New to Sciences in General...

[ziggy1104]

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Hey guys,

This is my first thread on SDN, although I browse it often. I changed my major from education to biology/pre-dental last January (2011). I am currently at a CC and will transfer to USF in January (2013). My problem is I haven't taken ANY science classes as far as bio or chem (only psych) bc I wanted to wait until I get to USF to take pre-reqs. I am scheduled for intro to bio and chem in the fall at CC. Although I feel that I made the right choice waiting to take pre-reqs at a university, I am nervous bc I have no idea how I will do. Did anyone else go through this?? I am a good student in my classes (4.0), but again, its a CC so I know uni will be much more challenging. Just wondering how everyone else dealt with the transition to a university and whether you were prepared when it came to science. Thank you!

Also, since I will be a junior when I transfer to USF, I feel like I have wasted time as far as research opportunities and familiarizing myself with info on the DAT. For those of you familiar with research, do you think I will still have time to participate even without a science background?

 

[tothepark]

Hey guys,

This is my first thread on SDN, although I browse it often. I changed my major from education to biology/pre-dental last January (2011). I am currently at a CC and will transfer to USF in January (2013). My problem is I haven't taken ANY science classes as far as bio or chem (only psych) bc I wanted to wait until I get to USF to take pre-reqs. I am scheduled for intro to bio and chem in the fall at CC. Although I feel that I made the right choice waiting to take pre-reqs at a university, I am nervous bc I have no idea how I will do. Did anyone else go through this?? I am a good student in my classes (4.0), but again, its a CC so I know uni will be much more challenging. Just wondering how everyone else dealt with the transition to a university and whether you were prepared when it came to science. Thank you!

Also, since I will be a junior when I transfer to USF, I feel like I have wasted time as far as research opportunities and familiarizing myself with info on the DAT. For those of you familiar with research, do you think I will still have time to participate even without a science background?

I can't really speak much about the difficulty of science classes at a CC compared to a Uni. I think if you are motivated in your work, you shouldn't have a problem with getting good grades.

In terms of research.. Its not a necessity, but it could definitely help. You could also consider doing research that is not in the natural sciences, maybe in psychology or behavioral sciences with your education background. I was a biochem major, but I conducted research in the psychology and biomed department on toddlers.

 

[Mr. Thirsty]

Try not to sweat it man. I changed from business to science second semester Sophomore year. So I was only a semester earlier than you. The first biology class was tough because it is a new type of learning compared to other types of coursework. When you first see DNA replication and all of that you are like WHAT?>S? But then after that you start to notice that it is repeated in every. single. science. course. General Biology is just so all-inclusive that it may seem overwhelming. Just take it step by step and ask a lot of questions. Once you get over the hump in biology it gets really easy and you learn how to "learn" it. I took chemistry in high school so merging into that was pretty simple for me so I cannot help you there. Good luck though, it is definitely possible to do well!

 

[ziggy1104]

Thanks, its encouraging to know that i'm not the only one going through this and others have done it before me! Did/do you participate in research once you switched your major?

A tothepark: how much science experience did you have before starting research? Also, what year were you?

I guess my question is, does it matter what your you are in or your science experience before you start research? Would starting as a junior science newbie be unheard of?

 

[ziggy1104]

I meant to say does it matter what "year" you are in sorry!

 

[Mr. Thirsty]

Thanks, its encouraging to know that i'm not the only one going through this and others have done it before me! Did/do you participate in research once you switched your major?

A tothepark: how much science experience did you have before starting research? Also, what year were you?

I guess my question is, does it matter what your you are in or your science experience before you start research? Would starting as a junior science newbie be unheard of?

You could get into research your junior year if you wanted, but it may be tough since you are just starting your science courses. To answer your question, no I did not get into research. I thought about it but I did not have much time to do it. One thing that I do recommend you look into, as maybe an alternative to research, is becoming a TA (Teaching Assistant). University classrooms almost always have TA's, especially in classes like biology. They will usually ask at the end of the semester for applications. If you do good in the class and apply there is a good chance you will get it. It isn't as time consuming as research, looks good on the resume, and still gets you great letters of recommendation. Just a suggestion; not trying to sway you away from research!

 

[BrutalViking]

I did the same thing, transferred from CC to four year, and I found that it all depends on the professor you have. Whether he/she want to be thorough/hard or not. IF you were a good student and a hard worker at CC, you'll be the same at the four year uni.

 

[SN1]

Hey guys,

This is my first thread on SDN, although I browse it often. I changed my major from education to biology/pre-dental last January (2011). I am currently at a CC and will transfer to USF in January (2013). My problem is I haven't taken ANY science classes as far as bio or chem (only psych) bc I wanted to wait until I get to USF to take pre-reqs. I am scheduled for intro to bio and chem in the fall at CC. Although I feel that I made the right choice waiting to take pre-reqs at a university, I am nervous bc I have no idea how I will do. Did anyone else go through this?? I am a good student in my classes (4.0), but again, its a CC so I know uni will be much more challenging. Just wondering how everyone else dealt with the transition to a university and whether you were prepared when it came to science. Thank you!

Also, since I will be a junior when I transfer to USF, I feel like I have wasted time as far as research opportunities and familiarizing myself with info on the DAT. For those of you familiar with research, do you think I will still have time to participate even without a science background?

As a student who went to a CC and transferred to a 4 year university, let me give you some advice.

First, I understand that most dental schools frown upon prerequisites taken at a community college but as long as you are able to maintain a good GPA at the 4 year university while taking upper division science courses you will be just fine. You also need to prove that your CC credits are not a joke with your DAT scores. At the end just don't apply to schools that reject CC credits (I believe there are only 3).

Second, since you will be transferring with ZERO science prerequisites, you will probably start out as a freshmen IF you decide to pursue a biology degree. Most junior kids who major in bio have finished all of medical/dental prerequisites so you will be behind there.

In terms of difficulty of CC vs university. It ultimately depends on what CC and what university you are transferring to. However, I believe that that shouldn't matter as long as you put in the work to succeed.

good luck.

 

[ziggy1104]

Thanks for the reply! I also hope to be a TA as well. It looks good on resume and helps the information sink in my head as well. I was afraid getting a research position would be tough since I am competing with students who have been taking science classes since high school. Oh well, guess i'll just wait and see how it all works out.

 

[ziggy1104]

SN1,

I was kind of familiar that I may have to take pre-reqs just to get into the college of biology. That's obviously dissapointing as it sets me back even more than I already am, but I feel like its worth it to go ahead and complete those pre-reqs at USF rather than my CC because I will definitely have more opportunities as far as clubs, research, volunteering, etc. I now live in a small town and my CC has like 2 clubs lol. Thanks for the reply!

 

[SN1]

Your welcome. Good luck!