EEB Department

Colleges & Universities Princeton University
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<p>Okay, I’ll try to keep this relatively short, and somewhat understandable. This request for advice is mainly aimed at students already in the EEB department, those fulfilling prerequisites for it, or those who changed their minds about entering the EEB department, but if anybody else has opinions, please have at it.</p>

<p>I wanted to be a vet since I can remember, but about 2 years ago, I realized it wasn’t for me and I accepted that. However, I’m still very interested in pursuing a career with animals- perhaps an ethologist. Something with behavior and/or ecosystems, blah blah blah. Basically, NOT the stuff on the cellular level. I’m very interested in doing field work and so on, not being stuck in a lab all the time, although I realize I’d obviously be doing some lab work. </p>

<p>However, I’ve been looking at the prerequisites for entry into the EEB for some time now, and I feel like it might be sign for me to pursue something else- because I hate all the classes I’d have to take to enter the department. I’m not a strong math or chemistry person. Physics terrifies me. I think I’ll die in organic chemistry. Additionally, I couldn’t just do MAT 102 to fulfill the prereq AND my QR requirement- I suck so much I’d have to start at 101, which doesn’t fulfill the QR, so it’s almost a waste of time, plus it’s more painful math for me.</p>

<p>I know we’re supposed to explore our options, etc. etc. etc., but the prereqs are significant for EEB, and I’d need to get started soon- considering I’ll have to take MAT 101 as stated above, basic chemistry, and so on. I put on my preliminary interest form or whatever you call it (for the meeting with the academic adviser) that I’m interested in the EEB department, and I put down MAT 101 and EEB 211 (intro bio and a prereq) as 2 classes I’m interested in taking. I understand it’s nonbinding. I’m just concerned about the amount of prereqs, and the extra work I might have to do, at the expense of missing other opportunities. If there weren’t so many prereqs that I need to get started on, I wouldn’t be stressing so much. </p>

<p>If I didn’t pursue entry into EEB, I don’t have to take math at all. I’d probably do astronomy or something for my QR. I can avoid all the prereqs- all of which are classes I have no interest in, except for the intro bio classes. I feel like this is a sign to forget about it and pursue my other interests: history and archaeology. This then leads me to panic about getting a job and blah blah blah. ANYWAY. I’d honestly hate to take MAT 101 to help me on my way to fulfill the prereq, only to realize it’s not for me- in which case I’ve wasted time and effort, and didn’t fulfill my QR requirement.</p>

<p>Basically, if I can try to sum this up, is it worth it to suffer through classes that will be very difficult for me, and my GPA will likely suffer in the process, in order to get to the classes I WANT to take in the EEB department? Or is this really a sign that it’s not for me?</p>

<p>Any advice is much appreciated, and apologies for the long post.</p>

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<p>If you want to be a scientist or any kind of animal researcher, you will have to know physics and math to be successful. The requirements aren’t there for no reason. I suggest you find an issue of the latest journal of ethology and take a look at all the math and physics they work with… </p>

<p>What’s more important: your GPA or your life’s work?</p>

<p>Organic chemistry is really fun at Princeton. No memorization, open notes/book tests, and every question is like a puzzle. The math requirements should be easy, and you’ll definitely be taking statistics if you want to do any kind of animal/ecology related research. If you’re really that bad at math, I suggest you find a non-science field to pursue (which you can do during your first two years at Princeton).</p>

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<p>Thanks so much for your input. Your bit about organic chemistry is very reassuring!</p>

<p>I think what part of my problem is relates to lack of exposure. I’m an IB graduate, so I took the required year of chemistry (sophomore year) and then decided to do biology my junior and senior years, so my chemistry knowledge is superficial at best, and some time ago. I’ve never taken a physics course either, I just remember kids complaining about it frequently. </p>

<p>I also took math studies… quite simply the easiest math IB has to offer, but it was more stats based. It was suggested for bio kids. I’m much more comfortable with statistics than hardcore calculus, but, then again, I haven’t been exposed to it very much at all. </p>

<p>I think I’m probably just panicking too much. Thanks for pointing out what’s more important- GPA or life’s work. That helps me to put things in perspective a bit. If I really want to do this, I’m just going to have to get through it.</p>

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<p>I’ve also actually just realized that the prereqs aren’t as overwhelming as I somehow first thought. I’ll have plenty of room to take other classes if I just plan well. I really need to just take a chill pill I think…</p>

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<p>Hahah this is definitely the first time I’ve ever heard someone panicking over pre-reqs, or deciding to not pursue a major because of the pre-reqs. Physics 101 and 102 are easy classes, and so are Chem 201 and 202. Anyone who tries hard can do fine! You have 2 years to decide (I’m class of '12 and only two months ago was the deadline for our class to choose our majors), so if you end up bombing your first physics midterm after studying hard for it, you can just drop the class and choose a different field. I came to Princeton with my four years planned out as a psych major pre-med, but ended up choosing economics after realizing that psych is 1) not as interesting as it seems, and 2) completely useless for life.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the reassurance! :slight_smile: </p>

<p>One question though, when it says something along the lines of “mastery of calculus through 102 or 103,” what decides if you have to do the 102 or 103, i.e. if you stop at 102 or have to finish through 103? Does it just depend where you start?</p>