5 answers
Sofisa
Student
Alexandria, Virginia
1
Question
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Do I have to take biology in college if i have already taken and passed it in high school?
High school
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5 answers
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1334
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Sofisa,
Well, the classic question - "Didn’t I already suffer through this once?"
Short Answer: Maybe, maybe not.
If you're going into a science or health-related major—yep, biology is coming back for round two, and it’ll probably hit harder. If you’re majoring in something completely unrelated (like business, art, or computer science), you might get to dodge it or swap it for another science.
If you aced AP Bio (usually a 4 or 5), some colleges let you skip intro biology. Dual enrollment? Even better—it might already count as a college course.
Check your college’s Gen Ed requirements. If they say "Pick a science, any science," and you’d rather not deal with cell membranes again, maybe grab chemistry, physics, or environmental science instead.
At least there’s no mandatory frog dissection in college… right?
Let me know if you need anything else Sofisa. Hope it helped!
Well, the classic question - "Didn’t I already suffer through this once?"
Short Answer: Maybe, maybe not.
If you're going into a science or health-related major—yep, biology is coming back for round two, and it’ll probably hit harder. If you’re majoring in something completely unrelated (like business, art, or computer science), you might get to dodge it or swap it for another science.
If you aced AP Bio (usually a 4 or 5), some colleges let you skip intro biology. Dual enrollment? Even better—it might already count as a college course.
Check your college’s Gen Ed requirements. If they say "Pick a science, any science," and you’d rather not deal with cell membranes again, maybe grab chemistry, physics, or environmental science instead.
At least there’s no mandatory frog dissection in college… right?
Let me know if you need anything else Sofisa. Hope it helped!
Elizabeth Thesing
Engineering
33
Answers
Springfield, Ohio
Updated
Elizabeth’s Answer
Hi Sofisa!
Unfortunately, I think this will be highly dependent on the college/university you end up attending and if they accept the credit you earned in high school. If you took Biology as an AP course and scored a high score on the AP test, the university may grant you credit hours for that score and you wouldn't have to take it. Alternately, if you took biology at a college while in high school, hopefully that college credit will transfer for you.
This may also depend on what degree you plan to pursue at university. If the degree doesn't require biology as one of your courses, then you wouldn't have to take it again. But if it is a required course and you do not have AP credit or college credit applicable, then you will likely have to take it again.
Retaking a course in college isn't always a bad thing. It can help solidify study skills and help you adapt to the differences of a college course from a high school course. So even if you do have to take it again, try to look at it with a positive outcome!
Unfortunately, I think this will be highly dependent on the college/university you end up attending and if they accept the credit you earned in high school. If you took Biology as an AP course and scored a high score on the AP test, the university may grant you credit hours for that score and you wouldn't have to take it. Alternately, if you took biology at a college while in high school, hopefully that college credit will transfer for you.
This may also depend on what degree you plan to pursue at university. If the degree doesn't require biology as one of your courses, then you wouldn't have to take it again. But if it is a required course and you do not have AP credit or college credit applicable, then you will likely have to take it again.
Retaking a course in college isn't always a bad thing. It can help solidify study skills and help you adapt to the differences of a college course from a high school course. So even if you do have to take it again, try to look at it with a positive outcome!
Jason Lee
Consulting
27
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jason’s Answer
Hi Sofisa,
If your major requires biology as a prerequisite, you may need to take it again in college, especially if it's a core requirement for fields like medicine, nursing, or environmental science. However, if your major doesn't require biology and you've already met your general education science requirements with other courses, you might not need to take it again. Additionally, some colleges allow students to place out of biology through AP credits or placement exams. Be sure to check with your college's academic advisor or course catalog for specific requirements.
If your major requires biology as a prerequisite, you may need to take it again in college, especially if it's a core requirement for fields like medicine, nursing, or environmental science. However, if your major doesn't require biology and you've already met your general education science requirements with other courses, you might not need to take it again. Additionally, some colleges allow students to place out of biology through AP credits or placement exams. Be sure to check with your college's academic advisor or course catalog for specific requirements.
Kimora Corbitt
UX Student
1
Answer
Antioch, Illinois
Updated
Kimora’s Answer
Hi Sofisa!
To be exempt from taking biology in college, you must take a course in high-school that allows for college-credit.
To be exempt from taking biology in college, you must take a course in high-school that allows for college-credit.
Thank you for the advice.
Sofisa
Jaime Muller
Closing
1
Answer
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Jaime’s Answer
Hey Sofisa :)
Depending on the degree you plan on perusing, will outline the courses needed to obtain the degree. Some degrees do not require Biology as a required class. It's all a matter of which direction you plan on going when in college. You can always research the basic classes needed for certain degrees you are interested in the get an idea of what you should expect to take, when the time comes.
Depending on the degree you plan on perusing, will outline the courses needed to obtain the degree. Some degrees do not require Biology as a required class. It's all a matter of which direction you plan on going when in college. You can always research the basic classes needed for certain degrees you are interested in the get an idea of what you should expect to take, when the time comes.