<p>Hmm ok. The chem sequence seems kind of awkward then, if freshmen are supposed to take chem 43L first semester.</p>
<p>is there any benefit to taking Chem 151 freshman year…like is the freshman section of orgo easier or harder than normal orgo 1? Thanks</p>
<p>plumdum: I agree, it’s really awkward. Personally, I took chem 23 first semester then took a break and started the orgo sequence fall sophomore year so that I wouldn’t have to deal with it. </p>
<p>jko: the first semester freshmen section is curved a little higher or so I hear. But then again, you are in a class with gunner premed freshmen so I’m sure that curve is needed.</p>
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<p>It’s not too bad. A lot of students do it. I, personally, went straight to orgo. But I have a good number of friends who took Chem 43 in the fall, 151 in the spring, and then 152 either the next fall or in summer term I.</p>
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<p>The benefit is a better curve (instead of a B-, it’s curved to a B. Whoop-de-do…). Even though I enjoyed 151, I do agree that it is VERY intense. The people you’ll be in class with will be some of the most studious and intelligent, meaning that it will be competitive. It’s not competitive in the sense that people try to hurt others’ grades/steal model kids/other stuff you hear at other schools, but competitive in the sense that you’ll be studying a lot because everyone is just so damn smart. Many of the international students take 151 first semester, and this is unfortunate for US students because many internationals (Koreans, British, and Singaporeans for example) take orgo in high school; they already have a background and will likely blow you out of the water if you’re not expecting it.</p>
<p>If either of the following apply to you, I’d suggest taking either chemistry 31 or 43 first:</p>
<p>a) is not a HUGE strength
b) you would only be taking chemistry if you’re pre-med are you NOT positive that you will remain pre-med
c) you don’t like chemistry
d) you aren’t sure how to study in college
e) you are scared of transitioning into the demanding academics of Duke</p>
<p>Feel free to ask about any chemistry stuff btw. I love chemistry hehe :)</p>
<p>haha alright eatsalot here goes:</p>
<p>1) For someone who took chem 1 as a sophomore in high school and doesn’t remember much at all but has taken three years of calculus, would you recommend chem 23 or 31L? would you recommend to taking it first semester freshman year and then orgo second semester freshman year?</p>
<p>2) If I take orgo I second semester freshman year like most people do, would that make orgo 2 first semester sophomore year pretty tough? I’m only asking because SBR just made a good point about being able to retain the information, and the 3 months over the summer, the last thing that I’ll want to do is study organic chemistry…</p>
<p>3) is there really any point to chem 32L if it comes after a semester of a hard 31L course and two semesters of organic chemistry? Do people only take it because some med schools require 2 semesters of inorganic chemistry? Would the Biochem 227 course constitute as an “inorganic chem” class, or it would not because it doesn’t have a lab component?</p>
<p>hope these questions are enough, and you’re not “chem’ed” out haha</p>
<p>Do any Duke students know when then details will be available for the recently approved Biophysics major? It sounds quite interesting.</p>
<p>I’m not eatsalot, but I think I can help.</p>
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<p>31L. 23 is for noobs. Actually, I would recommend Organic Chemistry 1st semester of Freshman year if you have the ability to take it. The improved curve from a B- –> B is actually quite noticeable in the final grade distribution. Plus, Organic Chemistry requires little to no knowledge of general chemistry to progress (just make sure you know your hybridization, bonding, some acid/base, and some thermodynamics), which you can easily pick up as you go. </p>
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<p>No, Duke Orgo 2 (at least under my professor) only required some previous knowledge of Orgo 1. You will not be directly tested on material from Orgo 1, but rather some basic concepts will show up that will be required to solve Orgo 2 problems (i.e SN1/SN2 chemistry, acidity/basicity) and perhaps the most basic reactions (like, can you do rxns of alcohols?). There is absolutely no need to restudy Orgo 1 material if you did decently in the class. </p>
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<p>I’m pretty sure most schools require lab with the inorganic requirement; however, since Duke does not offer lab with 227, you kinda have to take 2 semesters of inorganic chemistry if you want to be apply to all medical schools. At Duke, Chem 32 and 31 would fulfill the “1 year of inorganic chemistry requirement”. However, if you decide not to do so, you can take any number of upper level chemistry courses in lieu of one or both of the classes (i.e p-chem).</p>
<p>okay, so I too have a question about orgo. I want to take it freshman year, and I know its a hard class, so I was thinking I’d get a head start on studying it over the summer. What’s are some good books/websites/etc to use to teach myself orgo?</p>
<p>Can’t go wrong with OpenCourseWare…</p>
<p>[MIT</a> OpenCourseWare | Chemistry | 5.12 Organic Chemistry I, Spring 2003 | Home](<a href=“http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Chemistry/5-12Organic-Chemistry-ISpring2003/CourseHome/index.htm]MIT”>http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Chemistry/5-12Organic-Chemistry-ISpring2003/CourseHome/index.htm)
[MIT</a> OpenCourseWare | Chemistry | 5.13 Organic Chemistry II, Fall 2003 | Home](<a href=“http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Chemistry/5-13Fall2003/CourseHome/index.htm]MIT”>http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Chemistry/5-13Fall2003/CourseHome/index.htm)</p>
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<p>Organic Chemistry as a Second Language. It doesn’t really explain the theory that well, but it will give you a ton of practice problems. If you really really really want to learn organic chemistry, buy Loudon 5th edition (the book that the Duke orgo uses) and do chapters 1-14 (which is orgo 1)</p>
<p>Thank you! Any chance of the orgo textbook being changed for next year before I invest in a $100 book?</p>
<p>It’s been the same for at least the past 4-5 years, I doubt it’ll all of a sudden change unless a new edition comes out. Even then, given the size of the used books market for this title in particular, the old edition will probably still be acceptable anyway.</p>
<p>This is not so much about Duke as it is about research in general, but I thought some of the people here might be able to answer anyways…</p>
<p>Is it important to do research or get an internship the summer before you begin college? I did not contact the place I interned at last year because I thought I would be traveling for most of the summer, but it turns out that I will have a good portion of the summer free because I actually won’t be gone for that long. I think it’s too late to contact the place now, and I feel really stupid about this because it would have been so easy to do. Some other people I know are interning over the summer, but I’ve also talked to people who basically say not to worry about it because supposedly nobody cares what you do the summer after senior year anyways.</p>
<p>Sooo that was a really circuitous route to my ultimate question. Anyways, my question is, would it put me at a disadvantage down the road when I apply to med school to not be doing research this summer, even if I plan to find research positions in college? I would really appreciate your opinion especially if you’re pre-med!</p>
<p>Also, I think I may have asked this before, though I don’t quite remember whether I did or not… is it possible to start research at Duke as early as first semester, or are you only allowed to start second semester?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>lol, tainted, settle. “Would it have been advantageous in applying to medical school if I started researching the womb while I’m still in it? I thought I was going to come out premature, but now it looks as if I’m stuck in here for another trimester. I’m getting sick of swimming around in this crap without any benefit to my resume!”</p>
<p>You’re playing the game just a little too hard.</p>
<p>Hahaha thanks. I’m usually not that crazy, I swear. Just got a little nervous after hearing like 5 people today talk about where they were interning this summer. Your response did make me laugh. :D</p>
<p>My last question about whether you can start research as early as first semester freshman year still stands, though. Not because I’m ruthlessly overcompetitive, but because I like research and would love to start it as soon as possible. :)</p>
<p>took chem 43, hated it. Just a harder 31. If you got a 5 on the AP like I did, they kick you out of 31 into 43 or 151. I regret not taking 151 instead. Of course everyone was complaining about how hard it was throughout the entire year, but I think it’s better to get it out of the way freshman year</p>
<p>I have a couple small questions: </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Do flex points carry over year to year? How much is a good amount to start with?</p></li>
<li><p>What exactly does it mean to be a Cameron Crazy? Does it just mean that the more games you go to the more points you get? And with those points you can get free stuff?</p></li>
<li><p>What are some things you saw a lot of people bring but not use? </p></li>
<li><p>Do I need a minifridge/microwave? Do all freshman dorms have a little kitchen with a fridge and microwave and stove?</p></li>
<li><p>Does the library have good movies/music to rent?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>And thanks in advance!</p>
<p>@memaid:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Yes they do. I started out with $100 last year, and it was enough for laundry, the occasional event ticket, and some food when I ran out of food points (I might have added about $30 at the end of the year). Some people probably start out with less and add them as they go. </p></li>
<li><p>Cameron Crazie is really just what the students who go to basketball games call themselves (due mostly to the blue face paint and crazy screaming). You don’t get points or free stuff or anything (just bragging rights when your team wins the National Championship!). However, there is something called Duke Inferno. You pay maybe $40 at the beginning of the year and get a free t-shirt, and if you go to enough sporting events (generally not basketball games), you get Inferno swipes that lead to free stuff and hopefully earn your money back. You can Google it to learn more. </p></li>
<li><p>Clothes! Probably more for girls than guys, but I brought SO many clothes that I didn’t end up wearing ever. General rule: if you don’t wear it at home, you probably won’t wear it at school. People also bring things like books to read for “fun” and don’t get around to actually reading them. </p></li>
<li><p>I loved having a minifridge just to store drinks and Marketplace leftovers (we didn’t have a microwave and were always able to use someone else’s if we wanted popcorn, etc). If you do get a minifridge: buy it! Don’t rent it through Duke! Renting it for one year is more expensive than buying one that you can use for many years. Yes, each dorm does have a kitchen with a fridge/microwave/stove. I probably wouldn’t trust storing my food in there, but who knows. </p></li>
<li><p>Not sure about music, but Lilly Library has a GREAT supply of DVDs that you can rent for free. Definitely didn’t take enough advantage of it last year.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>tainted, haha, yeah that has a tendency to happen at Duke in general and with freshmen in particular. Try not to get too caught up in it all…it’s mostly just games and a lot of hype. As far as researching your first semester, I’m not really sure what you mean by “research”. There are tons of different opportunities to do research in tons of different fields in tons of different ways. I’m sure there is no university policy stipulating that you can’t do any research whatsoever your first semester. I’d say just try to look for specific opportunities you’d be interested in and then see what kind of requirements they have.</p>
<p>Mermaid, I second bluedevil13’s answers. #3 is a great question. Pack light and remember Up in the Air!!! “What’s in your backpack???” (especially if you’re flying. if driving, you have a little more wiggle room, but try not to overwhelm your roommate!)</p>