When should you double up on science?

<p>I am a freshman starting in the fall. I am going to major in chemistry and am aware that you need a year of bio, chem, orgo, physics, calc, and english. My schedule right now for the first semester is General Chemistry, Freshman Seminar in Chemistry, Calculus, English, and History(English and History are part of my GREs). 15 credits total.</p>

<p>I'm wondering when would be the ideal time to add biology and physics? Should I add one to my first semester? Or maybe start it at my second semester and complete on the first semester next year? Probably start and finish one during my sophomore year and the other during my junior year? I do want to complete all of the premed requirements by the end of my junior year so I can take the MCATs.</p>

<p>I feel overwhelmed with planning out my schedule and even more so with all the talk of organic chemistry being really hard. I'll probably take orgo during my second year, so which science(physics or bio) would be easier?</p>

<p>Much appreciated.</p>

<p>As a bio major, I’ve doubled up on a science every semester. This isn’t unusual, either. When taking orgo, I would try not to take another class with a lab to make it a little easier. Physics is probably more time consuming than bio because of problem sets and stuff, so maybe take bio depending on which particular course it is with orgo.</p>

<p>So Bio second year and physics third year? Would I still be able to take MCATs third year if I do that? What if I take physics or bio first year?</p>

<p>Also, what kind of biology/physics should I take for a year, since I just looked and there are different courses under Biology and Physics? Example: There’s Biological Sciences, Biology of Human Life, Emerging Diseases, Basic Biology, Principles of Biology etc etc.</p>

<p>how does genchem1/2 + physics 1/2 (both with labs) sound for first/second semester?? normal, or too much with labs+psets in each class</p>

<p>rofl: I would try to get physics in before Spring of your junior year, because there is a lot of physics II on the MCATs. However, it wouldn’t be too too detrimental as long as you self study what you’re missing. I don’t know if the biology classes you listed are all introductory, but you have to take an intro level as a prereq if you want to take other bio classes (unless you have AP credit). So you would have to take a year of bio, and use discretion to figure out what would be appropriate (i.e. no “rocks for jocks”).</p>

<p>acceptd: That sounds fine, it will just be a lot of actual homework rather than a lot of reading that you get with bio. Two labs in one semester also isn’t bad once you get used to it.</p>

<p>I think I’ll take bio during my first year with chem. I may take Biological Sciences or Biology of Human Life, since those classes also fulfill my Gen Ed Requirements. Or could I take one of those two courses and then pick another biology course for the next semester- would that still count as a year in biology even though its two different subjects? Would that be fine?</p>

<p>Sorry for the double post. I just looked it up and saw that all biology/physics classes are full for first semester. Would it be good if I started biology second semester of first year then completed it during my first semester of second year(with physics being second sem of 2nd year and 1st sem of 3rd year)?</p>