Teaching yourself cell bio or other science classes

[Baklava]

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Hey everyone,

I took/finished a summer cell biology class and unfortunately learned absolutely nothing. So I was hoping to audit the class this semester for the sake of gaining cell bio. I know it's not technically required in the MCATS, but I've heard from many people it is very useful. But the professor just refused to let me audit it so I can either take it again (I don't know how good of an idea it is to have two cell bios on my transcript and also more importantly, I already have a full courseload and the thought of more credits in my schedule makes me really uneasy).

Do you think I should just try learning the material on my own(eg. study every night from the book- I actually really like the book) or should I just take that class again?

Have any of you self-taught yourself a semester's worth of any of the sciences?How was it?Any advice would certainly be appreciated.


The book is "Essential Cell Biology 3rd edition" but if you have any other suggestions of supplementary material, please do share.
Thank you.

 

[Aerus]

Hey everyone,

I took/finished a summer cell biology class and unfortunately learned absolutely nothing. So I was hoping to audit the class this semester for the sake of gaining cell bio. I know it's not technically required in the MCATS, but I've heard from many people it is very useful. But the professor just refused to let me audit it so I can either take it again (I don't know how good of an idea it is to have two cell bios on my transcript and also more importantly, I already have a full courseload and the thought of more credits in my schedule makes me really uneasy).

Do you think I should just try learning the material on my own(eg. study every night from the book- I actually really like the book) or should I just take that class again?

Have any of you self-taught yourself a semester's worth of any of the sciences?How was it?Any advice would certainly be appreciated.


The book is "Essential Cell Biology 3rd edition" but if you have any other suggestions of supplementary material, please do share.
Thank you.

First, what does the S stand for in MCATS? 😕

Second, is this an upper division or lower division Cell Biology class? Upper division might be more difficult to self teach since it goes in depth quite a bit. If this is lower division, then self teaching should be easy. I self taught myself general biology.

 

[AdrianVeidt]

Am I the only person who learns material better by reading the book than by listening to a teacher read the book to me?

Of course you can self teach science. Teachers exist only to explain confusing parts of subjects that need explanation. Now we have Kahn Academy for that.

edit: and how big is the class? If it's a huge class room, just sneak in and sit in the back. 100+ people and there's no way he's going to notice you.

 

[Burla]

Essential Cell Biology is a good book IMO 👍

However, for the MCAT you won't need all that information in the book. I'd suggest looking at the link below and taking notes from the book based on the outline

https://www.aamc.org/students/download/85566/data/

 

[Captain Sisko]

it had been roughly 12 years since i took general chemistry when i took the mcat. i taught myself the material I'd forgotten and did well on the physical sciences section. relearning isn't the same as the first go around, but some of the concepts that i hadn't touched in a while seemed pretty darned new!

good luck op.

 

[mtbski]

I taught myself ~50% or more of the bio material, and it wasn't too bad. Used the Kaplan bio book, and ek1001. And of course I took every practice test. Got a 12 on that section. It all depends on how self-motivated you are.