Preparing for University: Is Chemistry Necessary for Physics?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the necessity of chemistry for students planning to study physics at university, particularly in the context of preparing for a degree in astrophysics or theoretical physics. Participants explore the relevance of high school chemistry in relation to university physics courses and the impact of prior chemistry knowledge on academic performance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about the importance of chemistry for physics, questioning whether it is necessary to take in high school given their tight schedule.
  • Another participant mentions that general chemistry is a requirement at their school and suggests that chemistry helps in understanding topics like thermodynamics and electromagnetism in physics.
  • A different reply indicates that while chemistry is not required for admission, students will likely encounter general chemistry courses at university, and it may be beneficial to review high school material before these classes.
  • One participant argues that chemistry classes can significantly aid in understanding physics, although they criticize the quality of introductory chemistry education.
  • Another response reinforces the idea that if chemistry is not a prerequisite for admission, students can focus on other subjects and take chemistry at university instead.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying opinions on the necessity of high school chemistry for physics studies. Some believe it is beneficial, while others argue that it is not essential for admission or initial success in university physics.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the effectiveness of chemistry education may vary, and assumptions about prior knowledge can differ between high school and university courses.

downtime91
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Going off to university :)

Hello everyone, I was browsing through the internet, and came upon this forum in hope you guys can lend me a hand :)! In the following year il be applying to university, and going to apply to physics. Now most of the university requirements recommend chemistry, but you don't need it to get accepted. Now I have a very tight work schedule, due to events that happened earlier in the year. I have come to ask, how important is chemistry in university physics? Is it a must I take it in high school? or pay more attention to advance functions and calculus, and physics?
Note: I hope to go into astrophysics, or theoretical
I know I literally just joined, but I hope that's not an issue, had no where else to really go for advice :(
 
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for any degree gen chem is a req at my school. and I would say that chem would help you fill in the gaps when it comes to thermo and elec and mag. and other subjects like these in physics. I have a friend that took quite a few chems before physics and he said if he hadn't taken chem he wouldn't have gotten a's in physics. but you may be different.
 
downtime91 said:
Hello everyone, I was browsing through the internet, and came upon this forum in hope you guys can lend me a hand :)! In the following year il be applying to university, and going to apply to physics. Now most of the university requirements recommend chemistry, but you don't need it to get accepted. Now I have a very tight work schedule, due to events that happened earlier in the year. I have come to ask, how important is chemistry in university physics? Is it a must I take it in high school? or pay more attention to advance functions and calculus, and physics?
Note: I hope to go into astrophysics, or theoretical
I know I literally just joined, but I hope that's not an issue, had no where else to really go for advice :(

If you didn't do it, and it isn't required for admission then you're fine. You will likely do some general chem classes at university. When you enroll in these chem classes it might be a good idea to read through the text and look up any information that is assumed to be known from high school--which isn't a whole lot in my experience.
 
Chem classes really help with physics. It's a shame chemistry is taught so badly at the introductory level.
 
Student100 said:
If you didn't do it, and it isn't required for admission then you're fine. You will likely do some general chem classes at university. When you enroll in these chem classes it might be a good idea to read through the text and look up any information that is assumed to be known from high school--which isn't a whole lot in my experience.

+1.0

Take chem at university -- no need to spend time on it beforehand, IMO.

Welcome to the PF, BTW :smile:
 
Thank you for the welcome :)! And thanks for all the replies really means a lot getting feedback, considering I was receiving none before hand!
 

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