<p>Anyways, I'm in the boat where I haven't taken chemistry since 10th grade, and even then, I was up and down on the concepts, and managed to finish with a "meh" B. Imagine a student who didn't understand simple compounds such as "ethyl, ketone, alcohol, etc" and how they are composed, etc. I still don't understand the proper way to balance equations or add them, and moles just irritate me altogether.</p>
<p>However I did manage the B, mainly because when it wasn't about math, I was doing very well in Chem. The reasoning side is easy for me, as are explaining its real world application, etc.</p>
<p>SO my question is, for someone who scored a 27 on the Chem self-test, should I still take the 1P (which i'm enrolled in currently) for a refresher (which I hear is quite good, with a great teacher), or should I just straight into 1A?</p>
<p>Edit: I've just enrolled in both 1A and 1P just in case, and plan to drop either one when I come to a firm conclusion.</p>
<p>Phantom, I have this dilemma too (you spelled it correctly! haha).I got a 28 on the placement test…I took honors chem my senior year but passed with only a C+/C. I also had a horrible teacher. I’m not strong in math, and my biggest problems were with stoichiometry, reactions, solutions, etc. I’m not sure if I should take 1P or 1A either, but I’m enrolled in 1A now. Anyone know how fast-paced and in-depth the class is? And is Benjamin a good teacher?</p>
<p>@jamief563 I don’t know how Benjamin is as a professor cuz I didn’t have him. Basically the things you listed were your biggest problems in Chem is covered in Chem 1A. There is also a lot of math involved so for you I would recommend taking Chem 1P.</p>
<p>Yeah I saw that too. I just found out that i got a 44 on my math placement, so i can enroll in math 11A…but theres only one class and its the same time as chem 1A with benjamin. I could take 1A with the worse professor at a different time so i can take math11A, but im hesitant on that cus it seems like he is actually pretty bad. Another dilemma…</p>
<p>Schleich ( who I hear is the other prof teaching 1A) is a horrible professor I would recommend not taking him unless you absolutely have to. You could always try to crash Chem 1P on the first day of class if a spot doesn’t open up.</p>
<p>Just want to remind you all that chem1B is an option too. It’s not any easier than chem1A but it’s an alternative if you have a schedule conflict with chem1A.</p>
<p>I’m not confident with my Chemistry. I could barely answer any of the questions on the Chemistry Online placement exam, let alone be expected to know that information well before entering Chem 1A.</p>
<p>To those who are changing* I heard it’s better to SWAP and not DROP in case classes fill up while you’re trying to switch from 1A<->1P (or any other course at UCSC)!</p>
<p>I’m only dropping courses prior to september, as apparently theres no record of you ever doing so made. I was in such a rush to figure my schedule out that I enrolled/dropped classes like 10 times before I settled on something that I have now.</p>
<p>I’m going to settle with Chemistry 1A. The self-assessment exam highly recommended me to take 1P but it was full even before my orientation. Looks like I’ll have to study up before the quarter begins… Do you guys think I should email the 1A or 1P professor to ask what I should read or prepare for?</p>
<p>I’m actually planning of heading to my highschool late august (when they start) and borrowing some texts from teachers who I have good relations with. Some agreed to let me borrow their texts for college (like my AP Bio teacher, English, etc)</p>
<p>I’m taking 1P, Psych Intro, and I have Psych 80A in my schedule as well, but I’ll probably swap it out for the Core course. I’m thinking it may be too much if I keep 80A in there too, but without it, I only have 13 credits. Oh well. Its fall. Freshman year. I’ll live…I hope.</p>
<p>Just so you all know, AVOID SCHLEICH WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT.
I had him for 1A. While I did pass the class with a B, that was only because I was able to go to about 3-4 TA sections per week and went to all the reviews. If it were not for the amazing TAs, I wouldn’t have passed.
He also makes it a point to fail at least 1/4 of the class. I highly recommend staying as far away from his class as possible.</p>
<p>I’m enrolled in 1A with Schleich, and you guys make him sound pretty bad. Hows Chem
1B? i took AP Chem senior year and regular chem junior year, so i still remember a lot from the class.</p>
<p>Chem 1B i didn’t find it to be too hard. You don’t apply anything that you learned in Chem 1A/Chem 1P in the class hence why I think this year they are allowing students to take it before Chem 1A. Switkes who I believe is teaching it this quarter was a good professor very thorough. The tests are quite tough though but if you go to lecture and discussions you should be fine.</p>
<p>Also I agree with rectangleshorts AVOID SCHLEICH if it is possible he was horrible. I ended up with a B in his class and I think that is only cuz of the TA’s and the fact that I thankfully took Chem 1P before Chem 1A.</p>
<p>I’m going to take Chem 1A with Professor Benjamin. I was highly advised by the online self-assessment exam to take Chem 1P but it filled up. I’d rather not waste my money or time on 1P anyways. Here goes to studying over the summer!</p>
(like my AP Bio teacher, English, etc)</p>