<p>I'm pretty sure I failed Chem 3B this semester. I was wondering if it would be okay to retake the course next semester. My next semester schedule would look like this: Bio 1A, Bio 1AL, Anthro 3AC, an R1B course, and Chem 3B (no lab). Does this look doable? Should I take Bio lab in the summer instead with Physics? What would be a good route to take?</p>
<p>hmmm, normally, the combination of Bio 1A/L and Chem 3B is generally discouraged because they are considered to be extremely packed with material courses.</p>
<p>One thing you should understand is bio 1AL, is NOT truly a 2 unit course, it is really a 4 to 5 unit course. The course grade is all determined by weekly quizzes and two comprehensive multiple choice exams. You have to learn the anatomy form and function of nearly every single animal in the animal kingdom and also be really and i mean really adept with genetic laboratory methods. You need to take this course seriously. </p>
<p>My other question is, do you know what caused you to fail 3B? It’s important to understand why, because that way you can ensure an A on a retake.</p>
<p>Also, be VERY CAREFUL about taking lower div science/pre-med req courses in the summer time. What happens is, the averages on exams in courses like Chem 3A, 3B, physics etc. are much higher, despite the difficulty of the exams being the same as during the year. I have experienced this first hand, and I just want to warn you that only take a summer science course if you feel very strongly in the subject.</p>
<p>@Jweinst1
I’m thinking of not taking the lab portion and only the lecture section. Would that be a more doable load? I’m more worried about the lab portion because of all the things I’ve heard, like it being like another course. Would it be a bad decision to take them separately? Are the material connected or go hand-in-hand?</p>
<p>Regarding Chem 3B, I think I’m overall just very confused in the course. I don’t think my foundations were that great from Chem 3A and moving onto Chem 3B just made me more confused about the mechanisms. The mechanisms just don’t get into my head. It goes into my ear and out the other. I really don’t know what to do anymore when it comes to ochem.</p>
<p>Bio 1A, 1AL, and Chem 3B are the most time intensive prereq courses for Bio majors. Bio 1AL and Chem 3BL are simply not comparable to each other. Especially if Mike Meighan is still teaching 1AL. </p>
<p>There is actually more material in 1AL than the entirety of Bio 1B. And unless if you really enjoy lab work, 1AL will be monotonous. There are plenty of people who put in hours and hours more time in the lab after the end of class.</p>
<p>Switch 1A/1AL to a breadth and take them when you are more well prepared and focused.</p>
<p>@confusedbearie </p>
<p>The only people that are permitted to take Bio 1A and Bio 1AL separately are students who are Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or EECS Majors, or a Psychology major. If you are not one of these majors and try to take them separately, they actually drop you from the lecture course. So this probably is not an option for you.</p>
<p>There is only a mild overlap between 1A and 1AL in material. In fact, it’s very mild, to say that its not uncommon for people to get drastically different grades in the lecture and the lab. Mike Meighan, the professor who has taught 1AL for over 20 years, will make you work so hard for an A, it really gives an A new meaning.</p>
<p>Chem 3B and physics is much more manageable. Physics 8 series has no memorizing, its just based on learning to solve physical problems using many different equations. There is a cheat sheet or one given to you on all exams so memorizing is not required.</p>
<p>I would recommend taking Bio 1A/L and Physics together, then Chem 3B over the summer so you can devote your full attention to it.</p>
<p>Bio 1A/L isn’t as bad as everyone makes it out to be, I promise!</p>
<p>Except that in the summer chem 3B averages are SUPER HIGH compared to during the year which makes it much harder to get an A.</p>
<p>I remember this past summer, a friend told me the average on midterm 1 was 85%. Then another friend that took it this fall said the average on midterm 1 was 49%</p>
<p>BIG difference lol</p>
<p>^Doesn’t that mean the tests are easier anyway?</p>
<p>Summer classes are not always easier. Some of them are, but with a lot of them you will have more motivated kids, who are only taking one class or two at the most, so they have a lot more time to focus on studying. This is what makes the averages higher.</p>