premed newb with questions.

[Eker]

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1. Is it feasible to major in computer science while satisfying the medical school prerequisites?

2. Is neuroscience a legitimate major?

3. Why is general chemistry a prerequisite to Biology?

4. Is calculus-based physics appropriate for the premed requirement?

 

[dnelsen]

1. Is it feasible to major in computer science while satisfying the medical school prerequisites?

Yes, my major was in philosophy. Your major doesn't matter. Pick something that interests you but make sure you finish the prerequisites as well.

2. Is neuroscience a legitimate major?

Yes, anything is fine. See above.

3. Why is general chemistry a prerequisite to Biology?

It shouldn't be. I've never seen this before. Usually general biology is a freshman course.

4. Is calculus-based physics appropriate for the premed requirement?

Calc-based physics isn't usually required by med schools, but many science major programs require it.

 

[aparecida]

1. Is it feasible to major in computer science while satisfying the medical school prerequisites?

2. Is neuroscience a legitimate major?

3. Why is general chemistry a prerequisite to Biology?

4. Is calculus-based physics appropriate for the premed requirement?

1. Yes. Unless the CS major is unreasonably huge and long at your school or something. But there's no reason you shouldn't be able to.

2. Yes, not all schools have neuroscience majors but there's nothing wrong with majoring in it if it's available.

3. It isn't everywhere, but if it is at your school, it's because much of bio 1 is about biomolecules and the chemistry of water, and thus it's good to be able to understand polar versus nonpolar, know what a drawing of a molecule means, etc.

4. Sure, if you wanna.

 

[Reimat]

Haha, I'm a neurosci, comp sci double major- it's completely possible to do either or both and be pre-med. Both depending on your school and whether or not you want to be able to take any elective courses. For me, I love both subjects, and the neuro major requires all the pre-med courses, so despite being a lot of work, it's a good combo.

Chem usually isn't a pre-req for intro bio, but I've talked to my intro chem professor about this issue, and we've decided that maybe it should be- a more chemistry based intro bio course would be better.

If you're interested in comp sci, I'm betting you have some math aptitude- so go for calc based physics- even if you aren't great at math, I feel like non-calc based physics is a waste of time, seeing as how calc was invented to explain physics...

 

[Jason110]

I feel like non-calc based physics is a waste of time, seeing as how calc was invented to explain physics...

I agree completely. I'm an engineering major; I definitely believe that.

As for whether or not the OP should take calc-based physics, at my school, there is no option. We only have calc-based physics.

Jason

 

[nockamura]

Yeah, calc is usually a prereq for physics classes. Also, gchem is required at my school for Bio because you need to know about valences, common atoms/molecules, polar, ionic etc. Pretty basic, but tough if you don't know what those are. You can probably take it concurrently, that's what I did.