Freshman Fall Semester Courses

<p>Some advice about the introductory science courses that I hope will prove useful. Most people that I know (who were premed) took either biology or chemistry for their first semester, though some took physics. Biology 13 (Cells and Organisms) is not like a typical AP Biology course. The emphasis in the course is both on understanding the material well and applying your knowledge to solving questions that go beyond reciting the textbook back. There are 3 exams, 1 final, a lab practical (where you are tested on laboratory techniques), and random lab quizzes during the semester. Lab reports and assignments are interspersed throughout the semester. If you took AP Bio you should be well prepared, but be forewarned that though many people take AP Bio they still find Bio 13 hard. </p>

<p>Chemistry 1 or 2 (Intro Chem) are introductory chemistry courses and are geared towards both learning the material and solving problems. Labs are weekly for up to 3+ hours and have weekly laboratory reports (some labs are shorter than others, some are longer). There are usually also 3 exams and a final in the course. Chem 1 and 2 almost certainly have weekly problem sets and recitations that are helpful to attend. If you place out of Chem 1 into Chem 11 (Gen Chem), be certain you have a good AP Chemistry background because Chem 11 is geared to a higher level. You will be expected to have a solid background in chemistry and then solve more challenging and complicated problems. </p>

<p>Taking both chemistry and biology in a semester is doable, if you feel confident in your abilities to keep up in the reading, labs, and problem sets. Remember that taking Chem 1/11 and Bio 13 will lead to 6 hours of lab a week, 1-2 lab reports, a problem set, one – two recitations, and the added class time. If you are thinking of an upper biology course without a lab, there you will be expected to have a strong background in what Bio 13/14 teach.</p>