<p><changed question=""></changed></p>
<p>How hard is it to major in APPLIED MATHEMATICS and get a 3.8+ GPA as pre-med here at Emory?
Would it be easier to get a 3.8+ in Biology?</p>
<p>Thank you</p>
<p>Math 111 Calculus I - Easy A
Math 112 Calculus II - Easy A
Math 211 Multivariable Calculus - A or A-
Math 212 Differential Equations - A or A- or B+ (but really terrible class imo)
Math 221 or
Math 321 Linear Algebra or
Vector Spaces - A or A- if you take 221. A- probably with 321. I strongly recommend 321
Math 250 Foundations of Mathematics - Very good class. Take it with Ono or Borthwick if you can. You can get anywhere from a B to A in the class.
Math 315 Numerical Analysis - B or A if Benzi teaches it. Probably A. He doesn’t run the +/- system. I don’t know about the other professors. It’s not a tough class. I would think serious students should take the grad level of this course.
Math 351 Partial Differential Equations - A or A-. The professor is a really good guy who works on very interesting stuff. But, it’s not a well-taught class. Only useful thing I got out of it was learning Latex.
3 courses chosen from the following: Math 318:
Complex Variables - The first math class I’ve had where I’ve felt completely out of my league and lost. This is tough.</p>
<p>Math 344:
Differential Geometry - IDK</p>
<p>Math 345:
Math Modeling - IDK</p>
<p>Math 346:
Optimization Theory - Take this. Grading is okay.</p>
<p>Math 352:
PDEs in Action - This was taught over the summer. Only a couple people took it. They all got A’s except one person I think, but it wasn’t an easy class. Super interesting though. Getting insight into what Veneziani does.</p>
<p>Math 361:
Probability & Stats I - This is just a good class. I think everyone should take it in their sophomore year or earlier regardless if they’re in math, physics, econ, cs, etc.</p>
<p>Math 362:
Probability & Stats II - Not as good as ^</p>
<p>Math 411:
Real Analysis I - Bread and butter of math. Not needed for the Applied Math major, but I think you should take it. Not an easy class but B+ isn’t bad and A-/A is doable.</p>
<p>Math 412:
Real Analysis II - ^
CS 170 Introduction to Computer Science I - Pretty easy. If you don’t get an A in this, you have little business trying to be an applied major and finishing premed requirements at the same time.
2 courses chosen from the following: CS 171:
Introduction to Computer Science II -Quite a bit harder than 170. When I took it, it was even harder than usual.</p>
<p>Any Math or CS course numbered 200 or above
The sequence:
Physics 151/152 General Physics I and II -Kinda standard. IDK what to say about it. It’s just what physics is everywhere.
1 course chosen from the following: Physics 253:
Modern Physics with Lab - IDK</p>
<p>Physics 361:
Analytical Mechanics -IDK</p>
<p>Physics 365:
Electromagnetic Fields - IDK</p>
<p>Chem/Bio 330:
Molecular Modeling - IDK</p>
<p>Chem 331:
Physical Chemistry I - IDK But I bet Bernie does.</p>
<p>Econ 420:
Econometrics - Have to take soemthing, so take this one I guess. Not a requirement for me. But I’m taking it next semester.</p>
<p>Math/Econ 425:
Mathematical Economics - Lots of work. Wouldn’t recommend.</p>
<p>Idk if this will help you, but it gives you an idea of what to expect.</p>
<p>If I could give myself advice four years ago, my schedule would’ve looked like this for my first two years. Not premed and my major requirements were a bit different than yours, but pretty similar. I guess alter how you want.</p>
<p>Accounting for AP Credit.</p>
<p>S 1:
Math 211
Freshman Seminar
Spanish 212
CS 170
Filler Class</p>
<p>S 2:
Math 250
Spanish 300
CS 171
Math 315
Filler Class
Gym</p>
<p>S3:
Math 212
Math 321
Writing
Writing
Gym</p>
<p>S4:
CS 255
CS SomethingElse
Math 351
Writing</p>
<p>S5
Last CS for minor
Math 361
Math 411
Econ 101
Something else</p>
<p>S6
Math 412
Physics 152
Econ 102
Other stuff.</p>
<p>S7
Physics 151
math 421
other stuff</p>
<p>That was off the top of my head, but gives you something to guide yourself off of.</p>
<p>You did well in such courses aluminum, but you have to keep in mind that competition in the chem, physics, and math department is much more intense (chem’s courses have smarter people and yet usually classes are curved to or land at a high C+/high B- range, including pchem) than biology and NBB. The students are generally more prepared and interested than those in NBB and biology. In addition, NBB and biology are mostly memorization oriented courses, especially if you are a standard pre-med that doesn’t care much about the quality of courses and instructors (as in, you’ll just choose easy ones that only require memorization because you don’t really plan to use the discipline as heavily in the future. The courses and your performance in them merely serves as something to show to the med. schools and thus you “fake it until you make it”). With that said, if you are interested in physics or math, and not really the natural sciences, I say go for it. If that’s what you’ll like it better and likely do better. In addition, what if you decide not to be pre-med. The physics and math background will help you find something to do (you may decide to even transition over to a Georgia Tech engineering program for example). </p>
<p>Also, the crowds over in those departments are just much better in my opinion. Pre-health filled departments are usually boring as most students are just following stereotypical paths with no legit interest in what they are learning (do not expect to talk about biology or neuroscience outside of working on an assignment or studying together unless you have a friend considering grad. school or something.). Think about it, you’re entertaining biology right now simply because you believe it’s easier than math and physics (something that it seems you like). Now imagine like 3-500 making the same sort of choice that are likely of lower caliber and are ditzy as all get out (many of these people should not really even be majoring in science to be honest. They don’t actually like science so much as learning and taking tests that emphasize rehashing of scientific factoids). Let’s not mention that most biology courses won’t actually help you for the MCAT (especially the new one). The more quantitative science majors tend to perform better not only because they have higher ability level, but because the majors build problem solving and analysis skills that easy courses in biology will not. And yes, I believe that you will, if you join the bio bandwagon, likely follow your pre-med friends in taking some of the most poorly taught, yet easy courses. The bandwagon effect among pre-meds is very pervasive. In addition, very elite medical schools apparently like students with a large quantitative background (like Harvard and Stanford for example). Many are looking for students with something a little different to offer. Stanford and Harvard selects (especially in the future) look more similar to Ph.D students than standard pre-healths that took the path of least resistance through undergrad. They want a good performance in a more rigorous program or at least a set of courses that builds the skills they are looking for.</p>
<p>Also, you’ll have to shuffle alumnium’s guidelines around to account for you being pre-med and all (as in, what needs to be done before I take the MCAT). BTW, you’ll need biochem for the new MCAT. DO NOT take this in the bio department. I saw the sample questions in the 2015 overview thing and compared it to tests that I saw from two teachers over in the bio dept, and found that one would be woefully unprepared if you take them. It looks more like a human phys/bio 141 combo with a few legit biochemical concepts stressed. However, the course does not stress experimentation and actual chemistry like the MCAT sample passage did (it’s a “memorize the textbook and pathways” type of course. Definitely not what the MCAT passages will test). You should definitely take this course in the chemistry department (in fact, chem has 2 semesters and the 2nd semester is better than the first in showing you experimental approaches to biochemistry/chemical biology).</p>
<p>Yea.
If the original poster wants to get into a top 5 medical school, then he should do something similar to what I suggested. I understand it’s not the easiest thing in the world, but if you can do it, then you’ll be in a great place.</p>
<p>The “filler class” for S1 could be biology lol. What a joke course that bio 141/142 have become since we took it…Only lab is irritating 
.</p>
<p>Thank you so much guys
I really appreciate your input :)</p>