Is taking O Chem, Physics, Genetics, and Calculus all in one semester doable?

[tomi65463]

Taking O Chem 1, Physics 1, Genetics, and Calculus would be 15 credits and that's all I would take this fall. I really wanted to take physics this year but I could take it junior year. I could also take physics 1 next spring to ease my schedule. I have to take calc and o chem to be on track with my major. Any suggestions?

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[487806]

Taking O Chem 1, Physics 1, Genetics, and Calculus would be 15 credits and that's all I would take this fall. I really wanted to take physics this year but I could take it junior year. I could also take physics 1 next spring to ease my schedule. I have to take calc and o chem to be on track with my major. Any suggestions?

yes. it's doable

 

[Beargryllz]

15 credit hours is not bad

Your schedule looks typical for a sophomore undergrad, almost identical to mine

 

[CaliGirl14]

Anything is doable. The likelihood you'll ace everything? Ehhh.

 

[tomi65463]

I also want to be able to get good grades, I thought gen chem was easy but I heard ochem is much harder and time consuming. That's why I was considering taking physics another semester.

 

[487806]

I also want to be able to get good grades, I thought gen chem was easy but I heard ochem is much harder and time consuming. That's why I was considering taking physics another semester.

you're fine

 

[PreMedRookie]

If I were you I would put one off (so I guess physics in your case) and take one of your other required classes...like a gen ed one or something. There is no point to risk doing poorly in one just to take them all at once. It is doable but it would be easier to put one off...

 

[jd989898]

Next semester i'm taking Ochem, Stats for math majors, Physics, and Microbiology, and I'll have 2 jobs. You'll be fine as long as you're smart and keep up with your work.

 

[Omppu27]

If I were you I would put one off (so I guess physics in your case) and take one of your other required classes...like a gen ed one or something. There is no point to risk doing poorly in one just to take them all at once. It is doable but it would be easier to put one off...

Agreed. In your situation, there is really no need to take that kind of schedule... Is it doable? Sure. But based on the situation you have described, it's not necessary. Take a Gen Ed and get good grades. Also, I thought Ochem one wasn't too bad.

 

[NickRiviera MD]

you're not going to get any awards for taking all of those classes at the same time. do yourself a favor and take 3 out of the 4 and take a gen ed for the 4th class.

 

[JohnFe]

Finals will be hell.
Pace yourself. How much hours are you willing to spend for studying?
This is what I did.

Ochem, Genetics, Calculus + GE easy class
^These are series classes. If you are a bio major, most likely these will be prereq for upper division classes.


Leave physics. You only need a year of it. It can WAIT. Unless you are a chem major, you need it for P.Chem.

 

[Loveless]

If it were me, I'd replace one with an "easy" general ed. class, or take one out entirely and spend more time on ECs. Slow and steady wins the race. 😎

 

[Utenation]

If you're an Iron-man when it comes to school, go ahead. Otherwise, I'd take it easy if I were you. I did something similar one semester and I regret it. I got B's where I should have got A's. Also having time/space for EC's is important.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Honestly? I think I'd rather cut myself than do that schedule. I took genetics, physics, and ochem 2 one semester and that was a drag, add in calculus? And honestly there's no way you'll be able to ace them all. All of those courses are problem heavy.

 

[Bbroush]

Taking O Chem 1, Physics 1, Genetics, and Calculus would be 15 credits and that's all I would take this fall. I really wanted to take physics this year but I could take it junior year. I could also take physics 1 next spring to ease my schedule. I have to take calc and o chem to be on track with my major. Any suggestions?

That is only 15 credits? At my school with labs for o chem and physics that would be 18

 

[487806]

Honestly? I think I'd rather cut myself than do that schedule. I took genetics, physics, and ochem 2 one semester and that was a drag, add in calculus? And honestly there's no way you'll be able to ace them all. All of those courses are problem heavy.

If OP enjoys math, he'll probably handle the course load effectively. If OP hates math, then he should drop calc or physics.

 

[AdrianVeidt]

Don't do it, you've got plenty of time. Drop one of those completely or drop and replace it with something like history or sociology (any general class you need to graduate).

 

[Bbroush]

Taking O Chem 1, Physics 1, Genetics, and Calculus would be 15 credits and that's all I would take this fall. I really wanted to take physics this year but I could take it junior year. I could also take physics 1 next spring to ease my schedule. I have to take calc and o chem to be on track with my major. Any suggestions?

That is only 15 credits? At my school with labs for o chem and physics that would be 18

 

[mimelim]

The only person who can answer this question is you. Nobody on here can comment on your academic prowess and abilities. The schedule you listed was akin to the standard pre-med track schedule at my undergrad. Some people excelled at it, some people didn't. Some went on to medical school and some didn't. Far less important than the classes are who you are and your ability to do well in multiple classes.

Being scared of a GPA drop should not be a reason to not take a class. You should not take a class if you are incapable of doing well and getting something out of your classes. Even if you manage to get straight A's in your classes, what is the point if you get nothing out of them? I know this is a strange concept, but undergrad isn't a big hoop to jump through in order to get to medical school. It is education, you might as well get something out of it while you are there.

What you listed is an easily doable schedule for people who have ended up in medical school. Certainly not everyone would agree with that (hence not EVERYONE who ended up in medical school could do well with that schedule). By far the most important factor when asking this question is your self assessment of you as a student. I strongly agree with Agent B. If you are a mathematically oriented individual, or American terms, you don't get scared by fractions (elementary school math), you will do just fine.

My best semester from a GPA standpoint was my 2nd semester freshman year: Math 233, Chem 112, Physics 198, Physics 314, Physics 217, Physics 317, Biology 292 plus my required writing seminar. (21 credits)

 

[tomi65463]

That is only 15 credits? At my school with labs for o chem and physics that would be 18

Genetics - 4 credits

O Chem- 3 credits

O Chem Lab- 1 credit

Calculus - 3 credits

Physics - 3 credits

Physics Lab - 1 credit

At my school it is 15 credits all together.

 

[Bbroush]

Genetics - 4 credits

O Chem- 3 credits

O Chem Lab- 1 credit

Calculus - 3 credits

Physics - 3 credits

Physics Lab - 1 credit

At my school it is 15 credits all together.

That's cool, I wish o chem and physics were 3 credits! Same with calculus! It would make it easier to fit into a semester. Instead of being a 5 credit beast.

 

[SolarLuminosity]

I did this and it is definitely doable. My grades were lower, but still good. If you can take one of the classes later, I would recommend it. If you can't, just hunker down and get ready for a hard semester.

 

[amazing tekkers]

My best semester from a GPA standpoint was my 2nd semester freshman year: Math 233, Chem 112, Physics 198, Physics 314, Physics 217, Physics 317, Biology 292 plus my required writing seminar. (21 credits)

Unbelievable tekkers!

Well done.

Don't you only need a year of physics, unless this was for your major?

 

[Fatalis]

to the OP
I did that same schedule before. You need to stop listening to the rumors about o-chem. You want to know the truth about o-chem...its just a lot of work but very doable; I got an A+ in orgo 2 because I worked my butt off and understood the material. With orgo, the 1st thing you do is identify the nucleophile and then the electrophile, then come up with a mechanism you think might work and then take it from there.
If you feel you cant do it however, dont. Its not a sprint to finish everything fast, spread out those courses evenly.

 

[mimelim]

Unbelievable tekkers!

Well done.

Don't you only need a year of physics, unless this was for your major?

Physics major.

 

[mblai003]

Yes you should be okay

 

[occams_razor]

I have a friend who took Ochem I, physics I and genetics all in one semester. the next semester she took ochem II, physics II and cell bio and took the MCAT. she did well and got into med school this cycle. so yes, it is doable..but you will have to work hard

 

[tomi65463]

Do most pre-meds take physics sophmore or junior year? After all the replies, I will most likely take O chem 1, Physics 1, Calc and an easy gen Ed . Then next semester take O chem, physics 2, elective, and genetics since I just need to take genetics before junior year. I am good at math, I really like problem solving but I shouldn't risk doing poorly in anything. Thanks for all the help.

 

[occams_razor]

Do most pre-meds take physics sophmore or junior year? After all the replies, I will most likely take O chem 1, Physics 1, Calc and an easy gen Ed . Then next semester take O chem, physics 2, elective, and genetics since I just need to take genetics before junior year. I am good at math, I really like problem solving but I shouldn't risk doing poorly in anything. Thanks for all the help.

that sounds much more manageable. if you like math and problem solving you should do well

 

[Aerus]

I know a lot of people who have taken this and excelled. Doable if you're the type who likes critical thinking rather than the default premed "memorizing".

 

[Bangersandmash]

I did that my sophomore year and got all A's that semester. If you did calc in high school, Calc I shouldn't be too big of a deal anyway. Even with 10 hours in a research lab and volunteer time, I had many weekends free. Test weeks were rough but as long as you don't procrastinate you're good.

Take mimelim's advice: only you know what you can do. With that said however, a lot of college students will complain a lot about course loads when it's really their fault that they struggled because they decided to do nothing for 4 weeks and then cram. Med school will be a lot worse, so think of this as a good stepping stone.

 

[JustinD]

I hate to crash the thread but next year I have a highly similar schedule.

Physics (Principles of Physics Two) - 4 units
Biology (Foundations of Bio - Evolution, Biodiversity, and Organismal) + Lab - 4 units
Organic Chemistry One + Lab - 5 units
Economics (Principles of Economics - Micro) 3 units

Total: 16 units

Is this doable, and possible to get straight A's granted I work and volunteer roughly 10 hours a week? I am at a community college, so competition is low.

Edit:

I could switch Economics (3 units) with Statistics (4 units)

and/or
I could switch Biology (Foundations of Bio - Evolution, Biodiversity, and Organismal) + Lab
with
Biology (Foundations of Biology: Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics, and Molecular Biology) + Lab

Both are 4 units. Thoughts?

 

[487806]

I hate to crash the thread but next year I have a highly similar schedule.

Physics (Principles of Physics Two) - 4 units
Biology (Foundations of Bio - Evolution, Biodiversity, and Organismal) + Lab - 4 units
Organic Chemistry One + Lab - 5 units
Economics (Principles of Economics - Micro) 3 units

Total: 16 units

Is this doable, and possible to get straight A's granted I work and volunteer roughly 10 hours a week? I am at a community college, so competition is low.

Yes it's doable.

 

[TXTide]

OP, that's almost the same as my schedule, but I'll be taking Physics II and Calculus III. My OChem class doesn't have a lab. Personally, I'm only a little worried about it. I'm taking all of them because I want to take the MCAT next year before it changes, and because I'm an engineering major so I need the math now, and it's best for me to have physics as early as possible. For me it's worth it, so I know I'll be motivated.

 

[as1212559]

Doable if you are willing.

Good luck with your free time goals of fall 2013 though.

 

[911 Turbo]

sounds like a fairly easy schedule... actually a little on the lighter side. make sure to take harder courses next semester to show adcoms you can survive the rigors of medical school.


hehe not.. looks like a fairly hard schedule but i think you can do it opie

 

[deleted407021]

I also want to be able to get good grades, I thought gen chem was easy but I heard ochem is much harder and time consuming. That's why I was considering taking physics another semester.

I would recommend you take physics (not calc based, take algebra/trig based🙂) another semester. Plug in a non-science/math to break up your schedule.

 

[tomi65463]

When is the best time to take general physics? I thought most people took it with O chem sophomore year because taking it junior year would mean most likely taking the MCAT before being done with physics 2.

 

[TXTide]

Uh😕, then you may want to take it at another university. Most med schools require labs as well. I may be a bit of a jerk but I give good advice

Oh, haha, sorry for the confusion. My school does have an OChem lab, but you take it AFTER you take OChem 1, and it is a two credit-hour lab, so it's like having a year of one-hour lab. No worries.

 

[487806]

When is the best time to take general physics? I thought most people took it with O chem sophomore year because taking it junior year would mean most likely taking the MCAT before being done with physics 2.

So I take it you're not a math person? Most members here seem to assert that your schedule is too difficult, when it really isn't (i.e. It's more of a typical premed schedule).

Physics is not a death sentence. Take it whenever you want and be dedicated to the analytical thinking involved.

 

[tomi65463]

Do most pre-meds take physics sophmore or junior year? After all the replies, I will most likely take O chem 1, Physics 1, Calc and an easy gen Ed . Then next semester take O chem, physics 2, elective, and genetics since I just need to take genetics before junior year. I am good at math, I really like problem solving but I shouldn't risk doing poorly in anything. Thanks for all the help.

I like math in fact I think its easier than memorizing everything like bio. I did very well in gen chem. I will most likely take the schedule I said in my previous post, just going to take one elective to not risk anything.

 

[487806]

I like math in fact I think its easier than memorizing everything like bio. I did very well in gen chem. I will most likely take the schedule I said in my previous post, just going to take one elective to not risk anything.

I seemed to missed that post. 😳

So, honestly you'll do well in your current schedule, since you feel comfortable in math (so you'll be comfortable in physics as well). Orgo doesn't require memorization, but understanding how the basic reactions and chemistry work. Genetics is actually one of the few bio courses that is more critical thinking than direct memorization. In summary, you'll do well in your current schedule, but if you're comfortable in your alternative schedule, go for it.

 

[tomi65463]

So I take it you're not a math person? Most members here seem to assert that your schedule is too difficult, when it really isn't (i.e. It's more of a typical premed schedule).

Physics is not a death sentence. Take it whenever you want and be dedicated to the analytical thinking involved.

Thanks for all the help, your one of the few people who didn't think my schedule was crazy haha. Its funny because I know a girl who is taking my suggested schedule PLUS a difficult upper division humanities course for a total of 18 credits. To each their own.

I think anythings possible if you manage your time well.

 

[487806]

I think anythings possible if you manage your time well.

This statement is essential, and it's good you're following it. In that case, you can succeed in any courseload with proper time management and self-motivation. Good luck.

 

[Bangersandmash]

LOL, no. Just no kid. Pre meds are sooo cocky. When you end up getting b's in everything or drop half your hrs you will remember this post. Med students have heavy course loads, however, most aim/pray for that 70%.

There's a difference between cockiness and confidence. I'd agree with you that the majority of cocky pre-meds often struggle, but many of the confident ones find it a breeze or budget their time wisely to make it seem easy. If you think taking 15 credits of science/math classes and achieving good grades is an unlikely task, you're going to have a rude awakening the first time you have to put down a beer on the weekend and pick up a book.

 

[Lamel]

To ease your mind, if you are good with your algebra skills, then calc 1 should be pretty easy.

 

[chemsmith]

Doable? Certainly. Optimal? No. If there was a way to more evenly distribute bcmp classes across time I would do that instead

 

[487806]

Doable? Certainly. Optimal? No. If there was a way to more evenly distribute bcmp classes across time I would do that instead

Determining what's optimal is subjective. Determining what's doable is objective.