Help my choose my classes for next semester!

[drjenkins]

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I originally posted this thread in "The Lounge" and everyone is just trolling the crap out of me, so I thought I'd try here instead.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=807976

I'd like to know which of these are the easiest as well haha. I will be a sophomore next semester, so here are my options:

Credit values are bolded:
- Genetics (3) = 3
- General Microbiology (3) + Lab (1) = 4
- Organic Chemistry (3) + Lab (1) = 4
- Analytical Chemistry (3) + Lab (1) = 4
- Biological Statistics (3) = 3
- General Physics (3) + Lab (1) = 4

Which classes should I take? I'm going to have to take them all eventually, but what should start with for next semester, so I don't wear myself out? I think around 15 credits will be enough as I may take an elective or two. Help me out! Thank you for your time! 🙂

What should a sophomore be taking his first semester for Pre-Dental! My advisor sucks and won't reply to my e-mail, so that's why I'm relying on the Internet!

 

[dentalWorks]

I originally posted this thread in "The Lounge" and everyone is just trolling the crap out of me, so I thought I'd try here instead.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=807976

What should a sophomore be taking his first semester for Pre-Dental! My advisor sucks and won't reply to my e-mail, so that's why I'm relying on the Internet!

well thats what happens when your a pre-dent asking silly questions in a place dominated by big-eggo'd medical students... your going to get laughed at

as far as which of them will make your semester easier... who knows. All of those classes have the potential of being fairly difficult for a sophomore if you end up with one of "those" professors. Ya know, the guy with tenure who has class exam averages in the 40s and 50s and don't really give a damn about passing the students or curving.

What is your current schedule for your sophm year? if you tell us that, we'll be able to recommend something from that list..... But overall, I think Analytical Chemistry and Biological Statistics are the least helpful, I won't take them unless I was forced to.

 

[molar3]

definitley take orgo with lab and genetics.

and if you wanna be a big timer take a third science , and take micro or physics as the 3rd course.
cheeers

 

[drjenkins]

@dentalWorks: Haha med students are no better than dental students -__- I love teeth and don't want to be around sick people all the time. What can I say? 🙂 Do you mean my current freshman schedule? I don't have a sophomore schedule yet. That's why I'm asking for help! Anyway by the end of this semester, I will have completed Principles of Biology with Lab, General Chemistry with Lab, Multivariable Calculus, this Intro to Biochemistry course, and some random electives. I was able to transfer 38 credits from high school, so that's why I'm not taking classes like English and stuff. I don't need Biological Statistics and Analytical Chemistry for dental school? I believe I need them to graduate as a Biochemistry major! Darn! Yeah I'm aware all classes can be hard. I won't try not to take a class just because it's difficult, but the reason I asked was because I want an idea of the workload I'm getting myself into.

@molar3: Thank you! 🙂 I will take those into consideration. It looks like if anything I am definitely taking Organic Chemistry with Lab.

 

[dentalWorks]

@dentalWorks: Haha med students are no better than dental students -__- I love teeth and don't want to be around sick people all the time. What can I say? 🙂 Do you mean my current freshman schedule? I don't have a sophomore schedule yet. That's why I'm asking for help! Anyway by the end of this semester, I will have completed Principles of Biology with Lab, General Chemistry with Lab, Multivariable Calculus, this Intro to Biochemistry course, and some random electives. I was able to transfer 38 credits from high school, so that's why I'm not taking classes like English and stuff. I don't need Biological Statistics and Analytical Chemistry for dental school? I believe I need them to graduate as a Biochemistry major! Darn! Yeah I'm aware all classes can be hard. I won't try not to take a class just because it's difficult, but the reason I asked was because I want an idea of the workload I'm getting myself into.

@molar3: Thank you! 🙂 I will take those into consideration. It looks like if anything I am definitely taking Organic Chemistry with Lab.

you might wanna be careful with this... all dental schools require 8 credits of college level writing.... some of them won't accept your high school writing credits (even tho your undergrad institute did).

As far as your initial question goes.... those Genetics and General Microbiology courses, are they lower division (200 level) or are they the bigger 300 level? If higher level, I would NOT take them together, they are a challenge. A respectable schedule will be Orgo + Genetics (I always advice people to do genetics first before microbiology) + any other science.

Umm this "general physics" what is that? For pre-dent, you need the sequential physics 1 and 2 (along with labs)...I don't know what general physics is

 

[drjenkins]

you might wanna be careful with this... all dental schools require 8 credits of college level writing.... some of them won't accept your high school writing credits (even tho your undergrad institute did).

As far as your initial question goes.... those Genetics and General Microbiology courses, are they lower division (200 level) or are they the bigger 300 level? If higher level, I would NOT take them together, they are a challenge. A respectable schedule will be Orgo + Genetics (I always advice people to do genetics first before microbiology) + any other science.

Umm this "general physics" what is that? For pre-dent, you need the sequential physics 1 and 2 (along with labs)...I don't know what general physics is

I'll look more into the English thing later.

The Microbiology and Genetics are level 200 courses. Yeah it's Sequential Physics. Does Genetics, Physics, Orgo Chem, Microbiology with respective labs sound good? Does it sound too hard to manage a good GPA? I really have NO IDEA of what I'm getting myself into, so any input with experience is greatly appreciate haha. I got a 4.0 my first semester so generally am a good student and will do what it takes, but I'd like to avoid unnecessary stress if possible. What are good electives to take for a Pre-Dental student? I know some have to look better than others. If it helps my top choice would be VCU Dental (http://www.dentistry.vcu.edu/prospective/dds/requirements.aspx)! In-state baby! I guess I need to switch my major to avoid Analytical Chem if it's not going to help me at all!

Also why does the Dental Hygiene program seem to require courses scattered in so many different areas compared to the DDS program? http://www.dentistry.vcu.edu/prospective/dh/requirements.aspx

 

[dentalWorks]

I'll look more into the English thing later.

The Microbiology and Genetics are level 200 courses. Yeah it's Sequential Physics. Does Genetics, Physics, Orgo Chem, Microbiology with respective labs sound good? Does it sound too hard to manage a good GPA? I really have NO IDEA of what I'm getting myself into, so any input with experience is greatly appreciate haha. I got a 4.0 my first semester so generally am a good student and will do what it takes, but I'd like to avoid unnecessary stress if possible. What are good electives to take for a Pre-Dental student? I know some have to look better than others. If it helps my top choice would be VCU Dental (http://www.dentistry.vcu.edu/prospective/dds/requirements.aspx)! In-state baby! I guess I need to switch my major to avoid Analytical Chem if it's not going to help me at all!

thats a good load... but expect to work your ***** off (seriously)

As far as what electives to take.... always try to hit the big upper level stuff like Biochem, Histology, Anatomy, physiology, Microbiology (300+ level)..... If you are looking for non-science electives, social sciences are always great like Sociology and Psychology

 

[drjenkins]

thats a good load... but expect to work your ***** off (seriously)

As far as what electives to take.... always try to hit the big upper level stuff like Biochem, Histology, Anatomy, physiology, Microbiology (300+ level)..... If you are looking for non-science electives, social sciences are always great like Sociology and Psychology

Really really appreciate your advice. With regards to Biochemistry, are there any classes I should complete before I take it? For example, will I need to know Organic Chemistry for Biochemistry and stuff?

 

[dentalWorks]

Really really appreciate your advice. With regards to Biochemistry, are there any classes I should complete before I take it? For example, will I need to know Organic Chemistry for Biochemistry and stuff?

Upper level biochemistry (the 400 level stuff) will require Orgo 1 and 2 and GC 1 as pre-reqs

 

[drjenkins]

Upper level biochemistry (the 400 level stuff) will require Orgo 1 and 2 and GC 1 as pre-reqs

You kind of scared of me a bit with your comment about my workload, so I think I'll just take: Genetics, Organic Chemistry, Physics, and Biological Statistics.

Biological Statistics is actually required as the final math class I need to graduate, so I might as well take it. Also the less memorization involved, the better I am at it!

Out of curiosity, why is it good to take Genetics before Microbiology? Microbiology is actually required for my major whereas Genetics is not, but I'll take your advice! It also decreases the workload even more for me as I have one less lab!

This is only 14 credits though. I COULD handle a bit more. This is where I should take a grade booster hmm...

Also, are you the only one who posts here? Lol.

 

[dentalWorks]

You kind of scared of me a bit with your comment about my workload, so I think I'll just take: Genetics, Organic Chemistry, Physics, and Biological Statistics.

Biological Statistics is actually required as the final math class I need to graduate, so I might as well take it. Also the less memorization involved, the better I am at it!

Out of curiosity, why is it good to take Genetics before Microbiology? Microbiology is actually required for my major whereas Genetics is not, but I'll take your advice! It also decreases the workload even more for me as I have one less lab!

This is only 14 credits though. I COULD handle a bit more. This is where I should take a grade booster hmm...

Also, are you the only one who posts here? Lol.

when you get into microbiology, there are a few annoying chapters about microbial genetics... its usually a good idea to have a good background in genetics to breeze through those microbio chapters.

Its not an absolute must, its not even required to have genetics before microbiology... but if you r planning to take both classes... its better to do genetics first then microbio

 

[anonymouse1]

out of Genetics (3) = 3
- General Microbiology (3) + Lab (1) = 4
- Organic Chemistry (3) + Lab (1) = 4
- Analytical Chemistry (3) + Lab (1) = 4
- Biological Statistics (3) = 3
- General Physics (3) + Lab (1) = 4

i'd recommend organic chem, physics, and microbio (some schools require microbio), then if you've time, genetics.

 

[duckdds]

How is it possible for you to take 22 hrs?

That's a lot of classes