<p>Molecular biology major, aspiring forensic scientist, kite enthusiast.
I got a 3 on the AP Chem exam, had a private chem tutor a couple years back, and have even considered changing my major to chemistry. I got an e-mail today convincing me to take Honors Chem, and one of the very persuasive points was that I could study forensics in 6CH. The only problem is that I am a very lazy man who's afraid of getting killed by the competition. So should I?</p>
<p>doing well in the honors sequence isn't even that relevant to how much you love chemistry; it's how much of a theory-oriented mind you have. the curve is higher but the "kind" of studying you'll be doing in 6honors isn't even related to basic chemistry principles. with a 3 on the AP, i think you'd benefit more from taking the regular series, and if you still feel a void in a year or two from not taking it, the pchem series (126/127 or 131/132/133) will fix that up in a jiffy.</p>
<p>out of curiosity, would you mind PM-ing me the email you got encouraging you to take 6honors? i'm still pretty close to the chem department and am interested in what they deem "worthy" in that series.</p>
<p>Thanks for the forward. Never before have I heard of the chemistry department needing to "sell" themselves like this -- enrollment for my 6AH class was around 90-100 students, by the time 6CH rolled around, it was less than half of that.</p>
<p>Dr. H. is by no means lying in that email -- he's the professor, I respect him a lot, and he's well-justified in the reasons he offers for taking the honors sequence. But I'm convinced that the large majority of freshmen aren't ready for such a "thinking" class and could benefit much more from building a solid foundation in general chemistry than exploring how equations came to be the way they are. A strong foundation in ANY subject is essential for building upon it with upper-division specialties. I dropped out of the honors sequence after 6AH, and have never regretted doing so.</p>
<p>Anyway, the only forensic scientist I know is my friend Jamie, who just started grad school for that in Michigan last year. She took the regular series and did just fine. Rarely it's a class that will pique your interest and set the course for your future -- Jamie got an internship at the SD Police Dept's Crime Lab, which I daresay was more influential and interesting than any lecture could have been.</p>
<p>Good luck -- I wouldn't waste my time with the honors sequence, but the decision's entirely yours. :)</p>
<p>true! prof cohen gives an intro to forensics in 6ch</p>