<p>Hilary, neither Chemistry class with “protect” your first semester GPA. Chem 31L goes at a slower pace but there are 500 other kids you’re competing against. Chem 43L covers more topics more quickly (e.g. biochem/some organic) but it’s only a 160 person class. From what I understand, in both classes, it’s tough to get an A (I know that Chem 43L had only about 20 A’s last semester), but Chem 43 is also curved a bit higher than 31. It’s curved to about a B as opposed to 31, which is curved to B-/C+.</p>
<p>For an AP Chem score of 5, I would recommend chem 43 because 31 would be (for the lack of a better word) too boring. </p>
<p>I was in the same situation freshmen year and took chem 23 (the past rough equivalent of 43). I was also a 31 TA last semester and was glad I didn’t take the equivalent of that course when i had to choose.</p>