Most people have no idea what to expect when they take college biology classes. Their only concern is passing the course with a good grade so they can graduate. But what if prep had more to do with your score than you realized? Would you ask the following questions then?
What’s college biology all about?
Taking a college-level bio class is pretty serious. It’s especially important when you’re working toward a degree. That’s because of your professors who prep in-depth courses that teach you biological insights and applications. In other words, high-level work needs high-level thinking from all sides.
FUN FACT: Although there’s a lot of book work, much of what you do in class is interactive and hands-on.
Who can take the class?
As interesting as bio courses are, you can’t just walk into a college and sign up for a major. In fact, you have to take and pass several basic classes just to qualify. Be sure to ask your admissions counselor for more information on the prerequisites.
Meanwhile, mandatory classes usually include the following:
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
- Molecular biology
- Ecology
- Zoology
- Evolution
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Marine biology
Is college biology easy or hard to pass?
Your final grades depend on how well you understood the class material. However, certain courses are harder than others and biology is one of them. Not only are the lessons more in-depth than they are in high school but they’re also faster-paced and more challenging to the mind.
Furthermore, the college you attend will play a role in how difficult the coursework is. That’s because the bigger schools tend to have more resources. Thus, their professors have more freedom to whip up creative lesson plans.
FUN FACT: If you study hard and use resources like study groups and tutors, then passing biology in college becomes much easier.
Will I need a tutor?
You may or may not need a tutor in college for biology. It all depends on how hard you work and how well you understand the information. Still, hiring a study buddy isn’t a bad idea. In fact, many schools offer free tutoring services to students enrolled full-time.
If you get help with your homework, make sure they’ve got a background in biology or related sciences. Ask to see credentials such as work portfolios and transcripts. Then, follow their instructions to work your way up to a much better grade on the final exam.
The takeaway
Many students have questions about their education and that’s perfectly normal. What’s not normal is graduating without ever having those questions answered. Prepare yourself for a successful career in science when you know exactly what to expect.