How helpful is lab for intro Chem? Do I need it?

[ProspectiveKidd]

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I know the labs are required for general chem and bio, but I'm not sure that a lab in the introductory course is required, or how helpful it will be.

For my degree program at my current CC I only need 1 lab in the physical sciences and I have already taken it with intro bio. It did richen my knowledge of the subject matter(already knew all the bones and muscles, etc) but nothing a little extra studying couldn't have accomplished.

 

[Squamous Eddie]

I'm pretty sure gen chem + lab and bio + lab are pre-reqs you just need for med school, period. They weren't helpful at all though, personally.

Edit: Just realized you're talking about intro to chem. Don't bother, IMO.

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

Edit: Just realized you're talking about intro to chem. Don't bother, IMO.

I was told it could be difficult to understand the chemical reactions without being able to see them. I have never done any Chem in HS so I really have no idea. Just wanna make sure I don't have to retake later or something. I can still drop it without taking a W at this point.

 

[Squamous Eddie]

You'll be fine. People go into gen chem with 0 prior chem experience and come out just fine. I had no physics experience in high school, took physics with calc 1 and 2 in freshman year with labs and got A's. IMO seeing the reactions take place does nothing to further your understanding of chemistry.

In my experience, lab classes were always curved and obnoxiously difficult to get an A in, so I tried to take as few of those as I could. I don't think this lab will help you, but that's just my opinion. I'd let someone else chime in before making any decision, anyway.

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

You'll be fine. People go into gen chem with 0 prior chem experience and come out just fine. I had no physics experience in high school, took physics with calc 1 and 2 in freshman year with labs and got A's. IMO seeing the reactions take place does nothing to further your understanding of chemistry.

In my experience, lab classes were always curved and obnoxiously difficult to get an A in, so I tried to take as few of those as I could. I don't think this lab will help you, but that's just my opinion. I'd let someone else chime in before making any decision, anyway.

I think you're right. I also just asked a friend who is a biochem grad and she also seemed to think it would be a non issue and more trouble than it was worth.

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

Turns out it's required for all Chem courses at my school anyways

 

[prehealthadvisor55]

Yeah I wouldn't bother even taking intro. It's not really going to count for anything.

 

[prehealthadvisor55]

Turns out it's required for all Chem courses at my school anyways

Oh...really? I've never heard of that...

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

Oh...really? I've never heard of that...

Yeah man. Tried to drop it but if your taking the class you need the lab. You can however take the lab on its own before the class though. Just not the other way around.

 

[Necr0sis713]

I thought its' a requirement? Also, I would have never been able to relate to any acid/base equilibria and titration problems if it wasn't for doing the lab and having to do it by hand.

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

I thought its' a requirement? Also, I would have never been able to relate to any acid/base equilibria and titration problems if it wasn't for doing the lab and having to do it by hand.

Its a requirement for GEN CHEM 1 and 2 for medical schools. I have to take intro ((101) is not a requirement) because i never took it in HS/have been out for some years.

 

[prehealthadvisor55]

Its a requirement for GEN CHEM 1 and 2 for medical schools. I have to take intro ((101) is not a requirement) because i never took it in HS/have been out for some years.

It's not at my school. You can go into Gen Chem 1 without intro. Most do.

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

It's not at my school. You can go into Gen Chem 1 without intro. Most do.

Meh. Its a CC so they have their dumb policies. 😀 I meant that the labs were required for the prereq versions.

 

[youngmo]

Lab does not really help at all in my opinion. You'll be fine

 

[Necr0sis713]

Its a requirement for GEN CHEM 1 and 2 for medical schools. I have to take intro ((101) is not a requirement) because i never took it in HS/have been out for some years.

Oh I see, Chem 101 not actual gen chem. No you'll be fine, just dont miss out on gen chem lab

 

[njtrimed]

Meh. Its a CC so they have their dumb policies. 😀 I meant that the labs were required for the prereq versions.

From my experience at a CC, sometimes you can get out of requirements like that if you talk to the right person. In my case, they wanted me to take college algebra and intro to chem because I didn't take high school algebra and they said I couldn't take gen chem without it. I had taken algebra in middle school and took AP calculus in high school. I went to ask the chairman of the chemistry department and he took one look at my past academic records and told me to skip academic advising and to come to him to register from then on. I don't know how it is at your school, but sometimes faculty can help you circumvent the bureaucracy.

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

From my experience at a CC, sometimes you can get out of requirements like that if you talk to the right person. In my case, they wanted me to take college algebra and intro to chem because I didn't take high school algebra and they said I couldn't take gen chem without it. I had taken algebra in middle school and took AP calculus in high school. I went to ask the chairman of the chemistry department and he took one look at my past academic records and told me to skip academic advising and to come to him to register from then on. I don't know how it is at your school, but sometimes faculty can help you circumvent the bureaucracy.

I agree with what you're saying, and I have heard of many students doing just that. Being out of Hs for so long I'm just SOL either way.

 

[njtrimed]

I agree with what you're saying, and I have heard of many students doing just that. Being out of Hs for so long I'm just SOL either way.

It had been a decade since I finished high school when I went to that community college. You never know until you ask around!