Upper Division Biology at a Community College?

[MCAT1982]

Hi,

Can Community College courses like Microbio, Genetics, Anatomy, Physiology etc be used towards the "Upper division Bio" requirement ?

Or, should the upper division bio be done at a University ?

Thanks

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[darwinmed]

I was under the impression that any course in a community college is, by definition, not "upper-level" because community colleges are for first and second year students while an upper-level class is one designed for third and fourth year students. Upper-level = 3xx and 4xx courses while community colleges only offer 1xx and 2xx courses.

 

[lovesfall]

I was under the impression that any course in a community college is, by definition, not "upper-level" because community colleges are for first and second year students while an upper-level class is one designed for third and fourth year students. Upper-level = 3xx and 4xx courses while community colleges only offer 1xx and 2xx courses.

I think this is right on. Some schools only require the title (e.g., microbiology, genetics, biochem) and those can be taken at community college. Some school specify that they must be upper-level, which means you have to take them at a school that offers 300 and 400 level classes. It's worth asking if you aren't sure what they require.

 

[Juan Solo]

Hi,

Can Community College courses like Microbio, Genetics, Anatomy, Physiology etc be used towards the "Upper division Bio" requirement ?

Or, should the upper division bio be done at a University ?

Thanks

It depends, are you currently at a four year university, CC or have already graduated?

 

[MCAT1982]

It depends, are you currently at a four year university, CC or have already graduated?

I am currently pursuing my pre reqs from a Community College - the community college does offer Genetics/Micro/Anatomy etc too - but wondering whether that would not suffice for the Upper division bio requirement.

Thanks everyone..

 

[hopeful22213]

The general requirement is for a second year of biology with lab. So a community college second year course in genetics, micro, etc, can fulfill that. Students do apply and successfully get in with CC prereqs. Three things to consider/check via each med school website or the MSAR (everybody has a copy of the MSAR, I hope)

1) The school accepts CC for fulfillment. Some schools flatly state that they do not accept CC credits. Some state a preference/strong advise against it.

2) the school specifically states upper level biology as opposed to simply a second year of biology.

3) CC vs 4 year debate and competitiveness of candidates. I am NOT going into that here. As I say to most students if the logistics of life make CC your best option, then do well in it. If you can get an additional advanced course or two at a 4 year school to supplement, it is helpful.

This.

In general, the cc credit is less desirable than a 4-year institution, but it also is not the kiss of death some make it out to be. It would raise eyebrows (and not in a good way) if you take the cc class while simultaneously enrolled at a university because it will appear you were hunting for an easier course/grade. That doesn't appear to be your case though.

Just be mindful of school specific requirements like the previous poster suggested. Some place no restrictions on online or cc credit, some go on a case by case basis (in which case you may want to call admissions) and some refuse it all out of hand.

 

[Juan Solo]

I am currently pursuing my pre reqs from a Community College - the community college does offer Genetics/Micro/Anatomy etc too - but wondering whether that would not suffice for the Upper division bio requirement.

Thanks everyone..

Well if this is your first college at a CC and then you plan to transfer to a 4 year university then there is nothing that you can do about taking your classes at a CC. Adcoms know this and will not mark it against you as long as you do well in your upper division courses at a four year university.

If this isn't the case then sometimes you might find yourself in a gray area.

 

[Woland]

Hi,

Can Community College courses like Microbio, Genetics, Anatomy, Physiology etc be used towards the "Upper division Bio" requirement ?

Or, should the upper division bio be done at a University ?

Thanks

To add to previous posters:

Are you going to pursue a biology degree at the University? If so, the University might require you to take Genetics/Micro/etc there in order to satisfy BS degree requirements and lower division classes will end up being a waste of cash.

 

[darwinmed]

I didn't think the OP was asking whether pre-reqs could be taken at a community college; there are ample threads on that topic.

My impression was that the OP was asking if 100- and 200- level community college courses like Microbio, Anatomy, Genetics, etc. that would ordinarily be 300- and 400- level courses at a 4-year university, and therefore considered upper-levels, would still count as upper-levels despite their 100- and 200- numbering.

My experience is that those 100- and 200- level classes exist for Nursing students and are not the equivalent of a 300- or 400- level course despite sharing nomenclature.

Note this is a completely different topic than whether Chem 101 at a cc counts the same as Chem 101 at a 4-year university!

 

[TriagePreMed]

By definition, all community college courses are considered lower division and may only satisfy requirements if a) lower division is required, or b) no specification as to the course needing to be upper division; e.g. some colleges consider O.Chem to be upper division, yet there is no medical school that expects upper division O.Chem.

 

[MCAT1982]

To add, and assuming you are using CC as an informal postbacc.

If you have an original degree with good GPA in a nonscience area, then CC is less of impact than say you had an original degree with mediocre GPA in a science

I already have a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering and my GPA is 4.0; I have a Masters in Business Administration with a GPA - 3.9;

Currently pursuing Pre med prereqs (more than half way thru') from Community college - current GPA is 4

Not planning for a Bachelors - just want to finish my pre reqs

 

[MCAT1982]

The specific issue is will these 200 level courses fulfill the requirements for an second year of biology with lab for medical school? That answer is yes for medical schools that do not have a stated policy of not accepting CC courses to fulfill prereqs and/or specifically require "upper-level" courses. And what just what does upper level mean to the medical school if that is not further explained? Also to add to this confusion I have seen a few schools (only a few so dont get paranoid) that split hairs with biology being accepted from CC but not organic.

Most schools do not make a blanket policy against but rather a suggestion, advice, etc such as: (these are paraphrased from med school websites)

1) It is suggested that the applicant try to take course X at a 4 year school

2) It is advised that if two similar courses are offered, the student take the more rigorous (note this is usually the code word for calc-based physics)

3) Students should avoid summer courses to fulfill requirements, particularly organic chemistry.

So read websites and MSAR carefully and apply appropriately.

As per TMDSAS - it does not specify any Upper division Bio requirements - just mentions about 14 credits of Bio

But when you go to the websites of Med schools within TMDSAS - they mention about have 8 credits of Bio and then Upper division bio - 6 credits. Eg: Texas Tech

As you had mentioned, they do not further specify/explain on what this upper division means to them ?!?

That's why I was wondering whether I can take the course offerings like Micro/Anatomy/Physiology from Community College itself, since those are definitely upper level as compared to Basic pre req biology.

 

[darwinmed]

In general academic parlance, "upper-level" means 300- and 400- level courses. For example, my school offered several 200-level Bio courses for which Intro Bio was a prerequisite (Ecology, Evo Bio, Genetics, Animal Behavior), but they were not considered upper-level.

Take that for whatever it's worth. I have no information specific to TDMSAS; I've just spent too much time in academia so am familiar with the jargon.

 

[Juan Solo]

I already have a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering and my GPA is 4.0; I have a Masters in Business Administration with a GPA - 3.9;

Currently pursuing Pre med prereqs (more than half way thru') from Community college - current GPA is 4

Not planning for a Bachelors - just want to finish my pre reqs

Okay, now I see. Well if you are doing your pre med req's at a community college then those are not upper division courses. If you need to do an upper division science course then I think the only two options that you have are A) doing it a four year university or B) do it online at an accredited bachelors program/institute.

 

[Gliabelle]

Hi,

Can Community College courses like Microbio, Genetics, Anatomy, Physiology etc be used towards the "Upper division Bio" requirement ?

Or, should the upper division bio be done at a University ?

Thanks

As a co-enrolled student finishing my second year at community college before starting upper-division work at my university, I would say that your best bet is to talk directly to the school you are planning to transfer to. If the school you're going to specifically says "upper division", then the answer is probably no. You might even be able to check their webpage and see if they have a list of course equivalencies; mine does. For example, although they are numbered differently, I can take my genchem and genphys classes at the community college. However, where my university says "upper division" they do mean 300 and 400 level classes, even though the community college offers some classes at the 200-level that are the same text and curriculum as are offered at the 300 and 400 levels at my university. They aren't accredited for upper-division, so they just don't count that way.

I heartily recommend looking into co-enrollment if that's an option in your area; it's made it so much easier for me to navigate my prerequisites!

 

[anguisette]

As per TMDSAS - it does not specify any Upper division Bio requirements - just mentions about 14 credits of Bio

But when you go to the websites of Med schools within TMDSAS - they mention about have 8 credits of Bio and then Upper division bio - 6 credits. Eg: Texas Tech

As you had mentioned, they do not further specify/explain on what this upper division means to them ?!?

That's why I was wondering whether I can take the course offerings like Micro/Anatomy/Physiology from Community College itself, since those are definitely upper level as compared to Basic pre req biology.

Call the schools you're interested in and ask. I think some schools accepted my micro course from a CC as a "upper division" bio class. You should probably call before taking it so you have no surprises later.