I am a senior in high school and I am currently taking no math classes, as well as not taking physics. My school does not offer any AP classes, but I have good grades and my GPA is a 3.6. I also have volunteered many times. Can I major in biology if I have never take physics, calculus, or even pre-calculus? Or can I possibly take some classes this summer before college so i’m not behind? I’m feeling very stressed out at the thought and I have heard many times that it will be very hard to go pre-med without taking any of these classes. What should I do?
Without precalculus, you will have to take it in college as a remedial course before calculus as usually required for a biology major.
It is desirable to have high school physics before taking college physics that is typically required for a biology major, especially if you are pre-med and competing for A grades with other pre-meds who have had high school or AP physics before.
Look at your colleges of choice Biology Curriculums. For example, at TCNJ they have a pathway for people who need to take Precalc and physics. They have you start in Precalc and then take Calc 1 over the summer. Same deal with Physics.
https://biology.tcnj.edu/sample-pathways-to-four-year-biology-degree/ (See Sample 3)
So yes, you can do it, but you will need to take some summer courses to catch up.
If possible, I would take Pre-calc this summer and possibly also physics. Treat them like a full time job.
Some schools will offer a BA in Biology that will not require Physics or Calculus. Of course this will not help if you hope to go to Med School as Med schools require those courses.
Check with your colleges, you could possibly take some courses at the local community college and use the credits at your college the summer before
Most stem majors will have you take at least math courses to Calculus One and physics(algebra or calculus based on major). At my school, you got to go to Cal 2 with biochemistry/biology and to Cal 3 with chemistry. Just because you didn’t take it in high school doesn’t mean you can’t take it in college. I didnt have precalculus or any decent science classes and I’m currently in Cal 3(which is kicking my butt) getting a chemistry major. You are in college to learn, not be completely prepared at the start.
The not needing to be “completely prepared” depends on the colleges you will target. Obviously, some will throw you an admit and let you struggle (unless it turns out, of course, that you can master those classes. Right now, you have no idea if you can.) So there’s risk. Meanwhile, to get to the level of courses you do need, you’re there making up for lost time, taking catch-up classes.