<p>Basically, what is the difference between these 2 courses? Which one is harder/more in depth?</p>
<p>I'm hoping to be premed and I got a 5 on the AP Chem exam so which one do you think will be a better class to take? I'm hoping for a bit of a challenge but I don't want a grade killer either (although it mostly depend on study habits). </p>
<p>I hear that 4A is a bit more in depth, yet I haven't heard of many people taking this course. Do a lot of freshman take it? Thanks!</p>
<p>Labs for both are full.</p>
<p>Well I'm hoping that they'll open more sections because I'm sure a lot more freshman are gonna sign up for it (going to CalSO Friday)...</p>
<p>Same here, but I'm really worried about it.</p>
<p>Basically,
Chem 4A is for people majoring in Chemistry, Chem bio, or ChemE in college of chemistry.</p>
<p>Chem 1A is more general and is good for other majors.</p>
<p>Chem 4A is more in depth and is harder.</p>
<p>If you're not Chem, Chem Bio, or Chem E, I'd recommend Chem 1A</p>
<p>Oh and Chem 4A is a grade killer.</p>
<p>If I am in the college of letters and science and thinking about either mcb or chem major, would 4A be okay?</p>
<p>Chem 1A is better if you are in L&S and thinking about MCB. if you're thinking about chem major then Chem 4A is required for many upper div courses.</p>
<p>I took Chem 4A and found it to be one of my easier courses, though most people might tell you differently. Labs are VERY time-consuming--you'll be in Latimer for four hours a week (if not more) just waiting for x reaction to take place, and then the lab reports usually take about 2-3 hours apiece. The material you cover in lecture isn't really rigorous, but it's certainly a step above what you learned in AP chem. If you actually read the book and pay attention in lectures (people tend not to do the former), it's pretty easy to do well on the exams. In the end, 18% of the class received some sort of A as their cumulative grade. If I were you, I would stick with Chem 1A just to avoid the amount of busy work in 4A as well as the slightly stingy curve.</p>
<p>Since Chem 4A & Chem 1A labs are full, you think they'll open more up for the upcoming CalSO's? Because there are quite a few ahead..not to mention the people who are not going to CalSo....</p>
<p>Not to mention 1A is actually pretty easy relative to some of the later courses you'll be taking (such as the Chem 3 series or Bio1A), so get those easy A's while you can.</p>
<p>open more labs?</p>
<p>Neither I nor any of my friends had trouble substituting 4A for 1A. (A fair number of people my year switched out of CoC into other majors.)</p>
<p>I basically agree with Cupola. The main difference between 4A and 1A is that the labs are much more involved. 20 step syntheses, everything is quantitative (lots of spectroscopy, if you are familiar with that), etc. If you like lab, you'll like 4A. Turns out I didn't like lab so I decided not to major in chemistry :)</p>
<p>My year, the grading was pretty easy. Prof. Cohen instructor curved tests to B/B+ at the mean.</p>
<p>im a pure chemistry major at college of chem. do i have to take chem 4a over chem 1a? cause id rather get those A’s while i can, unless i have to take chem 4a</p>
<p>^
If you’re chemistry major yes. chem 4a is must. If you’re premed get out of CoC. chem 1a was grade killer for me… im doing better in chem 3a than 1a… at least so far.</p>
<p>ohh i seee. hmm. arent you in CoC? how’d you end up taking chem 1a instead of chem 4a O_O?</p>
<p>also… chem 3a is orgo, correct?</p>
<p>hm yea. I’m actually attempting to switch out because I found out i don’t really like chem as much.</p>
<p>I’m in CoC but I plan to switch to L&S after first semester. Is it okay that I take Chem 1A instead of 4A for the first semester even though Im technically in CoC??</p>
<p>^
yea that’s what i did.</p>
<p>Also when you go to calso. they ask everyone if anyone wanted to switch out of CoC. you can do it right on the spot. 
i didn’t do it…</p>
<p>i’m in bioE…should i take chem 1A or 4A?</p>