Frequently Asked Questions for Prospective Students in C2005/F2401
Last Update 08/21/2009 04:52 PM

Q1. Will the course be about the same as last year?

Ans: Yes. The lecture topics, number of exams, times of recitations, grading scheme, etc. will be about the same.  For details, see course descriptions of C2005 or F2401.  The dates of the exams for fall '09 are posted in announcements and on the 2009 schedule.  Please plan carefully when buying nonrefundable tickets. We have updated the schedule, the reading list, and most of the entire web site; we will add the finishing touches before classes start.  The notes from last year are posted on the web site in several different formats if you are interested.

Q2. What texts will you be using? Are they the same as last year, and do I need to buy the texts?

Ans: We will be using the same basic texts as last year.  If you are buying a new textbook, you should get the latest edition (8th ed. of Sadava et al; 7th edition of Becker et al). If you are buying a used copy, either the latest or next to latest edition (7th ed. of Purves et al (Sadava); 6th ed. of Becker) is fine. Older editions will do, but are not recommended.  The reading list and/or notes will include references to the latest edition and usually to the one before. Reading lists for older editions of the book are linked to the course web site.

Sadava is available in an online version; Becker may be also. We will check out all the online and rental options and post them before class starts.

You do not necessarily need to buy the Savada and Becker texts; it depends on your background and your learning style. Alternative free online sources are available. Everything you need to know for exams will be covered in the lectures; you will not be held responsible for any material in these texts that is not covered in lecture (i.e., that is found solely in the texts).

You absolutely must buy the Problem Book, but you don't need it until after the class starts. 

Q3: When will the new edition of the problem book be ready? Where can I get it?

Ans: It is ready at the Village Copier on Broadway at 112th St.  We recommend buying a new copy of the latest edition -- 19th ed, 2009.  (Note: We do NOT collect any royalties!) Why a new copy? First of all, the new edition  contains some corrections, additions and clarifications. Secondly, the book is relatively cheap and used copies tend to be very well worn.  However the new edition is very similar to the previous ones (18th ed. revised, 2008; or original 18th ed., 2007). Therefore a used copy should be okay if you can find one in good condition. If you have an earlier edition, there is a list of changes available.

Q4: What's the difference between C2005 & F2401?

Long answer: The lectures in Bio C2005 and F2401 are identical and the overall work load in the two courses is the same. However the amount of time a student is required to spend in class is different. This is because C2005 has required recitations (with weekly quizzes) while F2401 has optional recitations (no quizzes). Because of the required recitation, Bio C2005 is 4 points while Bio F2401 is 3 points. (The same similarities and differences apply to Bio C2006 vs. F2402.) For more information on the differences, see FAQ's for GS students. See the main web page for tentative recitation times. Sign up procedures (for C2005 only) will be announced. You do not need to sign up before classes begin. 

Which course is easier? Neither -- they're both the same! The exams in the two courses and the grading scales for the exams are the same - the scale is set using the scores of the C2005 (undergraduate) students.  Therefore the exam scores needed to earn an A are exactly the same in each class. However the percentage of A's in each class is often different because the composition of the two classes is not the same.  (See question 9.)
 

Q5: Which course should I take -- C2005 or F2401?

Ans: Undergraduates in Columbia College, SEAS, or GS should take C2005. For problems with scheduling conflicts, see FAQ's for majors. Postbacs and students in continuing education must register for F2401. (Note that all exams in both classes, except the final, are given at night.) Students from either class may attend either set of lectures. Students can switch back and forth as their schedules change (or they oversleep) or even go twice a day if they want. However, C2005 students must attend C2005 recitations and F2401 students may attend only F2401 recitations. Sign up for recitation occurs after the first class meeting; instructions for sign up will be provided in class and on the course web page.  If you need additional information, or if you need to register for the 'other class' because of a problem with the number of points, contact Dr. Mowshowitz (dbm2 at columbia.edu).

Q6: Do I have to take the Biology Laboratory, W2501, concurrently?

Ans: NO. Taking the laboratory concurrently is NOT required. The laboratory and lecture are completely separate courses. Even if you plan to take the lab, you do NOT have to take the W2501 lab at the same time as C2005 or F2401. You can take the lab later, either in the spring term, the summer, or in the following year. Completing the lecture first, and then taking the lab after finishing the lecture course, is strongly recommended. The lab builds on the material covered in C2005/F2401, and most students get more out of the lab (and find the lab much easier) if they complete C2005 or F2401 first.

Q7: Should I take the bio lab, W2501, at all?

Ans: It depends on your plans. If you are not planning to major in biology, biochemistry, etc., and want to take a laboratory to fulfill the pre-medical requirements, W2501 is the simplest way to fulfill the requirement. (However, we recommend taking it after you finish taking the lecture course; see Q6.) 

Note that you do not need to take W2501 if you want to go to medical or dental school. You do need to fulfill a lab requirement, but W2501 is not the only way to do it. Any lab or combination of labs that fulfills the lab requirement for the bio major is also sufficient for medical or dental school. See below or the undergraduate biology major requirements for details.

If you are planning to major or concentrate in biology, there are many ways to fulfill the lab requirement, and most of them do NOT require the W2501 lab. If you are planning to major in biochemistry, W2501 does not fulfill any of the major requirements. Therefore most bio and biochem majors do not take W2501. Instead, they take a 5 pt. project lab (Biol 3050 or 3052) or work in a research lab. You can fulfill the bio major requirement by taking W2501 plus 3040. See the undergraduate major requirements for the various options that fulfill the lab requirement. See the biology courses page for links to the lab descriptions.

Q8: I took advanced bio in high school -- I took AP Bio & got a 5, or I took IB, etc. Should I skip Bio C2005/6?

Ans: Probably not. BIOL C2005-C2006 is not a repeat of AP bio.  It demands not only more detail, but more thought and application of knowledge to problem solving than the usual AP course. It is narrower, but deeper, than the usual introductory biology course. The topics may sound the same, but the level of understanding required is different. We have surveyed the students who completed C2005-C2006 after receiving a 5 on the AP. Most of them said it was well worth taking  BIOL C2005/6.

However, if you have already learned  the material in Bio C2005, you do not have to repeat it. You can take a more advanced course instead. The best way to check is to look at the problem book and see if you can do the problems readily. (There are copies of the problem book on reserve in the biology library, or contact one of the instructors.) You may also want to look at the online notes or the practice exam. We recommend caution -- most students who take advanced courses right away find it extremely challenging. If in doubt, sign up for the advanced course and attend both the intro and advanced courses for the first week or so, until you are sure which course is the right level for you. That way you will not be behind no matter which class you decide to take.

Q9: How are grades determined?

We set up an absolute scale, and anyone getting the requisite number of points gets the corresponding grade. The scale is the same for both C2005 & F2401 (except that C2005 students must earn 60 points in recitation).  We adjust the scale downward if the exams are too hard, but we never adjust it up. If everyone gets a 95 average on the exams, everyone will get an A. For the last several years, the median grade in the C2005 class has been a B.

Q10: Do you have any advice for prospective students?

Ans: There are lots of tips from the instructors and previous students on the course web site.  See advice. If you want to get a head start on the course, take a look at the notes from last year. You can read ahead in the books too, but the emphasis in the course is more on the notes & problems and less on the textbooks. If you have a weak background in biology, you may want to read all of chapters 1-4 (in either text). We don't cover the material in chapter 4 until next term, but you may find it easier to get the "big picture" if you skim the chapter now. I wouldn't try the problems until you have attended and digested the lectures.

On the main course web page there are links to a database of Q & A about the course material, and to FAQ's about the administrative details of the course.

For additional questions often asked by Majors in Bio & Related Fields, see FAQ's for Majors.

For additional questions often asked by First Year Students, see FAQ's for First Year Students.

For additional questions often asked by GS students, see FAQ's for GS Students.                               

For an index of web pages with information for undergraduates, go to Overview.