<p>If I don't complete calculus in high school (just precalc), and I haven't done chem (but I have done Bio, AP Bio, ROP Biotech, and Physics Hon, should I even bother applying for Biomedical engineering major?
Without calc and chem, would colleges even consider me?
Most colleges of engineering say they recommend these classes, but can I make up for it with other science classes, and not taking calculus?</p>
<p>I’m not as sure on the chem, but the calculus will make it really, really hard for many schools. What schools are you looking at?</p>
<p>Probably UCD because I’m from there and they have a really good program.
Mostly looking at the UCs, not Caltech or MIT or anything.
Maybe some Ivies if I have good ECs and grades at the end of this year, but I’m not sure with the prerequisites.</p>
<p>Correct me if I’m wrong, but biomed engineering is probably the least calculus intense engineering major (besides compsci, but that generally doesn’t count as engineering). But you would be soooo much better off by taking either chem or calc next year. It’s not really the fact that you have one less math/science course, it’s more the fact that calculus or chemistry may not click with you. If calc doesn’t click with you, you can eliminate most of the mechanical aspects of biomed. If chem doesn’t click with you, you can eliminate most of the chemicals and materials aspects of biomed. There really isn’t much left after that. Now, you may end up loving calc and chem, but will engineering schools want to take that risk on you? </p>
<p>My advice would be to apply into a biology major. If you take the right classes, you may be able to get a masters in biomed engineering. Also, ask this question in the engineering forum if you haven’t already.</p>
<p>Thank you for the advice, it is much appreciated.</p>
<p>At UCD, there are three quarters of calculus, as well as linear equations and stuff, but I don’t mind math that much, I’m not bad at it. The only reason I won’t be in calc as a senior is because I messed up really bad freshman year and had to retake algebra.
I also wish I could take extra math classes as well as chemistry, but I’m not sure I can because I am already taking seven classes next year (a full schedule):
Alg II/Trig
Bio AP
ROP Biotech
Symphony
French 4 Hon
Amer Lit Hon
APUSH</p>
<p>And six classes (almost full), senior year:
Precalculus
Physics Hon
Symphony
French 5 AP
Comp/Lit AP
French 5 AP</p>
<p>So, I am not too keen on taking chem as an extra elective senior year, since I will already be stressed enough (I can’t handle as much work as everyone else on this site seems to haha).</p>
<p>What should I do with this dilemma?
Should I take Chemistry over the summer next summer at community college?</p>
<p>^You seem somewhat stubborn or misled. If you want to do biomed engineering, calc and chem should come before the following classes: honors physics (AP would be a different story), French, and Symphony. Honestly, I’d just drop french if I were you, unless you really like it (symphony’s good because it is also an EC). With those two open spots, take pre-calc the same year as calculus (or pre-calc with algebra II/trig), and whichever year still has the open spot remaining, take honors chem. You are not the only one that needs to make sacrifices. And colleges will care a lot less about you not taking french than you not taking chem and calc (ESPECIALLY for engineering). If for whatever reason you decide to take french or symphony the next two years, then you should probably either self-study (difficult for those two subjects) or take a community college course.</p>
<p>At my school it isn’t possible to take two math classes together unless it is Algebra and Geometry (both of which I’ve already taken).
And I wanted to take chemistry over the summer at a local community college so I could get AP credit for it… does this seem like a good idea?</p>
<p>bummmp please</p>
<p>bump pleeease i want to know</p>
<p>I can’t believe I’m asking this, and I know I should know, but what exactly is precalc covering here if trig is with your algebra II class? Trig is really the only thing I remember from precalc. That and some random graphs. Parabolas n such.</p>
<p>Alg II/Trig:
“The course will include studying the concepts found in the California Mathematics Content Standards for Algebra 2 and most of the concepts found in the Content Standards for Trigonometry. These include: solve systems of linear equations and inequalities; add, subtract, multiply, and divide complex numbers, and can plot them as points in the plane; add, subtract, multiply, divide, reduce and evaluate monomials, polynomials, rational expressions, including negative exponents in the denominator; solve quadratic equations by factoring, completing the square or the quadratic formula; graph quadratic functions and determine the maxima, minima, and zeros of the function; understand and use the properties of logarithms and prove simple laws of logarithms; apply formulas for arithmetic and geometric series; know the definitions of sine and cosine on the unit circle; graph trigonometric functions; know the definitions of the inverse trigonometric functions and can graph them; know and apply the trigonometric addition, half-angle and double-angle formulas; know the law of sines and law of cosines. Students should be aware that this is an accelerated course. The subsequent course is Introductory Analysis.”</p>
<p>Intro Analysis (pre-calc):
“The department strongly advises that any student expecting to study university calculus take this course. The course will include studying the concepts found in the California Mathematics Content Standards for Mathematical Analysis. These include: extend the depth of knowledge of polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, circular and trigonometric functions and their graphs; demonstrate how real and complex numbers are related both arithmetically and graphically; apply polar coordinates and vectors in the plane; solve problems using vector concepts; extend the understanding of the arithmetic fundamental counting principles to compute combinations and permutations; know the binomial theorem and use it to expand binomial expressions; develop an understanding of functions and equations defined parametrically and can graph them; become familiar with the notion of the limit of a sequence and the limit of a function as the independent variable approaches a number or infinity; give proofs using the technique of mathematical induction.”</p>
<p>No one has to read that because it is confusing and long (for me, anyway).
Alg II/Trig is accelerated, and they also offer Alg II and Trig separately as two years, and AP Stats.</p>
<p>
As a parent who took math and science in college with poor hs preparation, I would gently suggest to you that you get keen on taking tough electives related to your intended major. It was so difficult to be in fast-paced classes with others who had extensive knowledge of the subjects. I have not let my own kids make the mistake I did. You will eveintually appreciate the time you spent preparing yourself, I promise.</p>
<p>I think you could get by with just precalc, although at our hs, many kids skip precalc and go from the trig class to calc directily. Perhaps you could ask your guidance counselor and math teachers if the precalc is required or if it is repetitive of alg/trig topics.</p>
<p>And I would absolutely take chem in hs. It is more different (and many think more difficult) than physics. If you are good at math, you can most likely be good at physics too. OTOH, there is nothing to compare chemistry to and you will be at a distinct disadvantage in college without it.</p>
<p>If you would decide to take more math or science, you might consider dropping down from the AP english class to an honors level class. There probably would be less time involved with reading and writing assignments.</p>
<p>BTW, why do you have AP French 5 listed twice? Does that mean you actually have only 5 classes senior year? You seem to have 7 slots availabe…</p>
<p>Sorry about having French 5 twice, I always forget about Econ (which is a year-long class).
I could possibly not do French, since I will already have four years of it, and do chemistry instead. Is chemistry and physics doable together? And regular, honors, or AP?</p>
<p>Also, I was thinking I could take chemistry next summer at a community college to take some of the workload off.
I’m pretty busy during the school year: I teach private cello lessons to pay for my piano lessons, work part time at a coffee shop for my family’s income, plus volunteer work for community service clubs, and I get paid by my neighbor to read to her sons and tutor them while she is at work (at night). I hardly have time for homework and am exhausted constantly.
My schedule last year (soph) was:
Music Essentials Hon
Geometry
English 10 Hon
Symphony
Biology
French 3
World Civ</p>
<p>I got a 3.7 (about) GPA both semesters, but I feel like with all the work I do, I am not sure if I can handle the types of schedules that people on this website handle, though I’m sure many of them have harder extra-curriculars than I do.<br>
I am mostly looking at UCD and UCB or UCLA, as well as Cornell, USC, JHU, and Drexel as reaches I guess. I am starting to save up money for the application fees (entering jr year), because I intend to apply to about 10 colleges, but would it be smart for me to try to take a super difficult schedule? I’m afraid of crashing and burning and ruining my chances for these wonderful colleges.</p>
<p>bump???</p>
<p>Of course it is up to you. If you go into any kind of engineering, you will be required to take some basic math, chem and physics classes. I the interest of making your freshman year a little easier, I think that I would recommend taking chem in place of symphony, french or econ, if at all possible. Just make sure you have the appropriate distribution of credits to graduate from hs!</p>
<p>You probably are required to take an english class. If you do not need the social science credit, you could lose the econ class. If you have no compelling reason to take french, you could eliminate that. And of course, band is band. While AP French 5 is impressive and musical extracurriculars are valuable, I think you might have a tough time in college sitting next to people who have taken calc in hs not to mention one or more of all of the science disciplines. </p>
<p>And finally, if you must keep band, french and econ, you could consider substituting chem for physics. Physics is basically math. Chem otoh, is very different from anything else, and you will have to take more than one chem class for bioE.</p>
<p>I tell my kids, you are going to pay the piper eventually. If you have fun now, you will pay later; if you work hard now, college will be a little bit easier.</p>
<p>I don’t see why you aren’t dropping french for two years. Three years if fine for top schools (I took three years, and got into 4 top 20 schools), especially for prospective engineering students. If you think taking physics and chem, or bio and chem, concurrently is a bad idea, you may need to reconsider wanting to do engineering. Not only should the sciences be your passion, but you should be very adept at them. Most engineers from my HS that get into the top colleges have at least one year with 2 lab sciences.</p>