<p>I'm debating between taking Bio 1A/L or Bio 1B next semester as a sophomore. In addition I will be taking Chem 3AL and Chem 3B, and a few more units of humanities. The semester afterward, I'm thinking about taking in addition to which ever bio I didn't take, chemistry 3BL, Physics 8A, and more humanities. Both semesters should be around 15-16 units.</p>
<p>Does any one have any advice on which Bio course to take first if I'm trying to keep on the premed track?
I'm considering things like how to balance my course load over the two semesters. I was leaning towards Bio 1B first, but wondering if this will put me at a disadvantage if I want to try getting into an MCB lab second semester of sophomore year.</p>
<p>It depends on whether you want to take your classes on the “off” semesters or not… There are benefits to this, like not having Vollhardt for 3B, Bio 1A being slightly easier, possibly easier physics professors. This would be an “off” schedule:</p>
<p>Soph Fall:
Bio 1A/L
Physics 8A</p>
<p>Soph Spring:
Chem 3AL
Chem 3B
Bio 1B</p>
<p>Junior Fall:
Physics 8B
Chem 3BL</p>
<p>Otherwise, just go ahead and take Chem 3B, 3AL, and Bio 1B next semester.</p>
<p>Huh, that’s an interesting idea (especially since cuts are making it hard to get a spot in some of these classes)! But I notice this schedule has a lot of discontinuities. As in, I would be taking a semester without chem and starting up again; same with physics. Do you know if this can be problematic? Or are the classes really disparate so it doesn’t matter?
(and is Vollhardt that bad? haha 
I’m reading his book…)</p>
<p>take Bio 1A first if you want to be MCB… it’s more relevant than 1B and will make you feel like you actually know something about your major.</p>
<p>and definitely try to get pedersen for 3A/3B!!</p>
<p>Chem 3A is a prerequisite for Bio 1A…
(though it can also be taken concurrently)</p>
<p>Chem 3AL and Bio 1A/L can be taken at the same time, but 3A lecture MUST be taken first.</p>
<p>Take 1B…stays away from curve, and probably easier to get into because everyone assumes they need to be taken in order.</p>