Biology vs. Chemistry need help

[Tamim]

Hello everyone.

In 2 days I need to pick the class which I will complete in my second year of community college, I have the choices of Biology or my first year of Chemistry, the rest of my premed classes will be completed at a 4 year school.

Does anyone have any advice as to which one I should complete at CC?


I was thinking Biology, so that when I go to a 4 year and I take chemistry I might be better prepared for the infamous Ochem


Thank you

[bckwood]

I would take the chemistry first. Alot of what you learn in biology is related back to chemistry. Trust me, I did it the way that you are thinking. I did great in both classes, but had I done it the other way I could have saved alot of study time. Good Luck.

[MarylandGal]

you need to weigh it out:

If you end up focusing in a biology related major, then you need to start with biology first, since this would be a prereq. for your other bio classes.

Regardless, you will not miss out in one class by taking the other first. You'll be okay.

[Tamim]

I am majoring in Philosophy

[lmoliver]

Did you have either bio or chem in high school? I'm thinking I would take chemistry. Reason: a community college probably would start at a more elementary level and go more slowly as well as have outside help available.

Inorganic chemistry doesn't really prepare you for organic any more than biology does. It's a whole different animal. You will have more calculations to do in inorganic and almost none in organic. It's a lot of memory work and concepts to understand.

Have you had any biology? If I were to advise you, I would want you to be familiar with the 4 types of biochemical: proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleotides and basic concepts like mitosis and meiosis so you could hit the ground running in pre-med.

[Tamim]

Well I have had absolutely no exposure to either Chemistry, Biology, or Physics.

But my college has classes that prepare you for all three. I am going to take all these classes so I am prepared for the pre-med trio. I just want to take one of the actual full level classes so that I can ease my burden once I transfer.

[lmoliver]

Well, life is sure going to change for you!! You'll be in science for the rest of your life. Been so long since I took freshman biology that I can't even remember how hard it is or what they cover. I don't know if there is a hard and fast answer to your question. I'd still advise chemistry, that's a doc's stock and trade.

Myself I've considered myself a scientist since I was in 5th grade and placed in the top 97%tile for science aptitude in the state. I've never been satisfied with anything else.

[jameslynton]

Well I have had absolutely no exposure to either Chemistry, Biology, or Physics.....Intro Biology is of little use on the MCAT whereas intro Chemistry is about 30-40% of the physical science test the rest being physics for some reason. For my MCAT test last August the Biology science was about 60% organic chemistry. The Biology that was the most useful for the MCAT were physiology, biochemistry and genetics. Not one question from intro biology.

If you have not had any exposure to these subjects so far - I would suggest auditing the courses in each before you hit the big time with them. Reason - you will most likely do poorly until you get the concepts. Different schools have different ways of teaching physics. If the school you go to uses calculus to teach physics and you don't have it - Drop it until you get the prereq's done. These courses at one school or another are used as flunk out courses. So I would suggest you look at the grades and the profs before you decide which one to take. Only you know your current school. My .02's - take the course if the teacher/prof is really good that will help you the most on the MCAT and will get you an A. Hope that helps.

[Tamim]

Well, life is sure going to change for you!! You'll be in science for the rest of your life.

Wow I have never thought of my self as being a scientist one day, I think I like the sound of that :p


So essentially a doctor is really a scientist who has been trained specifically to use his knowledge to cure the human being of his ailments?

[jameslynton]

Wow I have never thought of my self as being a scientist one day, I think I like the sound of that :p

So essentially a doctor is really a scientist who has been trained specifically to use his knowledge to cure the human being of his ailments?Not exactly - If you are in research you are a scientist -
Most modern medicine is about doing procedures - depending on what you go into - you are doing procedures and charging money for the prodecures. So you are a highly trained tech person for the most part. Yea - I may get flamed for this - but that is the reality. There is the experimental part of it where you attempt to figure out what is going on in a situation in internal medicine or pathlogy. In Family practice or primary care for the most part you punt to a specialist because the insurance company says so unless you are out in the sticks.

The real science types have a PhD and MD behind their names and they work at drug companies and the NIH. But, yes as a MD you have to keep up with current trends in medicine. Most state borads require you to take so many continue education hours a year. I have been to some of thoses seminars - they were jokes. Mostly they ate the food then were off to the slopes to ski.