Chemistry question

[02175359]

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Ok, I've finally made the decision to go pre pharm... after a long long time of already being in school, but I'm positive this is the route I want to take now.

I'll be taking Chem I in the spring.

My question is, would it be OK to take chem II during the summer?
I know that a lot of information is covered in a chem course, so my advisor already told me that I prolly shouldn't take it during the summer..
However, I know my university does offer it during the summer..

I'm just concerned in terms of knowledge for the pcat.
I'm fairly certain I can keep up in terms of pace, thats not so much the issue.

Ugh, I guess I just answered my own question kinda...

I guess I just wanted thoughts from anyone else?

Did anyone else take any of the big pre pharm courses during the summer?

Also, I took Bio I back in the spring semester of 2005, would it be advisable that I take it again? I cannot remember a thing from Bio I. and again I'm asking in regards to the pcat.
I am taking Bio II this spring though.

Sorry if my first post is a dumb/obvious USTFSE type post.
Apologies in advance.

Oh, ps.
I read the faq on getting pharm experience.. but it doesn't really list any specifics..
Besides becoming a pharm tech what are my other options?
Volunteer work? I didn't know you could volunteer in a pharmacy.

I used to volunteer at a cancer hospital in houston (MD Anderson) in my last year of highschool/first year of college, but I figure something more specialized towards pharmacy would look better on an application?

Thanks

 

[WhiteSnows]

In my opinion, it is fine to take chemistry II over the summer. If you just start learning chemistry, you should only take chemistry II and 1 more easy class over the summer.

It will be very beneficial to retake biology I. You need it for the Pcat also.

Sorry my post is short. I am busy studying right now.

 

[02175359]

I'm sorry, but can you rephrease "If you just start learning chemistry, you should only take chemistry II and 1 more easy class over the summer."

I'm not sure what you mean by that?

That I should only take Chem II because I should teach myself all of Chem I?

Orrr...
?
I could take both chem I and chem II over the summer only?

 

[WhiteSnows]

If this is your first time taking chemistry, I suggest you take chemistry I in the regular semester ( not the summer). After that, you can take chemistry II over the summer if you think you can handle it. Chemistry is not hard, but there are a lot of new materials (ex: terms, vocabularies) to learn.

 

[pearljam5a1]

I always preferred taking my chemistry classes in the evenings away from the giant classrooms with 300+ students. The classes were longer but it was easier to concentrate on particular subjects without feeling the 50 minute crunch. It was also nice to be in classrooms with students who were older and more focused on the task at hand rather than which party they were going to go to.

I would see how Chem I goes for you in the spring and if you handle it pretty well than you should have no problem with Chem II in the summer. I often found that although the pace is quicker in summer classes the teachers tended to be a bit more lax, so take that as you may.

Biology on the PCAT was pretty simple as far as I remember. Basic genetics is good to know and also the structures of a cell and their functions. Also good to know basic anatomy/physiology because I think I remember a few basic questions from that.

Volunteering in a pharmacy is perfectly acceptable and just remember that pharmacies exist in other places than retail so look in hospitals as well, maybe even the place you volunteered for already. And remember that volunteering is great, but getting paid for that time makes it even better.

 

[pharm B]

Did anyone else take any of the big pre pharm courses during the summer?

I took Organic Chemistry I & II over the summer. It was the academic equivalent of a root canal. But it's doable.

Taking Chem II probably wouldn't be too difficult over the summer.

 

[Dancer123]

In my experience all of the Bio classes repeat themselves over and over again, if you already took Bio 1 you should be fine taking the second Bio class! Not to mention the Bio material isn't the hardest...

 

[02175359]

Yeah, thats the plan.
Take chem I next semester.. and assuming I do decent I'll take it in the summer.. that way I can start organ in the fall of 2010, and theoretically be on a two year track like I should've been.

I should do fine in it.. I've usually done well in chemistry.

Also, can someone shed some light as to why my academic advisor told me to wait until I'm enrolled in calculus before I register for chem I?

My school does not require calculus to take Chem I... and I know people take it without calculus and do fine..
I'm also not terrible in math.. I have just yet to take calculus.
But then she suggests that I take physics in place of chem I next semester and just start chemistry while I'm concurrently enrolled in calculus...
*confuseddd*
That makes no sense to me.

I said to heck with her advice and Im registering for chem I regardless.

 

[cascones92]

I took chem II in the summer time online. I would not recommend the online summer class unless you have a really strong chemistry background. Just be prepared to fly through things and stay on top of the material and you should be fine with taking this class during the summer.

 

[pharm B]

I can't think of any reason why you would need calculus to take chem I. The math is reeeaaaally simple.

 

[diastole]

I took Chem II over the summer and I loved the pace of it. Sometimes my classes go too slowly and I want to rip my hair out. But in the summer, they give you the info you need, you go study it, you get tested, and before you know it you are done. Just make sure you understand the material because you are going to need it for the PCAT and as a foundation for organic and later pharmacy school.

Yes, and to repeat the above poster, there is no calculus in general chem. You will have to use the quadratic equation though. Advisors can be helpful but it doesn't hurt to verify what they say.

 

[guythatisnick]

_

 

[02175359]

Yeah, I mean.. I know that chemistry can utilize calculus... of course.. I just don't see why my advisor told me to wait to take chem I until i was at least enrolled in calculus...


Seems like I could at least start Chem I while I take pre cal, and then calculus.

*shrugs* I guess she was just trying to emphasize the fact that chemistry is very very important to a pharmacist.. especially as a base for future subjects, not to mention the pcat.

I understand her concern for ttrying to stress...
But if I wait to take chem I next fall, just so I can take it with calculus.. I've effectively put myself a year back.. and I've already been in school for... forever...
I've switched majors too many times.. took 2 years off.. blah blah blah.

My gpa overall is still a 3.2, and its only that low because my last semester I basically dropped everything I could or stopped going to class.. and got a few Fs. I had some problems that had to be worked out.

 

[nervoushabits]

I took Chem II over the summer, and ended out ok. I wouldn't recommend taking too much. I did Chem II and Calc II over the summer....talk about no life, but I still made the grade. Calc II was horrible. Chem II was cake. 🙂

Biology is pretty simple. If you don't have to take the basics again, I wouldn't. With regards to the PCAT, if you get the KAPLAN study guide, it helps cover the material very well, or you can always use your bio II book that you'll need for you next class.

As for the volunteering, I volunteered in a hospital pharmacy for about 6 mos. You should talk with the volunteer coordinator at your local hospital/and or/ someone in retail. I got to volunteer in a compounding pharmacy for a week....it just depends on who you ask, so I'd ask anywhere and everywhere.

Good luck, and I hope this helps!👍

 

[02175359]

It did help!
thank you.