Biology, Chemistry, and Physics at same time?

[Neurosis]

Due to schedule conflicts/personal issues I wasn't able to take Biology or Chemistry this semester. And because my school is so freaking stupid, I have to wait till next year to start the Bio/Chem sequence. Since I'm already behind my adviser said I should take Bio/Chem/Physics at the same time and then take O-chem/upper level sciences my junior year. So my schedule is probably going to be something like this:
Biology 🙂 + Chemistry 🙁 + Physics + Biopsychology 😀
So my question is this: is it feasible to take all three sciences + labs and still manage to get all A's, or is my adviser trying to weed me out?

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[music2doc]

Due to schedule conflicts/personal issues I wasn't able to take Biology or Chemistry this semester. And because my school is so freaking stupid, I have to wait till next year to start the Bio/Chem sequence. Since I'm already behind my adviser said I should take Bio/Chem/Physics at the same time and then take O-chem/upper level sciences my junior year. So my schedule is probably going to be something like this:
Biology 🙂 + Chemistry 🙁 + Physics + Biopsychology 😀
So my question is this: is it feasible to take all three sciences + labs and still manage to get all A's, or is my adviser trying to weed me out?

Sure, it's possible. Many post-bacc students do this every year. Of course, it all depends on who YOU are.... It's really something you need to self-assess.

 

[Stumpyman]

It can definitely be done. I wouldn't suggest taking any more science + lab courses on top of those 3 though (my personal opinion tbh).

 

[MartletMD]

I'm taking upper level Bio, Organic Chemistry, and Intro Physics right now. Destroyed the finals for Bio and Organic Chemistry, Physics is coming up soon. 😀 It's work, but it isn't unmanageable. Stay on top of your stuff, schedule your time wisely, don't rely on playing catch up.

 

[Neurosis]

thanks for the encouraging responses. I feel like I'm going to hate chemistry/physics but otherwise like bio and biopsychology. Another tidbit i forgot to add, it's calculus based physics I'm going to be taking (because it's the only physics my school offers that will fit the allotted time slot that i have available)

 

[Double Trouble]

You should have worked past your personal issues, you are now putting your GPA and future on the line.

But it's doable.... I know many people that do this and come out of the semester with a 4.0.

 

[Neurosis]

You should have worked past your personal issues, you are now putting your GPA and future on the line.

But it's doable.... I know many people that do this and come out of the semester with a 4.0.

I know i should have. I deeply regret it and if i could go back i would have but now I just have to look towards the future.

 

[ucsfstudents]

Don't do it if you don't have to. If you do take all of those courses and at any time sense that your GPA might be compromised at the end of the semester, drop one of the classes so that you can focus on the rest.

 

[Jnet389]

Due to schedule conflicts/personal issues I wasn't able to take Biology or Chemistry this semester. And because my school is so freaking stupid, I have to wait till next year to start the Bio/Chem sequence. Since I'm already behind my adviser said I should take Bio/Chem/Physics at the same time and then take O-chem/upper level sciences my junior year. So my schedule is probably going to be something like this:
Biology 🙂 + Chemistry 🙁 + Physics + Biopsychology 😀
So my question is this: is it feasible to take all three sciences + labs and still manage to get all A's, or is my adviser trying to weed me out?

Is biopsychology a must? I know you are looking forward to it but why bog yourself down anymore than you have to?

 

[Neurosis]

Is biopsychology a must? I know you are looking forward to it but why bog yourself down anymore than you have to?

it is required for my major (psychology) the other options is animal behavior and sensation/perception both of which i imagine are of same difficulty.

 

[Jnet389]

it is required for my major (psychology) the other options is animal behavior and sensation/perception both of which i imagine are of same difficulty.

Gotchya. What about possibly pushing it back to a later semester or summer term?

 

[Neurosis]

Gotchya. What about possibly pushing it back to a later semester or summer term?

eh, I want to have more than 12 credits for each semester so i graduate on time.

 

[Sophocles]

This is beyond ridiculous. Even if your school was easy and you could get good grades in these subjects, I highly doubt that you could actually dedicate enough time and effort to these subjects to be able to learn them well enough for the MCAT. I don't know of many Post-Bacs that take this crazy ass workload. It's usually two sciences per year; So physics/chem one year and orgo/bio the next year. I woudn't do it, regardless of the situation. Good luck

 

[Ismet]

thanks for the encouraging responses. I feel like I'm going to hate chemistry/physics but otherwise like bio and biopsychology. Another tidbit i forgot to add, it's calculus based physics I'm going to be taking (because it's the only physics my school offers that will fit the allotted time slot that i have available)

I loooooved calc-based physics. I've heard it's easier than algebra-based physics because you are able to understand the concepts better. A plus of the calc-based (at least at my school) is that it's an engineering course so there's a pretty sizeable curve 👍

 

[Neurosis]

This is beyond ridiculous. Even if your school was easy and you could get good grades in these subjects, I highly doubt that you could actually dedicate enough time and effort to these subjects to be able to learn them well enough for the MCAT. I don't know of many Post-Bacs that take this crazy ass workload. It's usually two sciences per year; So physics/chem one year and orgo/bio the next year. I woudn't do it, regardless of the situation. Good luck

well that was discouraging...

 

[dmf2682]

So my schedule is probably going to be something like this:
Biology 🙂 + Chemistry 🙁 + Physics + Biopsychology 😀

[YOUTUBE]3DPKf7y1F-Q[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Neurosis]

http://youtu.be/3DPKf7y1F-Q

I'm...so confused right now. 😕. Nice rocket scientist badge though

 

[Mount Sinai]

Yea...go ahead. the thing is ONLY take those courses. Please do not mix and match. These science courses are difficult enough.

 

[ShoTyme]

I would personally take something like Social Psychology instead of the psychology class you picked. Give yourself a bit of a science break. It will be good for your sanity. Also, my last semester was Orgo1 with lab, physics 1 with lab, biology 2 with lab, and statistics. The labs got really old, really fast. It is doable, but it's a lot of work. Just stay on top of the material. Also if you are taking calc based physics, I hope you have taken calc. A buddy of mine took calc based physics without taking calculus first. He thought it would look good for the adcoms. In the end, an A in algebra/trig based physics looks better than a C in calculus based physics.

Other than that, buckle up and prepare to study.

Edit: I got a B in physics but A's in everything else. So it is entirely possible. I'm just not a physics kinda guy.

 

[Sesom]

Due to schedule conflicts/personal issues I wasn't able to take Biology or Chemistry this semester. And because my school is so freaking stupid, I have to wait till next year to start the Bio/Chem sequence. Since I'm already behind my adviser said I should take Bio/Chem/Physics at the same time and then take O-chem/upper level sciences my junior year. So my schedule is probably going to be something like this:
Biology 🙂 + Chemistry 🙁 + Physics + Biopsychology 😀
So my question is this: is it feasible to take all three sciences + labs and still manage to get all A's, or is my adviser trying to weed me out?

Bio + lab, chem + lab, physics + lab? no, I wouldn't do that. But I suppose it is possible to ace it all with hard work.

 

[PantherPride]

I'll be taking Bio, Physics, and Orgo at the same time with all the labs. But those are the only classes I'm taking. Just make sure you stay on top of things and don't procrastinate too much, and you should do fine.

 

[gloeotrichia]

I took bio, physics, and chem all at the same time and got As in them, and felt I learned them well enough for the MCAT. But I was also taking two humanities courses to get a break from the science. I think that can be a big help. If you're a good time manager, though, it really shouldn't be an issue. And it will give you a better idea of whether or not you could handle an intense work load in med school.

 

[CaveJohnsonHere]

thanks for the encouraging responses. I feel like I'm going to hate chemistry/physics but otherwise like bio and biopsychology. Another tidbit i forgot to add, it's calculus based physics I'm going to be taking (because it's the only physics my school offers that will fit the allotted time slot that i have available)

I took bio, chem, calc-based physics and a research course in bio plus four English courses for my major, all at once. Just don't let yourself get behind, and you'll do fine.

 

[gravitywave]

well that was discouraging...

i know of many post-bacs who take the entire sequence in twelve months, so yes plenty of people have taken orgo, physics and bio all at the same time. It's doable.

It sounds as though you are trying to be ready to apply after your junior year. Another option would be to lengthen your timeline, take a gap year and apply after you graduate.

 

[thesauce]

The bio should be easy - it's just memorization. The difficulty of the chemistry and physics will depend on how comfortable you are with math. If you're strong in math, I say go for it.

 

[milski]

The classes themselves are not that hard, especially if you have reasonably solid math background. The three labs will be a huge time sink. If you can dedicate almost all of your time during the weekdays on school, you should be able to pull it off.


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[LilKangaroo]

I think it's manageable. Remember, this is what it's going to be like in medical school ALL THE TIME: lots of hard upper level science.

Good luck! =]

 

[LifeTake2]

i know of many post-bacs who take the entire sequence in twelve months, so yes plenty of people have taken orgo, physics and bio all at the same time. It's doable.

Trust me it is, I just did it (in 16 months):

Spring: Chem1, Bio1, Phys1
Summer1: Chem2
Summer2: A&P 1 (not required, took for knowledge & Fin Aid)
Fall: Ochem1, Bio2, Phys2
Spring: Ochem2, Micro, Genetics

Got well in all but Ochem which kicked my ***** and had nothing to do with the schedule (horrible on professor's tests, rocked ACS final exams)

I did this at 34, and with a background in IT. Got a 34 (11/12/11) on the MCAT that I took 2 weeks after finals this Spring so I would say I learned it well enough.

 

[Doctor246853]

Due to schedule conflicts/personal issues I wasn't able to take Biology or Chemistry this semester. And because my school is so freaking stupid, I have to wait till next year to start the Bio/Chem sequence. Since I'm already behind my adviser said I should take Bio/Chem/Physics at the same time and then take O-chem/upper level sciences my junior year. So my schedule is probably going to be something like this:
Biology 🙂 + Chemistry 🙁 + Physics + Biopsychology 😀
So my question is this: is it feasible to take all three sciences + labs and still manage to get all A's, or is my adviser trying to weed me out?

Been there done that. Depends on your professor (ratemyprofessordotcom, use it), times you take the class (take it when your most active and energized) and your study habits.

 

[Doctor246853]

To "Life Take2",
Don't mean to hijack but do you really have 8 kids? I assume they are the kids in your avatar? If so, good job man, good job. I respect that.

 

[chemistryguy]

I don't see why everyone thinks taking lots of science at once is such a big deal. Let's face it, intro bio and intro physics labs are a joke, so that's no big deal. You'll have to take these classes eventually now, and you would have to put in the same amOunt of time regardless. If anything the classes may overlap in some areas and make it easier

 

[LifeTake2]

To "Life Take2",
Don't mean to hijack but do you really have 8 kids? I assume they are the kids in your avatar? If so, good job man, good job. I respect that.

Yes, last time I counted there were 8, and yes those are their hands in my avatar. As for respect, let's see if I'm still sane in 4 years and then I might take it 🙂

 

[twizzlers713]

I know someone who just took ochem 1, physics 1, bio 1, all with labs, and linear algebra on top of that. he got 3 A's and a B. he's doing ochem 2, physics 2, bio 2 with labs, mathematical modeling, real analysis next semester, and will probably replicate those results

 

[vanillabear55]

I loooooved calc-based physics. I've heard it's easier than algebra-based physics because you are able to understand the concepts better. A plus of the calc-based (at least at my school) is that it's an engineering course so there's a pretty sizeable curve 👍

I took algebra based- big mistake, its one concentrated mess of pre-med neuroticism.

 

[varsityblue]

This is just a really bad idea. I tried taking the honors-version of Bio, Chem, Physics, and Calculus III my freshman year and ended up having something close to an existential crisis. Needless to say, I grew so frustrated and exhausted that I eventually dropped everything three minutes before the add/drop deadline and slummed it up in the humanities for a term. In other words: you're going to get burned out and your science GPA will suffer. Spread your schedule out and get adjusted to campus life before you take an overload.

 

[Mountaineer12]

You'll be fine, just stay on top of the material everyday and study a lot. It may be tough, but it's absolutely doable.

 

[JESSFALLING]

I know someone who just took ochem 1, physics 1, bio 1, all with labs, and linear algebra on top of that. he got 3 A's and a B. he's doing ochem 2, physics 2, bio 2 with labs, mathematical modeling, real analysis next semester, and will probably replicate those results

I don't think this "someone" knows what the hell they are getting themselves in for....This schedule sounds like a train-wreck in slow motion.

 

[CaveJohnsonHere]

I don't think this "someone" knows what the hell they are getting themselves in for....This schedule sounds like a train-wreck in slow motion.

Every person is different. I've taken schedules heavier than that, and I know other people who have as well. I've also seen people who should stick to 12-15 credits try to take 18-20 and crash and burn because they didn't think about how much time they have to put into each class. If he's done it before (and he has), then he probably has a good idea of what he's getting himself into.

 

[JESSFALLING]

Every person is different. I've taken schedules heavier than that, and I know other people who have as well. I've also seen people who should stick to 12-15 credits try to take 18-20 and crash and burn because they didn't think about how much time they have to put into each class. If he's done it before (and he has), then he probably has a good idea of what he's getting himself into.

You're right that some people might be able to pull it off. However, I think that most math majors would agree that Real Analysis should not be taken along with four other time consuming courses....as RA is an extremely time consuming class itself (as it is usually one's first introduction to true mathematical rigor/proofs).

Regarding the OP's question: I think that courses you mentioned are doable together.....just be prepared to spend 40+ hours per week on your studies. However, if you are not planning on taking any upper-division biology during your jr. year, then why not post-pone either biology or physics until next year? This will save you a small bit of stress in my opinion.

 

[deleted357625]

Due to schedule conflicts/personal issues I wasn't able to take Biology or Chemistry this semester. And because my school is so freaking stupid, I have to wait till next year to start the Bio/Chem sequence. Since I'm already behind my adviser said I should take Bio/Chem/Physics at the same time and then take O-chem/upper level sciences my junior year. So my schedule is probably going to be something like this:
Biology 🙂 + Chemistry 🙁 + Physics + Biopsychology 😀
So my question is this: is it feasible to take all three sciences + labs and still manage to get all A's, or is my adviser trying to weed me out?

i just did it, i managed to get A's in my upper level TWO neuroscience courses, while being on the border of an A for bio and physics...no bump..got a B in both

don't recommend. Almost got a C in orgo, but managed a B.
it's hard

 

[shoehornlettuce]

I took the following last semester:

Physics II
Physics II lab
Orgo II
Orgo II lab
Bio II
Bio II lab

It was a pain in the ass. I ended up with a 3.5 gpa for the semester. The big problem is that the labs are incredibly time consuming. You spend 12 hours a week in lab and then have to go home and write 3 lab reports each week. Then on top of this, you have to figure out what's going on in all 3 lectures. If you get unlucky like I did and have a physics exam, orgo exam, bio exam and two lab exams all in 2 days, you stop thinking about A's and go into damage control. If you can do it, I would imagine it looks good to adcoms, but it can be rough at times.

 

[kpcrew]

I took the following last semester:

Physics II
Physics II lab
Orgo II
Orgo II lab
Bio II
Bio II lab

It was a pain in the ass. I ended up with a 3.5 gpa for the semester. The big problem is that the labs are incredibly time consuming. You spend 12 hours a week in lab and then have to go home and write 3 lab reports each week. Then on top of this, you have to figure out what's going on in all 3 lectures. If you get unlucky like I did and have a physics exam, orgo exam, bio exam and two lab exams all in 2 days, you stop thinking about A's and go into damage control. If you can do it, I would imagine it looks good to adcoms, but it can be rough at times.

Pretty much this. I completely disagree with chemistryguy. I don't know how labs are done at other schools, but our physics lab reports were really time consuming. Not only did you have to answer questions and do the calculations, they required error analysis which was nothing more than solving a bunch of complicated equations to give a range for your answer. I can see why it's important in the real world but I did not appreciate having to do all that for something of no personal benefit. I enjoyed bio labs though. It's also very confusing because the labs and the classes don't always coordinate so that you're learning about the same concepts in class that you're testing in lab.

 

[MartletMD]

Pretty much this. I completely disagree with chemistryguy. I don't know how labs are done at other schools, but our physics lab reports were really time consuming. Not only did you have to answer questions and do the calculations, they required error analysis which was nothing more than solving a bunch of complicated equations to give a range for your answer. I can see why it's important in the real world but I did not appreciate having to do all that for something of no personal benefit. I enjoyed bio labs though. It's also very confusing because the labs and the classes don't always coordinate so that you're learning about the same concepts in class that you're testing in lab.

This post makes me thing that the OP should ask around to see what his/her labs will be like. I know my physics labs were essentially regarded as a joke - 2 hrs a week, lab reports due at the end of the lab period, 6 times a semester - whereas my organic labs were 4 hours and the lab reports took 3+ hours to do.

 

[Aerus]

I'm taking Chem and Physics with Lab now (Along with two other classes) and it's pretty chill. I'd imagine if I took away one of my non science classes and replaced it with bio, not much would be different.

If you are confident in your time management skills, then do it. It's definitely doable. If you aren't so sure, maybe spread it out or lessen your EC's a bit.