<p>Hello.
I am planning on majoring in Biochemistry should I get accepted to the University of Michigan. </p>
<p>It is my dream to go into biochemical research. That being said, should I take my AP Chemistry credit? </p>
<p>I received a 5 on the exam and I will review over it before classes start regardless if I decide to retake General Chem or go onto Organic Chemistry. I've heard conflicting things like to take the AP Chemistry credit since a repeat of the course is a waste of time and credits, that I should retake General Chem for an easy A and to get my feet wet for college, that General Chemistry is a harder class because of the curve & that it forces a lot of people to drop it, and that I should wait until Dr. Nolta teaches Organic Chemistry 1 in the winter. </p>
<p>Also, how many credits should an undergraduate take every semester? What is the maximum, minimum, and optimal load? </p>
<p>Thanks. :)</p>
<p>Gen chem is definitely not an easy A, so don’t go into it thinking that. I believe most intro science courses are graded so that 20-25% of students are in the A range. But I had this same dilemma with biology, and I decided to take the “get my feet wet” route and took 171. It’s a good idea in principle, but I regretted it after a while. The only thing I could think in the second half of the semester was how badly I wish I just took the credit for the course and moved on. Intro courses tend to be no fun at all, so I advise you take as few of them as you can, as long as you feel proficient enough to go to the next level. One course won’t get your feet wet for college, you’ll end up soaking wet right away no matter what class you take.</p>
<p>To answer your next questions, I imagine the middle 50% of underclassmen take 14-16 credits in a semester. The credits alone don’t determine course load though, as I know people taking 17 credits who have a smaller workload than my 15 credit schedule gives me. I also know a couple 14 credit takers who have been in over their head with work at times. The maximum credit load you can take is 18, and I don’t think there’s a minimum, although you’d probably raise some flags with academic advising if you decide to take 8 credits in your first semester.</p>
<p>Gen Chem is an easy A. A giant portion of the class are the freshman that think they’re going to be pre Med, then they can’t even handle Gen chem. I’m just saying compared to what I was taking for engineering, it wasn’t hard at all. There are just a lot of kids that complain about the class</p>
<p>Take the AP Chemistry credit. You are doing a biochemistry major like me so an extra semester will give free time to take some awesome classes like CHEM 303. It will also allow you to get in on research earlier with the chemistry department which is important for grad school (and even med school) applications. Plus, you won’t have to double up on that many sciences–in fact, even though I’m a math and biochem double major, I have to double up for only one term out of my 8 terms at UMich.</p>
<p>Moreover, they say for Organic Chemistry it’s helpful to have made some friends in General Chemistry to form some study groups at the beginning of the year. Truth is, there will be other kids who take Organic Chemistry freshman year. They’ll be your friends and they’ll help–and so will upperclassmen as well. In addition, freshman year is often riddled with easier classes than sophomore year so it’s best to take your two Organic Chemistry classes then.</p>
<p>Think about it. I know college is a great experience, but to some extent it is also a business. You’re paying to go to school, right? Therefore, it’s best that you educate yourself to the highest extent possible. Why pay to re-learn the same material? Go for the higher level classes and expand your world view (on a molecular/atomic level, of course :)).</p>
<p>Good luck and go blue.</p>