U of C undergrad course selection

[medicg]

Hey,

I'm entering 2nd year at U of C, looking at going into CMMB as my major. The course calendar suggests that second semester I take the following: BIO 331, BCHEM 393, CMMB 343, OCHEM 353 (II), and an option. This sounds really intense, just wondering if anyone on the forum had any advice from previous experience.

cheers

[arkgirl]

Thats a really intense semester. As a U of C grad who took all those courses I would recommend not taking all 4 together. Alone, BCEM 393 and BIOL 331 will eat up your entire schedule. I took BCEM 393, CMMB 343 and BIOL 331 together and I got my first and only B ever from BIOL 331. CMMB 343 is not so bad, but the other 3 are tough and you have to study extensively for. I took OCHEM during the previous summer and I found it helped alot. That being said, alot of people did take those choices together, but it was really rough. Try and see if you can split them because at the end of the day, marks do matter if your considering med.

[*Pixie*]

I took all of those courses together, except I took Bio313 (ecology) instead of cmmb, and had art history 3xx as an option. I personally loved Ochem and bio331, but hated ecology (booooring...especially the labs). I did well, but it was more work than in the 1st year.

I actually found the 2d year to be THE hardest of all four.

If you did well in your first year with a 10 course-load, I have no doubts that you will manage a 10 course-load in your second, just be prepared to start studying earlier and with more effort. Things will get somewhat easier in your 3d and 4th years. On the other hand, if the first year was challenging, then you might want to lessen the burden for the 2d year. So, yeah, if you can substitute one of the courses/ or take only 4 classes in one of the semesters - do it.

At the end of the day though, it is up to you how much you want to challenge yourself this year.

Good luck!

[medicg]

Thanks for the replies!

I completed a full course load last year and got a 3.97, I guess I'm just psyching myself out somewhat - some of the 2nd year courses have a bad rep. On top of a full course load this year I have a part-time job and I'm doing some RAMP mentoring. I want to spent next summer focusing on the MCAT, so I don't think I can do a spring/summer course. Would it negatively impact my application if I only took 4 courses for 2nd semester? Also what did you guys think of the senior CMMB courses? What's your opinion on the degree overall? Any regrets?

Thanks for your advice!

[sparkles3288]

Hey,

I'm entering 2nd year at U of C, looking at going into CMMB as my major. The course calendar suggests that second semester I take the following: BIO 331, BCHEM 393, CMMB 343, OCHEM 353 (II), and an option. This sounds really intense, just wondering if anyone on the forum had any advice from previous experience.

cheers

I did that and it was brutal--probably the worst semester in all of my undergrad. It can be done though, but say goodbye to a social life! =/

[*Pixie*]

Thanks for the replies!

I completed a full course load last year and got a 3.97, I guess I'm just psyching myself out somewhat - some of the 2nd year courses have a bad rep. On top of a full course load this year I have a part-time job and I'm doing some RAMP mentoring. I want to spent next summer focusing on the MCAT, so I don't think I can do a spring/summer course. Would it negatively impact my application if I only took 4 courses for 2nd semester? Also what did you guys think of the senior CMMB courses? What's your opinion on the degree overall? Any regrets?

Thanks for your advice!

With such a good start in your 1st year, I think you will be just fine! I worked and volunteered with a 10 course load that year too - it is doable, but, like sparkles said, forget the social life.

Re some courses getting bad reviews - OChem has horrible reputation, but I loved it. What I would recommend is studying/memorizing material from lecture 1. It is one of those classes you CAN'T cram for... kind of like Calculus/ Physics - most students hate it, but it can be the easiest A you get if you start studying from day1. I am sure that your work ethic is just fine though, given your 1st year grades!

As far as taking 4 courses in one difficult term - I don't think it will be frowned upon. But if you did it every semester, then you might have to worry about it.

I majored in Zoology (i really enjoyed the physiology aspect of it), but I know a few people that majored in CMMB and really enjoyed it. I think both majors have the following in common: 1). smaller class sizes; 2). challenging material, but due to some overlap between the classes it is actually not bad at all; 3). great research opportunities. So it really is a personal decision. Maybe you can sit in on some CMMB lectures in the Fall, just to see if it is something you really would be interested in for the following 2 years?

The 3d and 4th years are the funnest, if you pick the major you enjoy. Most of the classes you take in those years would present the material more in-depth, rather than in-breadth - so quite different from 1st/2d years, where it is all about learning a little bit about everything.


Anyway, I hope this helps! Feel free to PM me if you have more questions :D