Queen's Life Sciences- Why It's Not So Terrible

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Before I chose Life Sciences as a concentration entering second year, I had a lot of doubts  considering its reputation as a GPA killing, dream crushing program designed to end all pursuits for medicine. This was one of the most memorable testimonials regarding the program that really made me rethink my decisions:

"Be prepared to get butt rapped to the max. All you dreams and aspirations will be thrown out the window once you enter this program. The program could be comparable to quicksand. First year, you think its easy; so you end up going into second year, and from the very first day of classes you get overwhelmed, by the amount of work. This feeling will last during the summers and even after you graduate- you become a zombie waking up at 3 in the morning and thinking about how Seroude f'ed up your life. Even after graduation you randomly start *****ing at anyone that remotely looks like any of the professors who have taught you (one of life science’s withdrawal symptoms). Also, you become more prone to alcoholism and being a crack head, so you could try to forget about how miserably you performed on the exam. Marks you never have achieved in your life, will be achieved in this program (and I mean 50's and 60's). This program is a complete disaster from the very beginning. You literally have no life and are ostracized by the rest of Queens and Kingston at large. I remember taking the taxi cab from residence to the train station, and the cab driver said he had a better chance of getting into medical school; I had come to the conclusion he probably did too. But I must say, from this semi-retarded, no social life program you become mentally stronger. But, you might be asking yourself why does that matter if you dont have a career you could apply it to- and I would completely agree, as I am currently unemployed and living with my parents.

If you do consider Queens Life Science, even with this information at hand, which I expect you to do, if your a typical self-centered premed who thinks you can be the exception... be aware I too was like you, who thought if I work my hardest I could do very well. Unfortuanely, no matter how hard you work the program is designed for the students at most to be average (ie. B/75%= 3.0 OMSAS GPA). May God be with you if you enter this program."

...and this was my supposed courseload for second year (1st year of Life Sci)

Mendelian and Molecular Genetics
Basic Microbiology
Organic Chemistry- "orgo"
Mammalian Physiology
Principles of Human Morphology I+II
Gene Structure and Function (Molecular Biology)- "mbio"

The Life Sciences program gets a bad rep from courses that were deemed as "GPA-killers", and these are (for the most part) genetics, orgo and mbio. The rest of the courses were, and are generally quite well tolerated.

Let me make a few important points here:

1. Genetics, Organic Chemistry, Molecular Biology

Probably the three most "complained about" courses. However, these courses weren't ridiculously difficult to begin with. They were challenging, but nowhere near impossible to get a good grade. With the proper approach + ample, effective studying, anyone (theoretically) should be able to get at least 80+. What's more is that they are actually a lot easier now (to varying degrees) due to changing professors, or courses themselves being changed.

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A note regarding Genetics: this course was the toughest course (ever) in second year (general opinion), and was taken by both Life Sci and Biology students. The reason it was so hard was because it was taught by Dr. Seroude (mentioned in the quote above). In all fairness, he was an excellent professor- he communicated very well, made concepts clear and easy to understand, effective in teaching advanced concepts. However, his exams were difficult and required heavy application- why is why a lot of people that did not prepare properly were burned. However, Dr. Seroude is no longer teaching the course and the course is significantly less challenging now... which is unfortunate, because his teaching prepared me (and others) very well for the Biological Sciences section of the MCAT.

-A special mention: Please note that Dr. Seroude has personally confirmed that the previously posted story of a female student yelling profanity at Dr. Seroude is nothing but a rumour. Furthermore, Dr. Seroude has also noted that Genetics or Molecular Biology students always had a better average on his section of the exam and he has never failed a student. 

2. They recently re-structured the courses, and now they're easier- no longer GPA killers.

It's true- probably due to the increasing amount of on-campus tragedies, many departments sought to lessen the workload (thus reducing stress... and bad thoughts) on the students. Life Sciences was one of them, and the courses were re-organized (weightings of exams, quizzes, assignments re-distributed to better favor the students, changed profs, etc).

3. After second year, either everything seems easy by comparison or the courseload just becomes that much easier in third and fourth year.

I'm pretty sure it was more the latter in this case- after second year, most of the "core" courses are over and done with and you're left with a lot more freedom (more electives!) to choose your courses... and third year courses are actually easier somehow (with a few exceptions). It gets even better in fourth year.

Conclusion: the person in the main quote was wrong. Many people have come away from the Life Sciences program very successful because they studied efficiently and managed their time well. It is a very fair, but challenging program which will prepare you well for medical school (according to current medical students). In fact, a lot of them managed to get into med school after third, fourth year, or found success in research.

If you are considering, or interested in Life Sciences, you should take the time to look into the program yourself to see if you would enjoy studying in the program.

Matt