<p>Is it bad if you take chem 3a non-concurrent with chem 3al and chem 3b non-concurrent with chem 3bl? Lets say I take chem 3a only in the spring. Then next fall, I take chem 3b and 3al. Then the semester after, I take chem 3bl. Would I be at a disadvantaged if I do not take the class and lab together? Would Bio1A&L and chem 3bl in one semester be a bad combination or is that manageable?</p>
<p>Question 1:</p>
<p>That depends largely on how you learn. The two classes (lecture and lab) have relatively little to do with each other, but the reactions you learn during lecture will frequently be ones you perform somewhat later on in lab, and that CAN - emphasis CAN, given that it’s not the focus of the lab - help you to retain the lecture material.</p>
<p>That said, I don’t think there’s THAT much reason to take them concurrently.</p>
<p>I can’t answer Question 2, because I’m not currently taking 3BL and have no real plans to take it in the future.</p>
<p>I think it’s fine to take them non-concurrently (for example, if you had a bad telebears time and didn’t get into lab) but it is probably preferable to take them together. Bio 1A/L should be fine with Chem 3BL, especially if those are the only science classes you’re taking that semester.</p>
<p>I should probably note here than if 3BL is anything like 3AL, the “lab reports” will be difficult/annoying because of the maximum length, not because the questions etc. are hard.</p>
<p>^eh…that’s only partially true. </p>
<p>They are annoying and the limit contributes partially to the annoyance but you have between 2 and 3 NMR’s to do almost every week. The mechanisms can sometimes be really long (suzuki and keto-enol rxns come to mind) and non obvious.</p>
<p>to the OP, i think that it would be fine. watch out though. Bio 1al is kicking my ass right now, do not underestimate how much of a time commitment it is if you want to do well. Plan your schedule smart and keep up so that you wont be overwhelmed.</p>
<p>@calfootball - I’d say that’s a pretty good indication that it’s not much like 3AL.</p>
<p>Would it be a bad idea to take 3bl a year after finishing 3b? Do I have to retain the info from 3b to do well in 3bl if I take 3bl a year later?</p>
<p>For 3A and 3AL, the material was sufficiently distinct that it wouldn’t have been an issue. I can’t speak to 3B and 3BL, but I would have thought that they’d follow along the same lines. Knowing the reactions off the top of your head will definitely help, though.</p>