<p>Hey everyone, I've been working on my plan for the rest of my time here at Berkeley, and I have a few questions aimed towards Biology majors and others who have taken the full organic chemistry sequence (both 3A/3AL-3B/3BL or 112A-B are fine), and/or MCB 102 (or Chem 135). </p>
<p>So, just a bit of background. I'm a ChemE finishing up my first year at Cal, and for my long term future, I'm really interested in working/researching in the area of biofuels (my current research is on artificial photosynthesis). Accordingly, the biotechnology concentration (which requires taking Chem 112B and MCB 102, both of which are not normally taken by ChemE's) is what interests me most.</p>
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<li><p>I'm taking Chem 112A this fall (2011) as a sophomore, but I probably will not be able to take Chem 112B in Spring 2012, because taking it with ChemE 141, 150A, and E7 sounds like a nightmare. So i was wondering if it would be okay to take Chem 112B the following Spring (2013), a full year after taking 112A. Is this too long of a gap between O-Chem classes? Do I need to remember everything from 112A perfectly to succeed in 112B? It's fine to answer from the perspective of 3A-3B if that's what you've taken. Also, I really enjoyed General Chemistry (Chem 4A-4B), if that matters.</p></li>
<li><p>The concentration requires that I take MCB 102 (or Chem 135) in place of Bio 1A (most ChemE's take Bio 1A). I have a 5 on AP Biology, but I'm wondering if MCB 102 is doable without having taken Biology 1A? The College of Chemistry guide seems to suggest that this is acceptable, but I'd like to hear from people that have taken this class. </p></li>
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<p>Sorry this is kind of long, but I wanted to explain my situation pretty thoroughly. Thanks so much in advance.</p>
<p>What is up with people asking about 102 without 1a? There’s already like 4 questions asking the same exact thing. The recommendation is that you don’t do it or else you’ll be at a disadvantage. Personally, 1a wasn’t too terrible so if you got time, might as well take it.</p>
<p>Well the reason people are probably asking is because the College of Chemistry guide explicitly says that Biotechnology concentrators should take MCB 102 “IN PLACE OF” Bio 1A. It’s a little odd for the university to recommend skipping prerequisites, which is why I asked.</p>
<p>If you’re familiar with DNA replication, transcription/translation, macromolecules, etc you won’t REALLY need Bio 1A. Just review your Campbell book and you should be fine. Do you have to take Bio 1AL? If not, then just take Bio 1A lecture instead of MCB 102 since lecture’s pretty easy.</p>
<p>batman, just know that I was the first to do it in this cycle. More to come in future years I’m sure. </p>
<p>Coming from the 3A and 3B side, I don’t think a year is too big of a gap for ochem classes. There wasn’t that much to really remember (like not much SN2/SN1, elimination, solvent stuff). It was much more mechanism based instead of reaction memorization.</p>
<p>Haha okay. But notice how I did say the recommendation not my recommendation because like I said 1a wasn’t too bad. I didn’t really feel like I learned that much but then again I had a beastly AP bio class</p>
<p>It sounds like taking Bio 1A (or understanding Bio 1A material) is pretty useful/important for MCB 102, but does anybody know about Chem 135? I would guess that the emphasis in that class would be more on organic chemistry and less on biology concepts like DNA replication, which would probably suit me more. But I’m not sure.</p>
<p>You really don’t need Bio1A for Chem 135. Just a good solid background of organic chemistry from 112B. You can learn the bio background on your own in that class.</p>
<p>singh, sorry to take this off topic a bit but what concentrations are there for ChemE? I couldn’t find them online.</p>