Thread: Going for a BA in Bio now...

I've decided to get a BA rather than a BS in Bio because I've been in school for 6+ years already and want something to show for it dammit!!lol

Now I only need to take 3 chem classes, pre-calc, stats and 6-7 Bio courses to graduate. -

The only thing that absolutely pisses me off is that I have to get into some closed classes in order to graduate in a timely fashion. I'm a transfer student and therefore get the shaft when it comes to registration. Freshman have already registered in April...I register JUNE 25th!!! VERY unfair and wrong...literally every Bio and Chem class is closed.

The progression must be as follows- Chem I, Chem II, Organic Chem, Cell Bio

I must wait 3 semesters to take advanced Bio classes due to prerequisites!!!

SO...if I get locked out this semester from Chem I that'll push it back to 4 semesters...if it takes 2 semesters to get in then it'll be 5 semesters....

I know my financial aid will eventually run out and I can't afford to waste any time or money on extraneous course selections....what should I do? I MUST get into Chem I this semester and Chem II next semester or I'll risk being in school for another 4-5 years....I'm going to probably get my Masters eventually as well and then a PhD, so I need those years!!!

Usually there is a path to get into a filled up class, find out who the prof is and email them. Tell them that you need the class to graduate on time, and what your situation is. Some schools have waiting list for full classes, so that you can be added immediately if someone drops.

I've already e-mailed 2 and one responded that she didn't have the authority to grant me permission to take her class. The other hasn't responded yet but it's probably the same story. I think I'm destined this semester for the waiting list...oh well..next semester I'll probably get in ...

Have you tried contacting someone at student services or something, to ask about your options. Someone, somewhere, probably has the authority to add you to a class.

What's the difference between a BA in Bio and BS in Bio?

Originally Posted by Zwirko

What's the difference between a BA in Bio and BS in Bio?

I'd get finished sooner. I don't have to take Physics II, Calc and Organic Chem II. I also get to take 3 less Bio courses.

ask the place where you want to end up what they want.

The requirements are listed below..though only tentative, it's intimidating. It's highly competitive b/c people who get in recieve an 18,000 stipend per year.It's wayy more competitive than I thought . I highly doubt I can maintain a 3.5 average in my Bio classes and a 3.0 in Chem and Math...


Applicants will be evaluated in a holistic manner to identify those who have the greatest potential for success. Under most circumstances, students admitted to the program will have:

-a B.S. or B.A. degree from an accredited university.
an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 out of 4.0. Additionally, applicants must have a grade point average of at least 3.5 in biology, 3.0 in chemistry and 3.0 in mathematics.

-a score on the Graduate Record Examination General Test in at least the 65th percentile (average for the verbal, quantitative and analytical sections). The GRE may be waived for applicants with a M.D. from a U.S. institution.
a minimum of 24 hours in biology, which must include at least one course in each of the areas of genetics, physiology, and cell/molecular biology. Additionally, applicants should have one year each of general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and mathematics (and at least one semester each of calculus and statistics). Applicants with academic deficiencies may be admitted on the condition that any deficiencies are corrected during the first year of graduate study. The Ph.D. Program Steering Committee will determine the remediation necessary for identified deficiencies.

-given the strong interdisciplinary nature of this program, undergraduate and master’s students in bioscience-related fields including but not limited to biochemistry, biomedical engineering, biochemical engineering, biophysics, civil engineering, and kinesiology are encouraged to apply. The Ph.D. Program Steering Committee will consider biology-related courses as potentially fulfilling the biology entrance course requirements.

Go abroad. There are different demands there. Nobody ever heard of extracurricular activity here as a plus or a must.

Originally Posted by spuriousmonkey

Go abroad. There are different demands there. Nobody ever heard of extracurricular activity here as a plus or a must.

Can't afford to go abroad. What I might do is get my BA and then go to a community college for Physics II, Calc, and Organic Chem II (the requirements for grad school). I already have taken Physics I but I had an easy teacher and got lucky. Orrr I could simply earn my BS and get it all over with at once. The only problem with that is that I don't know how much longer the financial aid will last. Depending upon whether I can get into the classes I need or not I could be in school for another 2.5 to 4.5 years...they already have me classified as "4th year senior" on my FAFSA...but on the FAFSA website, it says status is based on how many hours away from your degree you are...I wonder why they changed my "junior" status without my permission... :?

they do pay you work abroad as well.

You work, you make a living.

I went abroad with nothing.

Hmmm..i'll give it a try. I can speak German and there are many great scientists working in Germany so perhaps it'll work out. It'd be fun to do cancer research as I've been reading about cancer related genes involved in programmed cell death lately. Or I could work on refining and improving procedures for creating synthetic life, which kids tell me is the new craze.

I werde versuchen das zu tun. I kann Deutsch und es gibt viele Wissentschaftler da, deshalb es mag sein. Ich wuerde gern Krebsforschung tun. Ich habe neulich ueber Krebs-Gene gelesen. Oder ich koennte synthetische Leben-Erschaffung Methode vielleicht verbessern.

English suffices in many countries in a research setting.

Yea but German is such a fun language..lol..I'm tired of speaking English all the time...

The scientific language is english.

Falsch.

well, nowadays. WW2 killed the authority of German as THE scientific language.

Of course you can go back a bit more and latin or greek will be the language of your choice, but right now it is English.

F'n nazis ruined everything..

Got into Principles of Chem I (and Vertebrate Zoology..but I've posted that already)!!! So glad. I also get to take an Intro to Anthropology course and a Native American Religions course (all of the Physics/Stats courses were taken already).

Found out that I need 120 hours total to graduate (need 56 or so more..hopefully they meant Gen Ed inclusive!!!)...so I guess I'll just go ahead and go for my B.S. degree rather than B.A.

You know, it's really OK to invest the extra time and effort now.

It's not like you'll wake up when you're 40 and say "Damn I wish I hadn't spent so much time on my education."

Agreed. My sole concern at the moment is having enough financial aid for 3 more years. Well...I've got 1 year covered now (this semester and next) and most likely the second. The third year I may have to pay for on my own...50-50 chance...but yeah...I it will be worth it no matter what.

So...here is my revised plan. The BS one. I learned that I need College Algebra before pre-calc (though I took Survey of Mathematics..it wasn't science-oriented)..so I will have to take 3 semesters of math.

Year 1, Semester1:

Principles of Chem I
Vertebrate Zoology
Intro to Anthropology
Native American Religions

(slim pickens this semester as transfer students get the shaft...I had to get special permission just to get into Vert Zool.)

Year 1, Semester 2:

Principles of Chem II
College Algebra
Invertebrate Zoology
Stats

Year 2, Semester 1:

Org. Chem I
Cell Bio
Ecology
Pre-Calc

Year 2, Semester 2:

Org. Chem II
Genetics
Intro to Physics II (already took I)
Animal Physiology
Senior Seminar

The above is only the projected outcome. It may take 2.5 to 3 years...I may even prefer that situation, as taking anything along with Organic Chem will be a challenge. As long as I work hard and have good teachers I will be fine. I research my teachers now...so hopefully things will work out. :P

You research your teachers, lol

Yep..found out that both Physics teachers suck at my school so I'll probably take it at community college unless we get a new teacher soon. This really irks me because Physics isn't even necessary for a Biologist in my opinion. I understand the need for learning Chem but not Physics. And so many people have told me that they gave up getting a BS degree (no Physics for the BA) due to such difficult courses unrelated to their major...*sigh*

You don't seem to have recognised the difference between teaching and learning. If I am correct in this surmise it would explain many of your educational difficulties.

I don't have "educational difficulties". I can see how you might think so judging from my "what to do about an impossible teacher" thread though. I love to learn and the only reason I would ever take an easy teacher would be for a class that I know will be hard enough even with a great teacher. For example, if I find out that a certain teacher doesn't review material in class often or has a tendency to lay back and let the students learn everything on their own I will probably not want to take him or her. Education is a two-way street. I always try my best to do my part. By the way, sometimes I choose to take difficult teachers in order to be challenged.

Originally Posted by gottspieler

I don't have "educational difficulties". I can see how you might think so judging from my "what to do about an impossible teacher" thread though. .

You have been studying at university for how long already? Yet you still need a further three years to complete a BS degree. If that doesn't reveal educational difficulties then I don't know what does.

You can't focus in on an educational objective, stick to the plan and make it. That sounds like an educational difficulty to me.

You overanalyse course requirements and get hung up on the quality of the teachers instead of just doing the damn work. And you want to tell me you don't have educational difficulties?

Originally Posted by gottspieler

I love to learn and the only reason I would ever take an easy teacher would be for a class that I know will be hard enough even with a great teacher.

Gottspeiler, while there might be trace of logic in this approach and I can see it might work in academia in the real world you have to play the cards you are dealt. Until you accept that you will be massacred when you try real work.

Listen, I appreciate your comments and agree with most of what you say. I did have trouble sticking with my plans in the past but now I'm going to stick with getting my Bachelor's. I'm still on the fence about majoring in Bio or Anthro but after my first year I will know. I have to find out if I can handle the math. I'm just a realist. I will do the work I need to do. I'm willing to work my ass off. And it may take 3 years but I can possibly finish in 2. :wink:


And the reason I've been in school for 6 years already is because I couldn't get grant money for university until I turned 25 due to my dad's wages (55,000/yr). My estimated family contribution was 5,000, so basically I was screwed. So I chose to attend community college for awhile (which I paid for out of pocket) and make the best of things. Also, I'm a fan of learning.

Hey Gottspieler,
du kannst mit mir Deutsch sprechen (schreiben ....du hast recht, Englisch ist nach einer weile etwas langweilig!

Und Wissenschaftler werden in Deutschland wirklich ganz gut bezahlt

Sorry everyone else

keine Ursache eine Entschuldigung anzubieten

Na du bist aber hart :-D :-D

Wieso kannst du so gut Deutsch?

Ich habe viel geübt. Ich habe vier Kurse genommen. Selbststudium auch.

Na Respekt

Ich bin in Berlin gebohren, muss mich also nicht so anstrengen

Woher Dein interesse am Deutsch lernen?

Ich langweilte mich furchtbar... und auf der Uni haetten wir eine Fremdsprache studieren muessen. Deutsch war meine Wahl. In aller Ehrlichkeit...ich weiss nicht warum...

...ich kann nicht sagen das ich jemals so gelangweilt war

Es ist aber immer gut eine zweitsprache zu haben...auf nach Deutschland zum arbeiten!

Naja haette dich meine Arbeit und Bewohnung in der Vegangenheit gehabt, wuerde dich auch viel studieren..in der Hoffnung, dein Leben zu verbessern. Ich brauche noch einen Ausweg von Emotionalsklaverei und Armut...ich will mehr Spass und Freiheit haben...Ich will jetzt reich und erfolgreich sein weil ich jeden Tag aelter wachse...ich bleibe nicht für die Ewigkeit..ok das war vielleicht falsche Vorstellung (ich bin nur 26 Jahre alt) aber ich bin ueber die Regelmäßigkeit von Leben frustriert und enttäuscht geworden. Aber alles wird bald veraendern. Ich habe Geld bekommen und das ist der Grund für meine kommende Uni-Erfahrung.

Ja, ich weiss genau was du meinst!

Ich bin mit 20 jahren nach Australien ausgewandert und musste mich alleine durch kaempfen, hatte keine finanzielle unterstutzung und musste einfach arbeiten!

Also bin ich im verkauf abgeendet...das ist ein job fuer idioten, aber ich bin gut mit menschen und hab es auch in dem job zu was gebracht (verdiehne viel geld und habe mir ein haus kaufen koennen), aber ich weiss wie es ist wenn man kein geld hat!

Ich habe mich letztes jahr bei der Universitaet beworben, da ich schon 41 bin konnte ich mich durch ein bewerbungsschreiben da einschreiben, ja und dann haben die mich reingelassen und jetzt studiere ich...frueher haette ich das nicht machen koennen.

Ich arbeite jetzt 4 tage die woche und habe 2 tage UNI, das ist ganz schoen hart, aber wie du sagst, du lebst nur einmal!

du lebst nur einmal!

Ja und das Leben ist kein Honiglecken! Ich will Biologe oder Anthropolge sein..anderenfalls es gibt wenig Grund gluecklich zu sein. Ohne wissentschaftliche Bildung ist man vollig unerfüllt meiner Meinung nach.

da ich schon 41 bin

Kein problem. Meine Mutter war 45 Jahre alt als Studentin. 3.5 GPA.

Das sehe ich auch so!

Es macht mir angst zu sehen wie wenige menschen sich weiter bilden, ich habe immer viel gelesen, ob es geschichte war oder archeology, physic oder astronomy!

Ich habe noch nie 'frauen zeitschriften' gelesen, sondern immer New Scientist!

Viele menschen haben keine interessen und leben einfach nur so dahin, macht mich so wuetend!

Wie lebt man ein leben ohne fragen zu stellen?

Ich weiss. Es ist egal was die Wahrheit ist fuer Menschen die nur die Bibel lesen. Ohne eine Krakheit zu haben Menschen zum größten Teil Wissentschaftlichte-Fackten uebersehen.

Na da hab ich glueck, hier in Australien haben wir das problem mit 'creationists' nicht wirklich und in Deutschland war das in meiner schulzeit auch kein problem!

Obwohl ich mal einen boyfriend hatte der baptist war und als ich ihn fragte ob er ein creationist ist hat er das mit ja beantwortet...zum glueck stellte sich heraus das er gar nicht wusste was das heisst, er war einfach nur der meinung das gott die welt geschaffen hat...na ja diese beziehung hielt nicht lange

Ich weiss nicht wie ihr das in America aushaelt...als wissenschaftler muss das so frustrierend sein

Menscher hier sind nicht so klug Selbständigkeit im Denken zu lernen. Sie sind überarbeitet, unterbezahlt...sie haben Stress und sind fett und muede. Geld ist was zaehlt. Nichts anderes als Geld und Familie...und die Kirche. Materialismus und Spiritualitaet zusammen..was fuer ein Paar. :P

MMhhh es ist so schade

So kann man die kapazitaet der menschen auch unterdruecken!

Ich glaube die welt schaut deshalb mit erstaunen auf die USA...auf der einen seite so viele der besten wissenschaftler und auf der anderen so viele TV evangelists...scarry

Ihr seit das der land der grossen kontraste! Ich finde es wahnsinn wieviel kontrolle die kirche bei euch hat!

Originally Posted by Ontogeny

MMhhh es ist so schade

So kann man die kapazitaet der menschen auch unterdruecken!

Ich glaube die welt schaut deshalb mit erstaunen auf die USA...auf der einen seite so viele der besten wissenschaftler und auf der anderen so viele TV evangelists...scarry

Ihr seit das der land der grossen kontraste! Ich finde es wahnsinn wieviel kontrolle die kirche bei euch hat!

Sie haben keine Kontrolle...sondern Kontrollverlust mit Kindern. Sie verlieren die Streiten zwischen Gott und Wissenschaft weil die Regeln sind gegen ihnen. Sie haben keine Macht mehr.

Aus der armut heraus zu kommen ist bei euch glaube ich viel schwerer als hier, allein schon euer health system ist da voellig nutzlos!

In einer welt wo so vieles angst macht und man dann das gefuehl hat machtlos zu sein, gibt wohl der glaube an gott und das gefuehl das man dort in einer 'community' nicht alleine ist, den einzigen halt!

Kirche und statt muessen immer getrennt sein, sonst kommt es zu diesem konflickt!

Hey, just so you know, most graduate schools require a BS rather than a BA, which many programs often consider to have been a waste of time. If you want to become a scientist, then you need to know a smatteirng of physics, and some mathematics... Sorry, but there is just no getting around it if you want to do anything meaningful.

Actually, you can get into Grad school with a BA but most school require that you take physics, organic chem I and II and calc post-undergrad before applying.