# FAQ **What are the introductory courses in the life sciences?** Life Sciences 1a (LS 1a) and Life Sciences 1b (LS 1b) were designed as the foundation for the life sciences concentrations. Based on your background preparation, Life and Physical Sciences A (LPS A) may serve as an alternative to LS 1a. The fall semester courses, LS 1a and LPS A, introduce chemistry, molecular biology, and cell biology. LS 1b, which is offered in the spring, covers topics in genetics, genomics, and evolution. **If I am a freshman, which life sciences class should I take in the fall?** For course advice, you should take the biology and chemistry placement exams. Based on the results of the placement exams, you will receive a recommendation for your fall course – either LS 1a or LPS A. If you are unsure of which course to take, you should talk with a life sciences advisor. A team of life sciences advisors will be available to talk with you at the Science Advising Session in the Science Center during Opening Days. **What is the difference between LS 1a and LPS A?** Both LS 1a and LPS A are offered in the fall and are introductory courses in biology and chemistry. LS 1a integrates chemical and biological principles throughout the semester, and also applies these concepts to larger biological problems such as HIV and cancer. LPS A is aimed at students who, based on their background in chemistry or biology, require additional preparation before taking further science courses at Harvard. In LPS A, the first half of the semester is devoted to a study of general chemistry, and the second half of the semester explores molecular and cellular biology. It is beneficial to already have some familiarity with basic chemical principles when taking LS 1a. LPS A is particularly important for students with little or no chemistry background who plan to take PS 1 or PS 11 in the spring. The biology and chemistry placements tests have been carefully constructed to give good advice about which course is most appropriate for you based on what you have learned in high school. You should take the course that is most appropriate for your background. Although LS 1a and LPS A take different approaches to studying chemistry and biology, either class will prepare you for later science classes. **Who should take the introductory Life Sciences courses?** All students are welcome in these courses, whether or not they proceed to more advanced work in the Life Sciences. First-year students who are interested in concentrating in any of the Life Sciences should take these courses. Students who wish to satisfy pre-medical requirements, but are not thinking of concentrating in one of the Life Sciences, are also encouraged to take these courses. For more information, please consult the [OCS website](http://www.ocs.fas.harvard.edu/students/careers/medicine.htm). **If I have a strong science background, should I take LS 1a and LS 1b?** Yes. Even if you have a strong high school background, these courses will provide new approaches to material that you will not have seen before, and the courses will prepare you for advanced Harvard courses more effectively than relying on your high school preparation alone. **If I have little or no science background, what class should I take?** If you have little or no science background, you should consider taking Life and Physical Sciences A (LPS A) in the fall. You should take the on-line chemistry and biology placement exams for course recommendations. Based on the results of the placement exams, you will receive a recommendation for your fall course. **If I take LPS A, what science courses can I take in the spring semester?**After the first semester, all students choose from the same set of courses. Most life sciences concentrators – regardless of whether they took LS 1a or LPS A – choose from among LS 1b, Physical Sciences 1, and Physical Sciences 11 in the spring semester of the freshman year. **Can/should I take two science classes in the spring semester?** Yes, hundreds of students take both LS 1b and a physical sciences course, such as Physical Sciences 1 or Physical Sciences 11, during spring of their freshman year. For help with choosing your spring semester courses, we encourage you to talk with any of the Life Sciences advisors. **Which Life Sciences concentrations require LS 1a, LPS A, or LS 1b?** Both LS 1a/LPS A and LS 1b are required for concentrators in the following seven Life Sciences concentrations: - Biomedical Engineering - Chemical and Physical Biology - Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology - Human Evolutionary Biology - Integrative Biology/Organismic and Evolutionary Biology - Molecular and Cellular Biology - Neurobiology The Cognitive Neuroscience and Evolutionary Biology track in Psychology requires one of LS 1a, LPS A, or LS 1b. The Chemistry concentration requires two of the following: LS 1a, LPS A, Physical Sciences 1, Physical Sciences 10, and Physical Sciences 11. **Can LS 1a, LS 1b, or LPS A be taken by non-science concentrators?** Yes. All of these courses are designed for potential concentrators and non-concentrators alike. **Do LS 1a, LS 1b, or LPS A count for General Education credit?** Yes. All three courses count for General Education credit in the Science of Living Systems category. **Are these courses only for first-year students?** Absolutely not. The courses are open to everyone, although students who are considering concentrating in one of the Life Sciences are strongly encouraged to take them in their first year. **Are there any pre-requisites for these classes?** There are no pre-requisites for LS 1a, LS 1b, or LPS A. **Do LS 1a, LS 1b, and LPS A count for pre-medical requirements?** Yes. LS 1a and LPS A fulfill the requirement for one semester of general chemistry with laboratory. LS1b fulfills the requirement for one semester of biology with laboratory. [go to top](http://www.lifesciences.fas.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k5526&pageid=icb.page533574#a_icb_pagecontent1140124_top) ## Foundational Courses FAQs Open all sections Close all sections ### What are the introductory courses in the life sciences? expand\_more Life Sciences 1a (LS 1a) and Life Sciences 1b (LS 1b) were designed as the foundation for the life sciences concentrations. Based on your background preparation, Life and Physical Sciences A (LPS A) may serve as an alternative to LS 1a. The fall semester courses, LS 1a and LPS A, introduce chemistry, molecular biology, and cell biology. LS 1b, which is offered in the spring, covers topics in genetics, genomics, and evolution. ### If I am a freshman, which life sciences class should I take in the fall? expand\_more For course advice, you should take the biology and chemistry placement exams. Based on the results of the placement exams, you will receive a recommendation for your fall course – either LS 1a or LPS A. If you are unsure of which course to take, you should talk with a life sciences advisor. Watch [this video](https://harvard.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=24f858c4-9957-4ba1-a31d-b043000ecbfe) for more information about how to interpret your placement exam scores. ### What is the difference between LS 1a and LPS A? expand\_more Both LS 1a and LPS A are offered in the fall and are introductory courses in biology and chemistry. LS 1a integrates chemical and biological principles throughout the semester, and also applies these concepts to larger biological problems such as HIV and cancer. LPS A is aimed at students who, based on their background in chemistry or biology, require additional preparation before taking further science courses at Harvard. In LPS A, the first half of the semester is devoted to a study of general chemistry, and the second half of the semester explores molecular and cellular biology. It is beneficial to already have some familiarity with basic chemical principles when taking LS 1a. LPS A is particularly important for students with little or no chemistry background who plan to take PS 1 in the spring. Watch [this video](https://harvard.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=24f858c4-9957-4ba1-a31d-b043000ecbfe) to learn more about placement recommendations for these courses. The biology and chemistry placements tests have been carefully constructed to give good advice about which course is most appropriate for you based on what you have learned in high school. You should take the course that is most appropriate for your background. Although LS 1a and LPS A take different approaches to studying chemistry and biology, either class will prepare you for later science classes. ### Who should take the introductory Life Sciences courses? expand\_more All students are welcome in these courses, whether or not they proceed to more advanced work in the Life Sciences. First-year students who are interested in concentrating in any of the Life Sciences should take these courses. Students who wish to satisfy pre-medical requirements, but are not thinking of concentrating in one of the Life Sciences, are also encouraged to take these courses. For more information, please consult the [OCS website](http://www.ocs.fas.harvard.edu/students/careers/medicine.htm). ### If I have a strong science background, should I take LS 1a and LS 1b? expand\_more Yes. Even if you have a strong high school background, these courses will provide new approaches to material that you will not have seen before, and the courses will prepare you for advanced Harvard courses more effectively than relying on your high school preparation alone. ### If I have little or no science background, what class should I take? expand\_more If you have little or no science background, you should consider taking Life and Physical Sciences A (LPS A) in the fall. You should take the on-line chemistry and biology placement exams for course recommendations. Based on the results of the placement exams, you will receive a recommendation for your fall course. [ More arrow\_circle\_right ](/faq)