The Under M1 Club: Come on in! part 01

[Biodude]

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THREE LABS A WEEK?

Wow, that's pretty insane...for my major, none of the classes have 3 labs a week (unless you are taking a research "class")

The most at my school has been 2 labs a week.

I think that maybe you should have a talk with your advisor, 2badr.

 

[Biodude]

Sorry, my last post was a very hasty reply...

actually, I am going to take 4 labs per week assuming all goes well...

I thought you meant for a single class...very sorry 2badr.

If all goes well, then I will probably take G. Chem II and Cell Bio and that will snag me 4 labs a week...I know of some pre-meds who've done this and managed to work. Of course, most of that part-time work has been concentrated in the weekends. So, I think that it can be done if your boss is okay with you working on Fridays and weekends...

 

[2badr]

You know it's all okay over here Biodude. 😉 .
Yes the labs are for single classes.
So the spring 2004 should look like this:
Chem II, Immunology, and Physics I or Biochem. I will throw in some lit to keep me sane because I really like literature.

 

[Skaterbabe74]

Hey 2badr - I imagine it will be touch tough scheduling-wise to fit in 3 labs per week on top of work....

I'm not working yet, but I will have work study in the fall, and will end up with 2.5 labs per week between organic chem and physics. But I'm actually looking forward to it. That's "fun time" for me lol. I get to go play with chemicals and waste time (cuz there's always lag time lol), and just problem solve rather than think as much about concepts. The .5 for lab is a lecture talking about the experiment we're doing that week....

Scheduling-wise it's worked out pretty well. I'll be able to work most afternoons after 3pm and Tues and Fri mornings....

In the spring, however, I'm gonna have fun scheduling everything lol. I'm gonna have physics II + lab, organic II + lab, Microbiology:Bacteriology + lab, and genetics + lab.....oops. All of which are labs that are separate from the lecture so they will be hard to all fit in. I'm sure I can do it, it's just gonna be fun lol. Unfortunately I don't have a choice in when I'm taking any of these cuz of when they are offered and the fact that I want genetics for the MCAT and need it for other classes.

So far I haven't had to spend an inordinate amount of outside class time on labs so hopefully that trend will hold true lol.

You just do whatcha gotta do lol. 😀

--Jessica, UCCS

 

[washkeep]

I'd be careful about overloading on classes. It's important to do well in orgo and genetics, so that you don't have to retake either. I took genetics, orgo II and orgo lab among other things this past semester and am so happy to have them behind me.

I know more than a couple of kids that are retaking classes b/c they overloaded or, well, got lazy. I worked and played varsity soccer at the time, too. It was a pretty freakin busy time. I went insane frequently. So don't forget your sanity.😱

Some of the best work-study jobs are in labs. You get the lab experience and the $$$. This can really give you an "in" for summer research opportunities.

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

I'll have 3 labs this fall, though one will be statistics, heh. Also, a really good Orgo teacher, so hopefully I'll be set.
In the spring, I'll be pretty loaded with classes, but I hope I can handle it. Schedule will probably look like this(assuming I pass 🙂):
Orgo 2
Genetics
Anatomy/Physiology I
Physics 1 or 2(depending if I can take it in winter)
Zoology or Botany(or a gened)

But thats a long way away.

 

[Biodude]

Hi everybody.

It's been about an hour since I finished my final (e-mail to catch up on, reading posts, etc.). Well, I do have 3 words to say about it though:

EASIER THAN EXPECTED

I think that I did pretty well. I guess it was more important that the students understood the concepts than the professor trying to fire everyone down with super hard questions lol

Well, I will be working on my term paper (almost almost almost done) 😀

I still have the Psychology final to look for, but it won't be too difficult. I mean, my Psych professor practically gave everybody the questions (and some of the answers) already lol.

Now then...

Cozmosis - that Spring class schedule seems to be all sciences...can you handle an all sciences schedule, dude? I'm just wondering, because I'd probably lose my sanity if I did (hopefully that won't happen in medical school ) I'd probably take a GE course in place of the Zoology/Botany.

What's your schedule for fall?

washkeep - I know what you mean, dude. Funny thing is, I actually work BETTER with MORE CLASSES. Yep, you heard me. I tend to get lazy when I have too little to do, so I like to load up on many classes because it forces me to stay focused. But, to each his/her own. I'd definitely advise most people to watch those courses.

By the way, that's good...I ought to see if any lab assistants are needed after I finish taking G. Chem II. 🙂

Skaterbabe74 - It does look like scheduling is key doesn't it 😀


I'll be doin' my term paper and if anybody wants to AIM me, feel free...I'm usually online from about 2:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) though I do take breaks for dinner and because I have to share my computer with my little brother. My AIM is in my profile.

I can't wait 'til finals week is finally over...hopefully summer school won't be as bad, except for those term papers. I hate term papers. 😡

 

[CJLaw]

Wow, so many new posters--its hard to keep track!

I'm counting down the days until o-chem is done. We have 2 more labs and one more exam yet. Our prof, who promised to have the exams back tonight, told us we have to wait until tommorrow.🙁

Anyway, I got a nice gage on how everyone did. I should be in the top 5, which I was gunning for. There were a lot of complaints about the two pages of reactions. Especially because she wrote the compounds in short hand--which we never use. She said, "it would take me too long to draw structures and I don't have that kind of time", so she introduced short hand two days before the test. Needless to say, I think many people had problems decifering it.

Anyway, thanks for all the support. I found out that my unemployment award will be enough to allow me to stay home--so that's good news. Now all I have to wait for is the determination and the length of benefits. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Congrats to all those who finished up with their classes! Put away the books and enjoy the summer--wish I could, but it will be off to Bio 1 (hopefully) in the middle of June.

Till next time . . . . .

 

[Skaterbabe74]

Originally posted by washkeep
I'd be careful about overloading on classes. It's important to do well in orgo and genetics, so that you don't have to retake either. I took genetics, orgo II and orgo lab among other things this past semester and am so happy to have them behind me.

I know more than a couple of kids that are retaking classes b/c they overloaded or, well, got lazy. I worked and played varsity soccer at the time, too. It was a pretty freakin busy time. I went insane frequently. So don't forget your sanity.😱

Some of the best work-study jobs are in labs. You get the lab experience and the $$$. This can really give you an "in" for summer research opportunities.

LOL. I completely agree with this statement. I honestly don't expect bacteriology or genetics to give me a lot of trouble (I've seen syllabi and lecture notes etc already) so I'll be able to put in the major time on physics and organic. But I also had no choice in when I took these classes if I want to graduate in 2006 (and after having taken classes since 1992 off and on I'm ready to get done! lol) And believe me, I'm more than famililar with those "kids"...I used to be one of them (although usually it was more that i just wasn't interested in the class back when i was dancing and skating), but honestly nothing I take at once now will be harder than my first semester here (A&P I, spanish II, G. Chem I, and calc). The lab time wasn't awful, but the sheer memorization and the time spent to write single page papers for spanish on top of working 25-30 hr/week was idiotic. lol...

Lab jobs are my goal for work study, but at our school most teachers require organic and/or cell bio and genetics first before allowing you to work in their lab. Hence another reason my spring is the way it is lol. I'm hoping there will be a space in either the science learning center (tutoring) or the lab stockroom for this semester but if nothing else i'll go work at the library or bookstore lol.


Cozmosis - my only concern with that schedule would be the amount of time you'll need to put into A&P, organic chem, and physics...I'd try to take a gen ed instead of another science on top of those 3 + genetics, but then again I'm pretty much taking all sciences the rest of my semesters here lol. I'm dividing up the hard core science with things like injury prevention, health and fitness, exercise physiology etc (we have an exercise physiology emphasis in the biology major here) starting fall '04. A&P isn't exactly hard conceptually, but the sheer volume of memorization is mind-blowing because of the details involved. Also A&P I is going to be memorizing the bones and muscles of the body in your lab section. You would not believe the ## of bumps and grooves and stuff on the bones! lol...Anyway it sounds like you and I will be coming here to keep our sanity during the spring

Glad to hear your Chem final went well Biodude! Now finish that paper!

Woohoo! Glad to hear your unemployment worked out CJ2Doc! The reaction thing is exactly why our organic prof uses chemdraw lol. Once you figure out the program (and he's very computer savvy, does research on educational computer systems for improving chemistry classes) it saves a lot of time (or so I'm told...haven't had time to figure it out yet). Glad you think you'll end up where you wanted on this exam😀

--Jessica, UCCS

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

Hehe, yeah, I'll probably take a gen ed instead of zoology or botany, as those are the least important. I'd put genetics off, but its a prerequisite for other Bio classes I plan to take, and the good teacher only has sections in the spring 😀 My evil Bio I teacher teaches it in the fall.

 

[2badr]

Hi all!
Thanks as always for the helpful replies guys 🙂 .I really want to have taken some of these classes before the MCAT. I am waiting to see if we have enough students to take the Bio I class for the second summer session. So far we only have 3 people signed up. that would definitely shift things around a little. But the good part is whether I take Bio I or Bio II I still get to have the same time slot for the fall. I am trying to take my classes on T/Th with one on M (it meets once a week.) and then one on Sat. I think it would work but Biology is holding me up.
But for once I am actually pretty calm thru the craziness . anyway for all of you still in school 😱 .
When do you go back for the fall semester? Second summer session starts July 8. Fall semester starts August 25th.
I am prolly going to assist at a Summer Skills here for the summer.The director is waiting on my answer and I am waiting to see if my class will actually meet. Either way it should be okay. I get paid$$$ for the 6 week Teaching job. Not a lot but I don't think I am in any position to complain. If I take that Bio class I will be able to take Bio II in the fall and that will free up my time so I won't have to take so many labs.Or I might just work myself crazy and go to school full time in the spring.
Whoo- I am becoming long-winded!!
bye for now!

 

[washkeep]

Skater- where do you go to school? (I have a friend that went to Leadville... sounded like way too much fun.) I'm surprised you have to have orgo to work in a lab. At my school there's so much research going on that you can easily find a job as a freshman.

Good luck on finals biodude and all others still in school. Which ones of you haven't taken orgo? B/c that class... takes a lot of time. It's not so much that it's insanely difficult, but it really does just suck up your time. I really liked my second semester professor. Once we spent like 20 minutes talking about how crazy the 1st semester professor was.

Oh yeah, one of our premed deans told me to keep good relations with professors... don't forget recommendations! And she was on the admissions board to harvard med school. She also said getting some kind of clinical experience is a MUST!!!

Just a hint. 😛

 

[Valinor]

.

I honestly don't expect bacteriology or genetics to give me a lot of trouble (I've seen syllabi and lecture notes etc already)

Really? thats confidence! I'm actually quite worried about Micro next fall.

Cozmosis- Good luck with that schedule looks like you're going to need it, that and some uber powerfull coffe, good luck!

hmm....everyone seems to be taking a full load next semester- myself not excluded; I'm taking US history, Microbiology, Physics 2, Music appreciation (gen ed sux), statistics, and anatomy

 

[Skaterbabe74]

Wash - I go to UCCS (Univ of Colo - Colo Spgs). It's a very small school still, but we are getting pretty good projects. In the Chem dept, only 2 teachers take on students without Organic yet, and they are both already overfull for next year lol (My G. Chem prof sold research too well this year lol). The Bio depts researchers want you to have at least Cell Bio, more often Genetics (because we do a lot of genetics/immuno research). As far as who hasn't taken organic yet? I think quite a few of us are jumping into that foray come fall, including me lol.

Valinor - The main reason I'm not worried about either genetics or bacteriology is because that's the kind of bio I've always been good at. I've taken a look at both courses syllabi, and I'm familiar with the book genetics uses. My intro to genetics class was an absolute breeze way back when I went to school the first time around and we used a more condensed version of the book we'll be using in the spring. That's one class I won't be going into absolutely cold turkey. True there have been a ton of advances since I took it the first time, but most of genetics is just solving little puzzles lol. I wouldn't call myself confident but I'm definitely more confident about these than I am about the chemistry/physics lol

--Jessica, UCCS

 

[Biodude]

Hey everyone, last post of the day...errh, night rather.

So let's see here...

washkeep - add me to the list of "Haven't taken Orgo yet" people. I sure haven't taken that class yet and I don't plan to 'til my junior year, lol...thanks for the heads up on studying by the way.

My pre-med advisor used to be on the admissions committees at Harvard and Texas Tech med schools, and he did his post-doc PhD work at Harvard medical school. Plus, I do know about keeping good relations with your professors to secure letters of recommendation. I actually have a sneaky way to get a letter for my non-science LOR...see there's this one English professor who was recommended to me by one of my high school teachers. Well, my plan is to take Advanced English Writing (it's required in my major anyhow...) with this professor. Hopefully we'd get to know eachother well enough for her to write me a bang-up letter of rec to medical schools.

As for clinical experience, of course it's a must 😀 I mean, how do you know if you truly want to be a doctor if you haven't had experience taking care of sick people, right?

Anyways, good advice all-around dude, and I know that everyone here should and will follow it.

Skaterbabe74 - I didn't know that you needed Genetics to do Immunology research. I'm going to check with my pre-med advisor on that (he's a PhD in Immunology). Oh well, not like I'll do research in Immuno though, I'm more interested in Genetics. That sucks that I'll have to take Genetics first, so I probably won't be able to do any research (that I'm interested in anyways) until the summer of 2004. Oh well, I'm a relatively patient person.

Plus, well, I hope that those classes are close to what you're expecting them to be.

Valinor - No kidding GE sucks, but you do know why they're there, don't you? 🙂 personally, I think that GE is boring, but I still take it, because well, it's very educational...it's just stupid that it's required to make sure that students take it...I really wish that more people realize what true education is...oh yeah, that certainly is quite a course load, I do hope that you can handle it, dude.

2badr - You sound pretty cool under all that pressure Oh yeah, thanks for the encouragement in my having to trudge through the end of my semester, by the way 😀 My summer session (1st one) starts on Monday, but my first class starts on Tuesday. My second summer session starts on July 15 I think it was...I forgot, somewhere around there. My Fall semester starts on the last week of August. I think that you're done with school because you started earlier than I did. That's fantastic that you managed to land the teaching job.


Okay, since everyone's discussing their Fall schedules, I guess I'll list mine (yet again! 😀 😛 )

Cell Biology
General Chemistry II
Calculus

plus a Kinesiology course in Wu Shu...I figured what the heck, might as well throw in an extra unit. It wouldn't hurt, and I need to work on my Wu Shu basics after all before trying out for the team, and I do hope that I make it!

This schedule may not sound rigorous, but realize that Cell Bio and G. Chem II are 5 semester units each (around 7 to 8 quarter units) and Calculus is 4 semester units (6 quarter units)...that's 14 semester units, which is already almost a full load by my school's standards (they don't allow more than 16 units unless you're just THAT good academically). Add in 1 more unit from Wu Shu and that's pretty much the tip of the iceberg, so to speak.

That's it...now to hit the sack, and start up tomorrow refreshed and ready to check on my English grade.

 

[Skaterbabe74]

Originally posted by Biodude


Skaterbabe74 - I didn't know that you needed Genetics to do Immunology research. I'm going to check with my pre-med advisor on that (he's a PhD in Immunology). Oh well, not like I'll do research in Immuno though, I'm more interested in Genetics. That sucks that I'll have to take Genetics first, so I probably won't be able to do any research (that I'm interested in anyways) until the summer of 2004. Oh well, I'm a relatively patient person.

Plus, well, I hope that those classes are close to what you're expecting them to be.

Oops, I didn't meant to imply that genetics was "needed" to work in the immuno lab, just that we did a lot of immuno research here. However, since cell bio and genetics are the 2 upper division classes required of every bio major at our school our researchers want us to have those out of the way before we work for them by and large. I dunno, maybe it shows we're actually committed to the major and won't be wasting their time.

--Jessica, UCCS

 

[BallerinaTina16]

My schedule so far for fall quarter is the following:

Physics 7C
OChem 118A (I'm ready for it this time. I was a fool thinking I could deal with my family problems and OChem at the same time! Hahaha)
Neuroscience

I'm still thinking if I should take one more class or if I should leave it at that for fall quarter. I will be starting the school year as a supervisor at work! That will definitely be a challenge. But more pay, and perhaps I can work less but still make my rent and bills and stuff.

I am so restless. One more week of school and then finals. Its soooooo hard to concentrate. 🙄 But I'm doing my best. Speaking of which, I gotta do some enzyme kinetics tonite!

 

[minx]

hi 😀 how's everyone

my fall semester timetable will be as follow where :

cell structure and function(upprer bio div)
Organic chemistry I with lab
calculus I with lab
History II
Ballerina
I wanted to take another Ge but none fitted in my timetable so in nothing . Anyway it going to be OK ,pretty balanced and definetively not overloaded with science classes

bio dude thank for piece of oinfo on genetics 😉

Jelli

 

[manna]

Good morning guys 🙂

Fall schedules - I'm probably going to end up taking only online classes, the whole night class thing is pretty wearing on me since it's an hour commute one-way. I haven't signed up yet, but I think I'll end up with Gen Chem II, Zoo, World Lit and maybe a foreign language.

Yeah, I know I'm behind.. I've been only taking night classes and only recently have any of these sciences been available online or at night... so though by credit hours I'm a sophomore, it's all gen ed credits - got to get to work on those sciences. 🙁

 

[washkeep]

Let's see what i'm taking..

Physics, German Lit & History Class, Behavioral Ecology, Health & the Community, & Principles of the Nervous System or a writing-intensive German class. Ya'll don't have to take all science classes. A lot of med schools really appreciate a kid with a good number of non-science classes. Depending on the Med School, a few "strongly suggest" or even require extra english, philosophy, and the sciency stats.

Does anyone know which med schools requirements are extra crappy? I know a lot of schools want Genetics, Biochem & Stats. Super, right?!

Colorado Springs! Awww, that sounds so picturesque, is it?

😍

Have fun biodude and don't burn out man.

 

[Biodude]

Hey all, I'll be checking my English grade at around 10:30. That should be about the time that my professor has her office hours. Oh man, am I glad that the worst of the finals is behind me! Now to study for the Psych final. I couldn't finish up on my term paper because certain documents of mine wouldn't open up and instead they would crash the computer 😡

Looks like I have to go back to the library to get those documents all over again.

washkeep - When I said Advanced ENGLISH Writing, I meant Advanced COLLEGE Writing...sorry about the mess-up dude

Skaterbabe74 - Oh, I see...at my school, the professors will usually allow students to help with their research as long as these pre-requisites are fulfilled:

General Chem I and II
Cell Biology

We don't have to take genetics and molecular biology before beginning research, but I would think that it is advised, seeing as how most biology research nowadays uses a lot of molecular biology. Anyhow, I'm taking genetics before going into research because I have to...I'm interested in genetics research after all!

And that's quite funny that Genetics and Cell Bio are upper-division courses at your school...at mine they're both lower-division (Biol 172 - Cellular Basis of Life) and (Biol 273 - Genetics and Molecular Biology)...as for upper-division courses, Organic is upper-division at my school (Chem 301A, 301B, and 302 - 302 is the lab).

BallerinaTina16 - Physics and O-Chem at the same time? Hey, I think I'll be doin' that too! Let me know how difficult it is, won't you? 😎 Speaking of which, that looks pretty tough...all science classes, isn't it? IF you add in one more class, I'd suggest that you take a "fun" class (i.e. not a science class and not a class with labs).

By the way, congratulations on becoming supervisor at work As for concentrating, hang in there! You'll make it! Just one week before finals, right? We'll be here to cheer you on.

minx - Hi there minx! Say I was wondering about your AIM...I've seen like 3 different ways to spell it and I am not sure which one is the correct one. Would it be a bother for you to post it up again? I just wanna make sure (chatting with people through AIM is cool!)

By the way, that sounds odd that you're taking Calculus with lab 😕 Oh well, I do hope that you make it through. Organic will probably be a not-so-fun class though. I hope that your schedule works out.

manna - Hmm...what can I say...well, that's cool that your science classes can be taken online, but I was wondering how you would do your labs? Would you do your lectures online and then go to the campus to do labs?


Okay, last thing before I go this morning...

When I listed my Fall schedule, that was my planned schedule. I don't know if there are enough spaces to accommodate me into all of those classes, because the space is very limited (except Cell Bio). And if you've seen my rants before regarding the 2 professors who teach Cell Bio, you know how I feel about one of them, and that I would not take his class...if you don't know how I feel about his teaching methods, then there are the context clues to follow in my paragraph...by the way, I found his picture:

http://stromboli.fullerton.edu/rkoch.html

It's in black-and-white, but that's him alright. Students totally hate this guy (except for his ADVANCED Cell Bio students; to them he's an awesome professor). Basically, he teaches mainly advanced cell bio, and when there weren't enough professors to teach beginning cell bio, the biology department told him to do it. Unfortunately, he's too used to teaching advanced cell bio so his beginning cell bio class is struggling. The class average so far is 55% and he doesn't curve! That's a ton of F's. 🙁

The female Cell Bio professor, on the other hand, was hired specifically to teach beginning Cell Bio...with 2 semesters of experience under her belt in teaching this course (and only this course), she's obviously the optimal choice for taking the lecture section of the course.

Since the male professor is teaching beginning cell bio, that shortens my list of cell bio class schedules by 4...so I only got 4 to choose from and the chemistry sections have only 1 lecture and about 8 labs...there's not going to be much room to accommodate everyone there...and the calculus class that I want is usually filled up by the time I try to sign up for it...

So after reading all of the above, do I still sound unjustified in taking 12 units of summer classes? Personally, I think not. It's going to be pretty difficult to get into all of those Fall classes, but I always have a Plan B...last time I registered it was to load up on all GE (general ed) courses after signing up for Chemistry - you know, English, Political Science, Psychology. This time I'm probably going to be slipping in a Philosophy course (those are pretty easy to get into considering that people at my school think that philosophers are nut-cases lol, and Phil is my minor after all), for any class that's not available to me. I'll be done with most of my GE courses after this summer is over...I'll only need 1 more GE course but I'm not allowed to take it until I am at Junior-level standing...I can take Philosophy courses to cover any other "GE" that I might have missed (i.e. intro to humanities GE - Intro to Philosophy; critical thinking GE - Philosophy Critical Thinking, etc.)

I'll be back after I finish up my Psychology term paper. Stupid documents

 

[Biodude]

On the other hand...

hey washkeep, just read your post right after I posted mine lol

Don't worry, my hardest final is done, so I'm not gonna burn out. Finals week is almost over. But thank you for your concern dude.

Okay, so you want crappy requirements?

Duke requires one year of Calculus (I ain't gonna take I year gosh darn it)

Washington U in St. Louis (your school 😀 ) requires math thru the Calclus level

USC requires 30 semester units (45 quarter units) of social science, humanities, and english composition, AND they also want 1 semester/1 quarter (doesn't list the units here) of bio-chem and 1 course (semester or quarter) in molecular biology - substitutes for molecular bio are: molecular genetics, cell and molecular biology, advanced cell biology

Johns Hopkins requires year of calculus or statistics (6 to 8 semester units/9 to 12 quarter units) and 24 semester units/36 quarter units of humanities and social/behavioral sciences

Dartmouth requires 3 semester hours of Calculus

Mayo requires one course in Bio-chem

(I'm a CA resident, so I'll go to my state schools now)

UCSD requires one year of math (only statistics, computer science 😕 and calculus allowed)

UCLA requires one semester of statistics (hey, I'll take a semester of statistics after a semester of calculus! Boom, 2 problems solved 😀 )

UCSF requires vertebrate zoology - if you don't have vertebrate zoology here are the substitutes: vertebrate embryology, genetics, cell physiology, or comparative vertebrate anatomy (but no matter which one of these courses you take, you HAVE to have LABS! 😡 My school offers some of these courses, but no labs for them)

UC Davis requires math up thru differential Calculus

UCI requires a semester of Biochem

That's all I can remember off the top of my head and also surfing to the schools' websites too.

Oh yeah, and for humanities, I've got that covered...I am getting a minor in Philosophy, which is considered to be one of the humanities. Plus, I'll be taking Advanced College Writing instead of Scientific Writing. That should make me stand out a little bit. 😎

 

[Skaterbabe74]

Originally posted by washkeep
Let's see what i'm taking..

Physics, German Lit & History Class, Behavioral Ecology, Health & the Community, & Principles of the Nervous System or a writing-intensive German class. Ya'll don't have to take all science classes. A lot of med schools really appreciate a kid with a good number of non-science classes. Depending on the Med School, a few "strongly suggest" or even require extra english, philosophy, and the sciency stats.

Does anyone know which med schools requirements are extra crappy? I know a lot of schools want Genetics, Biochem & Stats. Super, right?!

Colorado Springs! Awww, that sounds so picturesque, is it?

😍

Have fun biodude and don't burn out man.

Colorado Springs is definitely picturesque. If you want to see pictures of my school check out William Trask's diary on the sdn main page. He graduated from UCCS also. The campus is up on a hill that overlooks Pikes Peak so studying out on the commons in front of the library is heavenly. We also have low humidity, don't get super hot, and usually don't freeze for too long either. The sun comes out for at least a little while (usually more) 360 days a year and is very hot lol - wear that sunscreen! 😀

As far as not taking all science if you're a traditional student I agree with you. However, most of us are actually non-trads or majoring in science cuz we like it. For me, I already have over 90 credits in non-science classes and will get more every summer until I graduate (and in Fall '05 I have room too). Because I'm already way over the top on credits I decided to take spread out my "hard" science classes as much as possible and fill in with "easy" science classes because I love exercise physiology. On the one hand I regret not getting a degree in anything my first go around at college, but on the other I wouldn't want to be cramming things like Biochem and Organic together or Histo, Immuno, and Molecular Genetics together which you actually can't because of the way classes are offered anyway lol. I would have had to choose between a lot more classes if I cut down to the bare bones too, and I don't want to do that...I like science, always have. By the time I'm done with ugrad tho I'll have enough credits in about 5 different disciplines for minors tho lol...just missing certain requirements that really don't interest me, so I definitely won't be lacking in the diversity thing! lol

--Jessica, UCCS

 

[Biodude]

Hey there washkeep...

I forgot to add something about UCLA in the "crappy requirements" bit...

UCLA discourages people from taking classes that overlap with med school classes (e.g. Human Anatomy) in undergrad. I think that's pretty stupid, but I guess I see their point...I mean, I've read up on how science majors are actually at a disadvantage compared to non-science majors once they get to med school because science majors think that they already know some of the material. Well, they already do, but the thing is, science majors get too confident, don't study enough, and well...you know what happens when you are overconfident and don't study enough for your classes, don't you?

Back to printing those stupid screwed up documents that crashed my home computer ...my Psych professor wants a copy of each of our sources to make sure that we don't plagarize (sp?)...what a waste of paper! 😡 Oh well...

Once that's over I will be done with my stupid term paper for sure and I'll be studying for my Psych final.

 

[Biodude]

Hey Skaterbabe74...

I just took a look at one of my reference sources for my Psychology term paper...it's an empirical study in the field of Behavior Genetics

The first author is named Frederick L. Coolidge, PhD

Do you know who he is? Because it says here that he's in the Psychology Department at UCCS! Interesting...

Just a funny coincidence I thought to note.

 

[Skaterbabe74]

I've heard of Dr. Coolidge Biodude, but I haven't had a class with him yet. He teaches the psych stats class and then does a ton of research and graduate classes.

--Jessica, UCCS

 

[Biodude]

Hey all, I got my English portfolio back today. I also got my grade for the semester...it's an A! 😱

I was expecting a B considering what I was getting on my essays during the course of the semester (B-, C-, C+, A-...), but my professor noticed that I went to class every single day and I participated in class discussions quite a bit. That certainly turned my grade from a B to an A. Totally awesome! Now I gotta go and take my Psychology Final tomorrow, the last final of the semester.

I finished my term paper...I swear, I hate doing term papers....I'm going to not like doing term papers for my GE courses. Personally, I think that they're a waste of time.

So, how's everybody doing?

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

Congrats! Kick that that Psych finals arse.
My Chem class starts Monday. Whee!

 

[Skaterbabe74]

Woohoo Biodude!

I love when subjective grading works in your favor lol. Good luck with your psych final and congrats on finally finishing that paper!

I went over to my bf's folks house for dinner last nite. (His mom apologized just cuz she didn't make anything fancy...she made one of those Kraft box mexican dinners. I told her heck I don't care, this is still the best meal I've had in weeks lol. Being a poor college student sure makes you appreciate eating anything besides Ramen noodles hehe.) Anyway, my bf's dad knowing that I'd just taken chemistry asked my opinion on the value of a reference book. It turned out to be a CRC from '72-73....told him well most of that stuff doesn't change so of course it'll be useful to some chemist unless they are looking for info on the newer elements. The only ones missing were 104 and up. Anyway, my bf's dad said it wasn't worth hanging onto for either of his granddaughters (it's doubtful either will end up chemists hehe) so he GAVE it to me! 😀 True I use Chemfinder.com for a lot of this info, but I think it's definitely gonna come in handy for drawing some of the organic molecules next year! No more having to go into the science learning center to use the dang thing when chemfinder doesn't have info!🙂

Anyway, that was my little oddity of the day. Comparative religions starts Monday!😀

--Jessica, UCCS

 

[Biodude]

Hey all, it's currently very early in the morning (yep, I'm a morning person, not a night person 😀 )

I'd like to thank Cozmosis and Skaterbabe74 for your encouragement...

Cozmosis - hey dude, that's great that you're psyched for Chem. There are plenty of people here who've taken that already, so just drop in and give a ring...somebody will help you out. As for Psych, I will definitely give that Final a beat down today! 😎

Skaterbabe74 - Your boyfriend's parents sound pretty darn cool. I hope that reference book helps you out. As for subjective grading, I think that it's silly I mean, well, if the professor hates you, you're basically screwed. I was lucky though, because my English professor liked me and thought that I was a strong writer. By the way, my summer school courses start next week as well 😀

Well, today I am going to go and see what my grade is in Chemistry...my Chem professor is retiring after this semester. Too bad, I thought that overall he was a good professor even though I didn't exactly get along with him too well. But then, he's probably got other things to do...gardening, photography, making revisions to the Chemistry textbook we use (he's one of the authors 😀 ), research, maybe getting involved in environmental causes...my professor is a true environmentalist. Heck, he rides his bicycle to the campus!

Last thing: I'd like to get everyone's opinions on my posts. It has been brought to my attention that they're really long...

Of course, I've been making long posts ever since agent started up this thread. I took a poll before, and people were fine with the length of my posts, so I just kept right on posting with super duper long posts. I'd like to take another now because we've got so many new members...so my question to you is, are my posts really annoying to have to wade through?

I'll try to keep the length lower in the future if most people say yes, but I won't make any guarantees. I mean, put me with a keyboard and I can be quite the loquacious typer, as I'm sure everyone has noticed 😀

I await your opinions.

 

[Skaterbabe74]

Hey Biodude - Don't alter the length of your posts! I write long ones too as you well know. It's a way for me to get out any frustrations, to rejoice, to hopefully provide some encouragement to others out there like us, and to find out what it's like for others at other schools, and I imagine you have similar reasons behind your posts as well. You shouldn't "have" to or "want" to alter your posts because your posts are who you are!

Anyway, that's just my take on posts...
--Jessica, UCCS

 

[BallerinaTina16]

Hey Biodude. I love your long posts. Don't change it. Its always good reading. Just cause I'm too lazy to write long ones doesn't mean I don't enjoy yours!!

Speaking of lazy, I must get to campus a little early and hit up the computer lab before class. One more week guys! And you know what stinks? My biochem final is the Saturday after the last day of instruction. What genius came up with that? So my physics lab ends at 4:30 on Friday, I will be studying all nite to prepare for a CUMULATIVE final. Even my prof was miffed. Oh well. Get it over with right? 😛

 

[Biodude]

Hey, everyone...

I checked out my Chemistry grade...plus the comments that the professor left for me.

My reaction to it was a wide range of emotions, and the smilies will express them better than I can in words:

1. 😕 2. 😱 3. 😡 4. 5. 🙁

I got a C...I don't quite understand it. The final seemed easy enough, but my score blew and that score dropped me to a high C (68.8)

Oh well, there's always next semester, as I like to say...I'll be taking almost all science-based courses, so those should up my science GPA because I will spend the summer studying ahead for them.

Plus, my summer courses should significantly boost my overall GPA. It's the science GPA that I'm worried about though...right now it's a straight 2.0...with the added Chemistry grade it'll still be a straight 2.0 😡

I just hope my devious summer study plans help me prepare to get A's in Cell Bio, G. Chem II, and Calculus...because 1) I have the Chemistry textbook in my hands, 2) I'm going to borrow the Cell Bio textbook from a friend who's taken the class already and have him help me out in studying it (he got an A in both Cell Bio and G. Chem I), and 3) I'm pretty good with math...though I haven't taken a Calculus course yet, I don't think that it's going to be that difficult.

Assuming that I snatch a 4.0 on the Fall science courses, that should stabilize my science GPA to a 3.0...I'm thinking too far ahead here, aren't I? 😀

It's taking so long before the Psych final! I wish that I could hurry up and take it right now! This is ridiculous...it's felt like hours and hours and hours...I wanna take the final now, but I guess I'll have to wait a bit longer.

Skaterbabe74 - well, yeah, I tend to post up tons of rants...you know me 😀

BallerinaTina16 - That's a pretty stupid scheduling of the bio-chem final. Most people are done with their finals on Fridays and have parties on Saturdays! I know I will 🙂 Hmm...if your prof was miffed, then all I have to say to your school's administration is 🙄 I do hope that you do well on it when you take it though.

Now I'll just sit and wait 'til my Psychology Final...

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

Sorry about your chem grade. Don't kill yourself about it over the summer with mass studying though.

 

[Biodude]

Originally posted by Cozmosis
Sorry about your chem grade. Don't kill yourself about it over the summer with mass studying though.

Thanks for the suggestion dude. I hope that I don't 😀

 

[Valinor]

Hey DUDE, You was robbed! anyway, you shouldn't change your posting style, long post are your thing man.

Skaterbabe- posting on this thread is definetly emotional catharsis for me as well, especially during finals time.

BallerinaTina16: a final on saturday?! is it just for Bio chem or are other UCD classes having finals on saturday?

Today was excellent! pre-med seminar went off with out a hitch. Some suits from stanford came down and gave a presentation about the whole admission process, the MCAT, summer programs, clinical experience as well as TONS of pamphlets, T-shirts, pencils, etc, and they also had a Q&A session, but unfortunately the med students that were supposed to come couldn't 🙁 ; their perspective on the application process and med school experience would have been awesome. The feedback we got from the HS and college students that attended was great, and I hope my club can expand our seminar next year; getting more school reps to come down would probably be a good idea, so I hope I can convince some more schools to come to our seminar next year (I'm still surprised stanford agreed to come down 😱). I made some cool connections with 2 stanford guys, which hopefully will help get me in to their summer program next year; a friend of mine said that one of the stanford guys that came to the conference really helped him get into HCOP, the stanford summer program, this year, so here's hoping that lightning strikes twice . After the conference my friends and I went out to dinner and just kicked till around 10.

 

[Skaterbabe74]

Aww...Biodude, I'm sorry Chem didn't go the way you wanted🙁 . Just try and remember that this was only your first chem class, and I'm sure you'll do better next semester! Spend tonite moping and then tomorrow move on. You said you saw your test and your prof's comments...were you able to figure out what sort of things you were missing? You'll be golden if you do that🙂 . Hope your psych final went well and try to have some fun this weekend!


Valinor - Congrats on the success of your conference! I'm sure next year will be bigger and better!


--Jessica, UCCS

 

[BallerinaTina16]

Skaterbabe: Yeah, this quarter finals start on Saturday, right after classes are over. My sister (she is a freshman here, poli sci major, wants to go to law school) has TWO finals that Saturday. It does stink indeed.

I got my biochem midterm back today. I was four points from an A!!! I mean, a solid B+ is great. I was stoked to say the least. This puts me in a good position for the final. At least a B in the class, no doubt. And I am well aware now of what the prof expects on his exams. So next week I will be studying for this final!!!

Biodude: Hang in there buddy. Never let anything keep you down for too long. I have learned from life that nothing is a mistake and there are no regrets as long as you learn something from it. You know you need to do, and you will do it. I know it.

This may sound weird, but sometimes I'm glad college is hard and I'm not getting straight A's only because if I do get an A or a B+ in a hard class, its because I know I've worked hard and there's a lot of satisfaction in it. And I always have a reason to excel, to try harder. I had an English teacher in high school (she was actually my speaker for the top ten dinner.... I love her so much!) that never gave 100s on anything no matter how hard we tried. She never wanted us to be satisfied with getting a perfect score, but always have the motivation to push ourselves harder and excel even that much more.

Anyways... I just got home from work and now I'm going to crash. One more week guys!! I can do it, I can do it, I can do it.....

 

[Biodude]

Hey everyone!

Valinor - Hey dude, you're lucky that Stanford visited your school, but that's too bad that the med students didn't come. I hope that the information you got was informative. That's awesome that you managed to make connections and I hope that you get into the summer program.

Skaterbabe74 - Well, let's see here...the comment that the professor left for me was "low final exam score" so that's not much help 😀 Anyways, I know where my week areas are in Chemistry...I don't need to go over limiting reactant, mass/mole/# conversions, etc., but rather, I have to go over the concepts that require visualization. As for the Psych final, it was simple, but long, like I expected. I think that I may end up with a B in that class.

BallerinaTina16 - Thanks for the support. That comment on life is very insightful of you. That's pretty nice that you got an A in that midterm That doesn't sound weird that you are glad that college is hard. You know, college is really meant to weed out the serious people from the curious people. The serious people are the ones who stick it out and work hard through pre-med. Oh yes, and I like your anecdotes.

By the way, to all three of you, thank you for the support. I was just bummed out because I pretty much had a B+/A- throughout the semester, and I worked my behind off in studying for that class, only to end up with a high C at the very end. That'll be something to explain to the adcoms won't it? 😀

I wonder what my pre-med advisor is going to say about that...

This is definitely one of the times I'm glad that I'm a science major 😉 If I screw up at the beginning levels, I can make up for it by taking tons of advanced level courses and doing well in them. I mean, I still have to take G. Chem II, Cell Bio, Molecular Bio+Genetics, Physiology+Ecology, Elementary PhysicsI & II, Organic Chem I & II + lab, and about 23 more semester units of biology electives after all of that.

My overall GPA is definitely looking up after this semester, though it'll still be in the 2 point hole...I have a good feeling that it'll get out of that hole after I finish my summer courses. My non-science GPA is guaranteed to be high because well, GE's (non-science courses) are so easy to get A's in compared to science courses. I will also be working extremely hard over the Fall semester because of the BCMP-filled classes it has. That should increase my science GPA at least.

I'm looking too far ahead again...now is the time to relax and have some fun for the next 3 days...and then start on boring old (for me, I don't mean to offend history majors here) history classes (1 for World, 1 for American). That should go for about 6 weeks, and then it's onto Pscyhology of Personality and the second semester's worth of World History for 5 weeks. Then I get 1 week of rest and start my Fall semester on the last week of August. Yep, my summer's pretty much clogged with classes 😀

I'll be going to an "After Finals" party tonight at a friend's house. I still can't believe that I'm done with my first year of pre-med. That sure went by quickly.

 

[washkeep]

Hey all..

Well biodude, sorry about chem. Although I found it somewhat interesting, that class was unneccessarily intense. And, yeah, it is your freshmen year.🙂


What should our science GPAs be? I've heard 3.5-3.7, but I wasn't sure if that was overall GPA. I was also wondering about retaking courses. A lot of kids at my school retake premed classes if they get a C. The premed advisors usually support that. It's kinda rough, every semester the head premed dean sends out an email to all the premeds warning them if their GPA isn't X.X, well, maybe they should consider other career options! Harsh. 😡

I really think that if you want it you'll get there. Maybe it takes a while, but so what?! Everytime I shadow, I think, "I can't wait to be a doctor."

 

[BallerinaTina16]

Hmm... As far as I know, you can't retake a class here at Davis if you received a C. So a lot of pre-meds that don't want that C fail the class on purpose and get a D or F so they can retake it. Shady.

 

[Skaterbabe74]

Wow Washkeep - That is harsh of your premed advisor. I mean if you're a junior about ready to apply, a phone call or email saying that maybe you should rethink applying this year if your gpa is low and work on some things is one thing, but a form letter every semester from the time you declare your premed sucks! I've personally been avoiding my premed advisor until I get some more good semesters under my belt lol, after all I've had my "plan" worked out since before I started my freshman year here lol. (He's also not the most encouraging man in the world, let alone to nontrads and women lol). As far as I know we should be shooting for the 3.5-3.7 for both science and overall gpa...but of course that all depends on your other things. If the other stuff is higher the gpa can be lower, and vice versa. As far as students retaking classes with C's, at our school you can't. I don't know how many premeds we actually have (the premed club always met at a time I couldn't make last year), but I hope they aren't purposely getting D's or F's in C classes. While a C isn't awesome, it's not that awful either providing you back up with some upper level classes to show you actually do know the material.

I totally agree with you about wanting it enough you will get it eventually tho. I don't think ANY student should be told they will never make it to med school. They should be given the facts yes, and told that they may not be the best applicant at this time, but to have dreams shattered is extremely wrong imo.

Comparative religions starts tomorrow at 4:30pm-7:05 pm😀 . Hopefully I'll enjoy it !

--Jessica, UCCS

 

[minx]

biodude don't worry that much about your C in general chem. Certainly do not over work

Washkeep- your premed i s so harsh. 😱

Ok mine really nice and encouraging. he?s alwas there if have any question or simply have a chat.

 

[Biodude]

Hey everybody. My summer school session officially starts tomorrow (yep, Monday after finals...sucks doesn't it?). But I don't got class on Mondays, so I'll have another day away from school.

I volunteered at the soup kitchen today and it was exhausting work...I don't think that I'll be washing dishes for a while (did too much of that in the soup kitchen).

washkeep - Hey dude, your pre-med advisor sounds pretty harsh...just like most pre-med advisors. Your situation is not unique, but that is pretty stupid that your GPA has to be at least 3 point whatever...I think that the pre-med advisor wants to keep acceptance rates high. I know that that happens at my school...my pre-med advisor is a pretty good judge of character, but it seems to me that some people totally refuse to go to him...for example, there was this gunner I know who went to him for advising and he flat out told her that she should consider another career path. After all, she was most certainly a gunner (um, punching me in the arm for an A- 😀 ) I don't think that people would want gunners to be their doctors.

Under that stupid e-mail system that your head advisor gives, I'll bet that I'll have received 2 e-mails by now as a freshman. My pre-med advisor says that my freshman year is average for most pre-meds, even the ones who stick it out and end up in med school. So he's still supporting me even though my GPA is down the tubes at this point in time. I can understand if you are ready to apply and have a 2.3 cumulative GPA, but even to freshmen like me? You gotta be kidding! By the way, my pre-med advisor served on the faculty (admissions committee) at Harvard Medical School and Texas Tech Medical School, so he does know his stuff.

Actually I think that your advisor is like that because you go to Washington University in St. Louis, correct? I checked the admission statistics on that school, and man are the numbers for accepted students INSANELY high! 3.82 GPA and 12 - 12 - 13 on the MCAT sections not including the writing. I think your advisor may be basing his/her decision on sending out the e-mails from the medical school there...not all med schools are that insanely high in statistics. Heck, Harvard med school has lower statistics than that.

Look dude, IF you get that stupid e-mail from your advisor, just ignore it. (S)he may not know anything aside from your GPA and maybe your MCAT score. It takes so much more than a fancy 4.0 GPA to get into medical school...it takes heart, motivation, drive, persistence, and...oh darn, I'm sounding corny now, aren't I? But the thing is, GPA and MCAT mean diddly squat once you get past the primary and secondary applications to the interview stage. Some people are so ignorant that they think all they need is a solid GPA, solid MCAT score, and tons of volunteering and EC's...they don't realize that medical schools want people, not geeks who spend their entire days wrapped up in books without socializing one bit.

There are people who get into medical school with lower than 3.5 GPA's. It's not as much as the 3.5 people, but they do get in. I'd say 3.5 or higher is what you should be at when you apply...most people who are accepted have at least a 3.5 GPA. And you know what, dude? It doesn't matter where you go to medical school in the U.S., you will still become a doctor.

I'd say more, but maybe you get my point?

By the way, yeah it is only my freshman year grades...I've got 6 more semesters to bring it up to something good (3.5 and above). Thanks for the encouragement. I also believe that if you really want it and are willing to work your hardest for it, you will get there.

BallerinaTina16 - Hmm, that does sound very shady...at least at CSUF we can re-take a C grade class. But, I ain't gonna do that, I don't want to go through the boredom of General Chemistry I again 😀

Skaterbabe74 - That's a good plan 😀 Especially after hearing about how anal that pre-med advisor of yours is! 😛 I hope that your plan works out and have fun in Comp religion tomorrow!

minx - thanks 🙂 I certainly won't stress over that stupid C now that I am in a more rational mindset. I've got at least 63 more semester units of BCMP courses! And I plan on getting an A in them too. I'm afraid I can't settle for anymore B's or C's...I just hope I don't turn into another gunner 🙁

Your pre-med advisor sounds a lot like mine...whenever I feel like I have a stupid question and ask him (like how many people stay pre-med through all 4 years?), he doesn't give a stupid answer, that's for sure.

I'll be back later...my bro needs to use the computer to do his homework.

 

[Valinor]

Well I don't know about you Biodude , but I plan on gunning my way to the top.........DAMN can't get my cool smiliey gun animation to show 😡 , I was kidding btw...

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

I'm ready for Chem tomorrow, I guess. Getting my friend to lend me her Chem 2 notes from a better teacher, so I can be better prepared. Time to be prepared for the workload over the summer.

Not really looking forward to it too much, unfortunately. Oh well, itll be over in mid July, and then its onto Orgo in the fall 🙂

 

[Dentistsomeday?]

Hi everybody,
I am a part time student at a local cc right now. I want to do medicine(most prolly) or dentistry. I have discovered this website about 3 months back and was lurking around 😀, I am thinking about going fulltime and work hard to get good grades. I also got admission into a 4 yr. univ for the fall. I am also extremely shy and am anxious of interacting with people. 🙁 But I am not afraid of talking online. hehe 😛

I know this may sound a little weird but need to ask some questions:
Did your Bio I or Chem I classes ever have any group work etc.?
Did you have to work with a partner in Labs?

And I never actually did a lab before, so how is it generally? Can you run thru a sample and how it is graded?

I know I have to overcome my anxiety to become a doctor. I am working on it. 🙂 If you any of you have answers to the questions above, please post.

Ashwin

P.S.: Biodude and Skaterbabe, I like to read your posts and look forward to them, so keep posting!😀 hehe.

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

Hey there. As for my classes:
Chem I, we either worked on our own in labs, or with a partner. We had some group work in class, though not much, where we had to work on an extensive problem with a group.

Labs were generally go to a short information session, where we got stuff about the lab, then went it, did it, got calculations, measurements, etc, and turned in copy sheets. Sometimes we would have to do a formal lab report where it was due the week after. We had labs once a week.

Bio I was different. The class was straight lecture. The labs were done in groups of 4. The way it worked was that the first week, we would write a protocol for the lab, after learning how it worked. The next week, we would actually do the lab, and compile results.
The next week, one member from the group would do a short presentation on our lab, which was not graded, and wrote the protocol for the next lab. The next week, a written report was due, and we did the next lab.
We only had 4 labs the entire semester.

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

And most labs, in my experience, are just following the directions. Like a recipe, or something.

 

[Valinor]

Originally posted by Dentistsomeday?
Hi everybody,

I know this may sound a little weird but need to ask some questions:
Did your Bio I or Chem I classes ever have any group work etc.?
Did you have to work with a partner in Labs?

And I never actually did a lab before, so how is it generally? Can you run thru a sample and how it is graded

Ashwin

P.S.: Biodude and Skaterbabe, I like to read your posts and look forward to them, so keep posting!😀 hehe.

In my chem class we ALWAYS had to do a ton of in class worksheets, and we always worked in groups of 2 in the laboratory, In Bio we always worked in groups of 3; it really all depends on your professor. You may be asked to make up your own lab on how to find something out, or a procedure will be given to you. Essentailly in a lab you:
Get Data
Record Data
Write up a report about your findings and what you learned as well as answer any questions your teacher gave you, and hopefully you don't have to explain all the possible errors and assumptions you were making( like I had to 😡 )

Cozmo: chemistry lab once a week?! I wish my class had been like yours and for BIO 4 labs the whole semester? you sir are a fortunate individual; memories of 20+ bio and chem labs coming back.