dukie11

you have time to do just about anything you want in college. you just have to choose to use that time productively.

warblersrule86

It depends a lot on what AP credit you come in with. The biology major requires intro bio (Bio 25), intro chem (Chem 21/22 or 23), intro calculus (Math 31/32 or 41), and intro physics (Physics 53).

Without AP credit, you'll mostly be taking the intro courses.

With AP credit, you can place out of some or all of these. If so, I would recommend taking Chem 151 freshman year because the curve is more generous; there's a freshman-only section. You should also take Bio 26A or 26B. I recommend 26A in the fall because it's a smaller class and more hands on. In the spring you can take either Bio 116 or 118, both core courses for the major.

A lot of people hate Bio 118 (I did), but Bio 119 has a bad rep. For some reason, pre-meds really like that class. Organic chem can vary a lot in difficulty depending on your professor and how you study.

I was somewhat disappointed in how disorganized Bio 116 was. Then again, I took it the very first semester it was offered, so it may be more organized now.

Maybe. It's not required for the bio major, but Duke requires students to take 2 QS courses (math/comp sci/stats). Which courses you take to fulfill this requirement is entirely up to you. I took 103 with a prof who since retired (Hodel), and it really wasn't that bad.

Mondo

A lot of people at Duke think they don't have time to date and, in my opinion, it really really really really really really really sucks.
More upperclassmen date than freshmen.

sockpuppet

my sister provided me much of the same information regarding pre-med and biology

however, i have an interest in economics as well. are there any recommendations for economics classes for the first semester, to get acquainted with or to see if its enjoyable to pursue?

also, my sister recommended only four classes first semester to at least get used to the college lifestyle. but how often do you find people taking 5, 6, or even more a semester?

twinkletoes23

I know 4.5 is cap for first semester freshman

and 5.5 for second semester freshman.

what about for soph/juniors?

dukie11

Still 5.5. Haha, it doesn't go up every semester, there's only so much time in a week

loveduke22

Yeah-5.5 is enough. Trust me. (as I sit here looking at my schedule before I dropped my half credit class)

SirGecko

I took six one semester and it was a hellish experience. I've never know anyone ever to take more than six by the way. (pretty sure you can't do that) Four isn't just the normal number of classes for freshman year, it is the normal number of classes. Never overload unless you have to.

loveduke22

Five can actually be a doable number outside the sciences/engineering. I'm taking five this semester as an Art History major and the only noticeable difference is I have more reading...which is expected. I'm actually in class A LOT less, and somehow have a few less pages in papers to write than I'm used to.

I think it can just depend on what classes you're choosing because if you decide to add Econ 55 on top of Math 103, Physics 53, and Bio 118, yes you're going to be miserable. BUT If you're adding like, a foreign language, it's not so bad.

You just have to manage your time well, and 5 courses can definitely happen. (Although I agree it shouldn't be a habit.)

sockpuppet

have a gander at my current classes i plan to take and comment. i don't know if there are any pre-reqs to econ 55 that i cant be filled with AP

First Semester:
Chem 23L
Econ 55
Spanish 1
Mat 103

Second Semester:
Econ 105
Writing 20
Bio 26 BL
Bio 118
Spanish 2

I'd like to know if i have any flaws or problems with this

DukeEgr93

sockpuppet - only problem I see is there's no engineering in it Other than that, second semester looks a little time-consuming. Many times, people will have more extra-curricular activities in the spring that take up time (tenting, rushing/pledging, etc) so just keep that in mind, esp. given the amount of time per week intro foreign languages have.

xiaojingteng

is there a course list online that also has the symbols next to it.

loveduke22

Do you mean like, CCI, ALP, etc etc?

www.siss.duke.edu should help you out.

xiaojingteng

thanks for the course list but when i said symbols, i meant the symbols for modes of inquiry and areas of knowledge

DukeEgr93

xiaojingteng - those *are* what "CCI, ALP, etc etc" are :-D Roll over the word "info" in a class listing to get the codes. You can also do a search by codes for courses if you look near the top of the screen (magnifying glass)