Will taking Organic Chemistry help me in the future? My major is Meteorology and I only need ONE chemistry course. I’m planning on taking Chem 2 over the summer. My goal is to specialized in Atmospheric Science. As of now, I’m doing good in chem 1!
Which direction are you headed with Meteorology? If you looking at agriculture- or ecosystem-related aspects, then chances are you will need a boatload of biology classes somewhere down the line, and both O Chem and Bio Chem will be necessary.
My goal direction is atmospheric chemistry.
Then you need to find out which chem classes are pre-reqs for the ones you will need for your degree. Chances are that you will need organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry at some point along the way.
Inorganic and materials chemistry would appear to be the important upper-level chemistry course for a student interested in meteorology. I cannot think of a reason for you to take organic chemistry at this time.
Thank you, I will be visiting UAlbany this Tuesday! I will upadte this thread on what I know! Is Inorganic more like general chemistry?
Inorganic chemistry is “like” general chemistry in that a general/principles class will serve as its prerequisite. However, this is also true for organic chemistry.
Good luck with your visit to Albany and let us know what you learn there.
Usually general chemistry is a prerequisite for organic. If you go online and check the course catalog for SUNY Albany I believe you will find that to be the case.
Most people find inorganic chemistry much easier than organic because of its logical and predictable rules and structures. Organic involves lots of memorization and exceptions, which eventually become logical with experience, but are initially problematic.
^ My understanding as well. OChem can be a grade killer.
An Atmospheric Chemistry undergraduate program I found requires organic chemistry (http://www.atmos.washington.edu/academics/undergrads/chem.shtml). A course in atmospheric chemistry I found (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) indicates its prerequisites are organic chemistry “or equivalent or permission of instructor.”
Hydrocarbons (organic molecules) have a significant role in atmospheric chemistry (http://www.eolss.net/sample-chapters/c06/e6-13-02-07.pdf).
@jjwinkle thank you so much. At least I won’t be taking it for nothing. I got to check with Albany tomorrow
Update: So I visited Albany, I never thought I liked it. So when the moment comes of me picking Penn State or Albany will be the hardest choice. I love both. I also talked about my goal been atmospheric chemistry. He said It would be best to either major or minor in chemistry.
Great! So who’s “he?” Did you arrange for a discussion with a professor?
No I haven’t yet, Hopefully I will do that when I go back in the fall. The ‘he’ is an Instructional Support Specialist who helped and look at how the classroom sizes are. He helped me and answer all my questions!