Frequently Asked Questions
Concentration: Biology Exemptions
Q: Can I use my AP score of 4 or 5 on the Biology AP exam to exempt me from Introductory Biology?
A: No.
Q: But I had a very rigorous AP course in high school. Can't I substitute a higher-level genetics course for BS 50 or Life Sciences A?
A: Ordinarily no. The upper level courses build on the introductory courses, and the material covered in depth is not covered in high school AP courses. Under exceptional circumstances and by petition a substitution may be considered.
Concentration: Mathematics Exemptions
Q: Can I use my AP score of 4 or 5 on the Math BC exam to exempt me from Math 1b?
A: If you are in the class of 2007 (or beyond), only a score of 5 will be accepted. Those classes up to 2006 are grandfathered under the old rules, that you can use either score of 4 or 5.
Q: Can I substitute Mathematics 21b for the computer science requirement for Neurobiology?
A: Yes.
Concentration: Chemistry
Q: Which Inorganic Chemistry sequence should I take Chem 5 and 7 or Chem 15?
A: Chem 15 targets students with a strong high school background in chemistry. Placement tests during freshman week can be a good indicator for placement, but sometimes students don’t feel qualified to take the more advanced sequence and those students should take the Chem 5 and 7 sequence.
Q: Does Chem 15 satisfy the pre-med requirement for a year of Inorganic Chemistry?
A: Yes.
Q: Because Chemistry 15 is essentially two-half courses in one, does this mean I actually get two half courses credits, thus reducing the total number of courses for concentration by one-half course?
A: No. But you get the opportunity to take an additional Biology course or Biology elective.
Q: If the freshman placement test places me directly into Chem 17, do I need to take Chem 15?
A: No. However, medical schools require a year of Inorganic Chemistry, so you would have to take an upper level Inorganic Chemistry course. If you are in the Honors option but not in pre-med, you do not need to take an additional Inorganic Chemistry course. However, you must replace the course with an elective within the concentration. A petition is required.
Q: What is the difference between the Chem 17 - Chem 27 sequence and the Chem 20 - Chem 30 sequence? Which is the better sequence for me to take?
A: The Chem 17 - Chem 27 sequence is designed for Biology concentrators and students in the life sciences. The Chem 20 - Chem 30 sequence is intended primarily for Chemistry and Physical Science concentrators. Many Biology concentrators prefer the more in-depth chemistry-oriented sequence and elect Chem 20 and 30. Both sequences are permitted.
Concentration: Chemistry Exemptions
Q: Which Inorganic Chemistry sequence should I take Chem 5 and 7 or Chem 15?
A: Chem 15 targets students with a strong high school background in chemistry. Placement tests during freshman week can be a good indicator for placement, but sometimes students don't feel qualified to take the more advanced sequence and those students should take the Chem 5 and 7 sequence.
Q: Does Chem 15 satisfy the pre-med requirement for a year of Inorganic Chemistry?
A: Yes.
Q: Because Chemistry 15 is essentially two-half courses in one, does this mean I actually get two half courses credits, thus reducing the total number of courses for concentration by one-half course?
A: No.Ê But you get the opportunity to take an additional Biology course or Biology elective.
Q: If the freshman placement test places me directly into Chem 17, do I need to take Chem 15?
A: No.Ê However, medical schools require a year of Inorganic Chemistry, so you would have to take an upper level Inorganic Chemistry course. If you are in the Honors option but not in pre-med, you do not need to take an additional Inorganic Chemistry course. However, you must replace the course with an elective within the concentration. A petition is required
.Q: What is the difference between the Chem 17 - Chem 27 sequence and the Chem 20 - Chem 30 sequence? Which is the better sequence for me to take?
A: The Chem 17 - Chem 27 sequence is designed for Biology concentrators and students in the life sciences. The Chem 20 - Chem 30 sequence is intended primarily for Chemistry and Physical Science concentrators. Many Biology concentrators prefer the more in-depth chemistry-oriented sequence and elect Chem 20 and 30. Both sequences are permitted.
Concentration: Physics Exemptions
Q: Can the Honors and Neurobiology requirements for Physics be satisfied by Physics 11a and Physics 1b?
A: Yes.
Concentration: Tutorials Exemptions
Q: Are Tutorials required, and when should I enroll in one?
A: Tutorials (Biology 95hf) are optional but highly recommended for Basic and Honors Biology concentrations. A junior year Tutorial Seminar is required for Neurobiology concentrators.
Biology 95hf seminars are generally taken junior year. Because they carry one-half course credit for the year, they are generally taken as a fifth course. They cannot be divided or combined for concentration credit. If a student drops mid-year, the student receives a grade of Withdrawn on the transcript. Tutorials must be taken for a grade, and can be taken twice for concentration credit. Occasionally a student will take a third 95hf tutorial seminar, but this is rare due to time constraints.
Biology 95hf Tutorials are listed and described on the Biology web page. Neurobiology Tutorials can be found on the MBB website: http://mbb.harvard.edu.
Note: Although the Courses of Instruction lists the Head Tutor as the Course Head for each of the 95hf tutorial seminars, he does not teach these courses. Therefore, students must contact tutors directly tutors' courses and their names and email addresses are posted on the Biology website.
updated 01/01/05