<p>I just registered for spring semester this morning, and I didn't get any of the classes I wanted. I'm thinking about majoring in chemistry, but chem 141 filled up and I couldn't get any other science class. I'm thinking about taking 141 and 142 over the summer so I can start my sophomore year in orgo, but my advisor said it's a bad idea. He said since the summer course is so short, it will be too hard and the professor may move too quickly blah blah. It makes sense, but I can't imagine a chem major taking an introductory chemistry class sophomore year! That'd be crazy. Thoughts?</p>
<p>I think I agree with your advisor. It’s extremely fast paced, and pretty brutal.
Any other classes you can take over the summer? GERs or whatever. </p>
<p>@bernie12 can answer better than me, but I thought Orgo can be taken without Gen Chem. </p>
<p>You can’t get into an introductory chemistry class? That’s not right. You shouldn’t have to pay extra to take chem over the summer. Have your parents email the school. Tell them you’ll transfer unless things change. </p>
<p>They can’t offer enough sections (with lab) for the something like 75% of the incoming class that is under the delusion they’re going to be pre-med. If you haven’t had AP chemistry, how does a student have a basis for thinking they’re going to major in chemistry? They watched Breaking Bad? It’s like trying to major in math without having taken AP calculus.</p>
<p>What I might recommend instead is doing transient domestic study where you can take the equivalent of CHEM 141 and 142 at a local community college or state university where the coursework is cheaper and probably easier. On the other hand, if you do want to pursue a BS in chemistry, I don’t know if you can complete the degree if you don’t take 141/142 or 221/222 during one summer.</p>
<p>You also still need a number of non-chemistry classes for a non-chemistry major. BIO 141, PHYS 141/142 or 151/152, MATH 112 (if you’re doing the BS), </p>
<p>Some high schools, even good ones, don’t offer AP classes. </p>
<p>@jujubee123 : Uhmmm…they’re not going to be filled when you enroll, in fact they are open now (they open more spots before freshman enrollment. You must have had a sophomore time). Also, if you plan on enrolling in an “easy” section, don’t bother being a chemistry major…there is no point as that indicates you have no true passion for the subject (a person who has legit interest would welcome being challenged by it). If you start with an easy gen. chem instructor, then you’ll have to jump through all the hoops of finding the easy intermediate and advanced instructors and eventually luck will just run out because you will be outcompeted in certain courses by students who did not have a “soft” start and some instructors will just flat out give a difficult time (as in pchem, biochem, and things like that) to those who have not experienced a rigorous instructor in the field yet. Also, it is just less fun, because you’ll be afraid to do things like take grad. courses or take “real” electives…like biochem 2, chem 468, a chem 320 series, anything really. Think hard about whether or not you want to do the major, especially if you are a pre-health stereotype or anything like that. If you are one of those, there is no point…you need to actually like chemistry and not be afraid of a challenge once in a while. Our department is not easy for hoopjumpers out there.</p>
<p>Also, your advisor is not telling the truth…also, do you have chem 141 credit and are trying to get into 142? 141 is not offered during spring…if you already missed the boat on 141 and need that, then you need to take it during summer and if you are a chemistry major, it should not be too hard. In fact, it should be easier than during the year, even if only slightly. And learning is not an issue because gen. chem is so generic, that not many people learn anything other than basic math/stoichiometry from it. Not many people get a big enough conceptual understanding to the point where it helps them in ochem, or any math based advanced courses. It is primarily a service course for pre-meds. Ochem and upwards typically serve chemistry majors better (though some instructors teach in service course mode).</p>
<p>Are you looking at 141? 141 is not offered in spring, only 142 is. Unless you have AP CHEM, you do need to start with 141.
The introductory courses, in general, are not hard to get into at all. Actually you should not have difficulty in getting into any of the required courses for chemistry majors (orgo, achem, biochem, pchem, inorgo). Try to wait until the add-drop-swap. What might be difficult is to select the best section (reputed instructor, etc.). If you still cannot get into an introductory course, go to talk to your advisor or visit the department office.
@aigiqinf It is still doable to graduate with a chemistry B.S. without taking summer schools. Genchem in sophomore, Orgo/Achem in junior, pchem/inorgo (even though it is noted on the webpage that pchem is a prerequisite of inorgo, more than half of chem majors take inorgo before pchem) in senior. I won’t recommend “easier” summer genchem courses with transient domestic study. Chemistry is almost the toughest major at Emory, and the average major GPA is the lowest (<3.0). If OP is interested in majoring in chemistry he needs to be well prepared in genchem for higher-level courses.</p>
<p>Does the class have a wait list? If so, get on it. During the drop/add period watch carefully for an opening. In the meantime go speak with the professors who are teaching next semester and explain the issue one of them may let you in.</p>
<p>I suppose that while gen. one can chem usually doesn’t teach one that much, one can develop a good work ethic if they take a decent instructor, which is useful with our chem. major, which as mentioned, is quite tough and has much less inflation than basically all of the other science majors. There is no point in majoring in chem if you develop a weak work ethic and have to hop in and out of the easiest and often worst instructors. Again, if you are pre-health, it is okay I suppose, but if planning to go to a doctoral program, you’ll want the proper undergraduate foundation. Without it, expect things like cumulative examinations and the like to jeopardize your progression through a graduate degree in the field. Unlike most professional schools, completion of graduate degrees is not even close to a guarantee…I suppose chem could be taken sophomore year as most chem. majors double up on chems several times. There technically are not many requirements to complete. It is just that the cores can take time away from taking good electives if you’re having to pile on the chem cores. </p>