Heavy Load?

[Ballardista]

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Hey all,

I keep hearing to take a "heavy load" of science courses so that schools know you can handle the rigourous course load of Dental School...but what would you consider a "heavy course load"? I'm on a quarters systems, and will likely have to work part-time as a dental assistant in addition to my classes.

Thanks!
Ashley

 

[Vicviper]

As long as you take a full load of classes - at least 12/13 units, you'll be fine. You'll actually find yourself taking more than that to graduate on time though, probably 14/15, though often that's only 3 classes. I took Ochem and Physics at the same time, that's 10 units right there, and then toss in an English class or something, 13/14 easy.

 

[Ballardista]

Great--thanks! Also, I know for dental school you have to take non-lab classes--does anyone know the reason for this? And will my lab science credits count?

 

[Vicviper]

Wait, what do you mean by that? You definitely do have to take lab classes.

 

[Ballardista]

That was my thinking too--obviously I'm a newbie. I was reading today on UW's website though and this is what I found:

REQUIRED COURSES *UW courses that fulfill course requirementsGeneral Chemistry2 quarters or 1 semesterChem 142, 152Organic Chemistry2 quarters or 1 semesterChem 223, 224General Biochemistry2 quarters or 1 semesterBioc 405, 406; or 440, 441General Physics3 quarters or 2 semestersPhys 114, 115, 116General Biology or Zoology3 quarters or 2 semestersBiol 180, 200, 220General Microbiology2 quarters or 1 semesterMicrom 301, 410 (recommended); Microm 412, 442 (acceptable)
* The required courses must be lecture rather than lab course


So I'm really confused? What does that mean?

 

[Vicviper]

Ahhh, I think I might know what it means. For example, maybe the Lab and Lecture are offered seperetly for Gchem, and it means that you can't take just the lab and have it count for the requirement?

That's a really vague paragraph, and I'd call to confirm what they're asking for.

Pitt clarifies it by having under their requirement of Bio: "Biology (lab must be included)"

 

[Ballardista]

Well, I'm really glad I asked so I didn't take just lecture classes (that would've been wayyy to easy, right?) 🙂 I'll call to clarify tomorrow.

 

[Vicviper]

Well, I'm really glad I asked so I didn't take just lecture classes (that would've been wayyy to easy, right?) 🙂 I'll call to clarify tomorrow.

Hahaha, if only! 😀

 

[Zubnaya Feya]

Well, I'm really glad I asked so I didn't take just lecture classes (that would've been wayyy to easy, right?) 🙂 I'll call to clarify tomorrow.

As far as I remember for UW, inorganic, ochem, physics, bio come with lab courses (e.g., a 5 credit class that includes lecture and lab sections)

 

[Ballardista]

Thats my assumption too--its just weird that they put that there. Totally confusing.

 

[Chesnok]

As far as I remember for UW, inorganic, ochem, physics, bio come with lab courses (e.g., a 5 credit class that includes lecture and lab sections)

Agreed with Ovechkin. 🙂 If you take 5 cr class , it would include the lab part; in other cases, some classes are 3 credits and then you need to take 2 credit hour lab class (I had 4 cr class with lab in it but it was 400-lvl class).
Good luck.

 

[Ballardista]

I checked with UW this morning and they had the same conclusion--5 cr classes already have the lab included. Thanks for all the advice! 🙂