College-entrance SAT exam set for major overhaul in 2016

[Dio]

In the University system I am going to for a degree, they require all students who are a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathmatics) major to have Math courses up through Calculus 1. After that, depending upon your major, you need to take Physics 1, 2 and 3 and/or additional math courses up through Linear Alegbra.

[Buster's Uncle]

How's college going for you, anyway?

[Valka]

I would be so dead in that system... 

When it came to choosing a lab science, at first I opted for Organic Chemistry (I'd done decently well in that in high school). Five minutes into the first class, the instructor grinned and said, "There won't be too much calculus in this class..."

I'd never taken any calculus at all, so I knew I'd never be able to handle that class. I dropped it and had to figure out some other course to take. Biology was out because for reasons of conscience I refused to take any course in which dissection would be required, and while I'm interested in physics, again it's a case of not being mathematically-literate enough to cope.

So I ended up taking physical geography, which was a perfect mesh with my new major - anthropology. I had a wonderful time in those geography courses, and it was great to finally know how to decipher a weather map and on my next trip through the Rocky Mountains, I actually knew what I was looking at (besides spectacular scenery) and why it is the way it is.

Oh, and that chemistry instructor? I ended up taking his astronomy course several years later, as an auditing student. I was free of the worry of actually passing or failing, so I could relax and really get into it. I did the assignments and the tests, and had a great time. As a bonus, that was the year comet Hale-Bopp visited.

[Dio]

I am currently taking several courses this semester. These courses include English 101, Math 240 (Trigonmetry), History 1, and Geography 3 (which is the same as a Meteorology 3 course). I plan to transfer in 1 1/2 to 2 years. The course work I am taking currently will allow me to transfer into a four year university as a junior, and ,potentially, with an A.S. (Associate of the Sciences) degree.

[Buster's Uncle]

I can probably help you with English and History, if you need...

[Dio]

I would be so dead in that system... 

When it came to choosing a lab science, at first I opted for Organic Chemistry (I'd done decently well in that in high school). Five minutes into the first class, the instructor grinned and said, "There won't be too much calculus in this class..."

I'd never taken any calculus at all, so I knew I'd never be able to handle that class. I dropped it and had to figure out some other course to take. Biology was out because for reasons of conscience I refused to take any course in which dissection would be required, and while I'm interested in physics, again it's a case of not being mathematically-literate enough to cope.

So I ended up taking physical geography, which was a perfect mesh with my new major - anthropology. I had a wonderful time in those geography courses, and it was great to finally know how to decipher a weather map and on my next trip through the Rocky Mountains, I actually knew what I was looking at (besides spectacular scenery) and why it is the way it is.

Oh, and that chemistry instructor? I ended up taking his astronomy course several years later, as an auditing student. I was free of the worry of actually passing or failing, so I could relax and really get into it. I did the assignments and the tests, and had a great time. As a bonus, that was the year comet Hale-Bopp visited.

As far I know,  most of the actual dissection has been removed from the classroom and is done virtually instead. I have taken several Geology courses in order to fufill several requirements for my major and physical science transfer requirements. In order to fufill Life sciences, I have taken an Anthropology course. The professor for that course was particularly interesting and funny.  Thank you BUncle for the offer, but I am certain that I have a handle on the English and History homework. The worst part of English 101 for me is the in class work that she gives us. It is boring to me and not particularly interesting to do.

[Valka]

I would be so dead in that system... 

When it came to choosing a lab science, at first I opted for Organic Chemistry (I'd done decently well in that in high school). Five minutes into the first class, the instructor grinned and said, "There won't be too much calculus in this class..."

I'd never taken any calculus at all, so I knew I'd never be able to handle that class. I dropped it and had to figure out some other course to take. Biology was out because for reasons of conscience I refused to take any course in which dissection would be required, and while I'm interested in physics, again it's a case of not being mathematically-literate enough to cope.

So I ended up taking physical geography, which was a perfect mesh with my new major - anthropology. I had a wonderful time in those geography courses, and it was great to finally know how to decipher a weather map and on my next trip through the Rocky Mountains, I actually knew what I was looking at (besides spectacular scenery) and why it is the way it is.

Oh, and that chemistry instructor? I ended up taking his astronomy course several years later, as an auditing student. I was free of the worry of actually passing or failing, so I could relax and really get into it. I did the assignments and the tests, and had a great time. As a bonus, that was the year comet Hale-Bopp visited.

As far I know,  most of the actual dissection has been removed from the classroom and is done virtually instead.

This was over 25 years ago, and even nowadays there are still a lamentable number of high schools, colleges, and universities that dissect real animals.

I had to dissect an earthworm and a frog in my Grade 10 biology class back in 1977. To this day I still have a guilty conscience about that.