Chem 31X or 33

<p>I'm trying to decide whether to enroll in chem 31x or 33 next year and I was wondering which course of action would suit me more. I received a score of 5 on the AP chem test and have a good background in chemistry, biology (AP-5), and math (Calc BC-5). If it helps, I'm also thinking about taking Math 51 the same quarter along with IHUM and PWR. I realize that this decision depends on a lot of different variables, but any input is greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>i'm going for a similar schedule to yours next year...the question depends on your major/career goals...if you are premed, you have to take the 31 series, because not all med schools will take your ap credit...also, stanford doesn't give credit in biology, so that part of it is out.
if you aren't premed, then the specifics on your major are more important...
sorry if this wasn't the best help, but it really does depend on your aspirations more than anything</p>

<p>I think we have to go to Chem 31X with a 5 in AP chem. If you read the bulletin, it says starting for Autumn 2008-2009 a 5 in AP Chem places you in Chem 31X, despite some other contradictions which said you can be placed in Chem 33.</p>

<p>A 5 in AP Chem used to place you out of Chem 31X and into Chem 33, but starting this year, you still have to take 31X.</p>

<p>oh, ok, thanks for clarifying me (and hopefully the OP)...i didn't take the AP test, so I'll have to take the placement test...now if only i knew what was on that test lol...</p>

<p>Skip 31 altogether if you have the AP.</p>

<p>Starting this fall, you can't.</p>

<p>from what the above posters have said, it looks like you have to take 31x in the fall. But I want to add, taking chem 31x, ihum, pwr, and math 51 will be a lot of work. You might be able to handle it depending on your background in high school, but for the average freshman, I would advise not stressing out THAT MUCH fall quarter when you're also just getting adjusted to college life and studying.</p>

<p>from what I remember, the chem placement test was like stoichiometry, so it wasn't too bad. it also wasn't a good indicator of how hard chem 31x would be :p.</p>

<p>I disagree with the above advice. Chem 31X, Math 51, and IHUM are pretty typical first-quarter classes for prospective tech majors like engineering or pre-med students.</p>

<p>yeah chem 31x, ihum, and math 51 are pretty typical. but pwr on top of all that might be a bit much, unless you already have experience writing good research papers and you do them quickly. or if you find chem 31x or math 51 to be easy. many people who took AP chem in high school do find chem 31x to be an easy A, but then there are some who got 5s on the AP test and still struggle in chem 31x. unless you have too many other classes you have to take winter quarter, I would suggest moving pwr or math 51 to winter. especially if Dragos is teaching math 51 in the winter again (he was awesome!!)</p>

<p>but take my advice with a grain of salt as someone who didn't have an easy time in chem 31x and finds writing research papers relatively easy but time consuming. some people find all those classes to be easy, and you might be one of them. you can always try them out and drop one or withdraw later.</p>

<p>Do you actually have control over when you get PWR ? My daughter read that it is somewhat randomly assigned to one of the first three quarters.</p>

<p>That's right, your quarter of PWR is assigned to you, and cannot be changed.</p>

<p>Your quarter for PWR is randomly assigned to you, but it is not true that you can't change it. I changed mine and so did several of my friends. You just have to have a reason in your petition. I'm not sure how good it has to be, but something academic like "I have to take these other classes the same quarter" is certainly legitimate. My reason was that I didn't want to take PWR the same quarter as my WIM. </p>

<p>UAL</a> - PWR Courses and Registration</p>

<p>Under "Online Registration and Procedures," there are links to petition to change your PWR quarter assignments. (You can also switch the class you get assigned to after your quarter.) If your petition doesn't go through, you can also explain your situation in person to the people in the PWR office; my friend switched out of her PWR class by telling them she just didn't get along with the teacher, and they approved it the switch.</p>