OnlySunshine Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 I am finishing up my Associates in Arts degree to prepare for university entrance in Spring 2012 and I hope to major in Biology or Zoology. I have been looking at the curriculum offered by my hometown university and I find the classes a bit daunting. There is so much physical science in biology! I'm especially unnerved by Organic Chemistry and Physics since I have never really been that good at Chemistry. Physics just sounds intimidating. Is anyone here a Biology major? How was the curriculum and how well did you do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 [quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1298954104' post='2216694'] I am finishing up my Associates in Arts degree to prepare for university entrance in Spring 2012 and I hope to major in Biology or Zoology. I have been looking at the curriculum offered by my hometown university and I find the classes a bit daunting. There is so much physical science in biology! I'm especially unnerved by Organic Chemistry and Physics since I have never really been that good at Chemistry. Physics just sounds intimidating. Is anyone here a Biology major? How was the curriculum and how well did you do? [/quote] I am not, but a good number of my friends are in the sciences- bio. sci., neuroscience, o.chem, etc.. I know that it's a ton of work. They'll start you off where the typical grade twelve curriculum leaves off, and they're going to assume that you already have a pretty solid grounding in that stuff. The sheer amount of work is harder than many other programs because of the lab components in most universities, and the amount of options is usually quite limited. My friends also had to take calculus, like I did, and linear algebra, which appeared to also be quite hard. All in all, I don't think anybody actually enjoyed any of it, but first year is a stepping stone into stuff that they actually want to do, so you grin and bear it I guess. Sorry, wish I didn't have to be such a downer. :D I had originally planned on going into a pure chemistry type program, but at the last minute I switched out of science altogether. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted March 1, 2011 Author Share Posted March 1, 2011 [quote name='Nihil Obstat' timestamp='1298954910' post='2216697'] I am not, but a good number of my friends are in the sciences- bio. sci., neuroscience, o.chem, etc.. I know that it's a ton of work. They'll start you off where the typical grade twelve curriculum leaves off, and they're going to assume that you already have a pretty solid grounding in that stuff. The sheer amount of work is harder than many other programs because of the lab components in most universities, and the amount of options is usually quite limited. My friends also had to take calculus, like I did, and linear algebra, which appeared to also be quite hard. All in all, I don't think anybody actually enjoyed any of it, but first year is a stepping stone into stuff that they actually want to do, so you grin and bear it I guess. Sorry, wish I didn't have to be such a downer. :D I had originally planned on going into a pure chemistry type program, but at the last minute I switched out of science altogether. [/quote] If I had my way, I'd be majoring in Zoology, not Biology, because my career choice is to be an animal behaviorist with an emphasis in studying the various habitats and lives of the African big cats (lions, leopards, and cheetahs). However, Zoology is not really an option where I live because not many universities offer it. The only ones that do are highly competitive and I still need to raise my GPA. An alternative would be to take the first year at my hometown university and then transfer to the competitive university, if possible, but I still have a ways to go. Before this semester, I really struggled in Algebra, but I have an "A" average so far in this class and I am studying a LOT! This is the only class I am currently taking. The last class before my AA graduation will be either Elementary Statistics or Calculus in the Fall 2011. I am really happy to finally be graduating soon because I have been working on my degree since 2002. I graduated high school in 2001, but took a hiatus for medical reasons. I'm sure it's going to be a lot of hard work, but I am really into the idea of studying animals and I have been ever since I was 7 years old and wanted to become a veterinarian. So, I will definitely be applying myself to my work and doing the best I can. Thanks for your response. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 My best friend's brother should be finishing a degree in....... I think microzoology this year, or something along those lines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixpence Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 i can ask my boyfriend for you.. he majored in biology.. and also managed to do a minor in spanish and do marching band... my personal opinion of intro bio and microbio is fun! but i hated chemistry and do not like physics either even though I like math/science stuff. organic chemistry can be painful, but doable with enough hours put in. what is your goal afterwards? "biology" is extremely general and could range from taxonomy to cell chemistry. if you are more interested in "zoology" you might want to see if they have any wildlife majors! basically, if you have a more specific idea of what you would like to do, some painful general classes might be avoided if you have a more specific major. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted March 1, 2011 Author Share Posted March 1, 2011 (edited) [quote name='sixpence' timestamp='1298958068' post='2216708'] i can ask my boyfriend for you.. he majored in biology.. and also managed to do a minor in spanish and do marching band... my personal opinion of intro bio and microbio is fun! but i hated chemistry and do not like physics either even though I like math/science stuff. organic chemistry can be painful, but doable with enough hours put in. what is your goal afterwards? "biology" is extremely general and could range from taxonomy to cell chemistry. if you are more interested in "zoology" you might want to see if they have any wildlife majors! basically, if you have a more specific idea of what you would like to do, some painful general classes might be avoided if you have a more specific major. [/quote] I'm actually considering doing some of the prerequisites for the Zoology program at my hometown university for about a year to raise my GPA and then apply to an out-of-state university that has a great Zoology department--Auburn University. The acceptance rate of applicants is 79%, and compared with others, that is really favorable. They have a Zoology track that is specific to the work I want to do--Conservation and Biodiversity. I was looking at the differences between the Biology major and the Zoology major, and you are right, there is a comparable difference. I am just not sure if I will qualify for a competitive university, but I sure am going to try. I would love to get my GPA up to at least a 3.0 if not higher. Considering that many courses are worth 4 hours, that is doable in a pretty short amount of time. Edited March 1, 2011 by MaterMisericordiae Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted March 1, 2011 Author Share Posted March 1, 2011 Also, Auburn has a wildlife sciences department, so, on the off chance that I don't get accepted into the Zoology program, I have a backup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Cat Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 [quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1298954104' post='2216694']I am finishing up my Associates in Arts degree to prepare for university entrance in Spring 2012 and I hope to major in Biology or Zoology.[/quote]Wow, I can relate to that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lumiere Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 [quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1298954104' post='2216694'] I am finishing up my Associates in Arts degree to prepare for university entrance in Spring 2012 and I hope to major in Biology or Zoology. I have been looking at the curriculum offered by my hometown university and I find the classes a bit daunting. There is so much physical science in biology! I'm especially unnerved by Organic Chemistry and Physics since I have never really been that good at Chemistry. Physics just sounds intimidating. Is anyone here a Biology major? How was the curriculum and how well did you do? [/quote] The first question is "Why are you hoping to major in Biology or Zoology?" Are you interested in it or are you looking at it as a stepping stone to being a doctor or a pharmacist? The reason I ask is that if you are interested in the subject it is much easier to take those difficult associated courses. I had to take physical chemistry two times and I barely passed calculus, but I spent every moment in my biology and zoology classes laughing (quietly) because I was having such a good time. These more difficult courses can be managed if you are organized, study regularly, and ask for help as soon as you need it. Get a tutor [b]early in the semester[/b] if you are struggling. Do not wait until just before the exam, it is too late then. Most of all, do not talk yourself out of a program because you think some of the courses are hard, if that program is something you are interested in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted March 1, 2011 Author Share Posted March 1, 2011 [quote name='Lumiere' timestamp='1298981957' post='2216743'] The first question is "Why are you hoping to major in Biology or Zoology?" Are you interested in it or are you looking at it as a stepping stone to being a doctor or a pharmacist? The reason I ask is that if you are interested in the subject it is much easier to take those difficult associated courses. I had to take physical chemistry two times and I barely passed calculus, but I spent every moment in my biology and zoology classes laughing (quietly) because I was having such a good time. These more difficult courses can be managed if you are organized, study regularly, and ask for help as soon as you need it. Get a tutor [b]early in the semester[/b] if you are struggling. Do not wait until just before the exam, it is too late then. Most of all, do not talk yourself out of a program because you think some of the courses are hard, if that program is something you are interested in. [/quote] I have already listed my reasons--I want to become an animal behaviorist and work in conservation and ecology. Zoology is the more appropriate program. I was just concerned with the amount of time it would take to finish my degree. I've been working on it since 2002 and I am so ready to finish college and move on to my career in animal/wildlife science. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 [quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1298963908' post='2216718'] Also, Auburn has a wildlife sciences department, so, on the off chance that I don't get accepted into the Zoology program, I have a backup. [/quote] Auburn is a cool place because the Mises Institute is there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fidei Defensor Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 me me me. cellular and molecular biology. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anastasia13 Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 (edited) I used to be a bio major. Different programs have different chemistry requirements. We had a bio dept with several sub-majors at my university. Only some had to take the full year of bio chem and year of O chem. If you have any agricultural type schools year you, you might even look into animal health science as a major with a minor in conservation ecology or something. Different programs/majors also have different math requirements. At least some schools will let you view courses required for degrees just by browsing the websites. When you get to university, there are many tips that can apply to any of those hard courses. Check out the tutoring center rules. Do you need an appointment, how many hours can you get a week, is it free, etc. Ask questions in class and visit the profs office hours. Make friends in those fields-join clubs related to your major and don't be afraid to visit other science clubs when you are taking courses in other sciences. Find a study partner or two.If you can get books ahead of time, browse through them at least. Outline/highlight chapters as you go and *write formulas, definitions, and major key graphs on a study sheet. etc. *This really helped me as a finance major. Wish I had done it more as a bio major. Edited March 2, 2011 by Light and Truth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anastasia13 Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 [quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1298963908' post='2216718'] Also, Auburn has a wildlife sciences department, so, on the off chance that I don't get accepted into the Zoology program, I have a backup. [/quote] amesomeness! You will rock the animal world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laudate_Dominum Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 [quote name='fidei defensor' timestamp='1299037891' post='2217020'] me me me. cellular and molecular biology. [/quote] meesa jealous! [IMG]http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h119/NoonienSoong_2006/phatmass/232980-jar_jar_binks_large.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now