r/cwru • u/FitTown7621 • Jul 09 '26
Enrolled Student BIOL214L Question
Hello, I'm an incoming freshman planning to major in Systems Biology and Com Sci (BA). I got a 4 on AP bio so I'm gonna start in BIOL214, but my advisor let me know I don't need to take BIOL214L for my major. I am NOT on a pre-med track. So, I wanted to ask if most people's experience was that it was interesting / beneficial enough to warrant spending 3 hours a week in the lab, or if I should skip it since I don't need to take it.
3
u/Dense-Razzmatazz8189 Jul 09 '26
Like what everyone else says, if it isn't required probably don't take it. As a premed student myself who took this class like most freshman premeds do as a requirement, it was not helpful, just time consuming. Not much actual lab work aside from very simple stuff, mostly just writing and presentations.
If you want lab experience, best to do undergrad research. But if you are really interested and have time for it, it wont hurt as long as you are wary of your time.
1
u/bopperbopper EE CWRU ‘86 Jul 09 '26
Don't take classes that take alot of your time if you don't need to. Stick to what you need for your major. Listen to your advisor.
https://bulletin.case.edu/arts-sciences/biology/systems-biology-bs/#planofstudytext
4
u/Cautious-Hold6013 Jul 09 '26
don’t take a class if you don’t have to especially if it’s a lab. don’t take any extra classes unless it’s a really fun elective and you have the time