Organic Chem I before Gen Chem 2?

[rolsenrob]

As the title suggests, I need some advice on whether it's a good or at least reasonably good idea to take Organic Chem I while I take General Chem II. My University only requires Gen Chem I as a prerequisite to take Org. Chem I, so it is definitely possible.

Also, in my situation, due to how I have messed around with my major and my upcoming wedding, I have a very tight schedule. If I am unable to take them together I will take the MCAT a little later than I would like (during the summer). So there is a pretty good reason for taking them together.

Any advice on how difficult this will be is much appreciated.

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[kk123]

Gen chem and ochem are totally different. You don't really need to know gen chem2 for ochem1. That being said, they are both rigorous courses so taking them at the same time might be overwhelming. I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[knv2u]

It can be done. In fact, my university had two sequences of chemistry, one of which was a normal 2 year sequence of 2 semesters of general chemistry followed by 2 semesters of organic chemistry, and the other was a more advanced sequence. The more advanced sequence was: Gen I, Org. I, Org. II, Gen II. So it is definitely possible to do, but I don't know that I would recommend doing it unless you have a strong background in chemistry. My recollection was that Gen. Chem II was significantly more rigorous than Gen. Chem I (at least relatively speaking), and was more problem solving oriented so it might make a good bridge of organic in that sense.

 

[Redpancreas]

As the title suggests, I need some advice on whether it's a good or at least reasonably good idea to take Organic Chem I while I take General Chem II. My University only requires Gen Chem I as a prerequisite to take Org. Chem I, so it is definitely possible.

Also, in my situation, due to how I have messed around with my major and my upcoming wedding, I have a very tight schedule. If I am unable to take them together I will take the MCAT a little later than I would like (during the summer). So there is a pretty good reason for taking them together.

Any advice on how difficult this will be is much appreciated.

It'll depend on your school's Gen Chem 1 curriculum so I'll tell you what you need to know and you can make a decision.

The following is a list of things ranked by importance that you MUST be exposed to before Orgo 1.

1. Lewis Drawings/Bonds
2. Polarity and Intermolecular Forces
3. Periodic Trends
4. Basic Thermodynamics (the enthalpy diagram basically)
5. Resonance

The following is a list of things (again ranked by importance) that would SLIGHTLY HELP before you take Orgo 1:

1. Acid/Base
2. Hybridization
2. Kinetics
3. Redox Reactions

Also, the concept of stereochemistry is sometimes taught in Gen Chem 2 as opposed to Organic 1. If this is the case, taking Gen Chem 2 would be a good idea but I really can't imagine Orgo 1 classes not teaching stereochemistry. Now of course, I'm sure you can get away with not learning the 5 things I listed as musts but it would make organic a bit confusing. It all depends how badly you want/need to do this.

 

[otterxavier]

You should speak directly to the professor who's teaching organic chem, and ask what kind of preparation they'd recommend.

 

[rolsenrob]

Thank you everyone for the excellent advice. Backtothebasics8, that list is very informative and helpful. I am taking General Chem. I now, so I'll have to look through the syllabus and text book to establish how much of that we will cover. We have covered a couple of those things already, so I'm optimistic. I'll also look into contacting the professor for Organic Chemistry in the next couple weeks to see what they say! Right now I'm leaning towards going ahead with it.

If worst comes to worst I can probably work it out a different way. I'm just trying to avoid prolonging my already forever long degree.

 

[knv2u]

Also, I wouldn't rush the prerequisite to get sit for the MCAT. It could end up blowing up in your face and you might end up with a mediocre GPA and/or low MCAT score.

 

[deleted407021]

Also, I wouldn't rush the prerequisite to get sit for the MCAT. It could end up blowing up in your face and you might end up with a mediocre GPA and/or low MCAT score.

This. Take your time.

 

[rolsenrob]

Well, I should probably mention that I will be taking both in the summer, as my only classes. It will only be 10 credit hours total, so I imagine that will alleviate a lot of the concern of it being too heavy a workload. Although, I will be working during the summer as well as volunteering, etc. Before I considered taking Organic Chem. with G. Chem. 2, I was just going to take a general and Anatomy.

 

[Redpancreas]

Thank you everyone for the excellent advice. Backtothebasics8, that list is very informative and helpful. I am taking General Chem. I now, so I'll have to look through the syllabus and text book to establish how much of that we will cover. We have covered a couple of those things already, so I'm optimistic. I'll also look into contacting the professor for Organic Chemistry in the next couple weeks to see what they say! Right now I'm leaning towards going ahead with it.

If worst comes to worst I can probably work it out a different way. I'm just trying to avoid prolonging my already forever long degree.

While the list might be helpful, keep in mind that I don't think it's advisable. You should be taking your MCAT the summer before the year you apply but you can stretch it all the way up to about May the year you apply and still be able to submit the earliest application. While it's good to remain on track, messing with the schedule might not be the best thing you should do. What's going on right now?


1. What year/term are you in?
2. What pre-requisites have you taken?
3. Besides the MCAT, why else are you rushing this?

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

I remember my professor insisting that o.chem 1 must need g.chem 2 as background. Compete bs. You'll have no problems.

 

[slightlygifted]

Well, I should probably mention that I will be taking both in the summer, as my only classes. It will only be 10 credit hours total, so I imagine that will alleviate a lot of the concern of it being too heavy a workload. Although, I will be working during the summer as well as volunteering, etc. Before I considered taking Organic Chem. with G. Chem. 2, I was just going to take a general and Anatomy.

I am not sure how medical schools view taking pre reqs in the summer, but I would be wary of that route.

 

[rolsenrob]

I am not sure how medical schools view taking pre reqs in the summer, but I would be wary of that route.

That's troubling because I have already taken a couple pre-requisites in the summer. Why would they possibly look down on that?

While the list might be helpful, keep in mind that I don't think it's advisable. You should be taking your MCAT the summer before the year you apply but you can stretch it all the way up to about May the year you apply and still be able to submit the earliest application. While it's good to remain on track, messing with the schedule might not be the best thing you should do. What's going on right now?


1. What year/term are you in?
2. What pre-requisites have you taken?
3. Besides the MCAT, why else are you rushing this?

I have reflected over this a good deal today, and I am thinking I might just be rushing things a little too much. I am thinking that instead of aiming for admission to medical school in Fall 2017, I might aim for Fall 2018. I feel like a lot of the advice here has been very spot-on, I need to focus on just doing well and less so on how quickly I get through it all.

 

[SomniusLumen]

If it helps, my school has this seemingly convoluted track: Gen Chem I -> Orgo 1 -> Orgo 2 -> Gen Chem II. Gen Chem I definitely fed into Orgo I, but right now, I don't see much connection from Orgo 2 to Gen Chem II.

But yeah, I would just talk to your professors.