<p>Hi everyone, Im new to this forum but here it goes...</p>
<p>UCSD has an AP credit policy in which you cannot repeat a class if you already passed out of it.
For example, I got a 5 on the AP Chemistry test and now cannot take Chem 6a, b, or c and only have the option to take Chem 6bh and 6ch (or move on to organic chemistry).
This poses a problem because I am currently a bioengineering: biotech major with hopes of applying to medical school in the future. However, medical school requires at least 1 year of general chemistry (with most med schools including some uc med schools not taking ap credit).</p>
<p>So my question is, how would I be able to fulfill this requirement if all I can take is Chem 6bh and Chem 6ch???
Also, would you even recommend taking the honors series for chemistry? (Ive heard that it would kill my GPA, which I want to avoid). I looked up more classes in chemistry and was also wondering if another option would be to take two quarters of inorganic chem. and some physical chem (or maybe even biochem in my major?) .would that be recommended/meet the med school requirement?</p>
<p>anyway, for ur situation:
you can still enroll in 6AH ^^ but u just won’t get any credits/units for taking the class.
if i were u, i would take 6AH in the fall [even tho u don’t get credits for it]. it’ll probably be best because it will refresh some of your chem, so u wont have to jump straight into 6BH.</p>
<p>if it were possible, i would avoid taking the honors series altogether since the GPA is very important for med school. if you’re fine with taking chem6abc regular for no credit [which is possible] then i guess u could do that. :] you would just have to make sure to meet the 12unit minimum for full-time students though, in case ur fin. aid reward would change.</p>
<p>Look by the time you graduate you will have taken something like 180 units. If you take 12 units (3 general chemistry classes) for no credit you can easily make it up later. So don’t let that affect your decision. College is different than high school. You don’t get any “credit” for taking a harder courseload/more credits than somebody else. You don’t get “credit” for graduating a quarter earlier than normal. </p>
<p>As for whether to take the 6H series or not, truth is you shouldn’t be looking at it like “will it kill my gpa?” First off, it ain’t that hard. It is basically genchem but with some more physics. So if you’re not a good student, of course go to 6 series. If you are a good student the question you have to ask yourself is am I willing to work harder to guarantee the good grade? Because, the honors series is like this: huge curve, average is curved to a B+ rather than a B, and the grading scheme is ridiculously nice (you get to drop the lowest test). So if you work hard enough to beat the curve you are literally guaranteed the A even if objectively your grade is like a 75%. Chem 6 series ain’t like that; you probably won’t be able to drop a midterm and there’s barely going to be a curve. So you have no margin for error. Now on the flipside, you’re going to be studying more in 6H series and the stuff will be harder. So pick your poision. BTW my experience w/ 6H series was with Hoeger, so if there’s a new professor or something I don’t know if the above is true.</p>
<p>I don’t know about med school requirements but if you have the choice between 6H series and Pchem or Biochem there is no decision to make. Pchem and Biochem are just much, much more difficult than any lower division chem class could ever be. You would be wise to fufill your requirements by taking lower division 6 or 6H series chem rather than willingly expose yourself to the insanity that is pchem or biochem (heh, they really aren’t that bad, but relatively speaking…).</p>
<p>I hope this post will answer everybody’s question about 6H vs 6 series chem for good.</p>
<p>“UCSD has an AP credit policy in which you cannot repeat a class if you already passed out of it.”</p>
<p>uh WHAT!? does this mean i have to take calc 20b because i barely scraped a 3 on my Calc BC test? I’m terrible at calc! I wanted to relearn everything from 20a but i guess that’s not happening anymore.</p>
<p>thanks so much ucsdtriton for asking this question as i have been caught in the same dilemma (pretty much word for word but im a chem major instead). thanks for the responses everybody. this has really helped. also. i might add that if you did take the regular series, the grades that you get from it will not be factored into your gpa. at least this was what the academic adviser told me. so taking it wouldnt do much.</p>
<p>i also have another question. would math 20b, 20c, and 20d all fulfill the year-long calculus requirement for med school?</p>
<p>I was in the same situation with both chem and math. Most med schools require a year of chemistry, but it could be any chemistry. I’m taking two quarters of o. chem to help me out. One could take 140A, B, C and 143A lab or even 141A, B, C and 143A lab.
For math, one year is also required. You can fulfill the year requirement with statistics. My major even allows Phil 10 and 12 (logic) to count towards the math requirement.</p>
<p>I asked a Muir Academic Advisor about this situation and he told me that even if I take the honors series, I will not get credit for it. It says exempt from 6AH on the AP credit stuff, but he said:</p>
<p>“As of right now, students who have a 5 on the AP Chem exam won’t receive units if they take the honors series of Chem (6AH,BH, and CH). So either way, taking any of the CHEM 6 courses, it would show on your transcript you received zero units when you took the course. It would actually be best to contact Career Services directly with this questions.”</p>
<p>So I emailed the Career Services and this is what they said:</p>
<p>“This is a problem we’re going to have to look into. If you are unable to take honors chem, then I would suggest taking as much biochem as you can, and that, along with all your AP, should satisfy the med schools. Good luck.”</p>
<p>That’s what I thought too, but from the “mouth” of an advisor, the honors series doesn’t work. Either way, it’s still not a full year for med school.</p>
<p>hey, im in the exact same predicament as everyone regarding the chem situation. on a side note, did anyone pass out of 10ab/20ab with 5 on calc bc exam? and if so, what math are you planning to take to meet the med school requirement. i was thinking about doing 10c/20c and math 11, but then that’s only 2 quarters. are there any other options to fill up the last quarter without taking a class like math 20d?</p>