average number of science classes as an undergraduate

Graduate School
1

<p>What's an average number of science classes people normally take as an undergrad ? and what roughly is the upper limit?
What abt the lab courses?</p>

2

<p>I believe graduate schools will not look at you unless you took at least 12.5.</p>

3

<p>I can’t speak to average but in my own undergrad career i took the following courses-
Gen chem (1 semester) + lab
Analytical chem (1 semester) + lab
Biology (2 semester) + lab
Organic Chem (2 semester) + lab
Physics (2 semester) + lab
Biochem (2 semester) + lab
Genetics (1 semester)
Microbiology (1 semester) + lab
Microbial physiology (1 semester) + lab
Microbial diversity (1 semester) + lab
Microbial genetics (1 semester) + lab
Virology (1 semester)
A few other assorted courses. If I could do it over again, I would include some cell bio and molecular bio courses. Also, maybe something in genomics.</p>

4

<p>

Are we talking about science majors or others who are just taking a science class for general education requirements?</p>

<p>The upper limit would be as many classes as you can take over the course of a college career.</p>

5

<p>I took 31.5 at a school with semesters. (Wow! That sounds like a lot!)</p>

6

<p>my degree only required 7</p>

7

<p>I took 28 (not including math courses) at a school with semesters.</p>

8

<p>Ooh, I included math courses. Hey! They count. They’re in the School of Science. :D</p>

9

<p>Including math and computer science I am at 16 sciences courses after my first 4 semesters of college. Not counting math and computer science… 3.</p>

10

<p>Except for the incredibly stupid required 1credit of social sciences and 1 credit of humanities, every course I took was a science course.</p>

<p>Out of what will be my 20credits for undergrad,</p>

<p>1credit 1st yr math
1credit 1st yr chem (organic + physical) + lab
1credit 1st yr physics + lab
1credit 1st yr bio + lab
1credit 1st yr psychology + english
1credit 1st yr economics
1credit 2nd yr biochem
1credit 2nd yr chem (organic + physical ) + 1/2 a lab
0.5credit greek history</p>

<p>Every other credit was/will be just hardcore genetics, microbio, and immunology. I hope graduate schools like that. Otherwise, I’m royally screwed cuz my GPA blows (b/w 3.3 and 3.5).</p>

11

<p>I didn’t know we were counting math and psychology as science credits. Well add on three semesters of calculus, one semester of stats and good ole fresh psych to my tally.</p>

12

<p>Psychology classes would not count as science classes.
Neither would economics or Greek history.</p>

13

<p>I did NOT add pyschology to science. Lol gimme a break.</p>

<p>It was part of the 2creds of social science and humanities. Otherwise, I would not have taken it.</p>

14

<p>Psych, eco, greek history, and english were my 2.5 (thought it was just 2-my mistake) creds of non science courses.</p>

<p>I felt taking an intro english course would be good for me. The rest were just to fulfill the credits.</p>

15

<p>

</p>

<p>Good point - math courses count. In that case my number is 34. :)</p>

16

<p>I’m not sure why you’re asking, but for my Bio BS I’ve had:</p>

<p>Biology
Intro lab: 3
Molecular: 3
Genetics: 3
Evolution: 3
Invertebrate Zoology: 3
Invertebrate Lab: 2
Endocrinology Lab: 2
Botany w/ lab: 4
Total: 23 (Note: tested out of 6 credits of intro courses)</p>

<p>Chemistry
Intro w/ lab: 5
Organic I: 3
Organic II: 3
Organic Lab: 2
Inorganic w/ lab: 5
Biochem: 3
Total: 21</p>

<p>Physics & Math
Physics I w/ lab: 5
Physics II w/ lab: 5
Stats: 3
Linear Algebra: 3
Total: 16 (Note: tested out of 8 credits calculus)</p>

<p>So, altogether…60?</p>

17

<p>take as many non-science courses as you want-- college is the last time to explore all of your interests. I took about half of my classes as science classes, and it was more than enough.</p>

18

<p>^totally agree. For my semester-based physics BA, I “only” took 12 physics classes and 9 math classes, and that turned out to be just right.</p>

19

<p>Sorry for hijacking the thread…</p>

<p>Seeing most of you took a lot of science classes I’d be interested in how many you ‘need’ to be accepted into a graduate programme? I do economics and can’t do any biology/chemistry/physics in my undergrad (UK system - only do math). I’ve been thinking about switching fields for some time now and would like to do some undergrad coursework in bio/chem to get into a terminal (non-thesis i guess) master programme. Does that sound at all feasible?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>