<p>Hello all. So I am going to be a premed Biology Major and have all ready taken AP Calculus BC and recieved a 5 (not to mention I had the highest grade in the class, which was full of seniors heading to MIT - just saying, I can handle math). I want to obviously maintain a very high GPA of 3.8+, but also want to take mostly math and science courses. My freshman schedule will probably look like this (I'm planning on taking the MCAT late summer after sophomore year, so I'm cramming):</p>
<p>Writing Seminar (By the way...do I need a full year of writing seminars or just one semester?)/Evolutionary Biology
Fundamentals of Physics I/Fundamentals of Physics II (Calculus-based)
General Chemistry/Inorganic Chemistry
Math Course</p>
<p>Just to give you a feel for how difficult the other courses are: I took AP Chemistry and expect a 5, and I took AP Physics C: Mechanics and expect a 5. So I'm pretty well-grounded in those. </p>
<p>Now, my dilemmna is whether I should
a) Take Calc I and II (which I have a great grounding in all ready)
b) take linear algebra w/ applications/calc III
or
c) take linear algebra/multivariable calculus</p>
<p>My main concern is: how much harder is linear algebra than linear algebra w/ applications, and how much harder is multivariable than calc III?</p>
<p>I love math, but given my demanding schedule, would it be worth it, and, given my credentials, etc., do you think I could pull off A- or above in those?</p>
<p>Thanks all in advance!</p>
<p>P.S. I'm not going to be majoring in a particularly quantitative subfield of biology (probably animal physiology or neuro), but Med schools still like to see the extra math background. (I will definitely take biostats as well)</p>
<p>I have a very similar dilemma. Maximize my stats as a premed v. actually taking harder but more rewarding (knowledge-wise) classes. Most ppl would say it’s a reciprocal relationship, but ppl say different things. Read my pm please.</p>
<p>ok, for the fws, you need 2 semesters, but if you got a 5 on either english AP test , you get one semester exempt.</p>
<p>As for math classes, I don’t know. Why not differential equations instead of linear algebra? diffyq is usually more common and more applicable and lower level (guessing this makes it easier ???)</p>
<p>BTW, if you take General chem, do you need inorganic chem? If I understand correctly, for a pre-med sequence you need general chem and organic chem, inorganic chem being an upper division class that is above the sequence.</p>
<p>Also, does that mean you’re postponing bio until soph year. That’s fine (maybe even better due to the chem background) but don’t forget to fit it in there somewhere.</p>
<p>By inorganic chem I mean chem 2080. I have received a 5 on AP Bio, so I only need to take specialized courses which are more flexible for premed. Hmm…differential equations? Perhaps.</p>
<p>Hey I’m currently a freshman who’s unsure about majoring in bio, but still taking all the bio major courses, so maybe I can help a little bit.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>If you get a 5 on either AP Lit or AP Lang, you have the option of dropping one semester of FWS.</p></li>
<li><p>Not sure if you’re aware, but AP Bio isn’t accepted anymore for the Biology Major requirements - to fulfill Cornell’s major you have to take the intro classes ([Cornell</a> Biology :: Core Requirements](<a href=“Biological Sciences | CALS”>Biological Sciences | CALS)). Most people take BIOG 1350 and BIOG 1440, as far as I know. There’s also a Bio lab (BIOG 1500) that’s required for Bio majors that you might want to consider taking during your freshman year.</p></li>
<li><p>I haven’t taken the higher level math courses yet, so I don’t know first-hand how difficult they are, but if it was me, I would take Linear algebra, Multivariable, or Calc III, since it seems like you already know Calc I and II really well. If you’re willing to work hard, I think you can probably handle it, especially since it looks like you’ll have a 15 credit schedule, which is pretty normal for first semester freshmen. I mean, of course the classes will be hard, but it’ll probably be more worth it than sitting through yet another class on derivatives haha, especially since you like math. Of course, it’s completely up to you (GPA is important too! though I’m sure you could get an A/A- in Multivar too if you just try your best And you also want to think about how much you want to “take it easy” while you get adjusted to college life/make friends/check out extracurriculars)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Oh and I’ll throw this in too, it’s a guide on planning your first semester schedule if you’re a bio major (<a href=“Biological Sciences | CALS”>Biological Sciences | CALS). You’ll probably get it later, but maybe it’ll help you now.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot, Idealistical! Oh, I see for the bio. What I meant is that I won’t have to take intro bio, but yes, I understand I need to take a full year of general bio courses (which are still much more specific than intro bio) But good suggestions, and you are right: I want to do crew and make lots of new friends so I think I might cut physics for this year since I need to take chem freshman year to move onto orgo by soph (since I want to get the MCAT overwith early). Also, what is your opinion on taking biostats I and II? I like both subjects and I know med schools really like to see classes integrated with biology ( not just flat out stats, but biostats)</p>
<p>Ohh ok, sorry yeah, I tend to think of the general bio classes as intro classes haha (I think they recently replaced the traditional intro bio sequence?)</p>
<p>And unfortunately I don’t really know a lot about the biostats classes - if it’s something you like, and you have room in your schedule at some point, it definitely can’t hurt. Because yeah, it’s probably nice to take a stats class for med school (though I doubt you need to take 2 semesters-worth).</p>
<p>first of all, how have you taken APs but you don’t know what the grade is? if they’re only offered in May, then you either know your grade from May 2010 or you haven’t even taken the exam yet? </p>
<p>also…do you realize that the bio courses that idealistical linked to is the substitute for intro bio? no matter what your AP score, you would not take an “intro bio” for the bio major, you would be taking two of those intro courses. they’re more specific, but they’re not meant to be any more difficult than the former “intro bio” at Cornell.</p>
<p>finally, I’ve taken biostats, so I can say a few things about that. I think if you take that course you will find it extremely easy. maybe insultingly easy. I have a much worse math background than you, but I did great in biostats, because it was just a very easy class.
however…I do think that in the end, I learned a lot, even though at times I was like “this is so obvious” or even “I don’t get what’s going on but I know how to answer this particular question.” I got a basic understanding of R, even though I’d never used any statistical or programming software before, and that was nice. also, I did learn the basics of statistics that I had just never been exposed to before, like the different kinds of distributions, and how to interpret information from different statistical tests. I haven’t taken biostats II (yet?) for scheduling reasons, but since it’s the same prof I bet things are much the same there.
so…I think that if you’re going to take a stats course, take biostats, but don’t worry about it too much, and maybe stick it on as a fifth class in a later semester. remember that even though you’re taking the MCATs after sophomore year, you’ll probably not start applying to med schools till the end of junior year, so you have two more semesters afterwards to get your transcript in order.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for the advice, Idealistical and Faustarp! I think all the APs I mentioned I’ve recieved 5s on…the only one I need to take is chem (I took AP Calc BC junior year). Biostats sounds great. Also, Faustarp, are you premed and what is your major?</p>
<p>I’m not pre-med, but I am a bio major. so I definitely know a lot about bio requirements in general, and I’ve picked up a decent amount of info about pre-med things through passive diffusion…</p>
<p>Hey Ivysaur I know this whole thread was started by you asking for advice but you seem to know a lot about the different types of math classes offered (or at least more than me) so I thought I’d ask you: Which math class should I take as a first semester freshman? I’m taking BC Calc right now and doing pretty well. I’m not as strong as you are but I feel that I will do well on the AP. I’m just a little flummoxed by all the different options and I’m not entirely sure which order they are to be taken in. If it helps at all I’m going to major in Plant Science.</p>
<p>@ Krmh11, Plant Science is awesome! As for your math, it seems that you are quite capable, only the best and brightest math students take Calc BC. If you want a traditional pure math sequence, take Linear Algebra, then Multivariable Calculus. Mind you those are meant for math majors, but if you love math, they would be more interesting than the applied classes. On the other hand, Linear Algebra is really quite a boring subject when not learned in a theoretical way. So, you might want to consider doing what I have resolved to do: Calc II, followed by Calc III. Calc II will be some review, but will expose you to Cornell’s approach to mathematics (as opposed to high school math). Then you will definitely be prepared for Calc III, which is a fantastic class. It covers not only the calculus of multivariable functions (which is not a large extension from single variable, it just requires more of a 3 dimensional understanding and intuition; for example, picture a plane cutting through a parabola rotated about the y-axis, etc.), but also emphasizes differential equations and their application (so it’s like a slightly less specific combination of multivar and differential equations, which are math major classes). Then…after all that wonderful calculus, I suggest biostats! Hope this helps.</p>
<p>It seems that you’re more interested by the theory behind math than it’s apps. In that case, for you, linear algebra probably beats differential equations. diffyq is more like a continuation of calculus (some people like to call it calc 4) and is more applied while linear algebra can be more theoretical and focuses on matrices and vectors (vectors going well with multi-variate calc). Note, I imagine that at Cornell, the engineering Linear Algebra (2940, possibly) is going to be applied and computational and you would probably be better served by the Arts and Sciences class (especially a honors one).</p>
<p>for Ivysaur, it looks like most of your questions have been thoroughly addressed, but if you come up with anything else just post here and I’ll likely see it. I have to admit that I’m not an expert on the math offerings at Cornell since I haven’t taken many courses from that department. </p>
<p>for krmh11, why would you be taking more math at Cornell? it looks like all you need to do for Plant Science is take a statistics course, and the “course progression” is not suggesting it for freshmen. especially since you’re doing OK but not fantastic in BC, I would say that unless you have a great passion for math, I think you’re better off exploring all the other subjects Cornell has to offer that are nothing like what was available to you in high school. if you really want to do some more math, it probably would not hurt to wait till the spring semester, when you have a better feel for the college/major requirements, the workload, college life, etc.</p>
<p>So much of med school admission is GPA and MCAT driven. So your goal is to get the highest GPA that you can in all your undergraduate classes. ALso many med schools will not acccept AP credit for the required pre-med courses. You will be best served by repeating Calc I and Calc II; take the easy A…build your GPA for med school admissions, while focusing on aceing your other classes and activities.<br>
It is NOT LIKE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS…Medical Schools care little about the rigor of your college curriculum. You just need to complete the required premed classes: 2 bio, 4 chem, 2 physics, 1-2 english, 0-2 math (calc/stats). For medical school admissions, you will be working working towards two different GPAs: 1. overall GPA 2. GPA in all math/science classes.
Humanities majors (with their higher GPAs) have a higher acceptance rate to med school than science majors (lower GPAs).
The time you would have spent on higher level math classes, use towards meaningful extracurricular activities that will demonstrate your fit for medicine (shadowing a physician, volunteering in a health related capacity, etc.).</p>
And you also want to think about how much you want to “take it easy” while you get adjusted to college life/make friends/check out extracurriculars)</p></li>