Chem101, Computers, and Other Freshman Questions

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Hello all,</p>

<p>First I just wanted to thank all those that answer questions on this forum. Through this website, you guys have answered so many questions I've had over the past few months.</p>

<p>Anyways, a little background on myself. I was the valedictorian of a mediocre public school. I got into Penn with a combination of that, decent test scores, along with really good extracurriculars, teacher recommendations, and essays. I was admitted into SEAS for Materials Science.</p>

<p>Nonetheless, I am apprehensive for the coming year. I have no idea what I actually want to major in. I am interested in Engineering but I am not sure that I want to stay within it. I am interested in so many other things (which, although they helped me get into the school, prove a hindrance when narrowing down my choices for majors). I was looking at Biological Basis of Behavior as another possible option, and maybe some others...</p>

<p>Anyways, my schedule includes PHYS150, Chem101, Chem053, Math104, and EAS101.</p>

<p>Now then, only Calculus AB was offered at my school, so I'm slightly worried for Math104. More importantly, my chemistry class was abysmal. Although it was Honors Chemistry, it was my teacher's first year and she was barely able to speak English. We got through barely any material and even then... Coupled with the fact that I took Chemistry over two years ago, I am sort of terrified to take Chem101 next year. I've been reviewing some material, but I don't really know what I am expected to know going in.</p>

<p>If anybody has any recommendations regarding my schedule (if I should put Chem off and take a freshman seminar, take an easier chem, etc.) I would appreciate it.</p>

<p>Also, I was wondering about computers at Penn. I don't want to deal with hassles related to my computer. I didn't know if there was a preference for PC or Mac, though I'd imagine most Engineering programs would be PC-only. I have looked at both Macs and PCs (as well as linux), and am split. If anyone out there has a computer recommendation for a possible Materials Engineering major, I'd love to hear it.</p>

<p>Finally, please don't give me any critical responses to this post. I know my background isn't so great to be admitted to SEAS, but I have received many artistic and academic awards which somehow got me into Penn. Thank you to anybody who reads my long-winded post and takes the time to reply.</p>

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<p>I’ve had a lot of these problems face me, but I can try to help a lot (I’m also a freshman, so they’re not perfect answers).</p>

<p>I would keep Chem 101. If, after the first week, Chem 101 seems to hard, you can switch easily into Chem 1. However, if Chem 1 appears easy, it will be harder to change into Chem 101, because the missed week will be things you don’t already know, wheras, you would likely know the info in the first week of Chem 1.</p>

<p>I’m pretty sure Math 104 is the next class in line after Calc AB. As such, you should be fine.</p>

<p>The choice between PC and Mac is a hard one. Macs can run those PC only programs on a program called Bootcamp, and they are less likely to get viruses. However, to get onto the PC side created from Bootcamp, you must restard the computer. There’s pros and cons to each, which is why it’s a hard choice. I chose a PC, but both work.</p>

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<p>I know a lot of engineers with Macs. You can buy a program called Parallels and run Windows and Mac OSX at the same time if necessary.</p>

4

<p>if you’re an engineer, i don’t believe chem 001 counts for anything (you’ll be in a special engineering section of chem 101)</p>

5

<p>Based on this:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.seas.upenn.edu/mse/ugrad/MSE_Course_planning_guide.pdf[/url]”>http://www.seas.upenn.edu/mse/ugrad/MSE_Course_planning_guide.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I’m led to believe that Chem001 would count for Materials Engineering.</p>

<p>I would like to keep my options open both within Engineering and in the College. That is the main reason I am taking PHYS150 instead of PHYS140, because I do not think I could transfer PHYS140 (without lab) into the college. Nobody I contacted could give me a definitive answer for this, but the only person that could help me told me to just take PHYS150 to be safe.</p>

<p>Uggh… I am just so confused as to what I want to do and I don’t want to be bombarded as soon as I enter the school. Question (particularly for anybody that has switched majors): How do you discover other majors? As I said, I am interested in BBB, as well as cognitive science and psychology (experimental) and many other fields within the college. With my current schedule, however, I have no exposure to these classes and no way to know if I would like to change majors. I hope that EAS101 will help me decide once and for all if I like Engineering and then possibly take other classes in the College second semester if I do not. I don’t know if I am really asking a question here or just letting my anxieties spill out…</p>

<p>Anyways, any more suggestions for any of this?</p>

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<p>i don’t see chem 001 on that pdf file</p>

<p>notice how chem 001 is not listed here</p>

<p>[Penn</a> Engineering > Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) > Undergraduate Program > Curriculum](<a href=“http://www.seas.upenn.edu/mse/ugrad/curric.html]Penn”>http://www.seas.upenn.edu/mse/ugrad/curric.html)</p>

<p>or</p>

<p>[Penn</a> Engineering > MSE > Undergraduate Program > Sample Curricula](<a href=“http://www.seas.upenn.edu/mse/ugrad/sample-curric.html]Penn”>http://www.seas.upenn.edu/mse/ugrad/sample-curric.html)</p>

<p>and nobody i knew who was mse (or any other engineering department) took chem 001</p>

<p>why would you not be able to transfer phys 140 to the college? </p>

<p>and you discover other majors by trying other courses in subsequent semesters, or making friends who are taking those classes and asking them what they’re learning</p>

7

<p>wow…i have a friend with exactly the same schedule except she has math 114
you will be fine…college is about learning new things…if they dont’ work out, just drop that class and try a easier one
besides i think everyone has some fear of what their semester at penn is gonna be like</p>

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<p>On the pdf I sent, for what courses are acceptable for the major, it says under Sciences:</p>

<p>Chemistry: Any course except Chem 11, 12, 22, 23; Note that AP credit for
CHEM 091 is accepted in some curricula in lieu of CHEM 101 - check with your
Undergraduate Curriculum Chair. </p>

<p>I don’t know, I’ll probably stick to Chem101, I’m just worried because they expect a certain background is all. I’ve been trying to catch up a bit, studying online and library textbooks.</p>

<p>And regarding PHYS140, it’s just that it is a physics class without a lab and specifically for engineers. On no lists for other majors within the College does it say that PHYS140 is acceptable for credit. Within the sector requirement, they have PHYS 150 but not 140. And you would be surprised by how few people knew if it would transfer. The people handling transfers directed me elsewhere… I figured I could solve that if it is an issue when I actually get there.</p>

<p>Also, I figured that PHYS150 is guaranteed to be accepted by pretty much everything, so why not? It is even recommended for some Curriculum Deferred students.</p>

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<p>yes i saw that note too, just highly doubt you’d want 001</p>

<p>don’t worry! things will be just fine</p>

<p>and phys labs for 150 can be kinda fun</p>

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<p>Yeah, I’ve pretty much accepted the fact that I’m taking Chem101. I’m sorry if I seem annoying or whatever. I think the apprehension just really hit me when I was first making my schedule and it was littered with chem everywhere. I know it probably seems pretty bad that I’m worrying about 101… I just don’t want to start off my year poorly is all.</p>

<p>Any recommendations on reading to catch up on some prerequisite stuff? I’ve been going through high school curricula, but I’m not quite sure what all is actually expected to be covered.</p>