needed to in order to make a decent grade on Exams - this hurt them incredibly bad when they had upper level Bio Classes and needed to understand .. for example: Cellular respiration has how many stages and what are they .. (3; Glycolysis, Citric Acid Cycle, & Oxidative phosphorylation) and to know what each of these does...

Just make sure you understand what is going on and you should be fine 🙂 - It's very doable

Good Luck

 

[spiderpete]

Yep. Do-able. I did Bio I, Chem I w/ labs in 6 weeks, then Bio II, Chem II w/ labs next 6 weeks for a 4.0.

Goodbye summer, hello library. Study hard

 

[jadealer]

I always found summer classes easier than regular term classes.

 

[domoloft11]

Totally doable! I took Bio 1A and 1B in the summer and although it took up LOTS of time, you can definitely do it and get that A! The key is to stay on top over EVERYTHING!

Just some tips that might help...

• Keep up with the readings, do your best to stay at least a day ahead and not fall behind!
• Try to get ahead w/ pre-labs and write-ups (I had lab every other day and made sure to do both pre-labs on the weekends before which helped save me time during the week to just focus on readings and assignments.)
• Make flashcards/notes ahead of time (probably after doing reading/going to lecture) so that once the test date comes you'll be ready to go!
• Get to know your professor! Summer classes are great because the class size is usually rather small which allows the prof to get to know you. This really helps once that LOR is needed.

Summer school pace is fast but it's no excuse! Just remember to take breaks so you don't burn out. Good luck with it all! You'll do just fine! 🙂

 

[CaptainObvious]

Wow! You guys are hard-core! Now you got me thinking maybe I should do Bio II during Summer B!

I'm definitely in for Bio I. and World Civ. If I can swing the $$ maybe Bio II and Public Speaking during the B session.

 

[jsp132]

what about physics 1 in a summer session of 6-7 weeks or whatever?

I tried taking a summer session in calculus and after two weeks i dropped because I didn't grasp the concepts fully

so i took it in the regular semester and did fine

 

[sgtbrushes]

Yup, you're fine with taking Bio 1 in the summer. Don't feel pressured to take much more. I assume you're about to finish your first year of college; if you start your second year done with a semester of chem and bio, you'll be in good shape.

 

[spiderpete]

what about physics 1 in a summer session of 6-7 weeks or whatever?

I tried taking a summer session in calculus and after two weeks i dropped because I didn't grasp the concepts fully

so i took it in the regular semester and did fine

I avoided physics and orgo in summer. I did not think I would have enough time to absorb the concepts. ,aybe it worked for others. Bio seems more straightforward, at least to me.

 

[CaptainObvious]

Yup, you're fine with taking Bio 1 in the summer. Don't feel pressured to take much more. I assume you're about to finish your first year of college; if you start your second year done with a semester of chem and bio, you'll be in good shape.

Not exactly. I've done things a bit out of order due to my previous 2 AS degrees. Now trying to finish up what remains for the AA while also completing the pre-reqs for my bachelors degree program (Clinical Lab Science - CLS) when I transfer to the State University.

Here's what I have left to do:

• Summer A - Bio 1
• Summer A- World Civ
• Summer B - Bio II
• Summer B - Public speaking
• Fall - College Algebra
• Fall - A&P I (CLS pre-req)
• Fall - American Politics
• Spring - A&P II (CLS pre-req)
• Spring - Stats

---------------------------------------------
TRANSFER TO STATE U.

Chem I & II
OChem I & II
Physics I & II
Microbiology

1. Required Courses in the Major (48 hrs)
   
   • BCH 3023C Biochemistry (3)
   • IHS 3101 Shaping Health Care in the 21st Century (3)
   • IHS 3203 Management & Leadership in Health Care Organizations (3)
   • IHS 4504 Research Methods in Health Care (3)
   • IHS 4938 Senior Seminar (3)
   • MLS 3038 Essentials of CLS (3)
   • MLS 3220 Biological Fluid Analysis (2)
   • MLS 4191 Molecular Diagnostics (3)
   • MLS 4308 Hematology/Hemostasis (3)
   • MLS 4404 Diagnostic Microbiology (3)
   • MLS 4462 Diagnostic Virology/Mycology/Parasitology (3)
   • MLS 4505 Clinical Immunology (2)
   • MLS 4550 Immunohematology & Transfusion (3)
   • MLS 4627 Clinical Biochemistry (3)
   • MLS 4820C Clinical Biochemistry Practicum (3)
   • MLS 4821C Clinical Microbiology Practicum (3)
   • MLS 4822C Clinical Hematology Practicum (3)
   • MLS 4823C Clinical Immunohematology Practicum (3)
   • MLS 4826C Clinical Immunology Practicum (2)
   • PCB 2336 Human Genetics (3)
   • PCB 4233C Immunology (3)

 

[MermaidMD]

Just a little contrasting advice with an eye towards the future...

I did a summer session at a local private university that covered a year's worth of physics in 9 weeks. Each "quarter" was 3 weeks long.

I got through it, but dropped my GPA from a 3.96 to a 3.6 and worse, never REALLY got a handle on the concepts taught. This has REALLY been a burden as I study for the MCAT.

Not telling you not to do it, just something else to consider.

 

[jsp132]

Just a little contrasting advice with an eye towards the future...

I did a summer session at a local private university that covered a year's worth of physics in 9 weeks. Each "quarter" was 3 weeks long.

I got through it, but dropped my GPA from a 3.96 to a 3.6 and worse, never REALLY got a handle on the concepts taught. This has REALLY been a burden as I study for the MCAT.

Not telling you not to do it, just something else to consider.

a years worth in 9 weeks? .......that's crazy

was it worth it in your opinion?

 

[MermaidMD]

a years worth in 9 weeks? .......that's crazy

was it worth it in your opinion?

Hahaha. Ask me again in 6-9 months when I see if I actually saved myself a year by doing so instead of waiting and taking it on a regular schedule this year. I was motivated because my only other option was to take it over the course of the regular school year at my post bac institution (which is a nasty 60 minute drive from home) from 7-10 at NIGHT.

Worth it is a funny choice of words, too, since I shelled out about $8K to destroy my GPA...

All that grouchiness aside, if I get into med school this year, I'll probably have a lot of positive things to say about my decision. =)

 

[kwantiko]

depends on your strengths.

are you a more math oriented person?

or does memorization come easy to you?


if the latter is the case, then bio will be fine. i have found that it really if only a matter of memorization. there aren't any real difficult concepts. as long as you are willing to put in the time for memorization, you will be fine.

i suggest using anki. google it. and if any concept seems too complicated, just break it down into smaller and smaller pieces.

 

[CaptainObvious]

are you a more math oriented person?

Not especially.

or does memorization come easy to you?

I don't know if "easy" is the word, but I've become more adept at it since my younger days.

i suggest using anki. google it. and if any concept seems too complicated, just break it down into smaller and smaller pieces.

Anki looks fantastic! Had no idea something like that existed. Will certainly be adding that to the toolbox.

 

[CaptainObvious]

On an interesting side note, I signed up for Bio I in Summer A and and attempted to sign up for Bio II in Summer B, but the system wouldn't allow that. When I asked the advisor to override me into Summer B Bio II, she told me that this is the new policy. Too many students were signing up for Bio I and II concurrently only to drop Bio I after the start of classes in order to make an end-around the Bio I pre-req for Bio II.

So they implemented this blanket restriction instead of just dealing with the problems. Bureaucracy at it's best.

Now I need to get a midterm performance eval. from the Bio I prof. in order to sign up for Bio II.

Such is life.

 

[EdLongshanks]

Not especially.

I don't know if "easy" is the word, but I've become more adept at it since my younger days.

Anki looks fantastic! Had no idea something like that existed. Will certainly be adding that to the toolbox.

Anki forces you into their methodology. I prefer the droid and iPhone app AnyMemo, you can input excel csv files and it creates a set of flash cards for the phone. Images are allowed. I've been using 2 screens in class, one to mark up and highlight, and the other to create flashcards in excel. The flash cards import directly to AnyMemo on my phone and I wake up each morning and go through my flash card stacks. The program uses a math algorithm on how often to present each card, and the algorithm is updated regularly to reflect current studies in memorization.

 

[garrett24]

Hey I just wanted to give you some encouragement. If you feel that you are strong in the sciences and have had a background in the medical field I think you will be fine taking it in the summer session. I took Bio I and Bio II in my summer sessions at my University and each class was 4 weeks long!!! Not to mention I took it with the toughest professor in the biology department, and he told us on the first day he was going to be as tough as he was in regular session. Needless to say I was scared out of my mind; however, I ended up with an A in each course and learned the material very well because I knew I had to study everyday so I wouldn't get behind. Plus I thought the professor was an amazing teacher tough, but actually made you learn it.

Good Luck with the Classes this Summer, I'll be taking them right along with you Physics in session I and O Chem II in session II ! 🙂

 

[jsp132]

I felt bio 1 out of all the maths and sciences was the easiest and what i'd take over the summertime

most of it is memorization of concepts not really too hard

I think you will do well

 

[CaptainObvious]

Ed: Thanks for the tip. I'll play with both and see which suits my needs.

Garrett: Thanks for the encouragement. 4weeks?! Wow - craziness!

jsp: I kind of figured that would be the case. I'm really trying to do well in my algebra class so I have the math for Chem and Physics.

 

[CaptainObvious]

So Bio 1 and Lab I are in the books. A's across the board. As most responders said, the info wasn't too tough but the time frame was pretty challenging. (2) 3-hour lectures /week and (2) 3-hour labs/week x 6 weeks. It's a lot of material to digest in such a short time.

The toughest part for me was by far genetics. It was the very last chapter we did and she literally blasted through it in about 40 minutes. My brain had trouble with the Punnet squares and I just didn't feel I had enough time to grasp the concepts for the test the NEXT DAY! But I made it.

I'm not sure I'll do another science over the summer though. I'll be doing Bio II and the Lab II in the Fall.

Thanks for all your advice!

 

[NuttyEngDude]

good job
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