Cell/Molecular Biology - Prerequisites Recommended?

[jvesco22]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi Guys,

My school offers this Cell/Molecular Bio Class. Would it be a good idea to take biology 100 first before jumping into this class or would i be alright if this was my first bio class? The class itself does not require or recommend any biology prerequisites.

Thanks for any and all insight

BIOL A181 - Cell/Molecular Biology This course is designed for the major in the biological sciences and the pre-health profession major. Emphasis is on the central concepts of biology, including biochemistry, cell biology, cell physiology, membrane dynamics, molecular genetics, classical genetics, virology, biotechnology, and immunology

 

[ChubbyChaser]

My school has the same thing...I didnt take basic bio (took ap junior year in high school) and did well...

 

[SilentSoldier]

Its probably different at each school, at my school cell bio and molecular bio are two separate classes with molecular bio being a lower division class and cell bio being an upper division class with mol bio as a prerequisite. Either way, you can't take either class without taking the general bio class first.

 

[jvesco22]

I don't have any biology experience. I haven't taken it since 2000 back in High School with a C+ and have no recollection of things. So would it be wise to take Bio 100 first to refresh and then go into cell/Molecular bio?

 

[NSDQ]

At my school, cell/molec (4000 level course) is considered one of the most difficult classes, which I think it should be. I recommend students take micro, genetics, biochemistry, and physiology before attempting to tackle such a difficult course. As you can see, all of these recommendations are very school specific.

 

[sarahg]

Seems like it's an introductory level course, so start with that. The other intro bio courses are probably for students who aren't going to take advanced sciences and don't need to bother with difficult science material. I don't see any reason to waste time with the easier courses unless you just think you'll have a lot of difficulty with bio -- and even then it's probably better to just invest in a tutor and take the harder intro class.

 

[jvesco22]

Well, this is my other option, the Biology 100

Biology A100- Principles of Biology (4)
A general study of life processes with emphasis on biological molecules, cells, heredity, evolution and diversity of life. Suitable as a general education elective for the non-science major. This course may also be offered online. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

OR

Biology A181- Cell and Molecular Biology (4) (CAN BIOL 2)
Prerequisite: Chemistry A130 with a grade of "C" or better. Non-native speaking students must be eligible to enter ESL A131AB and A135AB.
This course is designed for the major in the biological sciences and the pre-health profession major. Emphasis is on the central concepts of biology, including biochemistry, cell biology, cell physiology, membrane dynamics, molecular genetics, classical genetics, virology, biotechnology, and immunology. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.


I am not a science major, however I am going to be studying hard as I want to gain enough knowledge to do well on the MCAT later on.

My main concern is that I just don't want to start off on the wrong foot.

Which course would be my best course of action?

 

[Evergrey]

Bio A181 is apparently a core class for Biology majors. Since you're premed, you want to be taking courses at this level. Bio A100 is for non-science majors, which means that it's useless for your purposes. Ultimately the two courses are extremely different and Bio 100 will not teach you really anything useful for the MCAT.

From what I can tell, the 181 class serves as an introduction to the topics of cell and molecular bio at the basic level. This sounds about right and this is what my own Intro Bio class had also.

Edit: Just wanted to add.. this is NOT upper level Cell or Molecular Biology. This is just the basic stuff covered in the intro-level Campbell Biology textbook. You're definitely fine taking the 181 class. There are upper level classes that focus specifically on Cell and/or Molecular Biology, which have prerequisites to them and are considerably more difficult.