<p>What's your guys' opinions on majoring in Chemistry in college after only having one high school chemistry class? </p>
<p>I took Honors Biology freshman year, Honors Chem sophomore year, Anatomy junior year, and I'm taking AP Bio now. Do you think it would be wise to pursue a Chem major without first taking a college-level chemistry class? Or should I stick to my original plan of Biology?</p>
<p>Also, how much math is involved in upper-level Chem?</p>
<p>Most people who majoring a science never take more than a year of it in high school and they tend to be fine. Besides, intro courses typically assume no prior knowledge of the subject so as not to disadvantage those who had minimal exposure to it.</p>
<p>In my major, almost no one takes a survey course of the subject prior to starting college. Yet our graduates often get into outstanding masters programs or get well paying jobs in the field so the lack of hs preparation doesn’t seem to hurt the grads at all.</p>
<p>Well, general chemistry has algebra, maybe integration if you really want to derive related rates laws, but all you really need is algebra. In organic chemistry, there is virtually 0 math for an undergraduate class. It’s when you have to start taking physical chemistry, which is where you will need the integral calculus, linear algebra and multivariable calculus for partial differentiation. So, to answer your question, upper level chemistry does get mathy for some bits. At most schools, including mine, chemistry majors will take the chemistry for scientists and engineers, not algebra based college physics. That will need Calculus I or II depending on what school you’re at for the first physics, and Calculus II/some elements of Calculus III (gradient, curl, etc.0 for the second physics. So, if you want to make progress, it’d be best to gauge if you can start proficiently at Calculus I or so currently.</p>
<p>I’m taking Pre-calculus this year (senior year). </p>
<p>I’m really wanting to go to VMI and like the opportunities for Chem majors there. Does this sample curriculum look good for possible grad school? </p>
<p>[Program:</a> Chemistry, B.S. - Virginia Military Institute - Acalog ACMS?](<a href=“http://vmi.catalog.acalog.com/preview_program.php?catoid=5&poid=164&returnto=123]Program:”>http://vmi.catalog.acalog.com/preview_program.php?catoid=5&poid=164&returnto=123)</p>
<p>Why exactly do you want go to VMI? Are you going to do become an officer post graduation and return to graduate school?</p>
<p>Also, taking precalculus senior year is fine. Just make sure that you REALLY understand precalculus in and out, especially trigonometry. It wouldn’t hurt to review your first half of summer analytic geometry (algebra with graphs) and trigonometry, then maybe try to knock out limits from Calculus on your own as a self study during the second semester. Like 2-3 hours a day. Calculus 1, or at least the Calculus 1 I learned, included multiple perversions of algebra and trigonometry. You’ll need it for Physics. Trust me. Then you’ll need to know that Physics well for P-Chem. </p>
<p>The only math intensive parts of your curriculum are the physics, math, and physical chemistry classes.</p>
<p>Also, anything with the military looks good on a graduate application, especially especially especially if you do research or any sort of technological internship with a military institution. A school like Texas A&M would love to see an application from someone like that.</p>
<p>I want to attend VMI because I love the structured lifestyle and my visit there was awesome. I haven’t decided in whether I will commission in the military or just go to grad school, but I like that VMI leaves me with both options. Also there are automatic scholarships for Chem students. </p>
<p>But overall the curriculum looks good to prepare for grad school?</p>
<p>The format is good. Ideally, there are a lot of PE classes, but other schools have a lot of government and English and fluff like that, so at least it cancels out. Committing to workouts and a course load like that shows graduate schools you can juggle different aspect of academics, which is a good quality for graduate school. Your curriculum is solid, but make sure you take your advanced chemistry course in something that interests you for graduate class. </p>
<p>Note, if you want to do something in medicine or pharmacology, try to declare the concentration in molecular biology and biochemistry and Health Professions focus. Biochemistry I and II alone doesn’t go into the molecular biology well enough to apply the chemistry. </p>
<p>But for example, say you’re interested in organic polymers, plastics, new industrial materials, the CH 425 elective would best suit you.</p>
<p>If you want to do mineralogy, metallurgy, electrical components, etc. the inorganic chemistry class would serve you well. </p>
<p>If you REALLY liked your Pchem, the math, etc. the theoretical chemistry class would help prep you up for abstractions in chemistry that you would face in a Pchem grad program.</p>
<p>Other than that advice, your curriculum seems good. Remember, research, research, research. That’ll help you 1) get good experience what grad school’s like
2) pump up your grad school application
3) get to know professors that will be willing to write you nice LOR’s for grad school</p>