BioEE278 (and other upper bio classes)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>I'm a pre-frosh...accepted ED as a biology major...and lately I've been perusing Cornell.edu, searching specifically for upper-level biology classes to take next year. (btw, I made a 5 on AP bio, so I've chosen NOT to take intro bio). Unfortunately, a lot of advanced biology classes "lock-out" freshmen, such as genetics 281 and intro to neurobiology 1.</p>

<p>So my question ... is Bio EE 278, that is, evolutionary bio, available for freshmen to take? Has anyone here taken the couse? If so, is it hard/easy/interesting?</p>

<p>Any suggestions on other exciting classes to take would be awesome. Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>They lock you out for a good reason. You will get eaten alive in genetics. It's the hardest class I've taken at Cornell.</p>

<p>Bio EE 278 is probably the best upper level bio course to take as a freshman. It requires the least work and reading. I'm not a big fan of the prelims (though they're ridiculously short, requiring around 30 min to complete). But that's probably because I couldn't score higher than the mean on any of them. To date Bio 278 represents my first and only B in a bio class (I'm a bio major).</p>

3

<p>if norcal didn't score higher on the mean, chances are, u won't either man, this kid got a 35+ on his MCATs and has like a ridiculous GPA to go along with it.</p>

4

<p>The flattery aside, this is not a tough course. It is very appropriate for a freshman who decides to skip intro bio. Obviously, some people got A's and did well. Just not me.</p>

5

<p>I took it, it's not hard. I found the class and the professor to be extremely boring, however.</p>

6

<p>Take BioBM330. Best class I have ever taken at Cornell.</p>

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<p>what kind of Bio class is it</p>

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<p>BIOBM 330 - Principles of Biochemistry, Individualized Instruction</p>

<p>Fall, Spring: 4.0 Credits</p>

<p>Peter Hinkle, James Blankenship.</p>

<p>Fourteen units that cover protein structure and function, enzymes, basic metabolic pathways, DNA, RNA, protein synthesis, and an introduction to gene cloning. No formal lectures, autotutorial format.</p>

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<p>In other words, autotutorial biochem. I'm not sure any freshman should be taking an autotutorial class (unless it's autotutorial intro bio).</p>

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<p>Norcalguy - I'm sure you've heard this many times, but congrats! Your numbers are incredible (35+ MCAT, great GPA). BioEE278 isn't on Cornell's list of accepted biology classes to take in place of intro bio for medical school (they have a list...it includes bio281, microbio...etc). Was this a typo? Or is the class really not seen as "advanced" in med school admission? Either way I want to take it. It seems quite interesting.</p>

<p>Isn't Physics 101/102 - the non-calc-based physics - autotutorial? Would it be advisable for a freshman to take that course?</p>

<p>Another thing - if I'm a biology major, can I opt not to take any biology classes at all my freshman year and fulfill other pre-med requirements, such as physics 101/102 and chem 207/208? Or would that not be permitted...?</p>

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<p>Bball87 - just curious, are you pre-med?</p>

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<p>what exactly are "autotutorial" classes?</p>

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<p>Ah, I just assumed you were a bio major and would need to take Bio 278 anyway. If you're premed and are simply looking for a course to replace intro bio, then I would just wait it out till your sophomore year and take some of the approved upper level bio courses (although you still shouldn't take genetics). It doesn't surprise me that Bio 278 isn't approved. It's not a very rigorous class. If you want to take it for fun, that's your choice. I've yet to hear of many people taking science classes for fun:)</p>

<p>You are not allowed to take Physics 101-102 as a freshman. They say that during the introductory lecture to the class.</p>

<p>If you are a bio major, you can choose not to take any bio courses your freshman year. The only bio class I took freshman year was intro bio. You won't be allowed to take Physics 101-102 but you can still take English, gen chem, calc., stats (the other premed req.). Your schedule will be a little light on the sciences but it's not a bad idea to take it easy your freshman year and start off with a good GPA.</p>

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<p>I'm taking physics 112 for fun haha</p>

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<p>that's almost like getting raped and pillaged...for fun ;).</p>

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<p>
[quote]
You are not allowed to take Physics 101-102 as a freshman.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Are you sure? It doesn't say that under the course description for Physics 101.</p>

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<p>That's what they said during the introductory lecture for Physics 101 and 102, that they generally don't allow freshman to take the class.</p>

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<p>Is BIOEE287 that hard? I have also signed up for orgo, org lab, phys 102 and two liberal arts courses. They changed the physics 101-102 this year and made it harder to get an A, but it's still an okay class</p>

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<p>well...rape and pillage, here i come...for fun.....</p>

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<p>No, Bio 278 is not hard at all.</p>

<p>So let me get this straight, you're signed up for bio EE 278, orgo, orgo lab (another one of my B's haha), physics 102, and 2 liberal arts courses? That's tough but I'm impressed by your ambition.</p>

<p>You know what's funny? Here is my schedule from the first semester of my sophomore year: Bio EE 278, orgo, orgo lab, physics 101. Look familiar? 12 credits. No liberal arts courses (originally signed up for History 153 as well but had to drop it 3 weeks into the semester). By far my worst semester GPA-wise.</p>