Which chemistry should I take?

[funeralcrasher]

I need to take Chemistry for my degree, but I've never had it before. Should I start with the Survey of Chemistry course, or Principles of Chemistry?

Survey of Chemistry:
Prerequisites: Exit or exemption from Learning Support
mathematics and exit or exemption from Learning Support
reading or all ESL requirements except ENSL 0091.
Co-requisite: CHEM 1151L
This course is intended for students in physical education,
business, humanities, social sciences, and allied health
(Nursing or Dental Hygiene) planning to pursue baccalaureate
degrees. The primary topics covered are measurements,
nomenclature, atomic bonding, states of matter, solutions,
equilibria, acids, bases, and pH. This course lays the
foundation for understanding of biochemical processes.


Principles of Chemistry:
Prerequisite: Exit or exemption from Learning Support
reading or all ESL requirements except ENSL 0091.
Prerequisite: MATH 1113 with a C or better or
Co-requisite: MATH 1113. Co-requisite CHEM 1211L.
First course in a two-semester sequence covering the
fundamental principles and applications of chemistry for
science majors. Topics to be covered include composition of
matter, stoichiometry, periodic relations, and nomenclature.

Comments

[imrygels-ho.livejournal.com]

i'd start with the first one as it sounds a bit more like an introductory-type course.

[justaredneck.livejournal.com]

i would go for the first one, it sounds like the second is more advance and is for people who will need to use chem as part of there degree in everyday life

[jam1974.livejournal.com]

Unless you really love chemistry or have to take it as a prereq for another class, stick with the first option.

[aniseastra.livejournal.com]

I'd go for the first one, too. In my experience, courses for non-science majors seem to get taught by the more dynamic, interesting professors in the department.

[jam1974.livejournal.com]

Or, if you're really lucky, by TAs that speak English as a first language. Or a second language...

Sorry, couldn't resist.

[pkbarbiedoll.livejournal.com]

truth hurts!
I had a math professor in fall quarter that spoke broken english at best. Smart guy, but I had to drop the class because I wasn't able to follow along.

[ldygrinningsoul.livejournal.com]

Chemistry is a cool class, but it was a hard one for me because it required a lot of math and memorization.

If you are passionate about science and good at math and memorization, I'd say take the second one, because that's what the science geeks will take.

If you aren't so great with math or memorization and just want to take the class and get the credits, I'd say take the first one, that's what all the other non-science geeks will take :P

[pkbarbiedoll.livejournal.com]

So are the two classes vastly different, so that taking the first one wouldn't have any bearing on how I'd do in the second (if I took them in succession?)

[ldygrinningsoul.livejournal.com]

I think it's more likely that they're two different approaches. The first one sounds more approachable, and I think there will be more patience with people who don't have a natural passion for chemistry specifically. The second one sounds like it will be populated with people who already took a bunch of AP Chem classes in high school. If you like Chemistry and WANT a really intense class, then go ahead and take the second one.

As for taking them in succession - well, if you take the first one and like it and think it's easy, then you'll know if you WANT to take the second one, and by then you'll have some familiarity with the elements and formulas, so it should definitely be easier to digest. The question is whether you'll be gaining something by doing this, ie: will it be like taking the advanced version of the same class rather than advancing to the next thing.

Can you ask the professors about this? They'll probably have a good idea of the benefits of each class and whether it makes sense to take one as a precursor to the other.