iamtooperfect

I want to be a doctor so I was thinking about doing premed, possibly Human Biology. In the Human Biology major, do you need to take a lot of chemistry classes? I am excellent in Biology, yet am absolutely weak in Chemistry! For me Chemistry is probably one of the hardest classes. I don't want to do literature or history as premed, even though those majors will get you into medical school more easily. Which premed(within in the field of science, not literature..etc) major, requires the least amount of Chemistry?

tokenadult

I hope ANY biology major knows a lot of chemistry. They are distinct subjects, yes, but there is a lot of understanding of biology to be had from a foundation in chemistry. Give chemistry a second try, and then a third try.

And, yeah, if you want to be a doctor, absolutely positively learn a lot of chemistry.

iamtooperfect

yes that is true that chemistry is part of biology but the thing im not good at is math. i understand concepts well but math is not my strong point. Specifically chemistry classes, not biology classes, involve solving problems.

iamtooperfect

maybe i should reconsider my major. i am not very smart. i just try hard. that's how i got into stanford. to excelling in premed is due primarily to natural intelligence right? could i exceed if i am a hard worker, but not so intelligent?

tokenadult

To boost your math between this school year and next, try ALEKS

ALEKS -- Assessment and Learning, K-12, Higher Education, Automated Tutor, Math

which allows multiple free trials and will give you thorough practice in the math concepts you need to learn chemistry. (Indeed, now ALEKS offers a quite good initial chemistry course.)

You are posting on the Stanford Forum as an admitted student (I think), so you have a basis for thinking you are smart about your favorite subject. One thing you'll learn from biology is that human beings are very adaptable to new challenges, so keep that in mind as you learn what you need to learn to broaden your future possibilities. I'll share here a very helpful link about that from a new professor at Stanford.

STANFORD Magazine: March/April 2007 > Features > Mind-set Research

nngmm

If I remember correctly, Chemistry sequence is a prerequisite for biology classes at Stanford. If you want to be a premed, you'll have to start the chemistry sequence right away. By the end of first quarter you'll know if you can handle it (my guess is that if you are a hard worker, and not shy about using the resources available to you, like help sessions, etc., you'll be fine).

You don't have to choose major till the end of sophomore year, so don't worry about it for now!

googol123

Chem classes aren't really a prereq for the bio core, you can certainly take it as a freshman if you want to. For the HumBio major specifically, you do not need to take much chemistry at all - however you will not fulfill premed reqs if you go this route.