Course overload? Biochem, Anatomy 1, Histology, & Cell Signaling all at once

[StarsSunMoon3]

Hey everyone, I just graduated with a biology major this year, and have decided to take extra courses to boost my gpa at local university nearby. I plan on taking histology (w/lab), biochemistry 1, human anatomy 1 (w/lab), and cell signaling in host pathogen interactions. This totals to 15 credits, but I know taking 4 upper level biology course will amount to way more studying than a typical 15 credit course load. For those who have taken these courses, do you think it's doable, or will I be committing academic suicide? I will be applying in the summer 2018 cycle, and need to get a 4.0 gpa this semester to prove to dental schools/post bacc I can handle the course load.

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[artist2022]

Personally, I've taken biochemistry and human anatomy together, and it was a lot of work. At my uni, anatomy is a lower division course, but it's basically treated as an upper div. It was so hard trying to learn every little thing for both lecture exams and lab practicals, and balancing it with my other classes (biochem, biochem lab, a GE and another upper div). I did get all A's, but I think it's because 1) I love chemistry and 2) I balanced it with a GE. I'm going to take histology later on, and a lot of people say it's a lot of work, so again I won't be taking it with 2+ hard classes, only one other (Animal physio).

tl;dr: I think those are too many upper divs to take at once, and doing so might hurt your grades in the end. Don't take so many.
Hope this helps!

 

[Faefly]

This is a recipe for a disaster for someone who wants to boast his/her gpa.
Honestly, either take 12 credits or swap one of these classes with something easier.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

Don’t blow it brother. I was studying biochemistry 90% of the time and had to neglect physics to get an A in the course

 

[StarsSunMoon3]

@artist2022 @Faefly @Alpha Centauri Thanks for the input, fellas! I'm leaning towards taking 12 credits, now that y'all bring up some valid points. I think I'm going to take Anatomy 1 (w/ lab), Biochem 1, and Cell signaling this semester, and then take Anatomy 2 (w/lab) and Histology (w/lab) the following semester.

Only thing is that I need to find time to study for my DAT, and I want to apply early so I'd have to take it before June..... Do you think studying for my DAT will be possible during either of the semesters?

 

[WolfsBane]

@artist2022 @Faefly @Alpha Centauri Thanks for the input, fellas! I'm leaning towards taking 12 credits, now that y'all bring up some valid points. I think I'm going to take Anatomy 1 (w/ lab), Biochem 1, and Cell signaling this semester, and then take Anatomy 2 (w/lab) and Histology (w/lab) the following semester.

Only thing is that I need to find time to study for my DAT, and I want to apply early so I'd have to take it before June..... Do you think studying for my DAT will be possible during either of the semesters?

I think the second semester would be more possible. The first there is no chance.


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[artist2022]

@artist2022 @Faefly @Alpha Centauri Thanks for the input, fellas! I'm leaning towards taking 12 credits, now that y'all bring up some valid points. I think I'm going to take Anatomy 1 (w/ lab), Biochem 1, and Cell signaling this semester, and then take Anatomy 2 (w/lab) and Histology (w/lab) the following semester.

Only thing is that I need to find time to study for my DAT, and I want to apply early so I'd have to take it before June..... Do you think studying for my DAT will be possible during either of the semesters?

I think your best bet would be starting during winter break and then continuing throughout second semester and then taking it like end of May..

 

[caffeine jitters]

I took biochem with anatomy 1 / L + Physics 1 / L + Upper level disease course for my major. It was insanely difficult to keep my head above water and I really had to neglect my other courses to get an A- in biochem. I agree with everyone else... Take biochem with 1 other difficult science and fill the rest of your schedule with more manageable courses.

 

[fit2]

I dunno why everyone's is telling you don't do it. That schedule doesn't sound too bad but that's because I would really enjoy all those types of classes.
You gotta know yourself really and what you can do. I guess to feel safe get 12 credits but if you're gonna focus 100% on your schoolwork and know you can do that take all classes

 

[deleted738762]

I dunno why everyone's is telling you don't do it. That schedule doesn't sound too bad but that's because I would really enjoy all those types of classes.
You gotta know yourself really and what you can do. I guess to feel safe get 12 credits but if you're gonna focus 100% on your schoolwork and know you can do that take all classes

I think there just saying why risk it? Anatomy you just need to study a few days before the exam and skip lectures. Biochem is tough. Histology isn't too bad. It's perfectly manageable. I saw a lot of people saying they took physics, biochem and another science class now that's tough. Physics requires a lot of time and effort compared to anatomy. Plus if you're working part time and doing other EC's it could be tough. Just why risk it?

 

[StarsSunMoon3]

@BioTic @fit2 @caffeine jitters I'm in a peculiar situation. This is essentially my last chance to prove to dental schools I can raise my gpa and am worthy of admission. Given it's my make it or break semester, I want to be cautious but at the same time make a statement with getting a 4.0 in 4 very rigorous courses at once. That said, I don't want to be foolish and sign up for these classes and then realize a month or two in that I'm wayyyyy in over my head and end up flunking a course, or even getting a C in a couple of classes.

If I decide to take Anatomy 1 (2 credits), Anatomy 1 lab (2 credits), Biochem (3 credits), & Cell signaling (3 credits), and leave out Histology until the spring, it'll only put me at 10 credits (part time) this semester. The reason I'm even debating taking all 4 courses at once is b/c Cell Signaling at this university is a complete joke, and the teacher determines the grade off of 1 paper and a presentation. So essentially, I'll be focusing all my time on these upper level bio courses. I'm planning on taking Anatomy 2 (2 credits), Anatomy 2 lab (2 credits), and Histology w/ lab (5 credits) next semester, totaling to 9 credits (also part time) in the spring 2018. I'm scared that dental schools will think that taking 10 credits and then 9 credits in a semester is not difficult enough. On top of that, I have to absolutely slaughter my DAT before June. Opinions?

 

[deleted738762]

@BioTic @fit2 @caffeine jitters I'm in a peculiar situation. This is essentially my last chance to prove to dental schools I can raise my gpa and am worthy of admission. Given it's my make it or break semester, I want to be cautious but at the same time make a statement with getting a 4.0 in 4 very rigorous courses at once. That said, I don't want to be foolish and sign up for these classes and then realize a month or two in that I'm wayyyyy in over my head and end up flunking a course, or even getting a C in a couple of classes.

If I decide to take Anatomy 1 (2 credits), Anatomy 1 lab (2 credits), Biochem (3 credits), & Cell signaling (3 credits), and leave out Histology until the spring, it'll only put me at 10 credits (part time) this semester. The reason I'm even debating taking all 4 courses at once is b/c Cell Signaling at this university is a complete joke, and the teacher determines the grade off of 1 paper and a presentation. So essentially, I'll be focusing all my time on these upper level bio courses. I'm planning on taking Anatomy 2 (2 credits), Anatomy 2 lab (2 credits), and Histology w/ lab (5 credits) next semester, totaling to 9 credits (also part time) in the spring 2018. I'm scared that dental schools will think that taking 10 credits and then 9 credits in a semester is not difficult enough. On top of that, I have to absolutely slaughter my DAT before June. Opinions?

So you're trying to raise your GPA? If your GPA is average or low you have to ask yourself why? As well as avoiding the answer to that question the upcoming semester.

If cell signaling is a joke then I would take that in the Autumn instead of histology. This way, as you said, you can focus more on biochem and anatomy. So I would just take those 3 courses biochem-anatomy-cell signaling and also maybe even a easy GE class/ or an easy online GE class to up the credits/increasing your GPA. Then in the spring take histology with whatever else. Dental schools seeing you take 3 sciences classes and acing those would still look good. I recommend doing this way you'll have a higher chance of getting a 4.0 as well as minimizing potential risks. 3 science courses and 1 easy GE is doable, considering you said one of them is a joke. Just get the 4.0.

Just don't take all 4 of them because you really don't know how difficult biochem, anatomy, and histology would be until it's too late. So why even take the risk?

 

[caffeine jitters]

I have not taken histology... but, if I were in your position, I would take anatomy 1 + L / Biochem / Histology to put you at 12. Focus your upmost attention on these classes. Then, in the spring, you have the freedom of taking a lighter course load so that you can devote more time to the DAT.

I realize that goes against a lot of what I said earlier, but it can be done if you really FOCUS.

Edit: I also agree with what BioTic said above. It's tricky. No one will really be able to answer this for you besides yourself.