Need help with my Genetics class.....please, give me some suggestions.

krunchykrome

Lifer
Dec 28, 2003
13,413
1
0
Ok screwheads, Im taking BIOL-201 Genetics. Im an accounting major, so this class is strictly to fullfill my science credits. Science classes have always been hard for me. We had our first test last week, and I got a 46/100. The thing is that I studied like crazy for this test. I went through each chapter that would be on the test and typed up a study guide containing every important topic, which I read over and over again.
Anybody got any tips or suggestions? All I want is a C so I can get this class out of my way. Any really good genetics websites out there? Thanks.
 

krunchykrome

Lifer
Dec 28, 2003
13,413
1
0
Talk to the prof, maybe get help with a tutor...there really isn't much we can say here.

I know, Im gonna do that. But has anybody here been in this situation with a Genetics class? I would just like to know what they did to help them pass.
 

bigalt

Golden Member
Oct 12, 2000
1,525
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yeah dude, if it's hard for you it's hard for you.

Whenever i've had trouble in a class I always find a group of people in the class that do homework together. But how much that would help on tests is questionable.

Don't they have any rocks for jocks classes that will get you out of your science requirements more easily?

i think your major options are to either develop a relationship with your prof/TA, or else cheat.
 

kami333

Diamond Member
Dec 12, 2001
5,110
2
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Spend more time studying:) When I had genetics my junior year I would start studying seriously for the test at least a week in advance, this was in addition to reading the chapter and taking notes before the lecture then retyping my lecture notes and reviewing them after each lecture.

Did you do all the problems at the end of the chapters? Consider 'what happens if' scenarios (such as what would the effects of a missense and nonsense mutation in a particular gene, what if this was on a neighboring gene, etc).
 

ucdnam

Golden Member
Jan 28, 2000
1,059
0
0
Try to understand the concepts and ideas. Most upper division classes focus of those more than strict fact memorization, they assume you know the facts already.

So think of the big picture for each chapter and what it's trying to say. You didn't specify what you covered, so I can't provide examples, but if you had a chapter on DNA replication, then know how it works, be able to tell your roommates and friends how and why it works, and then be able to write that out coherently.

The details are just some scientific names for some enzymes and events that occur.

 

ucdnam

Golden Member
Jan 28, 2000
1,059
0
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Oh yea, what was the curve on your test? 46/100 isn't bad if the class average was say.... 50 :)

I'm assuming this is basic genetics class and the class average was probably much higher huh? The intro genetics classes are usually really easy, because it's mostly a rehash of stuff you've learned in high school.
 

richardycc

Diamond Member
Apr 29, 2001
5,719
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why are you taking a 200 level to fulfill your science requirement? anyway, what do you need help on? this is more like a rant than help post. Maybe you just don't understand the material, plain reading and pure memorization just doesn't work with science stuff.
 

Mallow

Diamond Member
Jul 25, 2001
6,108
1
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Find a cute science major, pay her lots of money for tutoring and try to make good on a bad situation? :x
 

ucdnam

Golden Member
Jan 28, 2000
1,059
0
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wow, a 25 person upper division class. Those are easy, but you need to spend more time with the TAs and professors. In smaller classes, you have the opportunity to meet with TAs and your prof often and from this, you will figure out what sort of questions he/she asks, what answers he/she expects, and how tests are graded.

It's too late for the first test, but you should start working on the next one. Based on the curve scores, you can still pull an A if you wanted.
 

Babbles

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2001
8,253
14
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Isn't there something like Freshman Biology 101 you can take, or a Geology Rocks for Jocks class?