<ol>
<li><p>How hard are Bio I and II in general? How much of a disadvantage will I be at if I haven't taken AP Bio or the SAT II Bio? </p></li>
<li><p>Would taking Physics I and II freshman year be recommended at all? (I took AP Physics C in high school). It would be alongside Calc III first semester, Bio I second, and Chem/Chem Lab both semesters. </p></li>
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<p>Just for a little background info, I plan on taking a double major in Anthro and either Bio or Chem for now. Thanks!</p>
<p>If you took AP Physics C, Physics here shouldn’t be a problem at all. Its usually BMEs who take bio, physics, Calc, and chem freshman year, but it really wasn’t that bad in retrospect. </p>
<p>Bio I and II are difficult, it’s a lot of memorization and the class is on a curve, but you won’t be too bad off because you didn’t take AP Bio. The test doesn’t give credit for Bio I, and there wasn’t too much overlap at least between my AP Bio and bio here. Where it might make a difference is in the third bio class, PCS, but by that point, you’d be so far removed from AP Bio that it probably would’t make a difference.</p>
<p>I agree with DJ for the most part. Bio is a lot of memorization, and the exams are tough. It is certainly possible to get a good grade without having taken AP bio, but it takes some effort. Calc/chem/physics/chem lab is a lot for one semester. My student advisor strongly recommended against it, and looking back, I am glad I mixed in an (objectively) easier humanities class instead of physics.</p>
<p>PS. If you do take physics, take 197.</p>
<p>117-18 is much closer to an AP Physics class than 197-98. Personally, I was much happier with 117-18 since it was a lot less work. However, there were plenty of people who struggled since the course was less supportive than 197-98. If you aced AP Physics, then there isn’t much to gain by doing 197, but if you’re at all shaky, then definitely take it.</p>
<p>Thanks - I think I’ll push physics to sophomore year for now, and try to take MedPrep, Writing I, and maybe a focus class.</p>
<p>Would there be any good way for me to prepare for Bio over the summer?</p>
<p>IMO, it’s not really worth doing anything special to prepare for bio. Just develop good study habits, haha.</p>
<p>While this isn’t really specific to bio, I’ve found it helpful for prepare for upcoming classes during winter and summer breaks. Having a strong understanding of even 2 chapters a class will allow you to do well early on, and if you choose you can try stay ahead the rest of the semester. It’s one of many things I did in improving my gap dramatically.</p>
<p>My first three semesters, I had a cumulative gpa of 3.35. The last 5 semesters including numerous grad classes, I’ve only gotten 2 B+'s, and rest A’s. I’ve even gotten more A+'s than grades lower than an A (A- and B+).</p>
<p>Good study habits early on make a huge difference.</p>
<p>Hi! I’m going to be a freshman at washu next fall and had a couple of questions about the classes. I hope someone can answer them. Thanks so much!</p>
<ol>
<li>Do chem111a and chemlab151 count for one class or two different classes? </li>
<li>Would you recommend taking physics 197 freshman year or sophomore year?</li>
<li>I heard that if you do poorly on the chem placement exam then you have to do recitation…what exactly does recitation entail?</li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li>Gen Chem and Chem Lab are two separate courses.</li>
<li>That depends on your major, whether or not you are pre-med, and the courses you plan on taking.</li>
<li>If you do poorly on the diagnostic, it is recommended that you take an extra recitation but I don’t believe it’s actually required. Notice I italicized extra because Gen Chem already has a mandatory weekly recitation.</li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li><p>They are 2 different classes. 111 is 3 credits, and 151 is 2 credits.</p></li>
<li><p>Personally, I’m taking physics my junior year - unless the classes in your major require it as a pre-req, you don’t really need to take it a specific year. To answer your question, I’ve heard people take it either year and be fine.</p></li>
<li><p>Normally, you have 3 one hour lectures per week, one each on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Additionally, you have a one hour recitation on Thursday to review the material learned the past week and also take the mandatory weekly quizzes. A poor score on the placement exam will recommend you to take an extended, hour and a half recitation rather than the normal one hour long one.</p></li>
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<p>Edit: I may be wrong, and it may be a completely extra recitation like ravnzcroft says, I’m not sure.</p>
<p>“Based on your online diagnostic exam results, we will suggest activities that will help you to achieve at your highest level in the course. The first suggestion may be to review the online tutorials and take the online exam a second time. Further suggestions may include enrollment in Peer-led Team Learning (PLTL) groups, which meet weekly during the course of the semester, or enrollment in the supplementary problem-solving workshop held by Cornerstone: Center for Advanced Learning. You may enroll in either of these options once you come to Washington University in the fall. The PLTL groups are increasingly popular with WU general chemistry students and have been shown to help students better understand the chemical concepts covered in Chemistry 111A. Therefore, even if it is not recommended based on your exam results, you might wish to look into joining a PLTL group upon your arrival at WU. Your performance on the online diagnostic exam will have no effect upon your grade in Chemistry 111A and will only be used by the course instructors and your four-year academic advisor to better advise you.”</p>
<p>Admittedly, I wasn’t entirely sure since took Chem as a sophomore and therefore did not have to take the chemistry diagnostic. However, I found the above paragraph on the Chem website. Entering students may find it to be a useful resource. [url=<a href=“http://www.chemistry.wustl.edu/~coursedev/Online%20tutorials/FAQs2.htm]FAQs[/url”>http://www.chemistry.wustl.edu/~coursedev/Online%20tutorials/FAQs2.htm]FAQs[/url</a>]</p>
<p>I do agree that it can recommend additional resources such as PLTL or cornerstone, but I would not consider those recitations per se. Personally, I was referring to the extended recitations mentioned here: <a href=“http://college.artsci.wustl.edu/files/college/2012_Chemistry_Online_Diagnostic_Exam.pdf[/url]”>http://college.artsci.wustl.edu/files/college/2012_Chemistry_Online_Diagnostic_Exam.pdf</a> which I do believe are 1.5 hour recitations in place of the regular 1 hour Thursday recitations. Regardless, a poor score simply recommend more resources for your benefit.</p>
<p>Fair enough.</p>
<p>Thanks so much! That was really helpful. Also, For the writing 1 class do you get to choose which semester you want to take it?</p>
<p>Unless it has changed with the new curriculum, you don’t get to choose. Rather you are assigned a semester.</p>
<p>Does premed require both chem111a and chemlab151 ? or just chem 111a?</p>
<p>I think it would be safe to say that almost all (if not all) allopathic medical schools require an equivalent of one year (two semesters) of chemistry with lab. This is a requirement of the medical schools and not Wash. U.</p>
<p>^Either way, it doesn’t matter what med schools require for gen chem. Med schools require Orgo (as far as I’m aware?), and chem 152 is a prereq for orgo at WashU.</p>
<p>oops i screwed up, two years.</p>
<p>Which physics should a pre-med BME take who has not taken AP Physics? (I’m currently taking honors physics, which at my school is just a basic overview or mechanics as well as e&m and is non calculus based)</p>