<p>Hi, I'm curently a freshman taking an introductoy course in biology, and am beginning to consider it as a major. However, it's a marine bioogy course, but we still discuss things such as genetics, cells and darwinism. If I choose to beome a biology major, what things should I expect to study? REgualr biology is different from marine biology, so I know I won't be studying exactly what I am now.
My college's course catalog is very, VERY vague and it's not clear on what things we actually study in the courses.
Can you give me some examples of what I'd be studying in this major??</p>
<p>in intro biology courses, you will study:
cell & molecular biology: DNA, RNA, replication, transcription, translations, mutation, proteins, glycolysis, kreb cycle, photosynthesis, mitochondria, nucleus, chromosome action, cell membrane, developmental biology..etc.
plant & animal physiology: hormones, how kidneys work, how neurons work, how plants transport nutrients and water...etc.
mendalian genetics, mitosis, meiosis blah blah blah
Ecology, evolutionary biology: phylogeny, competition, natural selection, cost & benefits trade-offs blah blah blah...</p>
<p>when you go to upper division bio courses, you will learn more indepth knowledge in these topics (signal transduction pathways, urea cycle, fatty acids synthesis, nucleic acids synthesis, enzyme kinetics, microbiology...blah blah blah.</p>
<p>you will also need to take intro courses in physics, math and ochem.</p>
<p>as you can see, you will be covering a lot of topics, but you will probably specialize in none (unless you take many upper division courses in a specific area).</p>
<p>The intro Biology courses provide the foundation and allow you to select a speciality as you progress into your junior and senior course load. Of course, you can continue with a general biology program, and then head off to graduate school to specialize. By the way, if you're taking Marine Biology as a freshman, my guess is that it is an introductory course that will not count towards the Biology major, which is the case at many colleges. That kind of course is usually on the curriculum to allow non-science majors to satisfy a science or lab requirement.</p>
<p>the marine biology course at my school also satisfies writing credits.
that's why i took it. XD</p>
<p>Do any of you here know for instance if you're considering going into Medical school if you can get admission, what are some good concentrations within a general biology major are most appealing? for instance, i know that microbio, ecology, evolutionary biology, molecular biology, cellular biology, neurosci etc. exist.. does it really matter? is one more appealing over another?</p>
<p>Marbury, no; it does not matter. Medical Schools want to see that you have a foundation in basic science, which typically includes undergraduate Organic Chemistry, Genetics, Calculus and Physics. English majors who have taken those courses and have done well in them can get into medical school. Check the admissions web sites at American medical schools.</p>