<p>Can anyone tell me anything about this class? How hard/interesting it is? It's being taught by Spana and Sun this fall, and I might take it for my bio major and pre-med requirements (well, it's technically not required for pre-med, but from what other pre-meds and the advisors tell me, it's "strongly recommended," if you want a good rec). I'm only a little hesitant because I haven't taken a bio class at Duke yet.</p>
<p>The class is very pertinent if you're premed or pregrad - it covers the essentials of genetics and molecular biology which are the "hot" areas of biological research and medicine. The material in 118 (and 119) is also increasingly replacing orgo material on the MCAT. I took it with Haase and Sun back in the day; I wouldn't say either was a great lecturer but I think that most 118 lecturers have had similar reviews. The class is mostly premed though and somewhat gunnerish and the curving is, as with most bio classes, rough: C+/B- with each higher (A-)/lower grade (D+) +/- 1 SD from the mean.</p>
<p>I may wait to take 118 until I'm a junior for the MCAT then, especially since it sounds pretty rigorous and competitive, and taking orgo at the same time might be too much. I spoke a bit with my academic advisor, and she said that of the available bio classes for me to take (103L, 116, 118), she hears that 116 is the hardest, and she recommended Bio 103L for me, which is what I'm strongly considering at this point. Any feedback?</p>
<p>I just checked on ACES, it seems that all sections of Bio103 are full and closed. In fact, I remember that the class was almost filled by the time the rising juniors haved registered. Unless you have some surefire way of getting in, I don't think that's much of an option at this point.</p>
<p>Well, spots have been opening up and getting filled all summer (including one I saw yesterday, but the section time wasn't right for me), and I know there were spots open by the time sophomores registered. There's no one on the waitlists either, but if I can't get in during drop/add (which I think I might be able to), then yeah, I guess I'll take 118.</p>
<p>i've taken bio 25, 26, and 118. 118 def is not a breeze, but if you put time into it, it's very doable. spana was easy when i had him, but it was his first year. go to recitations, do the problems, study, and you'll be ok.</p>
<p>i wouldn't take orgo and 118. orgo's enough work, and 118 is a little challenging in some areas. 103 is supposed to be damn easy, but only the practical is hard at the end. i've heard 116 isn't that fun. but def 103 out of those 3 is the easiest.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot, linkin. I'll try to get into 103 then (2 spots are actually open right now, but neither of the lab sections fit for me)</p>
<p>How about taking Orgo 2 and Bio 26 in the spring?</p>
<p>bio26 isn't too bad at all, just memorization. take good notes in class. lectures kind of go fast, but the curve is pretty good. i've heard some rumors that it's curved so everyone gets A's or B's.</p>
<p>
[quote]
bio26 isn't too bad at all, just memorization. take good notes in class. lectures kind of go fast, but the curve is pretty good. i've heard some rumors that it's curved so everyone gets A's or B's.
[/quote]
What? Why would they do that? I'm not saying I don't believe you, linkin06, it just seems like another bit of grade inflation in a pretty inflated department already.</p>
<p>my guess is it's an intro class, and they don't want people to be turned off of bio right off the bat.</p>
<p>Hmm, you'd think they'd use intro classes as weedouts...</p>
<p>are lectures important for the test for bio 118?</p>