- Joined
- Aug 12, 2012
- Messages
- 73
- Reaction score
- 0
Hey all,
This is going to be a long post, and a lot to read through, but as I prepare, I really need to make sure I'm on track, and since, as a nontraditional student, I don't really have an adviser, I'm coming to you. I figure there are many of you are in this process currently, or have been in this process recently, and should be able to answer my questions. I thank you in advance for your time and support.
I am trying to figure out exactly which prereqs I need for DO as a non-traditional student.
From what I can tell, there are certain prereqs that are pretty much standard across the board for med schools:
8 semester hours of Biology
8 semester hours of General Chemistry
8 semester hours of Organic Chemistry
8 semester hours of Physics
3 semester hours of College level Math
I plan to do these at my local college. One question I have is in regard to so many people I see here talking about the importance of upper division courses. As this is a college and not a university, there aren't upper division courses offered.
From what I have been able to gather, the following courses are what I would need in order to complete my prereqs. I am trying to figure out if I seem to have the right idea here, or if I'm way off base in my approach. Please note that all of the science classes are 4 credit classes, and the ones that should have a lab, do.
Biology:
BIO 196 - Principles of Modern Biology I - A study of the basic characteristics of living systems including the chemical and physical structure of cells, classification of living organisms and principles of genetics, ecology and evolution. This course is designed for science, biological science and preprofessional majors.
BIO 197 - Principles of Modern Biology II - A survey of major groups of organisms presented in an evolutionary context, including natural selection, biodiversity, structure and function, reproduction, physiology, and ecology. Prerequisite BIOL 196.
General Chemistry:
CHEM 121 - General Chemistry I - An investigation of the fundamental structure of matter and chemical terminology. Introduces topics such as solution chemistry, thermochemistry and gas laws. Designed for science and preprofessional majors. Students enrolled in CHEM 121 should have taken or have concurrent enrollment in MATH 127 or MATH 128. Prerequisites: CHEM 103 or 110 or a passing score on the Chemistry Placement Exam.
CHEM 122 - General Chemistry II - An application of chemical principles to inorganic systems. Emphasis on thermodynamics, equilibrium and kinetics. Prerequisites: CHEM 121 and MATH 127 or 128.
Organic Chemistry:
CHEM 241 - Organic Chemistry I - Intensive introduction to the chemistry of carbon and its functional groups, including the structure and behavior of its molecules. Laboratory emphasis is on natural processes. Prerequisite: CHEM 122.
CHEM 242 - Organic Chemistry II - Continuation of CHEM 241, covering simple and polyfunctional compounds, with emphasis on syntheses of organic molecules. Laboratory emphasis on natural processes and qualitative analysis. Prerequisite: CHEM 241.
Physics:
PHYS 151 - General Physics I - General physics primarily for students in Arts and Science, medicine and agriculture. Includes study of mechanics, sound, and heat. A knowledge of right angle trigonometry is desired. Prerequisite: MATH 128 (or equivalent combination of MATH 126 and 127).
PHYS 151 - General Physics II - Continuation of Physics 151. Covers optics, electromagnetism and some aspects of modern physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 151.
Math:
MATH 126 - Precalculus I - A rigorous discussion of algebra concepts necessary for calculus is the focal point of this course. Topics include an in- depth investigation of algebraic functions and their graphs and solutions of systems of equations. Prerequisite: MATH 096 or MATH 097 both with a grade of C or better; or a satisfactory ACT/SAT/Placement Test Score. Note: This course serves as a prerequisite course for MATH 127 and is essential for students planning to take calculus.
MATH 127 - Precalculus II - Topics include an in-depth investigation of trigonometric functions and their graphs, analytic trigonometry, solutions of triangles, vectors, and analytic geometry. Prerequisite: MATH 126 with a grade of C or better; or a satisfactory ACT/SAT/Placement Test score. Note: This course is essential for students planning to take calculus.
MATH 128 - Precalculus and Trigonometry - A one semester course equivalent to the combination of MATH 126 and MATH 127. Topics include an in-depth investigation of algebraic and trigonometric functions and their graphs, solutions of systems of equations, analytic trigonometry, solutions of triangles, vectors, and analytic geometry. Prerequisite: MATH 096 or MATH 097 both with a grade of C or better; or a satisfactory ACT/SAT/Placement Test score.
My 3 Questions:
1) Basically, like I said in the beginning, are these classes the right classes I should be taking to meet the basic DO prereqs? If not, What would I need to change?
2) I realize that I only need 3 credits of college level math. I'm wondering, would my MATH 127/128 be enough math to qualify as "college level math" in most schools, or would I also need to take a Calculus (MATH 181 at my school) course? MATH 127/128 is the highest I need to go for my other prereqs, so I don't necessarily have to take calculus if one of those classes will count as the med prereq.
3) I read on here about several people taking other bio courses, including microbiology and anatomy/physiology courses. Is there a reason I should be spending extra time on those courses? As a nontrad, my goal is to get into med school as quickly as possible, and taking extra bio courses, while they may help me once I get into med school, would require additional time and additional prereqs. (microbiology and A&P require BIO 189 - Fundamentals of Life Science.)
Again, I know that's a lot to go through, and I appreciate anyone who is/has been in my position, and who is willing to give some guidance.
Thank you.
This is going to be a long post, and a lot to read through, but as I prepare, I really need to make sure I'm on track, and since, as a nontraditional student, I don't really have an adviser, I'm coming to you. I figure there are many of you are in this process currently, or have been in this process recently, and should be able to answer my questions. I thank you in advance for your time and support.
I am trying to figure out exactly which prereqs I need for DO as a non-traditional student.
From what I can tell, there are certain prereqs that are pretty much standard across the board for med schools:
8 semester hours of Biology
8 semester hours of General Chemistry
8 semester hours of Organic Chemistry
8 semester hours of Physics
3 semester hours of College level Math
I plan to do these at my local college. One question I have is in regard to so many people I see here talking about the importance of upper division courses. As this is a college and not a university, there aren't upper division courses offered.
From what I have been able to gather, the following courses are what I would need in order to complete my prereqs. I am trying to figure out if I seem to have the right idea here, or if I'm way off base in my approach. Please note that all of the science classes are 4 credit classes, and the ones that should have a lab, do.
Biology:
BIO 196 - Principles of Modern Biology I - A study of the basic characteristics of living systems including the chemical and physical structure of cells, classification of living organisms and principles of genetics, ecology and evolution. This course is designed for science, biological science and preprofessional majors.
BIO 197 - Principles of Modern Biology II - A survey of major groups of organisms presented in an evolutionary context, including natural selection, biodiversity, structure and function, reproduction, physiology, and ecology. Prerequisite BIOL 196.
General Chemistry:
CHEM 121 - General Chemistry I - An investigation of the fundamental structure of matter and chemical terminology. Introduces topics such as solution chemistry, thermochemistry and gas laws. Designed for science and preprofessional majors. Students enrolled in CHEM 121 should have taken or have concurrent enrollment in MATH 127 or MATH 128. Prerequisites: CHEM 103 or 110 or a passing score on the Chemistry Placement Exam.
CHEM 122 - General Chemistry II - An application of chemical principles to inorganic systems. Emphasis on thermodynamics, equilibrium and kinetics. Prerequisites: CHEM 121 and MATH 127 or 128.
Organic Chemistry:
CHEM 241 - Organic Chemistry I - Intensive introduction to the chemistry of carbon and its functional groups, including the structure and behavior of its molecules. Laboratory emphasis is on natural processes. Prerequisite: CHEM 122.
CHEM 242 - Organic Chemistry II - Continuation of CHEM 241, covering simple and polyfunctional compounds, with emphasis on syntheses of organic molecules. Laboratory emphasis on natural processes and qualitative analysis. Prerequisite: CHEM 241.
Physics:
PHYS 151 - General Physics I - General physics primarily for students in Arts and Science, medicine and agriculture. Includes study of mechanics, sound, and heat. A knowledge of right angle trigonometry is desired. Prerequisite: MATH 128 (or equivalent combination of MATH 126 and 127).
PHYS 151 - General Physics II - Continuation of Physics 151. Covers optics, electromagnetism and some aspects of modern physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 151.
Math:
MATH 126 - Precalculus I - A rigorous discussion of algebra concepts necessary for calculus is the focal point of this course. Topics include an in- depth investigation of algebraic functions and their graphs and solutions of systems of equations. Prerequisite: MATH 096 or MATH 097 both with a grade of C or better; or a satisfactory ACT/SAT/Placement Test Score. Note: This course serves as a prerequisite course for MATH 127 and is essential for students planning to take calculus.
MATH 127 - Precalculus II - Topics include an in-depth investigation of trigonometric functions and their graphs, analytic trigonometry, solutions of triangles, vectors, and analytic geometry. Prerequisite: MATH 126 with a grade of C or better; or a satisfactory ACT/SAT/Placement Test score. Note: This course is essential for students planning to take calculus.
MATH 128 - Precalculus and Trigonometry - A one semester course equivalent to the combination of MATH 126 and MATH 127. Topics include an in-depth investigation of algebraic and trigonometric functions and their graphs, solutions of systems of equations, analytic trigonometry, solutions of triangles, vectors, and analytic geometry. Prerequisite: MATH 096 or MATH 097 both with a grade of C or better; or a satisfactory ACT/SAT/Placement Test score.
My 3 Questions:
1) Basically, like I said in the beginning, are these classes the right classes I should be taking to meet the basic DO prereqs? If not, What would I need to change?
2) I realize that I only need 3 credits of college level math. I'm wondering, would my MATH 127/128 be enough math to qualify as "college level math" in most schools, or would I also need to take a Calculus (MATH 181 at my school) course? MATH 127/128 is the highest I need to go for my other prereqs, so I don't necessarily have to take calculus if one of those classes will count as the med prereq.
3) I read on here about several people taking other bio courses, including microbiology and anatomy/physiology courses. Is there a reason I should be spending extra time on those courses? As a nontrad, my goal is to get into med school as quickly as possible, and taking extra bio courses, while they may help me once I get into med school, would require additional time and additional prereqs. (microbiology and A&P require BIO 189 - Fundamentals of Life Science.)
Again, I know that's a lot to go through, and I appreciate anyone who is/has been in my position, and who is willing to give some guidance.
Thank you.
