S26 didn’t take science in 9th grade. He’s looking to major in Occupational Therapy, and some schools require 4 years of HS science for admissions at some schools, so he’s trying to figure out which science to double up on, and whether he should try to do so junior year or wait for senior year.
He will definitely have Lab Biology and Lab Chemistry, because those are graduation requirements.
Choices are
Advanced Bio with Lab (AP level, but his school doesn’t do AP’s)
Physics with Lab
Forensic Science with Lab
Environmental Science without Lab
The OT major requires Biology and Anatomy and Physiology at every College. Some schools also require a semester of General Chemistry. I haven’t seen a Physics requirement.
His school does not offer A & P which would be the obvious choice to me.
He is a kid who finds math challenging, and he’s worried about Chem and Physics. I think AP Bio plus Physics would a lot. Would skipping physics for AP Bio make sense?
I personally think the best idea is usually to take all three of Physics, Chem, and Bio, then one of those at the advanced level. I think that because those are foundational sciences, and useful for other more specific sciences, and really just understanding the world in general.
Like there is actually a LOT of physics going on with understanding the human body, so I personally think you should have studied some Physics before doing serious Anatomy and Physiology. Doesn’t have to be Calc-based Physics, but I do not think it is a good idea to have taken no HS-or-college-level Physics at all.
I understand the Math concerns and also doubling up when doing an AP, but couldn’t he do the first level of Bio concurrently with either Physics or Chem, and the other of Physic or Chem and AP Bio each in their own years? Like I personally prefer Physics before Chem and Chem before AP Bio, so maybe Physics, then Chem/Bio, then AP Bio.
But anyway, something like that is what I would suggest.
My daughter was an exercise science major and is now in her DPT program. She took chemistry, biology and physics in college. She’s strong in math, got a 5 on the AP BC calculus exam (A in the class), fought through chemistry 103 and 104 freshman year. She only took honors biology and honors chemistry in high school (freshman and sophomore year), she was not prepared (ended up with a B and A, but spent so much time on them, got a tutor).
I’m another one who thinks that bio, chem, and physics are the foundational trio. So I would have physics be one of the classes.
With respect to the fourth class, the advanced bio makes the most sense for his future career goals, but if he thinks he would find it overwhelming to take it and another class at the same time, then I would sub in environmental science.
i agree that many colleges will want to see 4 years of science, and will want to see the triad of Bio, Chem, and Physics. and for your kid, adding AP Bio to that physcis or Chem year might be unnecessary stress. i would prob add AP Environmental if I was doubling up.
Our understanding is that DPT requires far more science, both as prereqs and in the program than an MSOT or OTD degree, and is also a more competitive admissions.
Take physics. In some ways the concepts and math are easier than chemistry. Is there an option for CP physics instead of honors ?
Also you said they need the same basic courses at each school (anatomy etc). But do they need them taken in residence?? If so, leave the advanced bio etc for college
He only took Bio sophomore year. Since he’s a rising junior he can’t change that.
Doubling up this year (junior year) is not his first choice because he’s at a school where kids take 6 course instead of 7, and where Foreign Language is required through junior year, so he wouldn’t be able to take a music class during the day.
OK, so I would recommend choosing between two paths:
Physics (11) and then Chem and Advanced Bio (12).
Physics (11) and then Chem and ES (12).
The first path would be most challenging but the challenge is packed into senior year, and also would be the best actual preparation for college (in my view).
The second is still fine and would back down the challenge level (presumably).
Physics isn’t an option for him in 11th. Physics, advanced bio and forensic science all have prerequisites that mean he can only take them senior year. If he doubled up this coming year it would be environmental science and chem, but he hesitant to give up music.
OK, you can swap Physics and Chem in the above options (so Chem solo in 11th, Physics along with either Advanced Bio or ES 12th). I usually like doing it from the ground up (so Physics, then Chem, then Bio), but given the constraints that may not be an option.
Very much agree with this. As a PT and looking back, Physics was probably my most helpful HS and college course. We are really an amazingly designed set of pulleys and levers in a bag of skin. Powered by a fluid system and controlled by an electrical one.
I don’t know the answer to this but is Psychology considered a science and is it an option for him? Psych would fit much more with his goal of becoming an OT as compared to Environmental Science.
I very much understand his desire to not drop his music to accommodate an additional science class. My son was much the same. Not sure if there is a way to fit in music outside of school in some way that doesn’t make it overwhelming.
He’s at a pretty small private school which is why there are so many constraints. We are seeing a switch to a Physics first model at lots of schools in our area, but his school hasn’t made that jump.
Mine doubled up 9-11th and he’d say APES was easiest to double up on. Honors bio and honors chem 9th, AP Bio and APES 10th, AP Chem and AP Physics 11th. Also 6 periods, it is tough.
His school doesn’t offer any sciences in summer. He emailed the admissions rep at a college he really likes and they said the science needs to be either on his high school transcript, or taken at a community college, so we will look at those options, but I am pretty sure his school is picky about which summer schools theg accept.
He plans to take Psychology senior year. I hadn’t thought of it as a science. Having said that, the college that told him the 4th science needs to be on his transcript says that he needs a science major and then lists psychology and sociology as choices so maybe they consider it a science?