Has anyone taken cell biology at York?

[wolfgang]

I am debating as to whether to take it during my second year or postpone it until third year.

Is cell biology (biol 2021) as difficult as many claim it to be?

Thanks

[jerkstore]

I don't see what would be so difficult about it...

You gots yer vacuole....yer cytoplasm....yer mitochondria....*spits*....

[charmer08]

Originally Posted by wolfgang

I am debating as to whether to take it during my second year or postpone it until third year.

Is cell biology (biol 2021) as difficult as many claim it to be?

Thanks

If you're in biology, you might need the course for most of the upper year courses. Also, when I took the course, we were allowed a cheat sheet (2 pages for the midterm and 4 pages for the final)... I don't know if that would make it easier tho. The most difficult part of that course is staying on top of the content which I think should be a bit easier now since they've made in 2 midterms and the final (we only had one midterm and a final).

[IamIDP]

Originally Posted by charmer08

If you're in biology, you might need the course for most of the upper year courses. Also, when I took the course, we were allowed a cheat sheet (2 pages for the midterm and 4 pages for the final)... I don't know if that would make it easier tho. The most difficult part of that course is staying on top of the content which I think should be a bit easier now since they've made in 2 midterms and the final (we only had one midterm and a final).

She allows 4 cheat sheets. Believe it or not, you can answer every question on the exam and midterms with good cheatsheets provided enough time. This year on the 1st midterm I answered every question off the cheatsheet and got ~90%. The only problem is you have to be able to find the right answer in the provided time and must have an excellent cheatsheet. And l^ mentioned, be sure to stay on top of things.

[wolfgang]

So it does require alot of effort, as with every biology course.

I asked because since cell biology is only offered in the winter, will it be difficult to take both cell bio, genetics, human phys II and microeconomics together for winter term 2012? (in terms of workload I mean) or does this combination seem very demanding?

I really appreciate the input. It is very helpful.

[myusername1]

Originally Posted by wolfgang

So it does require alot of effort, as with every biology course.

I asked because since cell biology is only offered in the winter, will it be difficult to take both cell bio, genetics, human phys II and microeconomics together for winter term 2012? (in terms of workload I mean) or does this combination seem very demanding?

I really appreciate the input. It is very helpful.

Yeah that's not a good idea.

[charmer08]

Originally Posted by wolfgang

So it does require alot of effort, as with every biology course.

I asked because since cell biology is only offered in the winter, will it be difficult to take both cell bio, genetics, human phys II and microeconomics together for winter term 2012? (in terms of workload I mean) or does this combination seem very demanding?

I really appreciate the input. It is very helpful.

Thats actually a light course load for a second year bio major.

Originally Posted by Transparent

What's easier to do well in? Biol 2020 or Biol 2021?

Also should I bother taking Genetics for the MCAT?

I'm taking Human Phys 1 and Phys 2 though.

There is usually one genetics passage on the MCAT so its high yield.

[IamIDP]

Originally Posted by wolfgang

So it does require alot of effort, as with every biology course.

I asked because since cell biology is only offered in the winter, will it be difficult to take both cell bio, genetics, human phys II and microeconomics together for winter term 2012? (in terms of workload I mean) or does this combination seem very demanding?

I really appreciate the input. It is very helpful.

That's definitely doable. I know several people taking orgo+cell bio+ genetics + 2070 + elective and they've done very well.

Don't listen to people who've never taken those courses. I have taken them and genetics+ cell bio + microecon+ human phys II is 100% doable (tbh if you can't do this, you will be slaughtered by any 3rd year bio course), in fact I would consider it lighter than what most people take. But make sure you are aware there are some things you cannot avoid, 2nd year biol courses you cannot simply avoid them and if you do try to avoid them, you will suffer badly 3rd year because genetics, cell biol, biochem and 2070 are requirements for 95% of all 3rd+4th year courses (and you'll have to do extra 2-3 years to complete your degree...doesn't look too good tbh). And these are not courses you want to do in the summer sometimes because the info takes time you memorize and process...and if you do bad in the summer and you have to drop them you are totally screwed since you can't take any 3rd year courses. So my point is, don't avoid them and take the core biol courses as you'll be screwed like alot of people I know who are struggling to catch up on 3rd year requirements.

Originally Posted by myusername1

Yeah that's not a good idea.

I'm laughing because I doubt you've taken any of those. If he doesn't take those, what is he going to take? Cell bio + genetics isn't something you want to avoid.

P.S. Take full courseload. Alot of undergrad students make the mistake of taking less than full courseload and then realise that they can only apply to canadian schools. American schools look at your courseload, you don't have a full courseload then don't even think about applying to the US. More importantly, you can only apply to UofT, Queens, Mac and Ottawa. And in proceeding years if they change requirements...you are screwed (if you notice they've change requirements every 2-3 years, UWO now requires 4 year undergrad NOT 3)....so what will you do then?

[wolfgang]

this is great advice, thanks again.

I'm really leaning towards taking cell bio during the year now. Is A+ achievable? and if you could compare the difficulty to CHEM1000/1001?

btw IamIDP, so american med schools require full course load aka 30 credits? i know at York a full course load is 30 credits. For second year I only have 29 credits lined up because of those 4 credit ecology and animals courses.

[charmer08]

Originally Posted by Transparent

where do you come up with all of this random crap?

I browse SDN frequently and there's tons of Americans who get into medical school without taking a full course load. and for them a full course load = typically only 4 courses per year

so you're point of not taking a full course load and being disqualified from American schools is moot

lollll yeah she does give a lot of false info... US schools don't care about taking a full course load