Biology Pre-requisite Question

[james1988]

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Do medical schools care which classes you took to fulfill the 1 year Biology requirement? Let's say my first semester I took Principles of Biology I and instead of taking Principles II I decide to take cell bio or genetics or human a&p or botany or zoology or something of the sort; would this be an acceptable way of fulfilling the 2nd semester bio requirement? would med schools frown upon those who did not take principles II but went straight to a more specialized course? would they even know that you opted out of principles II (would they simply assume a principles II isnt offered)? over the course of my college career i do plan on taking more than 2 bio courses, but im asking strictly about the pre requisite here.

 

[james1988]

anybody?

 

[175961]

From the websites of med schools that I've looked at it can vary on what they want. Some will specifically say NO botany, zoology, even though at most undergrad schools these are BIO classes. On the other hand, some med schools are ok with those as your BIO classes.

Since some med schools specify what you can and cant take, I would think they dont care how you fulfill your BIO requirement as long as it isnt one of their no-no classes

 

[james1988]

Do medical schools care which classes you took to fulfill the 1 year Biology requirement? Let's say my first semester I took Principles of Biology I and instead of taking Principles II I decide to take cell bio or genetics or human a&p or botany or zoology or something of the sort; would this be an acceptable way of fulfilling the 2nd semester bio requirement? would med schools frown upon those who did not take principles II but went straight to a more specialized course? would they even know that you opted out of principles II (would they simply assume a principles II isnt offered)? over the course of my college career i do plan on taking more than 2 bio courses, but im asking strictly about the pre requisite here.

From the websites of med schools that I've looked at it can vary on what they want. Some will specifically say NO botany, zoology, even though at most undergrad schools these are BIO classes. On the other hand, some med schools are ok with those as your BIO classes.

Since some med schools specify what you can and cant take, I would think they dont care how you fulfill your BIO requirement as long as it isnt one of their no-no classes

what is considered a "no-no class" ? is there any course that will universally satisfy a second semester of bio pre-req BESIDES Principles II? is human a&p a "no no class" ?

 

[175961]

what is considered a "no-no class" ? is there any course that will universally satisfy a second semester of bio pre-req BESIDES Principles II? is human a&p a "no no class" ?

When I say no-no class I mean a class that the school has specifically said "WILL NOT FULFILL REQUIREMENT"

so unless it says that, the class you take should fill the requirement

 

[james1988]

When I say no-no class I mean a class that the school has specifically said "WILL NOT FULFILL REQUIREMENT"

so unless it says that, the class you take should fill the requirement

oh, alright, are there any classes which don't look so good off the books, and i should avoid?

 

[Just Joshin]

what is considered a "no-no class" ? is there any course that will universally satisfy a second semester of bio pre-req BESIDES Principles II? is human a&p a "no no class" ?

I'm just curious why wouldn't you take Principles II? That's the only course that you're 100% safe with. Some schools won't count other specialized courses. So why not just play it safe and take the class that you know will be acceptable?

 

[james1988]

I'm just curious why wouldn't you take Principles II? That's the only course that you're 100% safe with. Some schools won't count other specialized courses. So why not just play it safe and take the class that you know will be acceptable?

Because the professor who teaches it tells the students that she will not give any A's and the midterm and final are both essay exams and completely not what I am looking for in terms of preparation for the MCAT. Also, there is no Lab attached to the course, thus I will have to take a more advanced class anyways to satisfy that end of things.

 

[james1988]

can any provide a clearer answer to this seemingly simple question
?

 

[MossPoh]

No, because it isn't a super easy question. It just depends on the school. If it is REALLY a concern, the school will tell you to take it if they accept you. Some schools don't have a "Bio 1" and "Bio 2" exclusviely. They might require that you take a Bio class that unlocks all the others, and then you have to take 2 of say 4 different 200 levels to go on to the next and so on. I know my previous school didn't exclusively have a "bio 2". There was a class that was kind of assumed to be the next one, but it wasn't necessarily a natural progression. My current university accepted my bio class, but it is the same curriculum as bio 2 here, so I just kind of skipped over the first class. I also have 3 credits of bio lab already. I'd sign up for the class and just take it during interview season, that way you can say you are taking the course, or you can drop it (depending on your school's policy).

 

[Just Joshin]

Because the professor who teaches it tells the students that she will not give any A's and the midterm and final are both essay exams and completely not what I am looking for in terms of preparation for the MCAT. Also, there is no Lab attached to the course, thus I will have to take a more advanced class anyways to satisfy that end of things.

Then I would call every medical school you plan to apply to and ask. But I wouldn't tell them the reason you're unwilling to take Principles II.

And no, this isn't a simple question. Medical schools want eight credits in Bio and most universities have some way to meet that requirement, including yours. What you're asking is can you bypass your school's curriculum and will med schools accept your substitute? The answer is we don't know. It depends on the school. Many schools won't. Some might. You'll have to call and see.

Does your school have a pre-health advisor? Bio II is required for med school, pharm school, dental school, PA school, etc. All of these students must either take this class you want to avoid or have found some way around it. Why not start by asking an advisor?

 

[james1988]

Then I would call every medical school you plan to apply to and ask. But I wouldn't tell them the reason you're unwilling to take Principles II.

And no, this isn't a simple question. Medical schools want eight credits in Bio and most universities have some way to meet that requirement, including yours. What you're asking is can you bypass your school's curriculum and will med schools accept your substitute? The answer is we don't know. It depends on the school. Many schools won't. Some might. You'll have to call and see.

Does your school have a pre-health advisor? Bio II is required for med school, pharm school, dental school, PA school, etc. All of these students must either take this class you want to avoid or have found some way around it. Why not start by asking an advisor?

i did-he said he isn't sure, hence my asking here