<p>i’ve been browsing through some AP score policy sites (especially UCs), and i’ve seen exemptions for scores of 3’s for like biological sciences 10, chem 10, physics 10, etc.</p>
<p>do people looking to do pre-med requirements take the “10” classes and then the “A” classes (chem 2A, physics 1A, etc.) or just go the “A” classes b/c of their intended route to med school? </p>
<p>sry that’s a bit awkwardly worded but appreciate any insights, thanks</p>
<p>I’m pre-med, taking Chem2A, and got a “3” in a few AP tests.. The tests didn’t exempt me from any classes, but gave me units toward graduation. I haven’t heard of “10” classes in UCD, but I’m guessing they might be similar to workload classes/science classes for people not majoring in sciences. You don’t have to take workload classes if you score high enough in the chemistry placement test, or (I think) if you score a 5 in AP Chem.</p>
<p>but what if i don’t score high or get a 5 in chem, but am going to be a science major for premed? would i get to take 2A instead of workload classes? like would i need to take “2 chem” courses?</p>
<p>The placement test is really easy; you shouldn’t worry too much about it… You have a couple chances to retake the test. If you still don’t score high enough, then you’ll have to take workload before moving on to Chem 2A. I know of some people, biological science majors, who have to take workload. It’ll only help you do better in Chem 2A!</p>
<p>but 2A is the “genchem” class, while i think 2AH is the honors? i’ve also heard of like 2A, 2B, 2C, what’s the deal w/ those lol?</p>
<p>Yes, 2A is General Chem, and is the first part of a series (goes from 2A, then 2B, then 2C). You need to finish the whole series if you’re in College of Bio. Sci, and I believe in engineering too. Chem 2AH is honors, and unlike high school, it won’t score you bonus points if you took honors when applying for med school. Honors is for people who really like chemistry, and are really good at it.</p>
<p>what do u mean by the series? so i’d have to take chem for 3 yrs in college? what about org chem?</p>
<p>^ (10 chars)</p>
<p>Those are quarter classes. That chem series is 1 year. For a B.S. degree a chem major also has to take a four quarter physics series and 5 quarters of math (3 quarters calc, 1 quarter vector analysis and 1 quater linear algebra). That’s your prepatory subject matter. When you’re finishing all that up you start in on your upper division chem classes. O. chem is upper division, though you can take a lower division intro course after you’ve completed chem 2B.</p>
<p>FYI a B.A. in chem requires only the chem series, 1 yr physics, and 1 yr calc for the prep subject matter.</p>
<p>well i’m probably gonna be in the biological sciences (does davis have a pre-med major specifically?)
so basically for pre-med reqs i would only need to take the 1-yr series and then i’m done right? then soph yr o. chem?</p>
<p>davis doesn’t have a specific premed major, but really, you could major in whatever you want granted you fufill the minimun science requirements. I think your average med school wants to see 1 year of: Bio, physics w/lab, general chem w/lab, o chem w/lab, calc, and English (doctors still need to be able to show writing ability…verbal/writing/critical thinking is a big portion of the MCAT). </p>
<p>so as long as you get all this done, you don’t even necessarily need to major in a science. I don’t know the actual statistics, but I believe med schools take a large number of non-science majors every year. So do what you love and get your science/math done, too.</p>
<p>so like when u talked about the upper division chem courses (excluding OChem) & prep stuff for chem major, i would only need that 1 yr sequence if i wasn’t a chem major for premed?</p>
<p>also, just in case you were wondering, the prep subject matter for biosci majors includes 1 statistics course in addition to all the stuff above. you’ll still need a year each of physics, calc, gen chem, o chem, and then all your bio stuff.</p>
<p>yeah, you’ll only need a year of gen chem and a year of o chem. you don’t need to take any other upper div. chem classes. Instead it’ll just be upper division bio classes depending on your emphasis (Davis has emphasis for bio in: evolution, ecology, microbiology, neuro/phys/behav, and plant bio)</p>
<p>could i still take the intro bio course if i don’t have AP credit? if i do have credit, would i just go straight into upper division (frosh/soph) yr?</p>
<p>and would forgoing the intro course screw me over for MCATs? like i’m taking AP Bio right now, but if i don’t take a basic bio course in college, would upper division still help me a lot? do they require a lot of previous bio knowledge to get a good grade?</p>
<p>First off, AP credit does not exempt you from any requirements for your major. It will give you units towards graduation (you need a minimum of 180 to graduate), but all bio majors are still required to take the prepatory bio sequence, which is 1 yr of introductory bio. There’s no way out of it. </p>
<p>Here’s the catch, though: chem 2B is a prerequisite for your first bio class. That’s why you need to start in on chem stuff ASAP. If you start chem fall quarter freshman year, you should be able to enroll in bio 1A in your Spring Quarter. </p>
<p>Typically, upper division courses aren’t taken until jr/sr years (especially in the sciences). Almost all upper div classes have prerequisites. Additionaly,
upper div courses are a different ball game than intro classes. They’re harder, more intense, and more focused on specific areas. Even if you could get out of intro bio courses (which you can’t), I would still say you need to take them because everything is foundational. You need to have a very good handle on your basics before you start in on your upper div work.</p>
<p>I know it all seems pretty overwhelming. Here’s my suggestion: for your fall quarter freshman year, I would enroll in Chem 2A and a math course (calculus, preferably, if you place into it) and then some other general ed classes (something fun, perhaps? Chem 2A is hardly a jump-for-joy sort of class). Don’t even think about bio until you’ve passed your first two quarters of chem. Physics cannot be taken until you’ve passed your first quarter of calculus. So first quarter, concetrate on math and chem and you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>first off: this is only for davis?</p>
<p>second: i thought that a 5 on AP Bio gets u out of intro bio (Bio 1A)? do only premed bio majors “have” to take the intro course?</p>
<p>third: does davis “force” us to use AP credits if we have them (this is more relevant if a 5 gets u out of the intro class)</p>
<p>10 classes are intended for non-majors.</p>
<p>but what if a science major doesn’t pass the chem proficiency test or w/e?</p>
<p>the info I’m giving you is for Davis specifically, yes, but I think that generally, most of the UCs will follow this pattern (not sure about Cal because of semesters). Whatever school you go to, UC or not, Medical schools will want to see the same general coursework.</p>
<p>As for AP tests…I can’t say for sure, but I do not think that a 5 gets you out of the intro course (someone PLEASE correct me if I’m wrong). As far as I know, Davis doesn’t “force” you to use credits. If, for example, a 5 did get you out of the intro bio course, you could definitely still take it if you wanted.</p>
<p>If you don’t pass the chem proficiency test, you have to take something called workload chemistry, which is basically just a review class, but the thing about workload classes is that you do NOT get any credits for taking them. They’re a lot of work for not a lot of payoff. I would avoid them (they also have workload for math and English), unless you really feel like you need the review. But don’t worry, I think most people pass the chem proficiency test. If you’re really worried, just review a bit before you take the test at summer orientation.</p>