<p>I was wondering if current Trojans could tell me a bit about these classes: general bio, general chem, org. chem, physics, biochem, molecular bio...in terms of difficulty/grading, course work, etc.</p>
<p>I heard Ochem is very hard.</p>
<p>All the science classes here are hard, you have to face it. The only class I can speak for is PHYS 151L, which is meant for engineers. If you have to take this class, be prepared BIG TIME to learn the stuff on your own, cuz the profs for this class are just so bad....it is very annoying!</p>
<p>I didn't have to take chem, but I know everyone talks highly of Prof. Bau. So take him.</p>
<p>How hard are we talking about here? Like...an hour a day of studying? Or....8?</p>
<p>I had Bau for chem, he's actually out for the rest of the semester due to injury. My advice is to avoid him if at all possible. Professor Mak, who is filling in for Bau, is a wonderful lecturer. And chem is a really tough class.</p>
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Like...an hour a day of studying? Or....8?
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Physics hw takes about 6 hrs/wk alone, then there is the "learning the material" that takes another hour or two a day. I say this because the professors for 151 (Gould and Johnson) simply repeat the concepts given in the textbook verbatim, using powerpoint. The example problems they "show" are the exact same ones in the book, no new ones. That's what makes them annoying.</p>
<p>Watch out for phys 151/152 labs - they suck big time. The TA's are all awesome for those lab sections but the labs themselves are...well...</p>
<p>If you're good at physics and (preferably) have done AP physics C, then there's always 161/162 with Bickers which counts for 151/152 credit. It's for people who really like physics though - the content is significantly much harder than 151/152 and the HW problems will run you through the gauntlet :)</p>
<p>AVOID GOULD FOR PHYS 151L. ARGHH!!!! That class is screwing me over and today's midterm was a nightmare! Although it looks like next week we're playing with liquid nitrogen for the lab.</p>
<p>Now that I got that over with, the philosophy that I have used when looking at colleges is that if it's a top-notch university like USC, whether it be Cal, UCLA, Cal Tech, Stanford, all the hard sciences should be, and will be difficult. If most students seem to blow them off easily, you should have 2nd thoughts about going there.</p>
<p>And yes, the hard sciences here can be quite challenging.</p>
<p>sciences here are definitely challenging you not only have to learn the material well and be able to apply it into laboratory sections. which do not count for units like the UCs but we also have to fight a very competitive bell curve. it's like that for most science courses and no way to avoid it. ochem is of course difficult and the upper div classes are hard, but don't overlook the lower division classes, they are equally challenging. As a freshman your first semester if you take two science courses you will not only be spending 3 hours in lecture per class but 3-4 hours of lab per week per class. the material involves self learning, not everything can be gone over in class. so it is a challenge, but youw ill walk out of SC a better person for the challenges you have to face.</p>
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AVOID GOULD FOR PHYS 151L. ARGHH!!!!
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I have to say the same for Johnson too. He's a friendly guy, but #1: he literally reiterates the textbook verbatim, as I said above, and #2: he answers EVERY question you ask him with "check the book" or for admin questions "check the syllabus". I swear if you ask him what is 2+2, he would answer "check the book" :confused:</p>
<p>
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Watch out for phys 151/152 labs - they suck big time. The TA's are all awesome for those lab sections but the labs themselves are...well...
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Amen, I second that.</p>
<p>If you're pre-health (pre-med, pre-pharm, pre-dent, or pre-vent) and NOT an engineer, take PHYS 135a/b instead of PHYS 151/52. Physics for life sciences (135) is MUCH easier than 151/52, because it is based on algebra and not calculus. </p>
<p>Bio 120: Beware of Bakus; the guy covers the whole chapter in one lecture, so you'll have 11 chapters in one exam. Although you think that's better, it's not, because they want specific stuff on exam, thus you can lose points.</p>
<p>Bio 220 (Spring): Professor Herrera is the best part of the course. He teaches the second half (Physiology part) and he is better than Prof. McClure which teaches the 1st part (cell bio). McClure exams are TOUGH, and very tricky, especially the second exam. Last semester, bio 220 exam averages were 60% (lower than G-chem).</p>
<p>Chem 105a: Baudeut is not teaching G-Chem next semester, and that's a good thing. His exams are really hard, and tricky. Stephens is not a good lecturer as he only lectures directly from the book and does not explain much.</p>
<p>O-chem A: Singer provides his own lectures, on CD, or you can buy the reader (lecture notes), and you don't need the book for the first semester. O-chem A is easier than O-chem B.</p>
<p>Plus, if you're lucky sometimes bickers teaches 135b in the summer (he is this summer)</p>
<p>The thing about mcclure is that you can learn a lot from him. He's a really smart guy and he will go on for hours about whatever bio thing you want to talk about. I agree about his exams being tough - he asks a lot of "trick" questions which require you to know the precise answers.</p>
<p>You have to take bio 220 with McClure/Herrera, unless you want to take it during the summer elsewhere. Unlike G-Chem where you can choose a professor, you're stuck with them for Bio 220 and 120 (Bakus).
Unless, you want to take Advanced Bio (121 & 221). Trust me, they use the same book, it's not like they cover more in Bio 221.</p>
<p>Also, can anyone tell me how are the grading and course work for FSH bio and chem classes? What about the professors teaching these classes?</p>
<p>My cousin told me that Mak is the best chem teacher.</p>
<p>i had mak for chem 105B and i really liked him, he was a good lecturer.
bau is good as well,but i think bau cares more about his students. I don't know if he's coming back next semester though.</p>
<p>Neither Bau or Mak are teaching Chem 105a next semester. Mak is teaching Chem 115a (Advanced G-Chem).</p>