<p>I am going into Pitt with a tentative biology major. My advisor asked if I felt comfortable taking both bio and chem in the first semester, and I ended up scheduling for both because I don't want to get behind. A girl I was talking to (with a pre-dentistry track) had a different advisor, and hers suggested taking just one this semester and doubling up later so she could ease her way into college and not get overwhelmed right off the bat.</p>
<p>Is separating the classes more manageable or am I better off taking them together as I start? I realize it's more of a personal and individualized question, but if you have any input at all, I will be most appreciative. </p>
<p>I’m doing the same thing and I know 3-4 people who are, too. If you look on the bio dept’s web page, it says not to take more than 2 science classes at once, so I’m assuming then that 2 would be ok? Also, it shows for the sample schedule to take both at the same time, first semester. </p>
<p>I’m taking both, but I’m also going to try to enroll in an extra, easy class, so that if I do have to drop one of them, I can still be full time. </p>
<p>i took them both first semester and it wasnt bad. bio requires a lot more work compared to chemistry. id recommend dr golde for chem 110 and 120. do not take newman for bio 50! she is horrendous. bio 60 take bledsoe. (I got A’s in all these classes except bio 50…stay away from newman)</p>
<p>I think you will be okay. I took both Bio and Chem freshman year, along with most of my friends. It’s very common for students in the sciences track to take both freshman year because sophomores tend to take organic chem and then they fulfill the higher level sciences their jurnior/senior year. It’s not a big deal because Chemistry is relatively simple. Biology is the only time consuming/difficult class (if you want to do well and are willing to put in the time that is. So many people are not, and that’s why their grades are not as desirable. But I recommend Golde for Chem, and Ghosh for Bio 50 then Bledsoe for Bio 60).</p>
<p>Bio and chem are both difficult at Pitt. The workload is demanding, but doable. Many freshman, particularly those on the science/premed track, do take both classes during their first year. I would recommend pairing the two science classes with some gen eds in order to sort of balance the workload. College is difficult, but adjusting to the classes is definitely manageable. :)</p>
<p>I had a lot of friends take bio/chem both freshman year. Like others have said, it makes it easier to continue on to the higher level classes (like Organic Chem and Physical chem, and Neuroscience/etc.) in your second/third year instead of putting it off. Two sciences is probably a good limit though, I did honors chem and physics freshman year and the combined workload was quite a lot (but managable, so long as you stay on top of your work).</p>
<p>Hi. I am a peer adviser with the University of Pittsburgh School of Arts and Sciences. Like Awesome Opossum said, two science classes (well any and all classes) are manageable if you stay on top of your workload. It is true that you can opt to take only one in the first semester, and be perfectly fine as far as a graduation timeline goes.
However, if you plan to go on to any kind of medical school, the sooner you get used to multiple science classes at once, the better.</p>
<p>Sorry for the delay, but thank you all for your responses! Golde’s classes were filled, but I think my course is okay. For bio I have Daniels (I heard to stay away from Roberts and Newman, but that’s all personal of course). Can anyone weigh in on her?</p>
<p>Currently, I actually don’t intend to do the premed track. I’m more interested in computers and/or law-oriented focuses with bio (I’ll figure it out… heh), but I come from a very small town and haven’t been exposed to anything. Everything is really a trial run right now. But thanks, your replies definitely helped. I think I’ll keep them both, and with those paired with comp and Intro to Painting… I should be all right, hopefully. xD</p>
<p>I’ve never had her, so don’t quote me on this. But my friends who did usually complained that she was hard. I think most agree that she teaches well, but her tests are what makes her get the negative comments?</p>
<p>Please use Rate My Professors with a grain of salt. Keep in mind that people have many varied experiences with professors. I have definitely had ones that were rumored to be horrible or hard, that I had no problem with, and there have been times where students on the site loved the professor and I could not stand them. For Chem and Bio, the finals are departmental, so you will learn the same amount of information in each class, regardless of professor. </p>
<p>The problem I have with sites like Rate My Professors is that I don’t see anyone actually getting on there unless they have an awful experience with the professor or love them so much they want to defend them from all those with awful experiences. </p>
<p>But as far as my hearing bad things about Roberts, that was more on CC than on Rate My Professors.</p>
<p>Good Point. Alternatively, find someone a year or two older than your in your department and ask them who they recommend you take/avoid. This is your <em>best</em> bet.</p>
<p>What specifically is so awful about Newman. Turns out my freshman son signed up for Bio with Newman because it was the only time he could fit Bio into his schedule (he knew nothing about Newman). He took AP bio in senior year and got a B (has not gotten his AP score yet). He was told to take Golde for Chem, so he made that a priority. Any advice on Newman? She sounds scary!</p>
<p>How does this statement make any sense? Departmental finals only mean that everyone has to take the same final so they will all be tested on the same material. That doesn’t mean everyone will learn the same amount, as some professors may still over- or underprepare you. </p>
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<p>Well, that’s the whole point of RMP. Its usefulness lies in warning people to steer clear if more than the acceptable amount of people say someone is totally awful, because chances are if you have 20 people saying a teacher sucks, there is some validity to all the complaints.</p>
<p>If by departmental you mean everyone takes the same final… Bio and chem are definitely NOT departmental. I had Newman for both Bio I and II and Golde for chem I and II this past year and they both wrote their own finals. Calc, however, DID have a departmental final. Golde is awesome…fair tests and tons of extra credit. Newman was hard but I think that bio in general is just hard at Pitt. In fact, Bio I was the only class I got a B in I’ve actually heard good things about the honors Bio class, just because the tests are more based on how much you know (they usually include essay questions) than how well you can guess at a ridiculous multiple choice question.</p>
<p>Are you sure they wrote their own final and not that they wrote the final for the department? Also, was your class a regular class or a night class. I think night classes take different finals because their final time is different (aka to avoid cheating).</p>
<p>I’m sure. My final exams were significantly different than those of other professors (same class). Golde’s final actually included points for showing work on some of the multiple choice questions, which he graded himself. He also put the answer key up immediately after the final so we could approximate our scores. The other chem teachers did neither of these things.</p>
<p>Is Newman that awful? I have went on ratemyprofessor.com and found that her tests are extremely hard, but most students tend to say that her explanations and lectures are very clear. I’ve also heard from my sister that she is extremely helpful when you ask her questions and that all the general biology classes are considered pretty “awful”</p>
<p>By the way I’m taking Newman for Bio</p>
<p>Anyone know anything about Paul for chem or Kenkel for econ? I know answers are objective, but it’s always nice to get some feedback on professors</p>
I’ve actually heard good things about the honors Bio class, just because the tests are more based on how much you know (they usually include essay questions) than how well you can guess at a ridiculous multiple choice question.</p>