Biology 20 Questions and Answers

Is Biology 20 intended for Biology majors?
Yes. In fact, for most upper-level courses in biology, Biology 20 is a required prerequisite.

Is Biology 20 intended for those not majoring in Biology?
Yes. Biology 20 is designed as a course which will combine a basic background in the biological sciences with studies of how biology affects and interacts with other disciplines and with the popular culture. The course will be fast-paced and demanding, but it should be accessible to those with interests outside of science.

Can one place out of Biology 20?
Yes. If you have a very strong biology background from high school, you may be ready for a more advanced biology course. Students who received an AP score of 4 or 5 should not take Bio 20. If you didn't take the AP exam, but had 2 or more strong biology courses, you ought to think about whether or not this course is for you. We offer a placement exam to help you do this. Placement exams were given at the beginning of the Fall semester, and will be given again at the beginning of the Spring Semester. The placement exam will be given only at these two times:

• Wed. January 22, 3PM Room 112c, Biomed Center
  
• Thurs. January 23, 3PM Room 112c, Biomed Center

Passing the placement exam allows one to take courses that require Bio 20 as a prerequisite. Passing the exam does not, however, reduce the number of courses that you must take for a Biology degree.

Is Biology 20 a premed course?
No. It is a basic introductory biology course, and includes a wide range of important non-medical topics such as ecology, evolution, and photosynthesis. We hope that Biology 20 will include a wide range of students, including premeds, but it is by no means a premed course.