<p>In high school, I took 3 years of biology and two years of physics (bio freshman, sophomore, and junior years and physics junior and senior year) because chemistry wouldn't fit into my schedule (physics and biology were both two year courses - my freshman year bio was a school science requirement). I want to be some sort of science major in college and realize this will most likely entail taking at least 1 chemistry class. However, I've never taken chemistry before and every chemistry 101-type course at every college I've applied assumes a knowledge of high school chemistry. How far behind in classes will I be if I've never formally learned what an acid or a base is?</p>
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Most introductory chemistry courses wouldn’t assume this knowledge. They usually assume knowledge of other stuff such as stoichiometry. There should be a some sort of a preparatory course in chemistry basics for students who haven’t taken high school chemistry. Note that not all science majors requirements call for a chemistry class though (though this depends on the school of course).</p>
<p>Introduction classes start at the beginning, but more advanced chem classes, like organic or general, will assume that you know chemistry.</p>
<p>I took an introduction class as my chemistry elective for nursing school… It was terrible. It is probably due to the fact that I had a mean teacher, but, nonetheless, it was very hard. I had some pre-med friends taking organic chemistry last semester and I was shocked how they could even pass.</p>
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Not true at all schools.
My intro chem class expected people to know how to balance redox equations… but WashU chemistry is a bit brutal.</p>
<p>to be honest, not taking high school chem might be a challenge for you in college level classes. I would take the lowest level chem they offer first. Do not, I repeat do not jump into the year long general chem series first, because without any prior knowledge of chem it will be a very difficult year. </p>
<p>If you can, I would even suggest taking a low level intro Chem class at a Community college. Professors there tend to go slower at explaining the material.</p>
<p>Definitely look into tutoring, or any services that chem TAs might offer. Generally all you need to know is in the textbook, and you would just need to practice with homework or problems from the text. Relating everything you learn is super helpful as well.</p>
<p>It depends on how quick you take to science courses and how good you are at algebra. I would getting a basic review book over summer and just scanning over it then take an introductory course at your school. Or even checkout Khanacademy or MITOCW for chemistry lectures to see how you feel about it.</p>
<p>I got a 99% in my high school chem class and a perfect on the science part of the ACT and I still struggled in college chem 101.</p>
<p>I would say you might have to put a lot more effort into chem than your other classes because you’ve never taken it before. I would try to learn a little beforehand however best you learn - with a book, a tutor, an online class, anything. It helps so much if you’re even a bit familiar with the material and you’ll pick things up more quickly.</p>
<p>Its nothing you can’t learn enough of on your own over the summer. There are free classes you can watch on ItunesU, you can get a HS textbook from your local library, the Teaching Company has a nice HS-level course (expensive unless you get it on sale or borrow from a local library), etc.</p>
<p>I would definitely self study or take a summer class. Otherwise you will be at a disadvantage.</p>
<p>If your college’s course catalog lists the first general chemistry course as having high school chemistry as a prerequisite, it would be a good idea to self-study some high school level chemistry over the summer if that course is required for your major.</p>
<p>My school’s chemistry classes for science majors are weeder courses. Totally do-able but you have to put a lot of work into them if you don’t have a background in chem. I was in a similar situation as you (my chem teacher just handed up a book and let us do whatever) and I did alright in my gen chem/into to chem class. If you go to office hours, use the book, and check out sites like Khan Academy you can get through it.</p>
<p>^I second Humanoid. </p>
<p>Chemistry classes, especially Chemistry classes directed for nursing majors, are weeding classes. Our chem class was directed for nursing majors. Pretty much are whole class (all 15 of us) worked together and we all passed with a C. The people that couldn’t handle chem just changed majors or transferred out to other universities. </p>
<p>I think our nursing dean did this for the very reason of weeding us out. For pre-nursing, they “strongly recommend” in the schedule for us take Chemistry and Microbiology the first year. </p>
<p>After that class, most student changed to physical therapy majors! lol</p>