Intro/non-science major level for prereqs and mcat

[Ragtime]

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I've done searches and researched outside of SDN but I wanted answers specific to my situation. To my understanding, you just have to take two semesters of bio, chem, ochem, and physics and they don't necessarily have to be titled General Biology or General Chemistry for example. I have a few questions.

At my college they have so many different courses in Biology like:

gen bio
cell bio
populations/organismal
zoology
anatomy

1. Do I just mix and match 2 courses to fulfill the biology requirement?

2. Do these classes count for the prerequisites? Notice how some classes are for non-science majors. Are these okay for medical schools based on the descriptions?

BIO 1 - General Biology (4 units)
UC*, CSU
Prerequisite: None.
This course is an introductory course designed for non-science majors, which offers an integrated study of the basic principles of biology, with emphasis on the principles of structure and function, genetics, development, evolution, and ecology. Discussions on the philosophy, concepts, and implications of modern biology will be included. Total of 54 hours lecture and 54 hours laboratory.

BIO 11 - Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology (Majors) (5 units)
UC*, CSU (CAN BIO 2)
Prerequisite: Che 1A
An intensive course for all Life Science majors designed to prepare the student for upper division courses in molecular biology, cell biology, and genetics. Course material includes introduction, principles of biochemistry, cells, genetics, and diversity. Total of 72 hours lecture and 54 hours laboratory.

PHY 10 - Introductory General Physics
A liberal arts physics course covering mechanics, properties of matter, heat, sound, light, electricity and magnetism and nuclear physics . 54 hours lecture

3. MCAT only tests at the introductory level, so from the descriptions, would these courses provide sufficient knowledge for the MCAT?

I didn't include chemistry in the question because the classes offered are straightforward like General Chemistry I & II, Organic Chemistry I & II at my school. But as for Physics and Bio, there are like so many different courses.

Thank you so much in advance.

 

[TangoDown]

You should be taking the intro bio class for bio majors. The physics course you take should either have a prerequisite of trigonometry/college algebra or be a calculus-based physics course. The Phy 10 course you have listed looks like there's no math involved at all short of maybe some basic algebra. Med schools won't be accepting that. And that 4 unit bio course looks like a remedial bio course.

I'm assuming you're at a community college since I see "UC, CSU" under the courses. I go to a CC in Cali too. A big chunk of non-science major bio and chem courses are generally offered at CCs, but you need to choose the courses designed for life science majors, which the course descriptions should specify.

If you have any doubt, email someone from each department and get some clarification, or meet with a transfer counselor.

 

[tripl3s3v3n]

I suggest you go to assist.org and see which classes at your CC transfer into one of the UC/CSUs biology program to pick the right one. I went to a Ca CC before transfering to a CSU, and it is important to make sure you take the right classes to transfer so you don't waste any time or money.

 

[Ragtime]

I suggest you go to assist.org and see which classes at your CC transfer into one of the UC/CSUs biology program to pick the right one. I went to a Ca CC before transfering to a CSU, and it is important to make sure you take the right classes to transfer so you don't waste any time or money.

Great idea! Thank you. I took General Biology but I noticed that on assist.org it wasn't really equivalent to UC's biology program. However, would this could as a first semester Biology prereq for med school?