<p>So I'll be attending calso in the coming weeks and I'm going to major in MCB as a premed and I'd like some feedback on the classes to take in the fall because I'm really confused.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I heard that Chem is harder first semester, so I'm planning to take Bio first. Looking at the requirements, it says that Bio 1B is taken before 1A? So i guess i'll be taking 1B in the fall, or would it be better to take Chem in the fall rather than wait and take it later?</p></li>
<li><p>If i take Language and Power C180T, my Social and Behavioral Sciences or Arts and Literature breadth would be fulfilled, but I'm also interested in taking Drugs and the Brain C30T which would only satisfy my Biological Sciences breadth. How hard is Language and Power and which would be the best class to take in the fall?</p></li>
<li><p>Since I took CalcAB this year, I'm planning to take Math1B in the fall. What is the difference between Math 1A&1B and 10A&10B? Which would be the better class to take?</p></li>
<li><p>To fulfill my English req. for GE's, I'm planning to take Intro to Dramatic Literature. I was told that the professor for this class is very good but apparently he no longer teaches at Cal. What do you think about this class?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>So, for Fall2013, i'm planning to take one of the math classes i mentioned above, bio/chem, either Language and power or Drugs and the Brain, and Intro to dramatic lit for a total of about 15 units. Is my schedule too laid back? Should I take on another class?</p>
<p>Biology 1B has no prerequisites, while Biology 1A has prerequisite of Chemistry 1A/1AL or 4+ on AP chemistry test (recommended Chemistry 3A or 112A). So it is not surprising that some students take Biology 1B before Biology 1A.</p>
<p>You do not need any additional biological sciences breadth (you will be taking enough of that as an MCB major or as a pre-med), although you can certainly take such courses as free electives if you are interested in them. Note that any one course can fulfill one L&S 7-course breadth category (although it can simultaneously fulfill other requirements like American cultures). If a course can fulfill two breadth categories, it gives you flexibility in selecting future breadth courses, since the course that can fulfill two may be applied to either one of the two.</p>
<p>If you continue with pre-med, you will pretty much automatically fulfill biological science (biology courses), physical science (chemistry and physics courses), and social and behavioral science (psychology and/or sociology) out of the L&S 7-course breadth categories.</p>
<p>In terms of math, 1A-1B is a general calculus course, while 10A-10B is a course of calculus, statistics, and other math for biology majors. If the only possible majors you will choose are biology majors that accept 10A-10B or those which have no math requirement at all, then 10A-10B is likely a more useful course. But if you are also considering majors that do not accept 10A-10B, then you may have to take 1A-1B.</p>
<p>Be sure to check the <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-berkeley/1305840-freshman-math-faq.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-berkeley/1305840-freshman-math-faq.html</a> for links to old Math 1A final exams if you are considering taking Math 1B. Also, check what you would need to take for MCB if you skip Math 1A; MCB’s web site says that the major does not accept AP math credit, but some students have reported that taking more advanced math courses is ok.</p>
<p>15 units is a normal full time course load.</p>
<p>Thanks! That helped a lot. Would you recommend taking a freshman seminar on top of this for an additional 1or2 units?</p>
<p>I’d recommend taking a freshman seminar as well only if you find one that genuinely interests you (rather than for the sake of adding more units). The extra seminar most likely wouldn’t take up much time, especially because they are generally only offered pass/no pass, so you’ll just need a C-, or an equivalent of that, to pass.</p>