<p>Hey guys,</p>
<p>I was wondering if any current psych majors want to give a few words of advice to a prospective psych major (me) I’m also interested in the pre-med track. What classes should I take/avoid? Any input is appreciated! :)</p>
<p>Hi tofu. If you have any specific questions, please PM me. One of my majors is psych, but I'm not premed by any means. </p>
<p>If you go to brandeis.edu and type in "psychology" into the search box, the psych department's site at Brandeis will pop up. </p>
<p>In there you'll find the list of requirements (although for the new incoming class the list has changed somewhat, and I'm not sure if that's posted)...but the old one is still quite similar. You'll have you start with Intro to Psych (1a), and then a whole range of classes is open to you (unless you have an AP grade).</p>
<p>The psych department here is quite research/science based, so be prepared!</p>
<p>Thanks descant!</p>
<p>Did you ever have any problems getting into the classes you wanted to take? What are the usual class caps for underclassmen, and what's the average class size?</p>
<p>Hey Tofu. I haven't had any problems getting into a class that I wanted to take. The only time that can happen is in a foreign language class (capped at 18) and in a Freshman writing seminar (18). These two classes are not flexible according to university standards because the number is essential to facilitating learning.</p>
<p>For other classes however you can always talk to the professor and explain your situation and almost always they'll let you in.</p>
<p>The median class size is 17.</p>
<p>Do you think taking physics and gen chem freshman year is too much? Afterwards I'm planning on taking organic and gen bio sophomore year.</p>
<p>(pre med track)</p>
<p>It will be a lot, but quite doable. I have friends doing the same. Make sure you take classes alongside with those that don't have problem sets.</p>
<p>Hm.. what do you mean problem sets?</p>
<p>Science and math classes have homework assignments that entail lists of problems - no papers, reading, etc. Try to balance it out.</p>
<p>hey, is it true that first semester intro to chemistry and intro to physics courses will be alot harder, because that's when the pre-meds are taking it (making it super competitive)? because that's what my sister says, and she's pre-med.</p>
<p>hemingway,</p>
<p>Brandeis, like every other school, has chemistry and physics classes designed for those who, for their own reasons, don't want to take heavy-duty science courses. Just to illustrate, here are a few snippets from the catalog:</p>
<p>CHSC 3b Solving Environmental Challenges: The Role of Chemistry
[ sn ]</p>
<p>CHSC 5a The Magnitude of Things and How on Earth They Matter
[ qr sn ]</p>
<p>CHSC 6a Forensic Science: Col. Mustard, Candlestick, Billiard Room
[ sn qr ]</p>
<p>CHSC 8b Chemistry and Art
[ qr sn ]</p>
<p>PHSC 2b Introductory Astronomy
[ qr sn ]</p>
<p>PHSC 8b Concept and Theories in Physics
[ sn ]</p>
<p>Note that some of these courses meet the quantitative reasoning as well as the science requirement of Brandeis. To the extent that they are difficult, it is because of the standards that professors set for the major, which is one of the reasons pre-meds tend to whine as much as they do.</p>
<p>The chemistry and physics courses that you allude to are designed for people who intend to major in the subject.</p>
<p>yeah, i was just thinking of taking introductory chemistry because my AP chem teacher said it should be a breeze for those of us who took two years already (i didn't care about the AP test, filled in random bubbles, hence i won't get credit). I just definitely don't want to take a lab! </p>
<p>I didn't know quantitative reasoning courses could also count for the science requirement--i thought you had to take both! I thought of taking Chemistry and Art for a while, but I thought I'd have to take another science/math course with that.</p>
<p>Could anyone elaborate on Chemistry and Art?</p>
<p>From my coursebook (2005-2006)</p>
<p>Chemistry and Art:
Topics include a scinetific description of the materials and methods used in making works of art; light and colour; pigments and dyes; restoration and conservation; scientific examination of artworks: the identification of fakes; and scientific probes of influence and style. Usually offered every year.</p>
<p>Sounds like basically, the chemistry of art. From what I know of chemistry, that shouldn't get <em>too</em> advanced, but that's just my prediction.</p>
<p>hemingway, </p>
<p>You are correct. No single course can be used to meet both the science and quantitative reasoning requirements. Thus, the courses designated as "sn" and "qr" are either/or.</p>