How hard is chemistry at Duke?

<p>The last (and only) time I took it was honors chem in 10th grade, and I hardly remember anything. Are most students in the general chem classes for freshmen going to be like me, or will most be former AP Chem students? I'm just wondering whether general chem is taught based on the assumption that many students have a somewhat-solid chem background...</p>

<p>I had the same background you do. Don't worry about gen chem. It's pretty straightforward. Most of those who have AP credit or have taken the AP course will take the accelerated course or go straight into organic chemistry</p>

<p>what about those who already have taken AP chem but didn't do very well in the class (but a 4 on the AP test)</p>

<p>I mean, it's totally up to you. You can accept the credit or you can choose to start back at the beginning.</p>

<p>Personally, I think that if you feel at all competent in chemistry, that you don't waste your time in 21 and 22. Take accelerated chem. I had a friend who didn't take the AP test and who had only taken a year of chem who asked the chem dept if he could move up even though he didn't have the credentials, and they said it was fine as long as he knew he could transfer out if it got too hard for him. He ended up pulling off an A.</p>

<p>Meanwhile I wasted an entire year in general chemistry, and couldn't motivate myself for two full semesters.</p>

<p>But that's just my take. To each his own.</p>

<p>I agree completely. I hadn't taken chem since my sophomore year as well...and since I wasn't confident at all I did 21 and 22. I'm really glad I did it, but as soon as I got the hang out taking the tests and whatnot it was nothing. If you don't remember much I would say that's the way to go.</p>

<p>Of course, if you have taken AP, see if you can take a look at the book or something...gauge what you know...and whatever you decide to take feel it out for the first few days and consider switching during drop/add if you think you can handle 23 or really need to be in 21. Of course, I'd highly lean towards 23 because, like seahorse said, it's nice to have it just over and done wtith because it does feel like sort of a waste, even for a chem major.</p>

<p>Thanks...one more question:
How killer are the curves in Chem 21 and 22?</p>

<p>I believe both are curved to a B. That means that if you want an A, you have to be scoring about a standard deviation above the average (probably a little more). </p>

<p>The curves suck if you're going for an A, basically. My suggestion is to not skip lectures unless you're sick so that you make sure that you always have the current material on your mind.</p>

<p>23 is curved to a B-/C+ or as Dr. Toone told us,</p>

<p>50% get A/B and 50% get C/Ds.</p>