The title pretty much says it all. The school itself and the campus look really nice to me, I’m just a little worried about the lack of reference to NYU’s biology program I seem to be finding.
I’m currently entering my third year as a Biology Major. I have currently taken Principles of Biology 1/2, and Molecular and Cellular Biology 1/2.
POB 1/2 were both interesting and informative. Rather than testing on memorization, it is based mainly on concepts and Principles of basic Biology. The tests test on concepts. I didn’t find the class to be that challenging. However, test averages were around 65-75, and less than 10% got an A in POBI. POBII on the other hand was quite simple with 25% getting an A in the class. Test averages ranged from 78-85. If you did well in AP Biology, you probably won’t learn much in this course. However, it is advised by advisors, and by me, to not skip if you are a Biology major.
Molecular and Cellular Biology 1 was a very rigorous class. Personally, I thought it was harder than Organic Chemistry. In MCBI, you will learn in great detail about structure of DNA, cloning methods, Gene Editing techniques, processes of transcription/translation, Forward and Reverse Genetics, Recombination, plasmids, sequencing methods, omics Biology, epigenetics etc. Class uses a graduate level textbook, and you will be forced to intuitive gain knowledge of Biology at a very high level to obtain an A. Tests in this class are open ended and are quite rigorous. Test averages range from 55-68, but the class is generously curved at the end.
Molecular and Cellular Biology 2 was also a very informative class and I enjoyed it. It is easier than Molecular and Cellular Biology 2 for the test are not as hard. In this class, you will explore in great detail about protein processing and secretion, protein targeting to various organelles, the plasma membrane, the cytoskeleton, the nervous system, cell migration, morphogens, cell fate, etc. Tests are also open ended, but averages tend to be around 71-80.
Many electives, and from what I hear, the electives are challenging and informative. I will have more to say on this once I complete my third and final year.
If you do the assignments, study hard for the tests, and try to learn intuitively, the Biology program at NYU is very well. As I currently prepare for the MCAT, the MCAT Biology section is undeniably the easiest section for me as I consistently score 130+.