Math at Harvard

Colleges & Universities Harvard University
7

<p>Hi darciejune,</p>

<p>First, I’d like to note that you actually cannot major in the Biochemical Sciences concentration anymore. As you can see here:</p>

<p>[FAS</a> Handbook for Students: Chapter 3: Fields of Concentration](<a href=“http://webdocs.registrar.fas.harvard.edu/ugrad_handbook/current/chapter3/biochemical_sciences.html]FAS”>http://webdocs.registrar.fas.harvard.edu/ugrad_handbook/current/chapter3/biochemical_sciences.html)

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<p>So that’s a decision that was made for you :-). You might want to consider Organismic and Evolutionary Biology- it requires no math, though you are permitted count math courses towards the “related courses” requirement. (You can also take chemistry, computer science, or statistics). OEB also does not require physics.</p>

<p>[FAS</a> Handbook for Students: Chapter 3: Fields of Concentration](<a href=“http://webdocs.registrar.fas.harvard.edu/ugrad_handbook/current/chapter3/OEB.html]FAS”>http://webdocs.registrar.fas.harvard.edu/ugrad_handbook/current/chapter3/OEB.html)</p>

<p>If you decide to major in MCB, you need only take one math course: 19a or 21a. 19a is geared towards biological applications and is probably your best bet. You also are not required to take any prerequisites. If you want to consider this course, its fall course site is online (you’ll need your HUID and PIN):</p>

<p><a href=“http://isites.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k38185&pageid=icb.page174964[/url]”>http://isites.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k38185&pageid=icb.page174964&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>This gives you an exhaustive idea of what to expect from the course- the syllabus, past problem sets and tests… if you’re eager to start preparing, you can even check out some of the lecture notes!</p>

<p>I will note that MCB requires two of the following physics courses:</p>

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<p>Of these, the easiest route is to take Physics 11a/b, which requires Math 21a, or to take PS2/3, which would require PS 1 or AP Chem and Math 1b (or BC Calc, which you haven’t taken).</p>

<p>I hope this isn’t too unclear. Note that while I’m a science major, I’m not an expert on the particulars of these prerequisites. Still, I strongly recommend you take 19a your first freshman semester- it will count towards both OEB and MCB.</p>

<p>Let me know if there’s anything else I can help you with!</p>