<p>Hello. I’m currently a Freshman at UC Davis and I’m an Animal Science major. For my major requirements, I have to take CHEM 8A which is the brief series of organic chemistry. However, I know a lot of vet schools want their applicants to take the 118 series. A lot of people are discouraging me from taking the 118 series, but I want to have more options when I apply to vet school. So my question is, how much harder is the 118 series than the 8 series? SO MANY people tell me that the 118 series is a lot harder than the 8 and to avoid the series because it will bring my GPA down. The only differences I know of are that the 8 series is a two-quarter long series, while the 118 is three-quarter long. Also, 8A is only 2 units while 118ABC are all 4 units. So, I’m just trying to ask, is the material covered that much different that the 118 series is harder? I got an C+ in CHE2A and a B in CHE2B and I’m currently taking CHE2C. So, any suggestions or advice?</p>
<p>PS. I’m thinking of starting the Ochem series next year as a Sophomore. I’ll probably be taking the BIS series along with it and some Animal Sciences classes (41 and 41L) as well as GEs. I’m also thinking of starting the PHY7 series next spring or possible start it before depending on if I can get my required classes or not.
This is just for you guys to know how Ochem will be compared to the other classes I’m taking. Thanks! :)</p>
<p>One of my suitemates and I are animal science majors and we’re both taking the 118 series (my suitemate’s in 118C whereas I’m in 118A, since I decided to take O-chem this quarter, whereas my suitemate started in fall). 118A is probably the easiest of the series. According to my suitemate (who got an A- in 118A and an A+ in 118B–no, she’s not naturally good at chem. She had to study for hours each day in order to grasp the material learned in class and reviews flash cards she makes each day), NMR, which you cover a bit near the end in 118A and is used in 118BC, is the hardest part of the 118 series. It also depends on which professor you take–my suitemate is taking CHE 118 with Lievens, who is supposedly clear and concise with her lectures and has easy exams (but as a consequence of people doing well on her exams, there isn’t much of a curve), whereas I’m taking CHE 118A with Nasiri, who apparently gives hard exams, but curves generously (plus Nasiri has a strong Iranian accent, but she speaks slowly so it’s really easy to take notes as long as you can understand what she’s saying).</p>
<p>BTW, the first 1-2 weeks of 118A is a review of resonance and hybridization, so do NOT forget these concepts from your CHE 2ABC courses!</p>
<p>I’m a biomedical engineering major and would love to know some good (and easy) ge classes to take. Since my major is hard and I’m pre-med too so I’ll have to take extra courses to get into med school, I don’t want my ge classes to be hard as well. It would also help if they are writing experience classes since engineering students have to take 3 of those. Good teacher recommendations would be helpful too!</p>
<p>@ Ryboy: easy GE class to take, huh? How about Animal Science 1 (offered during fall quarter)? The class counts for both SciEng and writing GE credits, and you don’t have to be an Animal Science major to take the class. Also, Dr. Famula is an amazing professor, probably one of the most enthusiastic professors on campus. It’s also really easy to get an A in the class.</p>
<p>Hey, so where does the Organic Chemistry 128 & 129 fall in? </p>
<p>To get into the Pharmacy School I want to get into, they want me to either take: </p>
<p>{General Chemistry with Lab CHE (2A, 2B, 2C) or (2AH, 2BH, 2CH) Labs Included}</p>
<p>&</p>
<p>{Organic Chemistry with Lab CHE (128A, 128B, 128C; 129A, 129B Additional Lab not required) or (118A, 118B, 118C Labs Included)}</p>
<p>And is there a prerequisite to get into CHE 2A? What’s the difference between 2A and 2AH? </p>
<p>I have absolutely no Chemistry experience, what classes/series would you guys recommend? Perhaps, sopranokitty? You’ve always been very informative, lol.</p>
<p>2A is regular General Chemistry, whereas 2AH is Honors General Chemistry, and I believe that is more accelerated and the class size is much smaller. </p>
<p>128 and 129 are primarily for Chem-related majors. [url=<a href="http://daviswiki.org/chemistry]Here’s[/url">http://daviswiki.org/chemistry]Here’s[/url</a>] a hilarious Daviswiki page on the Chemistry courses at UCD from someone who used to be a Chem major at UCD, got her Ph.D in Chemistry, and now does research work at Vanderbilt University. </p>
<p>If you have no Chem experience and pass the Chemistry Placement Exam with a required score, take CHE 2ABC and CHE 118ABC. 128/129 is, I’ve heard, pretty difficult, especially if chemistry isn’t your thing.</p>
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