<p>In my undergraduate, non-premed, Biology program, we do not have to take O-Chem and do not have to take Physics. It's either-or. You can take two semesters of one and zero of the other, or one semeter of one and one semester of the other.</p>
<p>The question is:
What is truly important for a Bio major to take?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Both semesters of Physics? or only mechanics? or not really necessary?</p></li>
<li><p>At least one semester of O-chem? or Both semesters of O-Chem? Not necessary?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>If you are an ecologist I suppose chemistry knowledge isn’t so important. If you are studying cell, micro, molecular, or genetics guess what… Organisms are made of carbon based molecules and macromolecules. DNA, Carbohydrates, Protein they all based on carbon skeleton with oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphate functional groups. If you want to get into the enzymes that organisms use for signaling, metabolism, and protection even from radicals and toxins you have to know about the electrons, sterics, and chirality to understand the reaction mechanisms.</p>
<p>In short to really know biology, organic chem is necessary.</p>