hydralisks

Hi,

I would greatly appreciate some advice on whether I should skip Biology 1A or not (with AP credit). I'm a prospective bioengineering major (freshmen this fall) and will most likely be following the biomech. or biomaterials track. I am NOT premed.

Is Biology 1A a weeder class like Math 1A/B is?

Here is the suggested curriculum for biomech. majors from the bioengineering website: Department of Bioengineering: UC Berkeley
It says that I need to take "Biology 1A & 1AL" or "General Biology" my sophomore year.

Thanks in advance!

BlueElmo

Yeah take it. Bio 1A/AL is one of the toughest courses out there but you also learn A LOT of stuff. I'd say it is about three times harder than AP Bio but you learn much, much more stuff in greater depth.
Since you are Bioengineering major you should of course take it. And since you are not pre-med, that's all the more reason to take it since you won't have to worry about your grade as much as a typical pre-med. All of my Bioengineering friends took it or are taking it currently.

hydralisks

I forgot to mention that I will be after an MBA after I get my masters, so GPA will still be as important as those of premeds.

BlueElmo, are you speaking from experience as a current bioE student?

Any other opinions would be well appreciated. Thanks again.

BlueElmo

Well, I'm MCB but I'm taking Bio 1A right now. I do have a bunch of friends who are BioE students, though, so I get some information from them.

hydralisks

BlueElmo, How are you doing in the course (grade-wise)? And are your BioE friends on the premed track?


Other opinions would be well appreciated. Thanks!

BlueElmo

Don't know yet. My final for this class is on this Thursday. I don't think any of them are on pre-med tracks, but I could ask them to make sure.

hydralisks

BlueElmo, thanks and good luck with your final. Btw, when your not busy, could you please ask your bioe friends about their opinions on this course?

I'd love to get multiple opinions.

BlueElmo

sure, ill keep you updated.