The Official "How Does This Schedule Look" Thread

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Rising Junior...Biochemistry and Physics Double Major / Masters in Chemistry....annd this is my first post.

I'm gonna have yet another nasty semester...

Introduction to Philosophy (yay for general requirements!)
Abstract Algebra
Biological Chemistry I
Statistical Mechanics I
Electromagnetism I
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
 
LOL. It's just that I'm planning to take the MCAT the end of my sophomore year and with physics I and II, I can. But, if I take Physics I and II, I have virtually no time for my ECs (Research assistant, hospital volunteering, being a club president and shadowing). That's because I literally have class from 10 - 7 everyday and I don't have a car. But, I really want to take the MCAT soon. So, should I take Physics or not?

I'm not sure where you are in your studies (sophomore, junior etc) but don't rush to take the MCAT if you are going to annihilate your GPA. You can try and see how the course load works out and also if it is manageable. If not, then I know at my col there is a certain deadline for you to withdraw, no penalties or blemishes on the record.
 
I'm not sure where you are in your studies (sophomore, junior etc) but don't rush to take the MCAT if you are going to annihilate your GPA. You can try and see how the course load works out and also if it is manageable. If not, then I know at my col there is a certain deadline for you to withdraw, no penalties or blemishes on the record.

Also consider taking Physics 2 in the summer. It's quite a terrible course, but manageable. I did this and took my MCAT at the end of the summer, so I had time for ECs and volunteering, etc.
 
incoming freshman
Does anyone recommend that I take bio and chem together freshman year? Or should I hold off the 1st semester, and see if bio 1 is open 2nd semester? that would mean that I wouldn't be able to finish physics until junior year.

You should definitely take bio and chem together, I had no problem with it. However, if you have to take bio second semester, it wouldn't be the end of the world.
 
so i think so,but i aslo has my ideas.
Summer I - organic chemistry I lecture
Summer II - organic chemistry II lecture
plus working 20-30 hours/week

Fall -
- cell and molecular biology (4 credits)
- physics lecture + lab (4 credits)
- biochemistry lecture (3 credits)
- organic chemistry I lab + discussion (2 credits)
- genetics lab (1 credit)
- either a gen ed class or a physical education class to meet tuition cap (I want my money's worth, aye!)
- plus working 20 hours a week and other extracurriculars
 
incoming freshman

1st Semester
chem 1
Psych 101
Religion 101
Calc 1

The advisor told me that the reason I was put in chem, instead of bio , freshman year was because all the bio classes were full. I'm waiting until people drop, and a class becomes open.

If that happens, I'll be taking bio and chem all through freshman year. Followed by orgo and physics sophmore year.

Does anyone recommend that I take bio and chem together freshman year? Or should I hold off the 1st semester, and see if bio 1 is open 2nd semester? that would mean that I wouldn't be able to finish physics until junior year.

While I was initially placed in english composition, I had ap credits so it was dropped. A five on ap lang got me 6 credits for english composition 1 and 2. I also took creative nonfiction as a dual enrollment course.
I heard that med schools require a year of english? Would it be okay to fill that requirement with electives like american literature? Would med schools just accept my ap credits for the year of english?

thanks for the help

Yes bio and chem are good together, since this is your first classes in a college whatsoever study well.
If you need help with chem i recommend the book "chemistry for the utterly confused" I wish i had used it when i took general chem.

Some med schools don't even accept AP credits.
 
BIO 300 UG Research Methods 1.000
PHI 244 UG Environmental Ethics 3.000
PHI 387 UG Phenomenology & Existentialism 3.000
PHI 433 UG Nietzsche's Zarathustra 3.000
PHY 201 UG General Physics 3.000
PHY 201L UG General Physics I Lab 1.000

I'm taking Kaplan MCAT as well from Sept-April.
 
BIO 300 UG Research Methods 1.000
PHI 244 UG Environmental Ethics 3.000
PHI 387 UG Phenomenology & Existentialism 3.000
PHI 433 UG Nietzsche's Zarathustra 3.000
PHY 201 UG General Physics 3.000
PHY 201L UG General Physics I Lab 1.000

I'm taking Kaplan MCAT as well from Sept-April.
Ooooohhhh, that sounds like a fun class!
 
Due to illness I have to rearrange my schedule:

Spring
Bio 1 and lab
Chm 1 and lab
Calculus 1

Summer
Bio 2 and lab
Chm 2 and lab

Fall
Organic 1
TBD
 
Since I have seen a lot of threads about next semester's schedules, I think it is time to bump this thread.

Here is what my FINAL SEMESTER!!!!!!!!!!!!! is looking like right now:

Physiology of Microorganisms (3)
Medical Microbiology (3)
Medical Micro Lab (1)
Molecular Mycology or Virology (3)
Medical Anthropology (3)
Neurobiology (3)
 
CHM 8:00-8:50 MWF

BSC 9:00- 9:50 MWF

Calculus 10:10-11:00 MWF

CHM lab 11:15-2:05 M

BSC lab 2:30-5:20 M

I think my schedule is pretty good because most of my work is completed on Monday and I have Tuesday and Thursday off( and most of MWF is free). Thoughts?
 
My schedule sounds like cake compared to everyone elses lol.

Chem II
Chem II lab
Physics II
Physics II lab
Calc I

12 hours
 
CHM 8:00-8:50 MWF

BSC 9:00- 9:50 MWF

Calculus 10:10-11:00 MWF

CHM lab 11:15-2:05 M

BSC lab 2:30-5:20 M

I think my schedule is pretty good because most of my work is completed on Monday and I have Tuesday and Thursday off( and most of MWF is free). Thoughts?

Maybe its just me, but it would help to have the actual title of the class. I have no idea what BSC is (assuming some kind of biology) or what chemistry class.


My schedule sounds like cake compared to everyone elses lol.

Chem II
Chem II lab
Physics II
Physics II lab
Calc I

12 hours

Won't be super easy, but is certainly doable 👍
 
Since I have seen a lot of threads about next semester's schedules, I think it is time to bump this thread.

Here is what my FINAL SEMESTER!!!!!!!!!!!!! is looking like right now:

Physiology of Microorganisms (3)
Medical Microbiology (3)
Medical Micro Lab (1)
Molecular Mycology or Virology (3)
Medical Anthropology (3)
Neurobiology (3)

Final semester but not taking a whole bunch of blow off classes? Whoa, son. You're doing it wrong.
 
Since I have seen a lot of threads about next semester's schedules, I think it is time to bump this thread.

Here is what my FINAL SEMESTER!!!!!!!!!!!!! is looking like right now:

Physiology of Microorganisms (3)
Medical Microbiology (3)
Medical Micro Lab (1)
Molecular Mycology or Virology (3)
Medical Anthropology (3)
Neurobiology (3)

I like your schedule. Save for Mycology...
 
Spring Schedule-Sophomore Year- Neuroscience/Psychology Double Major
Systems Neuroscience (3)
Organic Chemistry 2 w/ Lab (4)
Spanish 2 (4)
Univariate Statistics w/ Lab (4)
=15 Hours

What do you guys think? Has anyone taken Systems Neuroscience or Univariate Statistics (Statistics for Psych Majors)?
 
Spring Junior Year - Neuroscience Major

Psychopharmacology (3)
Biological Basis of Mental Disorders (3)
Physics II + Lab (4)
Asian Writing Class (3)
Entrepreneurship (3)
Research Lab (2)

18 whopping hours hooray. I need to bring my GPA up. I think I'll be okay. Entrepreneurship won't take too much time and I'm a decent writer, just kind of worried about the 3 science courses, though I did well on MCAT physics...
 
Spring Schedule-Sophomore Year- Neuroscience/Psychology Double Major
Systems Neuroscience (3)
Organic Chemistry 2 w/ Lab (4)
Spanish 2 (4)
Univariate Statistics w/ Lab (4)
=15 Hours

What do you guys think? Has anyone taken Systems Neuroscience or Univariate Statistics (Statistics for Psych Majors)?

Psychometrics isn't that challanging, half of the semester will be you doing elementary algebra and then you'll do hypothetical testing for the other half. Advice: Don't get cocky after you finish the first half and you'll ace it.
Systems Neuroscience: Pretty fun class, you'll learn a lot of information.
 
Final semester but not taking a whole bunch of blow off classes? Whoa, son. You're doing it wrong.

Medical Anth is a blow off at my school. Everything else I need for my major, except neuro but I think it will be fun.

I like your schedule. Save for Mycology...

Yeah, not much I can do about it. Virology may or may not be offered this coming semester (prof. on sabbatical). So basically it ends up with a choice between Mycology and Soil Microbiology. Needless to say Mycology sounds better.

Spring Junior Year - Neuroscience Major

Psychopharmacology (3)
Biological Basis of Mental Disorders (3)
Physics II + Lab (4)
Asian Writing Class (3)
Entrepreneurship (3)
Research Lab (2)

18 whopping hours hooray. I need to bring my GPA up. I think I'll be okay. Entrepreneurship won't take too much time and I'm a decent writer, just kind of worried about the 3 science courses, though I did well on MCAT physics...

This sounds like a fun(ish) semester. Physics II, at least I thought, was way easier than Physics I.
 
Cellular Biochemistry
Cellular Biochemistry Lab
Physics II
Physics II Lab
Microbiology
Behavioral Stats
Research Methods

African-American Philosophy TA

I'm a Philosophy major, but I'm deciding to "flex" a little and knock out some sciences. I think this will be my easiest semester: trust me writing 20+ pages a week is much harder than sitting down and reading some good ol' BIO.
 
Last edited:
Freshman Spring Semester

Gen Bio II + lab (4)
Gen Chem I + lab (4)
Genetics (3)
Genetics lab (1)
Calculus (4)

Summer

Gen Chem II + lab (4)
 
Freshman Spring Semester

Gen Bio II + lab (4)
Gen Chem I + lab (4)
Genetics (3)
Genetics lab (1)
Calculus (4)

Summer

Gen Chem II + lab (4)

That is quite a lot for a freshman class. How are you doing so far in your Fall semester? If you can pull this off with good grades, kudos to you. But if you're struggling now, maybe drop genetics or calc and take a GE class?
 
That is quite a lot for a freshman class. How are you doing so far in your Fall semester? If you can pull this off with good grades, kudos to you. But if you're struggling now, maybe drop genetics or calc and take a GE class?

I agree, switch one of the classes with a GE class. Even if you do well you'll be very burnt out next semester.
 
Freshman Spring Semester

Gen Bio II + lab (4)
Gen Chem I + lab (4)
Genetics (3)
Genetics lab (1)
Calculus (4)

Summer

Gen Chem II + lab (4)

I will echo the other 2 posters, drop genetics, take GE or something non-science. That is way too much for a freshman schedule.
 
Spring 2012:
...- Cell and Molecular Biology (4)
...- Physics II (4)
...- Organic II (3)
...- Organic Lab (2)
...- Science, Technology, and Society (3)
...- Technical Writing (3)
...- Undergraduate Research (1)

This is going to be my most rigorous semester yet...
 
Last edited:
Spring 2012:
...- Cell and Molecular Biology (4)
...- Physics II (4)
...- Organic II (3)
...- Organic Lab (2)
...- Science, Technology, and Society (3)
...- Technical Writing (3)
...- Undergraduate Research (1)

That's a 9-5 schedule.
 
spring 2012 second semester senior year O_O depends on if i TA anat/phys or not (waiting for my interview, but i think they'll take me. the prof loves me)

without TA:
pathogenic bacteriology
histology + lab
general parasitology
normal microbes of the human body in health and disease
biomedical materials and devices for human body repair
cultural psych or emotional psych haven't picked which

with TA means drop 2 bios. probably parasitology and normal microbes of body
 
Okay... so I'm a pre-dent, but would like an opinion on my possible summer schedule

Summer I

Gen Chem II (with lab)
Physics I (with lab)

Summer II

Gen Chem I (with lab)
Physics II (with lab)

I have to take the gen chems in reverse sequence, that is how the college has it in the summer.

I'm not sure how concerned to be. I have a 4.0 sGPA, I took an organobiochem class and got an A. It wasn't as thorough as it could have been, but I felt I understood. I also will be taking these classes at a CC, so I don't know if the effects the opinion of this schedule.
 
Okay... so I'm a pre-dent, but would like an opinion on my possible summer schedule

Summer I

Gen Chem II (with lab)
Physics I (with lab)

Summer II

Gen Chem I (with lab)
Physics II (with lab)

I have to take the gen chems in reverse sequence, that is how the college has it in the summer.

I'm not sure how concerned to be. I have a 4.0 sGPA, I took an organobiochem class and got an A. It wasn't as thorough as it could have been, but I felt I understood. I also will be taking these classes at a CC, so I don't know if the effects the opinion of this schedule.

chem and physics during the summer? ehh unless you know your good in physics then do it. It's a pain with gen chem esp gen chem 2
 
Maybe its just me, but it would help to have the actual title of the class. I have no idea what BSC is (assuming some kind of biology) or what chemistry class.


General Chemistry and lab
General Biology and lab
 
Maybe its just me, but it would help to have the actual title of the class. I have no idea what BSC is (assuming some kind of biology) or what chemistry class.


General Chemistry and lab
General Biology and lab

Then I think it is fine, won't be a cake walk, but with good study habits you will be fine.
 
Sophmore, Chem major (late starter on Bio)

Biochem Lecture (3)
Physics 2 and Lab (4)
Freshman bio 2 and lab (4)
Public Speaking (3)
 
Junior. Biology Major. Fall Semester.

Population Ecology + lab
Cell Biology
Differential and Integral Calculus + tutorial
Animal Physiology
Evolution and Human Affairs

All the courses are 3 hours a week, labs are 3 hours long and tutorials are 1 hour long.

Plus, I work 10-12 hours at the school cafe, volunteer 3 hours a week, am on the student elections team (4-5 hours a week) and play intramural volleyball 1 hour a week.
 
If everything goes according to plan:
General Biology II (4 credits)
General Chemistry II (4 credits)
Advanced Composition (3 credits)
Psychology of Sexuality (3 credits)

Very solid schedule. You can probably pull off a decent amount of volunteering in your extra time.
 
Spring 2012 Freshman:

Gen Chem II w/ Lab (4 credits)
English II (3 Credits)
Cell Biology w/ Lab (4 Credits)
Stats or Calculus (4 Credits)
And probably a PE class for 1 credit

And btw, Gen Bio 1 and 2 are already done.
 
Possible spring of sophomore year schedule

O-chem II + lab
Genetics + lab
Anatomy and Physiology II+ lab
Intro to cultural anthropology

does this sound alright?

that would only be 15 credits but it sounds like a hassle!
I have 3 labs this semester, but I am just kind of nervous for genetics and A&P II next semester
maybe it would be better not not have genetics and take one or two GE classes instead?
 
Possible spring of sophomore year schedule

O-chem II + lab
Genetics + lab
Anatomy and Physiology II+ lab
Intro to cultural anthropology

does this sound alright?

that would only be 15 credits but it sounds like a hassle!
I have 3 labs this semester, but I am just kind of nervous for genetics and A&P II next semester
maybe it would be better not not have genetics and take one or two GE classes instead?

I would drop 1 of the labs. Having 3 labs suck, especially if one of the labs were ochem. Is A+P required for anything? I would drop that.
 
I am a first-semester freshman currently, and am planning out what classes to take next semester. My plan is to take, for next semester,...

Elementary Spanish II
Cell Biology and Genetics (lab required)
Introductory Chem II (lab required)
Fundamentals of Neuroscience (lab required)

Three labs doesn't sound like the most stellar thing ever, but I really want to get started on biology so that I can do research summer after sophomore year. Plus, micro (which is the second semester of biology that I'm going to take) is only offered in the fall here. This schedule makes the most sense, but I'm worried I'll be in over my head with three labs. Do you think that, since they're mostly introductory, it should be okay?

I'm also planning on taking Organic Chemistry I, II, & III (equivalent to a year) over the summer.

Thank you! 🙂
 
I am a first-semester freshman currently, and am planning out what classes to take next semester. My plan is to take, for next semester,...

Elementary Spanish II
Cell Biology and Genetics (lab required)
Introductory Chem II (lab required)
Fundamentals of Neuroscience (lab required)

I'm also planning on taking Organic Chemistry I, II, & III (equivalent to a year) over the summer.

Thank you! 🙂

Well, if you are doing well this semester assuming you have Gen Chem I and whatever the equivalent of General Bio I is at your school I think you should be fine with this schedule for next semester. It certainly won't be easy though, make sure you don't slack!
 
Well, if you are doing well this semester assuming you have Gen Chem I and whatever the equivalent of General Bio I is at your school I think you should be fine with this schedule for next semester. It certainly won't be easy though, make sure you don't slack!

It's kind of confusing here... We have a Bio class called Ecology, Evolution, and Diversity. It's considered General Bio I, pretty much, but it's not a pre-requisite for Cell Biology & Genetics. A lot of pre-meds don't take EED, so that was the route I was planning on taking: Cell Bio & Genetics would be my Intro Bio class and Micro would be my second semester. I was under the impression that upper-level Bio classes can count as "general bio" credit for med schools. I hope I didn't hear that incorrectly!!

So yes, I am in Intro Chem but not Intro Bio currently. Basically, I haven't had experience with two labs yet, let alone three. Hence my worry!

Thank you for your response, by the way 🙂 I hope you're right!
 
That is quite a lot for a freshman class. How are you doing so far in your Fall semester? If you can pull this off with good grades, kudos to you. But if you're struggling now, maybe drop genetics or calc and take a GE class?

My grades are fine now, and I'm already done with every required GE class. The genetics class is an intro course so I don't think I'll be too overwhelmed.
 
It's kind of confusing here... We have a Bio class called Ecology, Evolution, and Diversity. It's considered General Bio I, pretty much, but it's not a pre-requisite for Cell Biology & Genetics. A lot of pre-meds don't take EED, so that was the route I was planning on taking: Cell Bio & Genetics would be my Intro Bio class and Micro would be my second semester. I was under the impression that upper-level Bio classes can count as "general bio" credit for med schools. I hope I didn't hear that incorrectly!!

So yes, I am in Intro Chem but not Intro Bio currently. Basically, I haven't had experience with two labs yet, let alone three. Hence my worry!

Thank you for your response, by the way 🙂 I hope you're right!

That's how it works at my school as well.

"Natural History of Life" is Bio I and Biology II is "Cell and Organismal Biology". Neither are pre-preqs for each other. That is how I think it is supposed to work though, you see the really big picture (Ecology, Evolution) and then you follow it up with the really small picture (Cell biology).

Don't worry I think the way your school does it is the norm.
 
due to unfortunate mishaps and counselor changing my schedule it now looks like this for the spring semester:

General Bio II (4 credits)
Statistics II (3 credits)
General Chem I (4 credits)
College Composition (3 credits)
 
due to unfortunate mishaps and counselor changing my schedule it now looks like this for the spring semester:

General Bio II (4 credits)
Statistics II (3 credits)
General Chem I (4 credits)
College Composition (3 credits)

Seems pretty straightforward as far as most freshman/sophomore pre-med schedules go. I think this will be fine. 👍
 
Top