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Pre-med and Laboratory Science Advising Common Questions
Can I really handle two science
courses at once? Let alone with math thrown in?
Our experience is that most students who are planning careers
in science can and do handle this load successfully. It is important
to understand that these majors are "pyramid-shaped"
- a foundation needs to be laid at the beginning of the program
for coursework to be taken later.
What if I had a weak chemistry
background?
While high school chemistry and algebra are prerequisites for Gen. Chem. 1, students with a variety of backgrounds have succeeded in the course. A strong student who exerts sufficient effort can reach the A level. It does take work and persistence, and the first several weeks might be uncomfortable. Your professors will work with you as much as possible, and can provide extra resources, tutors, etc. if you let them know you need them.
If your math background is also weak, however, (SAT < 510 or so), you might wish to consider delaying chemistry for a year and take CHE 110 this fall. If you do this, and you are pre-med, you will need to plan to take Organic Chemistry and Physics together your junior year. However, it might build confidence to go this route.
What if I'm an athlete?
Let's try to schedule your labs early in the day so your afternoons are more open to your practices. You might wish, if you are pre-med, to postpone the calculus, if you are playing a fall sport.
What if I need to take a course
for another major, or if I need to take ENG 100 and/or ENG 101?
If you are pre-med, you should postpone calculus for a year
to meet these other requirements. They should fit without any
difficulty into the other schedules.
What Gen. Ed. elective should I
take if I have room for one?
ENG 120 would be a good choice, unless you are ineligible for
it. The skills you learn there should help prepare you for paper
requirements in later courses (including CHE 126). BIL 101 or
BIL 102 will be spiritually as well as academically helpful.
COM 110 (speech) is a possibility, as is MUS 180.
What if my SAT score is too low
for Gen. Chem.?
Take appropriate Gen. Ed. courses. Take the appropriate math
course (MAT 103 or MAT 113) in the fall. Plan to take CHE 110
in the fall.
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