Genetics question

[PREDOCSIMP]

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Before posting this thread I checked for an answer,however, I was given either literal genetics questions or people asking for the importance of a genetics class to the MCAT. I am taking genetics this year, because I did not have any choice. This is not my first biology class, but it is my first at the university I am attending(freshman). I had actually planned on taking Anatomy et Physiology, but the course was full. Can anyone offer any obstacles that they faced(excluding the obvious).

 

[WedgeDawg]

Obstacles that they faced ... while studying Genetics?

I think you're going to get a wide variety of answers, as genetics classes vary drastically in terms of content, pedagogy, and difficulty across undergraduate institutions.

If you study hard and efficiently, ask for help when necessary, stay on top of your work, and take the class seriously, I would wager you'll be fine.

 

[Pastamahn]

Before posting this thread I checked for an answer,however, I was given either literal genetics questions or people asking for the importance of a genetics class to the MCAT. I am taking genetics this year, because I did not have any choice. This is not my first biology class, but it is my first at the university I am attending(freshman). I had actually planned on taking Anatomy et Physiology, but the course was full. Can anyone offer any obstacles that they faced(excluding the obvious).

Why were you trying to take Anatomy and Physiology as a freshman?? That seems like a recipe for disaster.

 

[PREDOCSIMP]

Why were you trying to take Anatomy and Physiology as a freshman?? That seems like a recipe for disaster.

I thoroughly enjoyed the material and I personally don't have trouble with a bulk of information. Considering we are all human and can memorize unlimited information. The professor who teaches it also taught and went to the medical school. I guess he would be a good connection.

 

[LizzyM]

I see this all the time; students who come in with 26 or more AP credits. They don't have to take any "101" classes and so end up taking Genetics or (horror!) Organic Chemistry as freshman. I've not seen disasters stemming from freshman courses in Genetics but Organic Chemistry is infamous for its difficulty and when I see a terrible freshman year with an excellent rebound it is almost always someone who took OChem as a freshman.

 

[PREDOCSIMP]

Obstacles that they faced ... while studying Genetics?

I think you're going to get a wide variety of answers, as genetics classes vary drastically in terms of content, pedagogy, and difficulty across undergraduate institutions.

If you study hard and efficiently, ask for help when necessary, stay on top of your work, and take the class seriously, I would wager you'll be fine.

Okay. I just want to make sure it is not some sort of monster class. I haven't heard any horror stories.

 

[Ad2b]

How good is your biochem? My genetics class had a lot of biochem integrated into it. It was beyond squares and start/stop codons, beyond disease states.

 

[WedgeDawg]

Okay. I just want to make sure it is not some sort of monster class. I haven't heard any horror stories.

Honestly, it depends entirely on the school, but it doesn't seem to have the sort of reputation that orgo does. I had plenty of friends who took Genetics as freshman and did well.

 

[LizzyM]

BTW, if you haven't discovered ratemyprofessor.com you should check it out. Even if you have to take a given course, at least you have an idea of what to expect and when it comes to electives you can make some strategic choices.

 

[Pastamahn]

I thoroughly enjoyed the material and I personally don't have trouble with a bulk of information. Considering we are all human and can memorize unlimited information. The professor who teaches it also taught and went to the medical school. I guess he would be a good connection.

Not trying to come off as abrasive, but as incoming freshman, your definition of "bulk of information" is likely very different than a student who has been through ochem and advanced bio classes. Much like the definition would be drastically different between me as a premed and a medical student. Just try and avoid being too overeager and killing your GPA early.

 

[PREDOCSIMP]

I see this all the time; students who come in with 26 or more AP credits. They don't have to take any "101" classes and so end up taking Genetics or (horror!) Organic Chemistry as freshman. I've not seen disasters stemming from freshman courses in Genetics but Organic Chemistry is infamous for its difficulty and when I see a terrible freshman year with an excellent rebound it is almost always someone who took OChem as a freshman.

I agree with you! Well, for one Genetics and Organic are entirely different. Plus, I have seen some of the content in organic and it was a foreign language. Literally, none of my classes have even talked about stereochemistry in that depth. To be honest, I have never heard the word Stereochemistry in my life.

 

[Ad2b]

BTW, if you haven't discovered ratemyprofessor.com you should check it out. Even if you have to take a given course, at least you have an idea of what to expect and when it comes to electives you can make some strategic choices.

This. RMP is a life saver for many reasons. Even if you don't have the ability to be selective on classes, perhaps you'll have the ability to select the professors. Use the comments as a guide, not as an absolute. If the professor has terrible ranking throughout, understand why before rejecting that class altogether.

 

[PREDOCSIMP]

BTW, if you haven't discovered ratemyprofessor.com you should check it out. Even if you have to take a given course, at least you have an idea of what to expect and when it comes to electives you can make some strategic choices.

I had no choice but to sign up for the only professor they have(other classes were full) . I checked ratemyprofessor.com . He is from China, speaks fluent Chinese. I was told to sit in the front of the room, make jokes, and talk to him. I did not read much further into, because I am not going to let underestimation or overestimation affect my GPA. Just take each class with the seriousness and attention they all require.

 

[PREDOCSIMP]

Not trying to come off as abrasive, but as incoming freshman, your definition of "bulk of information" is likely very different than a student who has been through ochem and advanced bio classes. Much like the definition would be drastically different between me as a premed and a medical student. Just try and avoid being too overeager and killing your GPA early.

I agree, I was actually using the term a professor used "bulk of information" to describe the course.

 

[GrapesofRath]

Most people didn't have this experience but I personally had a harder time with genetics than organic chemistry. Lots of problem solving in genetics, lots of information, tested in different unique ways. Not an easy class at all for me and the professor I had.

Your best resource far away is a) rate my professor b) upperclassmen in your specific school who know the difficulty of upper level classes and which are the easiest and most difficult professors. You'll get a far better answer for your specific situation using these two things than any random person on SDN.