<p>Hey everyone,</p>
<p>I'm a Chicago EA admit, and I'm really into molecular biology. I've heard that Core Bio has its issues, but I haven't heard anything else about biology at Chicago. Would I have a good experience as a bio major at Chicago?</p>
<p>A little relevant background info: I want to go to grad school, get a PhD, and do research. There's virtually no chance that I'll end up applying to med school, so I'm not worried about any premed-exclusive issues.</p>
<p>Some slightly more specific questions:
1. Is the AP5 Bio sequence the same thing as the dreaded "Core Bio?" If not, does it have any problems of its own?
2. What are the advanced bio classes at Chicago like? (specifically cell/molecular bio classes) Will they make me fall in love with biology even more, or will I be left wanting to jump ship to a different science?
3. Do Chicago bio majors tend to fare well in grad school admissions?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance for any insight that you can provide!</p>
<p>I’m just another EA admit, but I know a bit of what you’re asking.</p>
<p>AP 5 sequence is NOT the same as the troublesome core bio. Very different. much better.</p>
<p>As far as the programs go, the bio programs are why I accepted chicago. I’ll put it this way: MIT has a single “biology” major (with specializations), CU-Boulder has evolutionary bio and molecular bio. Chicago has seven different degree options. Their bio department is HUGE. It’s actually its own separate college. Chicago has the Argonne lab, too. If you don’t know what that is, I suggest you check it out. It’s amazing. Especially for the bio-oriented. That plus about a hundred other labs in the biophysics/biology/genetics/bioinformatics categories made choosing Chicago a pretty easy decision. </p>
<p>Just look at the course catalog they sent you-- the bio courses are ridiculously good. </p>
<p>With a strong, active department at such a prestigious institution (especially for grad school admissions), how can grad school accept rates be low? Chicago has better placement rates for grad school than med school. The bio program definitely has a place for the non-pre-meds, whereas a lot of its peer institutions are pre-med-dominated.</p>
<p>idk about you, but I’m planning on taking graduate bio ASAP.</p>
<p>btw: <a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-biological-sciences-programs/ecology[/url]”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-biological-sciences-programs/ecology</a></p>
<p>Uchicago, like MIT, also has a single bio major (with different specializations). We don’t really have that much association with Argonne. </p>
<p>Core Bio is what non bio majors take. AP5 Bio is open only to students who have a 5 on the AP Biology exam, hence the name. From what I’m told it’s a very difficult but very rewarding class, and the primary focus is learning how to read scientific journal articles and think like an actual researcher. </p>
<p>You might be interested in the Program in Physical and Chemical Biology (PCBio) program, which provides funding for students to do independent research ($4500 for summer, $1250x3 quarters for the school year). [Institute</a> for Biophysical Dynamics | The University of Chicago](<a href=“http://ibd.uchicago.edu/pcbio/index.shtml]Institute”>http://ibd.uchicago.edu/pcbio/index.shtml)</p>
<p>hey, i’m a current student at U of C, and let me tell you, it is a bio major’s paradise here lol.
Bio is the second most popular major after econ and that’s because the bio dept here is stellar. But they will work your ass off. my roommate was a bio major but switched to music cuz it was too intense.
and you’re right about Core Bio…I’m in it now and it sucks. but i’ve heard the Ap 5 sequence is much better (and much harder)</p>