<p>I think I'm going to take AP credit for intoductory Biology.</p>
<p>So this leaves room for me to take another bio class. . .I'm trying to find an upper level biology class that would be good for a freshman to take.</p>
<p>I'm really interested in Neurobiology and Behavior, although to what I see, the intro courses aren't open to freshmen. I also like Genetics and Development, and molecular or microbiology. I wouldn't mind something in Animal Physiology, but would prefer something with a focus more on the human body. I'm not very interested in Plant Biology, or marine biology. . . </p>
<p>Has anyone had any really engaging biology classes they would suggest?</p>
<p>(. . . .I don't mind if there's considerable work envolved, but please don't turn me towards the most intense class in the bio department. . .)</p>
<p>I found bio 101 - 104 to be the best biology classes I've ever taken at Cornell, in all seriousness. In addition to those, I've taken biochemistry, neurobiology, and microbiology.</p>
<p>It just seems like a shame to take the course after the college tells you that you're qualified to receive credit for it.</p>
<p>My parents didn't react well when they found out the courses in English, Literature, Psychology, and Sociology (taught by Adirondack Community college professors coming to my high school), won't transfer because it wasn't taught exclusively on the college campus. The classes were taught at the high school most of the time, and on occasion met at the college. Not to mention the classes I've taken taught by high school teachers, but affiliated with SUNY (Latin American Studies, Spanish, and 3 years of Research Method Classes).</p>
<p>So, 4 credits a class. . . .I've taken 36 credits that won't transfer to cornell.</p>
<p>I don't think they'll react well if I tell them I'm not accepting the 8 out of the 16 AP credits I have. . . . .</p>
<p>I wouldn't recommend it if you're premed. Otherwise, go for it. It's a great class but if you have the AP credit and you're not going to med school, it's not a huge loss if you opt out.</p>
<p>ECC, Shouldn't I wait until after I take general chem before I take organic chem? Especially since I've heard orgo is one of the harder classes.</p>
<p>norcalguy, why wouldn't you recommend opting out if you're premed? </p>
<p>I'm not really sure if I whether I want to pursue a medical career or something research or biological engineering based. . . .If I could get a Phd (yes, I know a lot of work), I would absolutely love to be a college professor because it involves research, but you also get to interact with people and I've always liked helping people learn.</p>
<p>My student advisor, who is pre-med, told me that med schools don't care if you opt out, as long as you take upper level bio, which as a bio major, I'll be doing anyway. , ,I believe he opted out his freshman year. Was this bad advice?</p>
<p>ECC was talking about bio chem which is not the same as organic chem. Biochem is another one of those classes where you'll have to do some work in. Probably best saved till sophomore year or junior years.</p>
<p>I personally believe premeds should take Intro Bio because:</p>
<p>1) It's a great class.
2) It does in depth. I too took Bio AP in HS (received A's both semesters) and got a 5 on the AP test. So I figured I would just try out Bio 101 and drop if I found it to be too redundant. Although my Bio AP class was good, Bio 101 went into a lot more detail.
3) It prepares you for the MCAT. The MCAT specifically tests what you learn in intro bio. Upper division bio courses really don't help you for the MCAT. If you don't take intro bio at Cornell, you will be approx. 3-4 years removed from your HS intro bio class by the time you start prepping for the MCAT.
4) Med schools strongly recommend that you take your med school requisites in college. Some will not accept AP credit as substitute for your laboratory requirement. I have a friend who had AP credit and placed out of Bio 101 and 103 but had to take 102/104 (which are the companion lab courses). So in the end, you'll just be skipping two courses which are only 2 credits each. Might as well take the full set of intro bio courses.
5) If you really think intro bio will be redundant, then retaking it should guarantee an A and get you off to a good start at college.</p>
<p>It's not a horrible mistake if you opt out but taking upper division bio courses during freshman year is generally not good for your GPA.</p>
<p>Oh, my mistake, I thought he said organic instead of bio. </p>
<p>thanks for the advice. . .though now I really don't know what I'm doing as far as courses go. I'll get some alternatives picked out, and talk to my advisor about it. </p>
<p>My student advisor recommended that I place out. . . .but now I'm not so sure.</p>
<p>your students advisor is an idiot (many are)...your entire foundation as a biology major is built upon what you learn in intro bio...you don't even realize how many times you'll need to reference back to things you took your first year in subsequent courses. Trust me, take intro bio, you'll be at an advantage having taken AP, kick butt, and use it as an opportunity to fill in the gaps of topics you may not have been as strong at when you took the AP course...believe me, you'll be thankful you did when you're getting your butt kicked in an advanced vertebrate development course (which, by the way, if Dr. Whitlock is still teaching, you should take).</p>