Are these CHEM courses too much to take?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of taking multiple chemistry courses in a single academic year while also managing additional biology courses. Participants explore the challenges associated with course load, particularly focusing on lab requirements and the perceived difficulty of each chemistry course.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether taking Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry, Introductory Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry I, Introductory Organic Chemistry I, and Introductory Organic Chemistry II in the same year is too much, especially alongside four biology courses.
  • Another participant asks which of the chemistry courses include lab components.
  • It is noted that four of the chemistry courses have lab components, which may increase the workload significantly.
  • Participants express varying opinions on the difficulty of each course, with one describing Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry as "HELL" and Introductory Physical Chemistry as "easy." Inorganic Chemistry I is described as "meh," while Introductory Organic Chemistry I is considered "easy" and Introductory Organic Chemistry II as "hard."
  • One participant emphasizes that labs consume a lot of time, regardless of their perceived difficulty, and suggests that students should consult chemistry professors about the feasibility of the course load.
  • A participant mentions the importance of managing time effectively, particularly with lab reports and homework from other classes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the difficulty of the chemistry courses and the impact of lab work on overall workload. There is no consensus on whether the proposed course load is manageable, with some suggesting it is doable while others highlight potential challenges.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not reached a consensus on the feasibility of the course load, and there are varying opinions on the difficulty of the courses and the time commitment required for labs.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering a heavy course load in chemistry and biology, as well as those seeking advice on managing lab work alongside theoretical coursework.

BioCore
Hi,

I was wondering if studying these CHEM courses all in the same year would be too much for a person that is studying Biotechnology, and thus I am taking 4 other Biology courses with another needed humanities credit.

The CHEM courses are:
  1. Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry
  2. Introductory Physical Chemistry
  3. Inorganic Chemistry I
  4. Introductory Organic Chemistry I
  5. Introductory Organic Chemistry II

Now (1), (3), and (4) are in the same semester and the other two are in the next semester. Is this though still too tough to take in the same year or is possible to obtain a good grade, which is somewhere in the range of 80%+? Or am I just being way too foolish?
 
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Which classes have labs?
 
That would be:
1. Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry
2. Introductory Physical Chemistry
3. Inorganic Chemistry I
4. Introductory Organic Chemistry II

Looking at the the timetable for my school, these courses all have PRACTICAL times which are Lab times in this case. I am also taking 4 BIO courses in which one of them has labs and the other is pure lab course.
 
[*]Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry
- this course is HELL

[*]Introductory Physical Chemistry
- easy

[*]Inorganic Chemistry I
-meh, not too bad

[*]Introductory Organic Chemistry I
-easy

[*]Introductory Organic Chemistry II
-hard


... so that's 3.5 labs in a year. And physical chem labs aren't really labs. Yes, this is doable. But you will be at your desk often typing the reports. If you have to drop one, make it analytical. Its definitely the hardest.
 
I took analytical and organic chemistry, and I agree with Howers that analytical is the most difficult lab.

But what you should realize about labs is that they just eat up your time - even the easy ones. I didn't find organic particularly difficult but the labs can't be rushed, and if you're in lab you don't have time to do homework from other classes.

You really should ask a couple chemistry department professors if your plan is feasible.
 
I will see if I can make an appointment with my program advisor as he is also part of the Chemistry department.
 

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