How do you study for your Biology Classes?

[Vurday]

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Hey everyone!

First off, Happy New Year 👍 !

I've been lurking SDN for quite a while now, and I decided to finally make an account to ask this question. It's been a couple of years since I have taken a Biology class, and I'll be taking Genetics (notoriously difficult at my school) and Anatomy and Physiology II this upcoming Spring semester.

I've personally found that I learn material effectively when it involves working problems that I have to write things down for (OChem/Math/Physics), and so I'm going to make it a goal to write more notes than I normally do, and maybe end up copying the notes a couple of times.

With this in mind, I'm curious to see if y'all have any particular ways of studying for biology classes that you think would be helpful for the rest of us to know. I'd absolutely love to hear from you!

 

[Plue00]

Hey everyone!

First off, Happy New Year 👍 !

I've been lurking SDN for quite a while now, and I decided to finally make an account to ask this question. It's been a couple of years since I have taken a Biology class, and I'll be taking Genetics (notoriously difficult at my school) and Anatomy and Physiology II this upcoming Spring semester.

I've personally found that I learn material effectively when it involves working problems that I have to write things down for (OChem/Math/Physics), and so I'm going to make it a goal to write more notes than I normally do, and maybe end up copying the notes a couple of times.

With this in mind, I'm curious to see if y'all have any particular ways of studying for biology classes that you think would be helpful for the rest of us to know. I'd absolutely love to hear from you!

Understand what is going on rather than just memorizing. Anyone can memorize but it's harder to understand. That's what I do at least

 

[PreMedJock]

For me, Biology has always been memorization. Plain and simple.

 

[Mithril]

Gym and plastic models and girlfriend for anatomy.

Doing genetics problems over and over again for genetics classes.

Things like physiology was just memorisation for me.

 

[PreMedJock]

Understand what is going on rather than just memorizing. Anyone can memorize but it's harder to understand. That's what I do at least

You're correct, but for people like me, the memorization is like a tick; the definition of the word, etc. is always coupled with the word itself. Just locked into memory.

EDIT: This was worded a little weirdly, lol. What I mean to say is, when I memorize Bio stuff, I understand it simply enough for simple things like vocab quizzes, but when it comes to short response, I understand it completely enough to go into detail.

 

[TexasSurgeon]

I would memorize for all bio classes, and as I memorized, the understanding of the concept would come to me.

 

[Josh7]

Relisten to all lectures while taking notes. Review notes over and over without trying to memorize. Focus on understanding the material and you will do better on exams.

Biology is one one of those classes where you can't be naturally good at it (like math). The person who puts in the most work is usually going to do the best.

 

[kinokoboy]

biology is all memorization

Physics for me was also pure memorization

gen chem and o-chem was all about understanding the concepts and doing alot of practice problems.

 

[Josh7]

biology is all memorization

Physics for me was also pure memorization

gen chem and o-chem was all about understanding the concepts and doing alot of practice problems.

And this is why non calc-based physics is useless

 

[dfib slim]

.

 

[kinokoboy]

And this is why non calc-based physics is useless

I would love the physics section to be dropped from the MCAT! Too bad it's not going to happen.

 

[FictiousForce]

physics for me was also pure memorization

what

 

[Narmerguy]

biology is all memorization

Physics for me was also pure memorization

gen chem and o-chem was all about understanding the concepts and doing alot of practice problems.

Not sure how you accomplished this? Each class is different though.

Biology seems like one of those things where you can't get away from memorization. Understanding the concepts is fine but that requires you to remember what everything is to explain how it works. For example, Base Excision Repair is a simple enough pathway, conceptually not that hard. Many people could probably explain the principle of it, but who can remember the exact enzymes involved?

These are the sort of things about biology that disappoint me but are inevitable the way it's assessed. You have to memorize this stuff, but the understanding typically isn't all that difficult unless a professor really wants it to be. But just as there is a "physics" way of thinking, there is a "biology" way of thinking and if you approach enough biology problems/experiments, you get a feel for how biologists think.

 

[kinokoboy]

memorize the formulas and know how to use them for a couple key problems at the end of each chapter and the rest is self explanatory.

 

[neekzg]

As everyone said, it's pretty much just memorization.. but obviously you can't get away with not understanding the material. I don't know why people separate "understanding" from "memorization." For example, if you're tracing the urinary tract/nephron and and learning how the urine becomes concentrated, it's important to conceptually understand what happens as you go along, but also have to memorize certain things, like where water leaves, etc. just to make the process easier.

 

[cheechootrain]

Flash cards...everyday...every waking moment....

 

[dannybht]

Genetics was a little memorization but mostly conceptual based and the use of probability and logic. I would suggest you to do a lot of problems and understand the process of getting the answer not just purely memorizing. My genetics class was heavy in problem solving though.

Mammalian physiology had a bit more memorization than genetics but it was very important to understand the functions of the organs and nervous system,etc. and to understand the usage of equations. The best way to learn is create notes of each big topic then do a lot of the assigned problems.

Both genetics and mam phys require a lot of practice.

 

[advair250]

Physics is the complete opposite of pure memorization.. what kind of school did you go to and were you doing remedial physics? I understand algebra-based physics is easier, but to the level of being described as "memorization"..well that is just scary 🙁

And this is why non calc-based physics is useless

 

[Neuronette]

I formed a study group with friends I made during that class.
Meeting up for mega study sessions a couple of times throughout the semester were really helpful and forced me to study even when I didn't want to. We asked each other questions and helped each other along the way. This was esp helpful bc we had to read scientific literature/reviews for our exams. Explaining these concepts to each other definitely helped. We all got A, A+!

 

[IncognitoGuy]

I formed a study group with friends I made during that class.
Meeting up for mega study sessions a couple of times throughout the semester were really helpful and forced me to study even when I didn't want to. We asked each other questions and helped each other along the way. This was esp helpful bc we had to read scientific literature/reviews for our exams. Explaining these concepts to each other definitely helped. We all got A, A+!

This is important if you have a lot of comprehension involved. I found that my Genetics classes went much better when I would study with my friends and we would attempt to explain everything to each other. You see where you have gaps in knowledge and understanding, and you can test yourself by following along others' explanation and making sure everything is right. If you're doing tons of Punnett squares, recombination calculations and the like then practice is also essential.

What you shouldn't do: just stare at your notes and hope it sinks in. That's superficial at best - if it's memorization, at least try and write everything out multiple times, testing yourself if you really have it down. For A&P, this is helpful as you'll be required to memorize a lot of pathways and sequential things, as well as going through pure rote memorization.

 

[487806]

Physics for me was also pure memorization

You memorize physics? That's a first. As Josh7 stated, calc-based physics/engineering physics ensure that concepts are studied rather than memorized. Algebra-based physics isn't useful. It's a dead-end course for physics.

 

[487806]

Yeah, I use my calc based physics in my day to day life...

Tell that to engineers... oh wait, never mind.

 

[advair250]

I still find it odd that algebra-based physics is offered for science students at other universities.. everyone who needs to take physics at my university, takes calc-based. The engineering students take a engineering specific version, and additional freshman physics in statics/dynamics. I think the only places that I know of that offer algebra-based is at CC. But they won't meet requirements for first year science, engineering and the likes that require physics.

 

[KnuxNole]

My undergrad had trig based physics for science majors who weren't going into the physical sciences or who need credit for health professions. In a way, it's good for people who only need to take physics for a year and that's it. You learn the bread and butter, which gets you through the MCAT and the basics of physics in general. Sure you won't be deriving stuff and doing a lot of intensive math...but the whine factor would go through the roof if every biology major was forced to take calc-based physics.

 

[Josh7]

Tell that to engineers... oh wait, never mind.

I was thinking the same thing... This sort of attitude is the same as the 8th grader who asks his math teacher when they'll ever need to factor a polynomial 🙄

 

[487806]

I still find it odd that algebra-based physics is offered for science students at other universities.. everyone who needs to take physics at my university, takes calc-based. The engineering students take a engineering specific version, and additional freshman physics in statics/dynamics. I think the only places that I know of that offer algebra-based is at CC. But they won't meet requirements for first year science, engineering and the likes that require physics.

👍 the mcat should have calc-based physics. it's only fair since calc is required usually

 

[KnuxNole]

I was thinking the same thing... This sort of attitude is the same as the 8th grader who asks his math teacher when they'll ever need to factor a polynomial 🙄

which usually gets answered with "Get out of my classroom!!!"

 

[Azimuthal]

I was thinking the same thing... This sort of attitude is the same as the 8th grader who asks his math teacher when they'll ever need to factor a polynomial 🙄

Have you guys worked with engineers or have held an engineering position? Trig was the bulk of it. Calc was useful but its use was far in between. But my background was in a small portion of microelectronics manufacturing; where design was based mostly on trig while reliability testing methods used some calc. The aeronautics and EE guys def use more, especially in research labs like Lawrence Livermore at the MS and PhD levels (who do not rep the bulk of engineers).

 

[RosettaStoned]

By memorizing the material.

 

[Josh7]

Have you guys worked with engineers or have held an engineering position? Trig was the bulk of it. Calc was useful but its use was far in between. But my background was in a small portion of microelectronics manufacturing; where design was based mostly on trig while reliability testing methods used some calc. The aeronautics and EE guys def use more, especially in research labs like Lawrence Livermore at the MS and PhD levels (who do not rep the bulk of engineers).

Maybe not trivial calculus but things like Laplace transforms and some mathematical modeling is used all the time in the research that I help with

 

[487806]

Maybe not trivial calculus but things like Laplace transforms and some mathematical modeling is used all the time in the research that I help with

Don't forget differential equations, linear algebra and vector calculus

Have you guys worked with engineers or have held an engineering position? Trig was the bulk of it. Calc was useful but its use was far in between. But my background was in a small portion of microelectronics manufacturing; where design was based mostly on trig while reliability testing methods used some calc. The aeronautics and EE guys def use more, especially in research labs like Lawrence Livermore at the MS and PhD levels (who do not rep the bulk of engineers).

Materials uses calculus and diff. eq through implications from quantum chemistry. Same thing with BME and fluids. In mechanical/civil engineering, I think this concept is used, which is essentially calc and above stuff.

 

[Azimuthal]

Maybe not trivial calculus but things like Laplace transforms and some mathematical modeling is used all the time in the research that I help with

The guys with calculus will have an advantage though. For many, completing medical school will open up other opportunities in medicine, such as medical devices and math intensive PhDs. I'd have to say neigh to calc-based physics in the MCATs unless it actually increases the exam's validity.

OP: sorry for sidetracking. I'm a PT student, not med but sheer memorization worked for me in bio.

 

[mosy28]

Memorization seems pretty popular here.

It'll be easier to remember/memorize everything if you 1) create an outline of the major and minor concepts you'll be covering (from the syllabus or textbook), 2) either review your notes after class or look ahead before class, and 3) create and update a mind map (or your preferred medium) every 1-2 weeks and after completing major topics.

Remember to keep it simple.

 

[Josh7]

The guys with calculus will have an advantage though. For many, completing medical school will open up other opportunities in medicine, such as medical devices and math intensive PhDs. I'd have to say neigh to calc-based physics in the MCATs unless it actually increases the exam's validity.

OP: sorry for sidetracking. I'm a PT student, not med but sheer memorization worked for me in bio.

Completely agree

 

[Azimuthal]

Don't forget differential equations, linear algebra and vector calculus



Materials uses calculus and diff. eq through implications from quantum chemistry. Same thing with BME and fluids. In mechanical/civil engineering, I think this concept is used, which is essentially calc and above stuff.

And most of that you'll do/learn only in school. Actual work, not so much, unless you're in a support lab - like one of your examples, a materials lab. Those labs make good money + are vital in many industry clusters. Incubators can also, but most of their guys are piloted by PhDs.

 

[487806]

And most of that you'll do/learn only in school. Actual work, not so much, unless you're in a support lab - like one of your examples, a materials lab. Those labs make good money + are vital in many industry clusters. Incubators can also, but most of their guys are piloted by PhDs.

Yeah, I agree. Just showing you that calc and similar subjects play a role in engineering. Having calc-based physics in the MCAT doesn't change much except add more topics in E&M. Calc is faster in solving kinematics/E&M problems.

 

[Azimuthal]

Yeah, I agree. Just showing you that calc and similar subjects play a role in engineering. Having calc-based physics in the MCAT doesn't change much except add more topics in E&M. Calc is faster in solving kinematics/E&M problems.

Completely agree 👍

 

[grodon909]

What's with all the love for calc based physics here? It's not really necessary for the MCAT, just for science majors. Why do more than you need when you have other classes to focus on?

 

[KnuxNole]

Yeah, I agree. Just showing you that calc and similar subjects play a role in engineering. Having calc-based physics in the MCAT doesn't change much except add more topics in E&M. Calc is faster in solving kinematics/E&M problems.

Oh really? I'd always assume it'd be much more complex to use calc to solve problems...or maybe I overestimate the difficulty 😳

Either way, for a lot of pre-meds, they might not feel the need to take a class like that.

Anyway, since this thread is about biology...memorization is definitely key, and depends on what types of questions they ask. Some bio classes have essay questions where you have to know more than just facts, but for the most part, Bio1/2 involves a lot of repetition and memorization.

 

[911 Turbo]

Calc based physics should be a part of the mcat.

Biology = memorization
Calculus and physics = intelligence


Obviously not black and white but there is some truth in that

 

[Narmerguy]

Whether or not calc-based physics becomes a reality, I'd like to see some Stats added. That's stuff that medical students, premeds, and pretty much any college-educated citizen could benefit from knowing.

 

[TexasSurgeon]

I've heard from a few that they may reduce Orgo and physics down to a semester and place more emphasis on biochem. I can't see why they would emphasize calculus physics.

 

[487806]

I've heard from a few that they may reduce Orgo and physics down to a semester and place more emphasis on biochem. I can't see why they would emphasize calculus physics.

Calculus is required in many schools... algebra-based physics = memorization (and dead-end course in physics...) calc-based physics = understanding/conceptual (fast way to solve physics problems and learn more new concepts that you don't learn in algebra-based physics). For some reason, many premeds are complaining that calc is dreadful, so calc-based physics = death sentence for them.

I agree with Narmerguy's point that stats should be included as well.