Question about Bio class.

[Neurocentric]

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I'm starting in the fall - well, late August, but whatever - and I'm wondering what approach you guys would take for this.

I transfered into this uni, and I had already taken a semester of Bio and did rather well, and now they want to put me in the second semester continuation, which is fine. However, when I took that first bio class, it was about 2 years ago. I'm a bit shaky on things, as anyone would be who didn't have to constantly keep thinking about the class itself.

Anyway, my advisor said that if I wanted, I could audit the first semester bio class and sit in. It wouldn't be on my transcripts, but I could just go to the classes and take notes so I could refresh my memory on what would be done. However, there are a few drawbacks. First, the professor would have to approve of me even sitting in. I also work full time (to establish residency here) and my class schedule is already 17 credits. I don't mind the extra work, but I'm just wondering if it really would be worth the time to try to get all of that taken care of. I'm a couple years down the road from the MCAT, but I certainly don't want this to hurt me in the long run.

Thoughts?

 

[TexasMDtobe]

I wouldn't bother auditing the Bio 1 class, especially with everything else you will be doing. At least at my school the intro Bio classes were not in any particular order, so having a gap between the two semesters wouldn't hurt you. I would just focus on getting A's in the classes in which you're actually enrolled. If you still feel you're at a disadvantage, go read a few chapters from a bio textbook in the library to get yourself back up to speed, but don't waste time sitting in on a class you don't have to.

 

[Neurocentric]

I wouldn't bother auditing the Bio 1 class, especially with everything else you will be doing. At least at my school the intro Bio classes were not in any particular order, so having a gap between the two semesters wouldn't hurt you. I would just focus on getting A's in the classes in which you're actually enrolled. If you still feel you're at a disadvantage, go read a few chapters from a bio textbook in the library to get yourself back up to speed, but don't waste time sitting in on a class you don't have to.

That's what I was thinking I should probably do. I didn't really want to waste the time sitting in on a class. It would be different if the class didn't transfer and I had to take it again, but it's there.

Thanks for your input 🙂

 

[FirefighterDoc]

I knew some people at my school who took both Bio I and Bio II in the same semester. This was allowed because there werent really any topics in Bio II that carried over from Bio I.

In my opinion you shouldnt need to sit in on that class when you already have so much on your plate.

 

[TexasMDtobe]

That's what I was thinking I should probably do. I didn't really want to waste the time sitting in on a class. It would be different if the class didn't transfer and I had to take it again, but it's there.

Thanks for your input 🙂

No problem! Good luck to you 😀

 

[AH3]

I wouldn't worry about the first class. I guess it depends on the university, but first semester bio at my school was all about evolution, so none of it was even on the MCAT. Also, if you plan on taking upper level bio, you will probably hit on the key points from intro level bio. Just do well in the second semester bio class and you will be in good shape. I'd advise taking higher level bio courses as well, but I'm also biased as a biochem major. I felt it helped a bunch on the MCAT.

 

[Neurocentric]

I knew some people at my school who took both Bio I and Bio II in the same semester. This was allowed because there werent really any topics in Bio II that carried over from Bio I.

In my opinion you shouldnt need to sit in on that class when you already have so much on your plate.

Thanks for the input. It's true.. I've already resigned myself to continuous years of hell from here on out 🙂

No problem! Good luck to you 😀

Thanks! Good luck this coming year in medical school!

 

[Neurocentric]

I wouldn't worry about the first class. I guess it depends on the university, but first semester bio at my school was all about evolution, so none of it was even on the MCAT. Also, if you plan on taking upper level bio, you will probably hit on the key points from intro level bio. Just do well in the second semester bio class and you will be in good shape. I'd advise taking higher level bio courses as well, but I'm also biased as a biochem major. I felt it helped a bunch on the MCAT.

From what I remember from the class I took, it had a lot to do with cells and genes, and a lot of the crap that you honestly probably learned in a high school biology class. It had that vibe to me.

I haven't had a chance to look up the codes, but my advisor gave me a list of all the pre-med courses in a schedule a student should use - and there was a couple of semesters that had two biology courses or two chemistry courses in the same semester, so I'm assuming they're all branches of bio and chem just spread out.

 

[AH3]

From what I remember from the class I took, it had a lot to do with cells and genes, and a lot of the crap that you honestly probably learned in a high school biology class. It had that vibe to me.

I haven't had a chance to look up the codes, but my advisor gave me a list of all the pre-med courses in a schedule a student should use - and there was a couple of semesters that had two biology courses or two chemistry courses in the same semester, so I'm assuming they're all branches of bio and chem just spread out.

What is your major going to be? Really, if you take any upper level biology you should be fine. Those intro classes usually briefly touch on a lot of subjects, but don't get into much depth. My least favorite science course was intro cell biology. Might have had something to do with the teacher though...

 

[Neurocentric]

What is your major going to be? Really, if you take any upper level biology you should be fine. Those intro classes usually briefly touch on a lot of subjects, but don't get into much depth. My least favorite science course was intro cell biology. Might have had something to do with the teacher though...

English major, with a minor in bio. I really didn't feel going through a science major was right for me.

 

[AH3]

English major, with a minor in bio. I really didn't feel going through a science major was right for me.

You'll definitely be fine then. Just make sure the bio classes you take cover some genetics, cell biology, and (if you can fit them in) physiology and biochemistry. Med schools should like the English major. And it will probably help on the dreaded verbal section on the MCAT too.

 

[Neurocentric]

You'll definitely be fine then. Just make sure the bio classes you take cover some genetics, cell biology, and (if you can fit them in) physiology and biochemistry. Med schools should like the English major. And it will probably help on the dreaded verbal section on the MCAT too.

Okay. That's awesome advice.

I'll mention that to my biology advisor when I see him/her. I get to have three: pre-med, bio, and english. Lucky me!!! 👍

English has always been a love of mine, particularly writing, so I figured not only did I want to pursue a major I loved, but also something that wouldn't be hard to master so I could focus on my pre-med courses a bit more.

 

[lorenzomicron]

bio 1 and bio 2 aren't related. and bio isn't a class that builds on knowledge anyway