<p>i have heard chem3b and bio1a are two of the toughest lower-division courses at berkeley.</p>
<p>why? is it the course material that's hard? or is it the labs that are hard? or what?</p>
<p>thanks, hoping to get some insight so i'm better prepared before i take these classes next year.</p>
<p>^
I might take both same time.. but i may not.</p>
<p>I took both at the same time. It's doable as long as you stay on top of things and take easy classes with it (not more than one other course).</p>
<p>Chem 3B has a lot of rxns to memorize but you need to be able to apply all of it together. It's slightly different from Chem 3A but requires the same sort of thinking. A lot more reactions, less stereochemistry stuff. The labs are less tedious than 3AL, you run full rxns.</p>
<p>Bio 1A is not too difficult. It is Bio1AL that is REALLY hard, BUT there is a generous curve depending on how well your section does. The lab exams are hard and the quizzes vary depending on GSI. Mike Meighan does a good job accounting for differences between GSI difficulty but you should not rely on that alone to succeed. It requires a tremendous amount of memorization, hard work, and understanding to do well in the course.</p>
<p>stly has it right. I am taking both right now. It's doable if you are a hard worker. There is just so much pre-lab reading and worksheets for both 3Bl and 1Al. </p>
<p>Bio 1A lecture is fine... if you liked Bio 1B, it is no different. You'll get roughly the same grade for roughly the same amount of work as in 1b.</p>
<p>Chem 3B is pattern recognition. Once you understand how certain mechanisms work, the rest of the reactions you encounter follow easily recognizable trends. You won't need flashcards to memorize things for this class (unlike bio 1al).</p>
<p>Chem 3bl is just a lot of NMR. You'll have to get it down well, but the course is very forgiving. You don't have to point-grub in that class to get your A.</p>
<p>Bio 1Al is the monster you'll have to conquer. The lab lectures are very brief and you have to do a lot of supplementary reading and work outside of the assigned work to get a good enough understanding of the topic. Labs aren't difficult; the conceptual quizzes can be a pain though. Watch out for Helen and Christian!</p>
<p>In sum, bio 1a/l and chem 3b/l actually work pretty well together because while bio is memorization-based, chem 3b is conceptual and pattern-based (there's only so many ways reactions can happen in nature). I suggest taking chem 3b/l and bio 1a/l in the Spring if you are going to double up because Chem 3b with Pedersen is great. It's working out wonderfully for me right now.</p>
<p>Just advice from someone doing the deadly duo right now. Don't overload yourself and good luck!</p>
<p>Also, I found it really helpful to work with a friend, you can quiz each other, work together on the hard material, etc. .. we both ended up with A's in Bio 1A/1AL and Chem 3B/3BL - so it is totally possible to do well.</p>
<p>In retrospect, those classes were not that hard.</p>
<p>Only Bio 1AL required a lot of work since you're constantly learning a ton of material. To complicate things even further, you're usually doing parts of different labs in the same week.</p>
<p>But Bio 1A should be straightforward. Chem 3B should be allright if you keep in the general logic of chemistry, such as electron pushing, polarity, and whatnot. Things should all be logical, so it really comes down to your core understanding. Finally, Chem 3BL is just a waste of time. Follow directions and learn some NMR from your GSI if you don't already know it. It shouldn't be too difficult.</p>
<p>How would chem 3b/l bio 1a/l ib131 and math 16b sound... ? a bit too much? should i push back 16b.. until like summer or something?</p>
<p>IB 131 and Math 16B should be fairly easy so your schedule sounds manageable. However, that's really heavy on the sciences... I know I would want more balance.. it's really up to you and your preferences. As far as I know, math isn't all that important to finish early... neither is IB 131.</p>
<p>People keep getting scared that Diamond is going to retire, so a lot of people try to take 131 AEAP (e=early) out of fear.</p>
<p>Yeah, I'm one of them... she's like 85 by now or something...</p>
<p>Is IB131 like a really hard class with lots of memorization?</p>
<p>That is 131L.
131 is easy as ****</p>
<p>Is it required/recommended to take Bio 1A-1B or Chem 1A before IB131? It says that on the catalog and I have taken neither, but I'm interested in anatomy!</p>
<p>hmm im not that good at math...though im doing bad with woodin 16a right now</p>
<p>You don't need to have taken anything to get an A in IB 131. You just need to attend her review session.</p>
<p>^..
i dont even have to read or go to lecture? danngg.</p>