Pre-med req question

[JoshuaGuit]

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Hey,

Does anyone know if the pre-med requirement for two biology courses means that they must both be introductory biology courses?

Right now I'm taking intro cell biology, the only other intro to bio course is... "Intro to biology". Cell biology is required for my major, however intro to biology is not. I'm BME right now.

I was thinking about applying to a program my cell bio teacher runs that is called "Biology 4961/6961: Cancer Biology". It's a multi-semester research class where after the first semester of your sophomore year, you're released to do your own individual research (http://www.rpi.edu/~ploppg/prospective_students.html)

It's highly competitive and you are required to get an A in the cell biology class (considered the hardest freshy/sophomore bio class), so I'm not close to positive I'd even be accepted.

My question is would this class be a sufficient substitute for intro to biology, or would I still have to take intro to biology?

Also, if I were accepted, would it be worth having to drop a few of my other EC's to have time enough to be in the lab and study?

Thanks,

Joshua

 

[JoshuaGuit]

Anyone please reply?

 

[TheFamilyDoc]

Hey,

Does anyone know if the pre-med requirement for two biology courses means that they must both be introductory biology courses?

Joshua

Can they both be basic? I believe so, however I heard that medical schools prefer students who didn't just take basic biology, physics etc. but more advanced leveled pre reqs.

Good Luck

 

[JoshuaGuit]

I think you might have misunderstood my question.

It was not whether I could get by taking basic courses for the pre-med requirement, but rather if more advanced courses (such as the level 4000 cancer cell biology course/independent research) would be a sufficient replacement. I didn't know if it was a strict "intro to biology" requirement or if they could be varied.

I am a biomedical engineering major in undergrad right now and the courses I have taken/am taking/will take are definitely not basic.

 

[Catalystik]

My question is would this class be a sufficient substitute for intro to biology, or would I still have to take intro to biology?

Also, if I were accepted, would it be worth having to drop a few of my other EC's to have time enough to be in the lab and study?

You aren't going to get a definitive answer, as each school is different. Some specify one year of intro level bio with lab and they mean it (unless you have AP credit). Some take AP and others expect you to supplement it with upper-level Bio with lab. Some let you substitute another Bio course with lab without AP credit. A few don't require Bio at all, but just recommend it. To know the difference, you'll have to call schools, as the MSAR isn't siufficiently specific to help in this matter. Maybe browsing at your local bookstore will find you a med school application book that IS specific enough (though I've never seen one).

It sounds like a great opportunity to ease into research experience. Research, however, is not required. Whether dropping other ECs would be worth it depends on the EC and how much time you have left before you apply. If you're a freshman, you have lots of time to get everything in that's expected.

If pressed to the wall, my guess would be that for the most part, a research class is unlikely to be substitutable for a required Bio classroom course with lab.

 

[boaz]

The cell bio class should probably get you past everyone's requirements. That is basically the contents of most "General Bio I" courses, but at a bit more advanced level.

If you're also asking about the cancer bio class sequence, that might spell trouble for some schools you will apply to. I'd look for something much more general than that. It should ideally include some structural biology (e.g. anatomy, physiology).

In any case, if you're a bio major, I think it's safe to assume that the major requirements of your school will, at the end of the day, fulfil the med school prereqs.

 

[mvenus929]

I doubt the cancer course would meet the requirements for many med schools, but it's better to check with the schools themselves if you end up taking the class. I can understand someone substituting something like genetics for an intro course, but a research course... I doubt it.

 

[TheFamilyDoc]

Anyone please reply?

You said anyone😕

I think you might have misunderstood my question.

It was not whether I could get by taking basic courses for the pre-med requirement, but rather if more advanced courses (such as the level 4000 cancer cell biology course/independent research) would be a sufficient replacement. I didn't know if it was a strict "intro to biology" requirement or if they could be varied.

I am a biomedical engineering major in undergrad right now and the courses I have taken/am taking/will take are definitely not basic.

Please don't get cocky I'm here to help
Yes your question is quite confusing and can be interpreted many ways.

You aren't going to get a definitive answer, as each school is different. Some specify one year of intro level bio with lab and they mean it (unless you have AP credit). Some take AP and others expect you to supplement it with upper-level Bio with lab. Some let you substitute another Bio course with lab without AP credit. A few don't require Bio at all, but just recommend it. To know the difference, you'll have to call schools, as the MSAR isn't siufficiently specific to help in this matter. Maybe browsing at your local bookstore will find you a med school application book that IS specific enough (though I've never seen one).
.

Now that I do understand your question, I agree with Catalystik you need to ask each school you plan on applying to about your classes that you're taking fitting their intro biology pre reqs.

Good Luck