Too much science?

[dentaloldguy]

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Hi All,

So I've decided to go back to school as take the following pre-req courses. Below is my schedule for the next 3 quarters:

** Fall 2011
Biology I + Lab
Chemistry I + Lab
Physic I + Lab

** Winter 2012
Biology II + Lab
Chemistry II + Lab
Physic II + Lab

** Spring 2012
Biology III + Lab
Chemistry III + Lab
Physic III + Lab

Total of 16 credits each quarter.

Somehow, I feel pretty confident handling this load. But, since I was not a science major (I'm a software engineer, has been for 10 years), I have no idea what I'm getting myself into. Do you think this is too heavy?

Thanks!

 

[indigenoustw]

I took these classes in exact same fashion except I had taken my gen chem already, so I took bio, ochem, phy (each with lab).

I wouldn't say it's too much (I took it at a CC), but be cautious about your finals schedule. I almost died having these 3 finals on the same day. If you take these courses from a 4 year university, this probably wouldn't be a problem...but just be careful.

 

[New2Philly]

That is totally doable; especially for an older student who knows what they want to do. The above poster is right though, finals could hurt your GPA. My advice work your a** off from day one, and the finals will be easier, and less consequential.

 

[Canard]

Total of 16 credits each quarter.

Somehow, I feel pretty confident handling this load. But, since I was not a science major (I'm a software engineer, has been for 10 years), I have no idea what I'm getting myself into. Do you think this is too heavy?

Thanks!

At my school, that was 13 credits in total. If you are doing this full time then you may be able to add other science courses together. My background is in Mechanical Engineering and I had no prior science courses except for gen chem and physics (Do you have to take physics again? I took physics in my undergraduate so I didn't have to take it. I am sure if you were in engineering, you probably took it and don't have to take it again. You might want to check this before you start your semester.)

When you say Chem III, I am assuming you are talking about Ochem I? Although I took Chem I and II 7 years ago before I started my pre-req courses, I took Chem II and Ochem I together so I don't waste time. At the end, I got 4.0 with other science courses so it is definitely doable as long as you work hard at it.

I am not sure about your situation is but it seems very similar to mine so I just wanted to give you my 2 cents. If you have any questions let me know.

Best of luck to you.

 

[kevinlawton]

It's doable, just don't fall behind.

One semester recently I took:
Endocrin
Human Physiology
Genetics
Evolution
2 G.E classes both upper division ones. So about 18 semester Units and was able to get like a 3.5. It was definitely hard though and I was burned out at the end since Physiology we had a test every two weeks on each system. I still have nightmares about that semester

 

[dentaloldguy]

At my school, that was 13 credits in total. If you are doing this full time then you may be able to add other science courses together. My background is in Mechanical Engineering and I had no prior science courses except for gen chem and physics (Do you have to take physics again? I took physics in my undergraduate so I didn't have to take it. I am sure if you were in engineering, you probably took it and don't have to take it again. You might want to check this before you start your semester.)

When you say Chem III, I am assuming you are talking about Ochem I? Although I took Chem I and II 7 years ago before I started my pre-req courses, I took Chem II and Ochem I together so I don't waste time. At the end, I got 4.0 with other science courses so it is definitely doable as long as you work hard at it.

I am not sure about your situation is but it seems very similar to mine so I just wanted to give you my 2 cents. If you have any questions let me know.

Best of luck to you.

I didnt have to take Physics and Chem back then. I took Biology for non-science major to that didnt help. I've already checked with the nearby dental school's dean of admission, and I have to take all the pre-reqs.

Thanks for the input!

 

[dentaloldguy]

It's doable, just don't fall behind.

One semester recently I took:
Endocrin
Human Physiology
Genetics
Evolution
2 G.E classes both upper division ones. So about 18 semester Units and was able to get like a 3.5. It was definitely hard though and I was burned out at the end since Physiology we had a test every two weeks on each system. I still have nightmares about that semester

Thanks for the input kevinlawton!

I don't think 3.5 is acceptable in my case (my undergraduate GPA is somewhat low, 3.2). So, I'm aiming for 4.0 (besides a decent DAT) to impress D-schools. Thanks!

 

[Canard]

I didnt have to take Physics and Chem back then. I took Biology for non-science major to that didnt help. I've already checked with the nearby dental school's dean of admission, and I have to take all the pre-reqs.

Thanks for the input!

hmmm interesting, I had to take phys and chem as requirement for freshman engineering courses (which was 9 years ago). Well it seems like you are in right direction.

Are you doing post-bacc program full-time? If so, maybe you should take one more class to show D-school that you can handle the heavy science load. For my school, the credits are separated like the following:

Phys I+lab = 4 credits
Chem I+lab = 4 credits
Bio I+lab = 5 credits
Total = 13 credits

Maybe your school's credit system is different? I am also non-traditional student and taking heavy load in science courses this past year and doing well really helped me to prepare for dental school. (just my 2 cents)

Best of luck to you.

 

[oae]

Thats a pretty normal load actually for science majors. Im not saying its easy, but simply that it is typical. I would maybe throw in an easy elective somewhere in there as well. 3 science classes and 1 elective per semester over the span of three quarters will show you to be a strong applicant IF you focus and get the grades. Just make sure your not partying.

 

[321931]

Do what you can while maintaining Straight A's and a normal social life. Make the most of undergrad, because in Grad, you will literally have no life outside from school.

The most I took was around 2 Science+ 2 GE's (perhaps 1 easy Science). ~14-16 Units.

 

[dentaloldguy]

hmmm interesting, I had to take phys and chem as requirement for freshman engineering courses (which was 9 years ago). Well it seems like you are in right direction.

Are you doing post-bacc program full-time? If so, maybe you should take one more class to show D-school that you can handle the heavy science load. For my school, the credits are separated like the following:

Phys I+lab = 4 credits
Chem I+lab = 4 credits
Bio I+lab = 5 credits
Total = 13 credits

Maybe your school's credit system is different? I am also non-traditional student and taking heavy load in science courses this past year and doing well really helped me to prepare for dental school. (just my 2 cents)

Best of luck to you.

Just double checked (15 instead of 16):

Phys I+lab = 4 + 1 credits
Chem I+lab = 4 + 1 credits
Bio I+lab = 5 credits
Total = 15 credits

Yes, I'm doing post-bac full time. I've recently earned an MBA (GPA 4.0) at an accredited university, while working full time. So, I know I can handle business courses. But science is a new territory for me.

 

[Canard]

Just double checked (15 instead of 16):

Phys I+lab = 4 + 1 credits
Chem I+lab = 4 + 1 credits
Bio I+lab = 5 credits
Total = 15 credits

Yes, I'm doing post-bac full time. I've recently earned an MBA (GPA 4.0) at an accredited university, while working full time. So, I know I can handle business courses. But science is a new territory for me.

I completely understand about science being new territory. I have both BSc. and MSc. in Mechanical Engineering and I was bit worried about taking 4 science courses but because of the motivation of wanting to be a dentist, I managed to do well. So I am sure you are very capable of doing really good as well.

You can always assess the first semester and if you think it is not too difficult, you can always add next semester. Best of luck to you.

 

[NAVY DDS 2010]

I can understand how you might think this science load might be a little challenging coming from a non-science background, but be assured that this is a very basic schedule that a lot of undergrads follow. One thing you need to consider is that if this schedule becomes too challenging for you, then you might want to reconsider going into dentistry. Double that science credit courseload and you have your schedule for each semester for the next two years. Not difficult - just a lot of scienee courses and info in two years.

Hi All,

So I've decided to go back to school as take the following pre-req courses. Below is my schedule for the next 3 quarters:

** Fall 2011
Biology I + Lab
Chemistry I + Lab
Physic I + Lab

** Winter 2012
Biology II + Lab
Chemistry II + Lab
Physic II + Lab

** Spring 2012
Biology III + Lab
Chemistry III + Lab
Physic III + Lab

Total of 16 credits each quarter.

Somehow, I feel pretty confident handling this load. But, since I was not a science major (I'm a software engineer, has been for 10 years), I have no idea what I'm getting myself into. Do you think this is too heavy?

Thanks!

 

[jackalo34]

It is definitely true that not all classes do credits the same-we don't do 4 credits for a typical class and labs are completely different at times. It gets confusing sometimes when comparing to others and general loads but thats beside the point.

One thing I'm curious of is why you are taking three semesters of physics...I took mechanics and e&m and that was just two semesters.😕

 

[KillaGorilla]

There is never too much science its those damn liberal arts classes u need to worry about.