Many science concentrators try to take advantage of summer school because they find it easier to complete a rigorous science course during the summer without any other classes on their schedule load.
Why Do Apples Fall?
A students' field of concentration can also impact the physics class he or she takes to meet the pre-med requirements. Most Harvard students choose to fulfill their physics requirements with physics 1a/b or 11a/b.
Their choice is often influenced by their background in mathematics, and is usually guided further by their concentration.
"A lot of people laugh at [Physics 1] because they think it's watered down physics," Iskandar says. "I think there's more support in the lower level classes because most of the people are pre-med. Where as in higher level classes, it's people who are concentrating in that field and want to grad school."
Advisors say that students who have only completed introductory calculus, they will more likely succeed in Physics 1a/b. However, if they have completed a course in multivariable calculus, then any either Physics 1/ab or 11a/b would be appropriate.
At this point, one's concentration tends to direct the student to one or the other.
The Biochemical Sciences concentration requires its students to take one semester of multivariable calculus and Physics 11a/b. As a result, those concentrating in this field will take the higher-level courses to complete both their pre-med and concentration requirements.
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Science advisors say the level of mathematics one should take is usually chosen independently of the pre-med requirements.
The only medical schools that require one year of calculus are Harvard, Duke, Washington University and the University of Pittsburgh. The others expect one year of mathematics, which can be fulfilled by a statistics course.
Many pre-meds tend to take the calculus-level mathematics courses because they are uncertain which medical school they will apply to in three years, and they want to keep their options open, advisors say. Some students' mathematics choices are based upon the higher-level physics classes they will have to take.
But despite the myriad of choices, premed students can take solace in the plethora of advisors, professors and experienced students available to guide them.
Deborah Hughes Hallett, member of the faculty of education, is available to answer student questions about pre-med course placement and planning in Room 108 of the Science Center. Michelson is also available at the Office of Career Services to help with medical career resources and counselling.
Though there tend to be popular trends in the science courses and concentrations chosen by pre-meds, there are by no means fixed "tracks" that pre-med students need to follow.
"The way to make Harvard work for the pre-med student is to figure out what he or she is truly interested in because then they'll really shine in those courses," Hughes Hallett says.
Students' reported reasons for taking certain introductory science classes From 1997-1998 CUE Guide