Would a 2-semester "Bio for Nonmajors" course prepare a student for the Bio SAT?

[Corraleno]

I'm planning for DS to do DE Biology next year (12th). Since he will have a heavy load of other courses (including other DE classes), we'd both prefer for him to take the regular Bio course (Biology 101, 102) rather than the one required for science majors. However, some of the colleges he's interested in want to see a couple of SAT2s, and so I'd like to kill two birds with one stone if possible.

 

I know that a lot of the students who take the Bio SAT have had AP Bio, which would be more comparable to the Bio-for-Majors course, but I'm wondering if a "regular" college-level bio course would be sufficient, perhaps with some additional test prep?

[Dmmetler]

Get a prep book and map the syllabus to the topics. There is SO much that can be covered in an intro bio course that this is about the only way to do it, and non-majors courses vary more than majors courses do. I know Baby Campbell (Essential Biology) maps pretty well, but not all instructors cover the entire book, and the prep book should let you see where more detail is needed.

 

 

 

 

[HB11]

Probably not.  Biology for non-majors does not go into the detail the student will need for the AP Bio exam.  

[Corraleno]

Probably not.  Biology for non-majors does not go into the detail the student will need for the AP Bio exam.  

 

He'd be taking the SAT2, not the AP exam.  

[FaithManor]

The SAT 2 covers high school biology, not college bio like the AP so my gut instinct is that probably it would. I like the suggestion someone else made of getting a prep book and comparing the topics covered (or check out the course syllabus on the college board site because I think parents and students can see a list of topics and objectives) from the prep book with the same from the course. Usually you can get a detailed course description from the department before you enroll. I'd check to make sure though because these kinds of courses can vary greatly from college to college.

[TiaTia]

You can get a lot of info on the Subject Test for Biology (E and M versions) straight from the horse's mouth at College Board: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat-subject-tests/subjects/science/biology-em
You can also buy The Official Study Guide for All SAT Subject Tests from College Board (or elsewhere) and see what the released sample test looks like.

[midorifamily]

I suspect it'll be OK if you supplement it with a prep book at the end.  Our dc read Campbell's high school level book (with lizard's eye on the cover), made notes, did some experiments, and went through Princeton for a month, and scored well enough.  There were a few things Campbell's book didn't cover, so she concentrated on those in the prep book, and consulted with Daddy Campbell when needed.  Your mileage might vary, but if you are aiming for mid-700s, I feel that your plan (along with a prep book) will be sufficient.

 

HTH,

 

Midori