Orgo at Duke, UNC?

[raom_dtpi]

Hi,

I might have to move to the triangle area and I am looking for some info on taking Premed Organic Chemistry at Duke or Chapel Hill. If anyone of you has taken Orgo in these two schools, could you please take time to answer my questions.

1) Is there Summer O-Chem (lecture + Lab)? How did you like it?
2) Can Labs and lectures be taken separately or do they have to be taken together?
3) Any info on which is a better class and which one to avoid?
4) Is there an evening school for students who are not enrolled in the undergrad program or does every one sit in the same class?

Thanks!
Scout

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[Scrubz67]

Hey,
I took orgo at Duke (Chm151L, Chm 152L) over the summer and loved it. It was like 5 days a week with a 4 hr lab twice a week and a test every other week in the evening. From what I know, you can somehow opt to take the lab later but I think they really frown upon it. The only reason I've seen someone take just the lab is because they didn't pass it the first time. There are no evening classes and everyone sits in the same lecture. Surprisingly the summer orgo session is quite packed with Duke overachievers and athletes so, it's equally as intense as taking it during the year. (Sometimes a bit more as most of these students dedicate the entire summer just for orgo).

As for chapel hill, I don't know their shcedule or how their classes are but perhaps someone else can give you some more insight.

Hope this helps

 

[Peterock]

Hey,
I took orgo at Duke (Chm151L, Chm 152L) over the summer and loved it. It was like 5 days a week with a 4 hr lab twice a week and a test every other week in the evening. From what I know, you can somehow opt to take the lab later but I think they really frown upon it. The only reason I've seen someone take just the lab is because they didn't pass it the first time. There are no evening classes and everyone sits in the same lecture. Surprisingly the summer orgo session is quite packed with Duke overachievers and athletes so, it's equally as intense as taking it during the year. (Sometimes a bit more as most of these students dedicate the entire summer just for orgo).

As for chapel hill, I don't know their shcedule or how their classes are but perhaps someone else can give you some more insight.

Hope this helps

Go take it at UNC, it'll be easier, thats for sure. I'm guessing this poster, Scrub, probably took it w/ Montague-Smith. He makes it easy to learn, but at the same time you're still curved against freak overachievers who basically spend the whole summer dedicated to one class (no jobs, no ECs etc).

 

[Medikit]

who basically spend the whole summer dedicated to one class (no jobs, no ECs etc).

That's me! I would take it at UNC, I hear they have cuter girls.

 

[VienneseWaltz]

Both are good schools, so I don't think it will affect your application. I took microbiology at Duke and embryology at UNC. It's hard to compare these classes, but the main difference was at Duke the lab was much more demanding (but then, microbiology is more lab-oriented). If you are in-state, I would advise you to take it at UNC because it will be MUCH cheaper.

 

[tarheel04]

I took microbiology at Duke and embryology at UNC.

Which professor did you have for embryology at UNC?
To the OP, Organic at UNC is difficult, but doable. If you study, you shouldn't have to worry about making a good grade in it. Although be advised there is no lab for Organic I. You have to take analytical chemistry and the lab to satisfy med school requirements for organic I lab.

 

[Scrubz67]

Go take it at UNC, it'll be easier, thats for sure. I'm guessing this poster, Scrub, probably took it w/ Montague-Smith. He makes it easy to learn, but at the same time you're still curved against freak overachievers who basically spend the whole summer dedicated to one class (no jobs, no ECs etc).

Yup 151 with Montague-Smith and 152 with Baldwin...for some reason that summer they decided to split it up...I enjoyed Montague-Smith's lecture style but really like the overall structure and demand of Baldwin's better.

 

[Swiper]

4) Is there an evening school for students who are not enrolled in the undergrad program or does every one sit in the same class?

Thanks!
Scout

Evening classes are pretty limited at UNC, and Orgo is definitely not a class offered then.

 

[VienneseWaltz]

Which professor did you have for embryology at UNC?

Harris. 🙂

 

[Sweet Tea]

Everyone takes orgo at UNC together...the post-baccs and the undergrads, and unfortunately they don't offer it at night. You don't have to take the lab at the same time as lecture, but you might have to take chem 61L (first semester orgo lab) before you can take orgo 62 (second semester lecture), but someone with a recent catalog could tell you for sure. it is possible to take them over the summers, but it's very hard. my friends that took it over the summer did not work, and when i took biochem over the summer (no lab) i couldn't work. it was all biochem, all day.

I had the same instructor both times I took orgo (long story). He's an ass to the undergrads, but he really likes the post-bacc students (or anyone who will work hard in his class). It is definetly NOT an easy class, but I got a lot out of it the second time I took it.

I would take it at UNC just because it's going to be so much cheaper than at Duke, but you're not going to go wrong with either school.

 

[agp4]

I'm not sure if Montague-Smith is still around - I remember hearing that he took a job elsewhere. Its too bad, I've heard he's a wonderful teacher (never had him myself). I think most of the profs for orgo at Duke were good - some were harder than others, but you might want to ask a current Duke student for the skinny on the new guy (I don't remember his name). I think there's only one class offered at Duke per summer session, and its the whole schmear (lab+lecture). Orgo I is offered at the beginning of the summer, and Orgo II is offered at the second half of the summer. Its pretty expensive, too (I might be mixing things up, but $3.5k per class sounds about right). If you end up going to Carolina's class, sign up early - I've heard it fills up fast. Good luck! 🙂

 

[Speedy]

Warning: If you are taking organic chem at UNC, the first semester orgo class does NOT have a lab with it. Instead, the lab for another chem class (chem 41) counts as the orgo lab. I don't remember if you have to take chem 41 in order to take the lab, but you may want to check it out if you do decide to go to UNC. Yes, it might be cheaper at UNC, but in the end it may be easier (class schedule-wise) at Duke. Also, don't forget NC State. It is just 30 minutes from UNC or Duke (an easy drive down the interstate) and just as cheap as UNC. Either way, good luck!

 

[tarheel04]

Harris. 🙂

That's who I had. Very nice man and super smart. I would recommend anyone that reads this board and is at unc to take him for a class.

As far as chem 41 goes, I believe you have to take the class if you take the lab.

 

[Peterock]

All the chem profs at Duke are absolutely amazing in my opinion. I love them all (really). The summer session is definitely more time intensively but I've heard the curve is easier. Also the lab is really cut back from the version taught during the school year. If you have any questions, PM me.

LOL!!!!!!!!!! Uh as a chem major from Duke... that statement is hysterical! There are really some miserable teachers in that department. (Ya know, chemistry doesn't stop after orgo)

 

[Medikit]

LOL!!!!!!!!!! Uh as a chem major from Duke... that statement is hysterical! There are really some miserable teachers in that department. (Ya know, chemistry doesn't stop after orgo)

Yeah, but the MCAT does

 

[Peterock]

Yeah, but the MCAT does

At least you've stopped wondering why your mom drinks so much.

 

[raom_dtpi]

Thank you all so much! wow, that was a lot of good info! Can I ask one more question 😳 , has anyone tried Wake Forest for Orgo? How did you like it?

Scout

 

[Medikit]

Thank you all so much! wow, that was a lot of good info! Can I ask one more question 😳 , has anyone tried Wake Forest for Orgo? How did you like it?

Scout

Wake Forest doesn't have a real science department. They just get someone from psychology to go in to their classes and read directly out of a remedial organic textbook.

 

[Fermata]

Trying to take it on the cheap then come on over to NCSU. 😀

(Note: probably easier than UNC and Duke, as well.)

 

[raom_dtpi]

Wake Forest doesn't have a real science department. They just get someone from psychology to go in to their classes and read directly out of a remedial organic textbook.

Are you serious? I would've expected it to have a little more credibility considering its a good private school and has a med school?