General Chemistry I equivalent?

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mmapcpro

Senior Member
7+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Hi,

While in engineering school, I took the following chemistry classes:

Basic Chemistry: 3 credits and 0 credit (1.5 hour) lab - Elementary chemical theory. Covers basic atomic theory, elements, compounds and mixtures, calculation of weight and weight-volume relationships, basic descriptive chemistry.

Chemistry for Engineers: 4 credits and 1 credit (3 hour) lab - Chemical stoichiometry; states of matter; solutions; thermodynamics; rate of reaction; equilibrium; oxidation-reduction; corrosion; organic compounds and polymers.

However, I did not take a class titled, General Chemistry I. Does it seem that the material I covered parallels what I would have learned in such a class? Or should I take General Chemistry I before taking General Chemistry II?


The descriptions I found for General Chemistry I and II at my previous university are detailed below:

General Chemistry I: Fundamental principles of chemistry that include: nomenclature, stoichiometry, atomic structure, periodic relationships, chemical bonding, geometry of molecules, properties of gases, solutions, and an introduction to organic chemistry.

General Chemistry II: chemical principles that include thermodynamics, acids and bases, rates of reaction, electrochemistry, organic chemistry, synthetic materials.


Perhaps I am being naive, but it seems as though I covered all the material in both Gen. Chem I and II already.

Please tell me your thoughts.
 
I actually planned to take General Chemistry II, regardless if I covered any of the material already. It would be a good tune up. I am just hoping I don't have to take General Chemistry I, because I'm pretty confident about the material covered in that class.

I already sent in my application and financial aid paperwork to the college. I'll talk to them about it as soon as possible. Since I"m coming in as a transfer student, they will have to evaluate my credits anyway.
 
I don't want to get off on a rant here, but was there something about the field of physics you do not like, or was dentistry too good to pass up?
 
Well, I certainly did well in physics and math, but I have to be a realist. Here are some of my reasons for not continuing through the engineering or physics route:

1) Here is a list of the occupations that some of my former classmates, now graduated, have: bartender, on-call network manager (makes sure paper is in the printer and all the mice work), cable tv installer, water-well driller, and I have one friend that actually does pretty cool work in aerospace, but he's constantly bouncing from one state to another trying to get in on projects as a contractor...he's only able to get work for about 6 months out of the year, so he's broke all the time.

2) Outsourcing is getting worse and worse in high-tech fields. It is only natural. The world is a global market now, and with advancements in high-speed communications, it makes good sense to pay contract engineers $10,000/year in India rather than paying $60,000/year + benefits + overtime here.

3) I was never really interested in theoretical physics. I suppose my feet are too firmly planted on the ground. I don't run out to see Mars when it's visible. I don't count the stars, and I don't contemplate space-time concepts. The only areas for people interested in applied physics to work in are engineering and teaching. Neither field is a very safe bet these days.

4) I like helping PEOPLE. When I was going to school, even if I KNEW the material inside and out, I still went to the study groups and stayed late to try to help my friends get a better understanding. If I was the only one that got an A on an exam, I would bad and put it away quickly. I get more motivated doing something for someone that needs my help than if I am doing something for myself. Dentistry will allow me to help people that are often in desparate need of my care.

5) I like working with my hands. I have worked with my hands since I was a kid. While I certainly enjoy learning and studying, I still want to work in a field where I can take pride in the result I get from something I did with my own two hands. I've always been sort of a perfectionist. When I install equipment into operatories, I make absolutely sure all my wallplates are level and clean, my cabling is tight, secure, and hidden, and it really feels good when I can take a step back and look at it and think, "wow...great job!". Dentistry will allow me to take that step back every day.

6) I have had a taste of self-employment, and I have to admit, it is an intoxicating fruit. I was an independant contractor for 9 years and I have had 2 corporations. In dentistry, the odds are in my favor that I will be able to run my own practice.

7) Hygienists 🙂 (just kidding)

8) Cheap dental care for my family...hey! come on, now!
 
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