Ranking Chemistry Classes

[@andym.s.5231]

My entire physical chemistry semester could be condensed by “modern physics” and a side of spectroscopy. I had an A+ on both O-C 1 and 2. I love organic. I sat down and studied for 13 hours straight. It proved I was capable of studying (and made a cool timelapse). I put in effort, I loved it. Quantum mechanics, quantum models, and spectroscopy. They lost me in lecture 2 ( like they did in thermo and heat transfer last semester, I _barely_ passed, _curved._ ) I have no idea what I’ll do for the final tomorrow. At this point I should be given the right to a physics minor having taken like 4 previous compulsory straight physics courses before, except since the class name is not physics it’s not counted as such even though it’s JUST PHYSICS Edit: I checked my uni, I actually did complete and pass all the required courses for a minor in physics. This is the default sequence on the standard chemistry degree. WHY Time to edit my CV

[@MaddieFishblob]

At my school, GenChem 1 is actually one of the top hardest ones 😂😭 cuz it’s a weeder class & made more difficult so only the dedicated r able to stick around. Just started Ochem and it’s a relief to see it in S. There r some things I really struggled with so far but other things I adore so I’m still on the fence 🤔

[@discomutt1503]

In pchem and quantum simultaneous last semester. In a hellscape, but yes… quantum is interesting.

[@ahmadsalem8768]

hey Zahl! I'm gonna take O CHEM II next spring after taking OCHEM I over the summer. What topics would you suggest me to go over before the class starts? Are there specific reagents that I need to memorize before the start of this class?

[@zahlazizi]

You should check out Klein’s “Organic Chemistry As A Second Language” it’s a small condensed book with all the topics you need! It was super helpful when I took the class. They have one for both ochem 1 and 2

[@max1m264]

I didn’t hate biochem, but my professor hasn’t thought the course in like 4 years and he literally skipped slides. The content wasn’t bad, but the way the exams were structured was awful.

[@tmann986]

As a mech eng major I only need gen chem 1 and 2 but I do take my version of thermo chem. I completely agree that gen chem 1 and 2 are intro to chemistry. It was a lil boring and the math was very simple. I think I would enjoy P chem and inorganic chem. I think O chem and Bio chem is a lil too squishy for me. But I do love math haha.

[@lollipopjoe5530]

about to take gen chem 2

[@zahlazizi]

Good luck!

[@lavina3535]

Hey Zahl! I am about to enter my last semester and still can't figure out what to do after I graduate. What did u do right after college with a chemistry degree? Did u go to graduate school?

[@zahlazizi]

Im actually also in my last semester applying for jobs! Graduate school seemed like a lot of commitment and I am trying to work for a year or two before going to make sure its the right choice instead of jumping into a big phd program

[@lavina3535]

@@zahlazizi Thank you for your answer! That sounds like a good plan. Most of my friends who are chem majors are premeds so it's been a little hard for me being one of the vey few non-premed chem majors. But hopefully I will figure sth out during the gap year I am about to take before applying to grad school.

[@morphuesgaming2577]

hot take on biochem... it was probably the most engaging chem course I took other than A-chem

[@yumi-jx5nz]

intro to analytical chemistry is so awful especially with a bad professor, its the only course ive ever failed. theres also a second course which is instrumental analysis. didnt take that yet and not looking forward to it. probably the only courses making me hate my major lol

[@zahlazizi]

Yeah professors can make all the difference!

[@nikolashadjipaschalis5629]

where would you rank labs?

[@zahlazizi]

Ooh. That’s a tough one. I think I’d put the orgo labs pretty high up because you get to learn how to do distillations and recrystallizations which are super important. Analytical chem stuff is also real important for career prospects as there is a lot of analytical jobs out there so that would rank pretty highly. Gen chem labs are pretty basic and probably would be towards the bottom.

[@SimicChameleon]

I will be taking preparation for chemistry next semester. Any advice if I plan to get a minor degree in chemistry.

[@austinkeranen9157]

Orgo is legit the best

[@leomonroy3690]

Peak organic chemistry

[@leo_warren]

Stat Mech - F tier

[@Wockystocky]

Orgo 1 ftw

[@zahlazizi]

Orgo 1 is such a fun class

[@bulldogmadhav5762]

I really loved quantum mechanics pchem but thermo is just not working for me, I hate it

[@andym.s.5231]

Bro none of it made sense especially after I was lied in high school with a very dodgy definition of H = U + PV which for the longest time had me intuitively believing that U was H. I didn’t break free from that CURSE until 3/4ths down the semester when I looked at a silly old textbook with a silly cartoon. Almost too late, barely passed, still hate thermo.

[@michaelzessin9227]

cute.

[@Abstractor21]

GChem is so caca :( i fking love chemistry but wtf this class is so boring!! GChem 2 is more fun but i didnt like the labs .-.