Pre-meds: Humbio v. Bio

lpar · 07-29-2007, 11:27 AM

I'm pre-med and deciding between humbio and bio core this summer. I know the general differences but it would help a lot if those of you who have already finished either core could reply with: which you chose, why, whether or not you were satisfied with your decision, what specific things you liked/disliked, or whatever other information you think is appropriate.
Thanks so much!

jwj · 07-31-2007, 01:50 AM

Bio core
Because I wanted the hardcore science, I really didn't care about learning the so-called "social issues" related to the science. If I'm gonna learn about sickle-cell, I wanna know the mutation that causes it, I don't wanna learn all the demographics stats of people affected in Africa at the same time.

Also, less units of class, so leaves scheduling more open. Never got the point of HumBio splitting things up into A-side and B-side.

Perfectly satisfied.
There was only one real dislike, and that was having to learn about plants and evolution and ecology in Bio 43.

A lot of the profs are quite boring, but whatever, it's not like they were chosen to be profs for teaching ability. The material's what's interesting. Hence, there's often not a major need to go to class, since notes are given out for most of the lectures. Just study those and you'll probably be fine.

celestial605 · 07-31-2007, 10:22 AM

I also chose bio core.

Although I was somewhat interested in the "fuzzy side" of humbio, I really didn't want to have an extra 5 units a quarter devoted to it. I preferred to pick and choose what kind of fuzzy classes I would take. For example, a lot of the material in Psych 1 is covered in humbio core, and I chose to take Psych 1. However, there is stuff in the humbio core - like demographics and stuff - that I didn't care to learn. So, what I'm saying is that if you like some of the material in the humbio core, you can probably learn about it through another class.

I'm satisfied, though not thrilled with bio core. Maybe it was just an adjusting time for me, I don't know. I just found it somewhat difficult. I have done much better in upper division bio classes.