• Bio 1A: Cell Biology, Genetics & Physio
• Bio 1AL: Cell Biology, Genetics & Animal Diversity Lab
• Bio 1B: Evolution, Ecology & Botany Lecture + Lab

General rules of thumb:

• Avoid taking Bio 1A/L with either Chem 3A/L or Chem 3B/L 
• Treat Bio 1AL as a 4-unit class even if it is 2 units. 
• Bio 1B labs involve picking jelly beans off the grass UNLESS you enroll in the special field section where you actually learn cool field biology techniques at real sites. Unfortunately, they don’t offer the field section over summer, which is when I took it 🙁

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Chemistry – General

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• Chem 1A: Periodic Table, Thermochemistry, Acids & Bases, Light & MO Theory
• Chem 1B: Chemical Kinetics, Electrochem, Biochemistry
• Chem 15: Analytical Chemistry
• Chem 4A: Quantum Chemistry, Thermodynamics, Intro to Acids & Bases
• Chem 4B: Analytical Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics, Intro to Chemical Biology

Chem 1A vs. Chem 4A

Overall, Chem 1A and Chem 4A appear topically similar but they are quite different. However:

Chem 1A covers the same material as AP Chem and doesn’t go too in-depth about the quantum mechanical principles underlying bonding, interaction with light and MO theory. The equations for thermodynamics are also more out of thin air than in 4A. Chem 1A also spends more time on periodic trends and acids-bases.

Chem 4A focuses more on quantum chemistry and thermodynamics. It’s essentially a watered down version of physical chemistry and the class is really building a foundation in chemistry based on physical and quantum mechanical principles. The thermodynamics section is more similar to that found in Physics 7B. Acids and bases aren’t covered as in-depth and the labs are a lot more interesting.

Chem 1B+15 vs. Chem 4B

Topically, Chem 1B+15 is equivalent to Chem 4B. The major different between the two, other than having to take two classes, is that Chem 4B has special projects. They also present chemical biology within a cooler context since there’s cool chemical biology research in the College of Chem; and you actually use the MCB 102 textbook. You’ll be provided with access to a wide variety of instrumentation that allow for the detection and quantification of chemical compounds. This is an oppurtunity to set your own research question and design your own experiment. It’s quite hectic and results don’t usually pan out well, but it’s a fun experience. 

What Gen Chem series should I take?

• College of Chem or B.A. Chem: Chem 4
• Otherwise: Chem 1 or Chem 4, no need for 15 unless transferring. 
• Plans to Transfer to CoC or B.A. Chem: Highly recommend Chem 4 series, but 1A+4B or 1A+1B+15 is fine. 

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Chemistry – Organic

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Honestly, Chem 3A-B is pretty similar to Chem 112A-B; the former is generally taken by biology majors while the latter is taken by college of chemistry majors. Chem 112 is *slightly* more rigourous and labs are an hour longer.  Premeds are open to taking either one but they generally take Chem 3 series. 

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 Math

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• Math 1A: Limits, Continuity, Derivatives, Integrals, Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
• Math 1B: Techniques of Integration, Infinite Series & Sequences, 1st & 2nd ODEs
• Math 53: Similar to learning calculus all over again – except in 3 dimensions! 
• Math 54: Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Fourier Series 
• Math 16A/B: Essentially Math 1A/B but caters to social science majors.
• Math 10A/B: Caters to biology majors. Covers 1A/B material with less emphasis on theory, and includes topics of probability, stastics, some linear algebra and differential equations.  

Which Math Series should I chose? 

• Social Sciences: Math 16 or Math 1
• Life Sciences: Math 10 or Math 1
• Physical Sciences or Engineering: Math 1A-1B-53-54. Recommended to waive 1A-1B. 

If you decide to switch to the physical sciences or engineering after taking Math 10 or Math 16, your best bet is to work with your department so they allow you to proceed with Math 53/54 instead of retaking Math 1 (which sucks). Finally, honours version of Math 1B, 53 and 54 exist, which essentially cover the same material but are more proof-centric. 

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Physics

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• Physics 8A: Mechanics, Fluids, Statics, Waves, Heat 
• Physics 8B: Electricty & Magnetism, Optics, Intro to Modern Physics (Relativity, Quantum, etc.)

• Physics 7A: Mechanices & Waves
• Physics 7B: Electricity & Magnetism, Heat
• Physics 7C: EM Waves, Optics, Relativity, Intro to Quantum 

• Physics H7A: Honours Mechanices & Waves
• Physics H7B: Honours Electricity & Magnetism, Heat
• Physics H7C: Honours EM Waves, Optics, Relativity, Intro to Quantum 

Which Physics series should I chose?

• Physics/Engineering Physics/Geophysics: Recommended Physics H7, but 7 is fine
• Engineering & Physical Sciences: Physics 7 or H7
• Life Sciences: Physics 8 or 7 or H7

The Honours Physics series is an intimate, small class setting that allows one-on-one interaction with the professor and the oppurtunity to build a small tight-knit community. You learn the advanced math (multivariable, 2nd order ODEs, etc.) and physics techniques on-the-go and you’re challenged to think outside the box. I remember walking out of H7A lecture with Adrian Lee my freshman year and we’d always have office hours right after in a small group. The problem sets are time consuming, the exams are more difficult and expectations are generally higher but the curve is slighly more generous and your surrounded by self-motivated individuals with a genuine passion for the material. It’s simultaneously intimidating and inspiring. 

In summary, Physics H7 (might be renamed Physics 5) is more challenging than Physics 7 for a variety of reasons. Physics 7 series is calculus-based whereas Physics 8 is not. Generally, most Non-Physical Science/Engineering PreMeds take Physics 8 but there is nothing stopping you from taking Physics 7 or H7 if you’re up for the challenge.