I’m trying to choose courses for this fall (freshman). I’m trying to pursue a premed path, and I’m conflicted between taking general chemistry and bio together and taking just organic chemistry.
Here are some reasons for my conflict:
I heard gen chem isn't that useful? Someone said you don't need it for ochem or any other courses... Someone please clarify ;_;
I heard ochem for freshman (it's a separate class) may be slightly easier...
I heard to definitely NOT to ochem + bio
I heard gen chem and bio are fine separately, but grades plummet when taken together
Only way to avoid 3&4 is to take ochem 1st yr, then bio
And some questions:
Is gen chem useful to take for MCAT? Or can I self-study?
For med schools that require gen chem, does biochem replace that req?
Though common set of courses are recommended from MCAT preparation and to meet AMCAS requirements, each UG college pre-med office expects a set of courses to be done to meet their requirements. So first get that list as your starting point. That will give the specific courses at your school including the course number and what can be met with AP and any restrictions (lab may be needed even if they allow lecture etc)
Do the courses for your own benefits (not to meet any one's requirements). For example, though you got AP Chem and it gets waived, but if you feel you are rusty and would like to do at least 1 semester, do it.
BioChem is never replaced by any thing. It is critical for both MCAT and AMCAS. Mostly it will be a weed out class in most schools.
First complete 2 sems of OChem before jumping to BioChem.
You could certainly self study gen chem, but some med schools have specific course requirements, with no substitutions allowed. This may include gen chem w/ lab. Please check the admissions page of any medical schools you are interested in.
At medical schools that don’t have specific course requirements, if you don’t take gen chem, you will be expected to take 2 semesters of inorganic chemistry (inorganic, analytic, pchem, etc) to demonstrate competency/mastery in inorganic chemistry. Although it varies by school, most colleges will require gen chem (or AP/IB credit equivalent) to take upper level chem classes.
Biochem and gen chem are two completely different areas of chemistry. One cannot substitute for the other.
Gen chem + bio—it depends on your level of HS preparation, time management skills, work ethic, native ability etc.
Gen chem + bio is a very common first year combination, particularly for biology majors because both are pre-reqs for taking upper level major courses needed to graduate on time and/or take the MCAT at the end of junior year.
Advice:
Unless you have already taken college (not AP/IB) chemistry classes, I strongly suggest that you do not take OChem as a freshman. Ochem is a beast because it’s not like any other science class you seen before. You can’t memorize your way through it. OChem labs are also very time consuming–another thing you may want to avoid as a freshmen still adjusting to college.
Scheduling ochem–if you are a science major, you probably won’t be able to avoid taking ochem while you’re taking another science class if you want to graduate in 4 years. That’s just the way your schedule is going to shake out. Many department pages will show a typical year-by-year schedule for majors. Look for it. It might be useful exercise to look at major & college graduation requirements plus med school pre-reqs and draw up a 4 year plan using your college’s course catalog. Make sure you understand what classes have pre-reqs and the proper course sequencing.
During college orientation, there will usually be a meeting for everyone interested in a health profession. Go, listen to the advice for pre-med (and pre-dent, pre-vet, pre-PT, pre-pharm, pre-PA, etc which all have basically the same set of pre-reqs). Also meet your departmental advisor to review your schedule.
Seems like the general consensus is to just take gen chem… And I feel like it’s safer that way since I don’t know which med schools I want to apply to yet. And I heard horror stories about pchem too xD;;
The way OCHEM is taught in every college should be revised. OCHEM isn’t bad. Only good reason why you hear horror stories is becaaue premeds hype that course.
^^Or maybe the pre-reqs for Ochem. Physics (in particular 2nd semester physics that cover topics in atomic theory, particles, and baby quantum atomic models) make understanding Ochem so much easier
@WayOutWestMom the only pre-reps for organic chemistry is general chemistry 1 and 2. Some background of physics may help when you are talking about stereochemistry. But the main problem with OCHEM is the amount of reactions you need to learn. Also the mechanisms which takes a lot of time if you don’t understand where the curve arrow are going.
If OP took physics 2, organic chemistry still won’t be a cake walk.
As far as grades my son and lots of his friends took Bio and Chem I first semester and Chem II and Physics I second semester and got A’s on all 4! You can do it!
Organic chemistry is an “aptitude test”. As pointed out above, students need to learn reactions, but the exam questions won’t be in the book. (that is why some folks just don’t get it) This is one the courses students do need a good professor. It is best to take at least one general chemistry course with lab to adjust to the pace of college level chemistry before taking orgo I. A orgo problem set could take you 5 to 6 hours.
