Should I take physics or orgo first?

[Iio]

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I've searched for this topic but it all pertains to the timing of the OP's MCAT. I'm not too concerned about which I will take more closely to my future MCAT dates. Right now, I have completed Biology 1 and 2 and Chemistry 1 and 2.

I will be starting classes again in 3 weeks, and I don't know whether I should take physics 1 or organic chemistry 1 first. I am a non-traditional and I would simply prefer not to take both at the same time. I believe I've read that physics can help you in organic chemistry but not the other way around. What is ideal for me to take first in terms of ease and in terms of building upon the other class?

I'll be taking three other science electives along with this course, none that will be too difficult. I don't recall if any even have labs. I haven't signed up for classes yet, I sign up for them in 2 weeks.

Thanks a lot.

 

[ShenanigansMD]

Only physics 2 would help with orgo (like molecular dipoles maybe?) but that's about it. Honestly you could just flip a coin, or choose whatever is relevant to the other classes you're taking.

 

[TipToad]

I think it's up to you. Physics and OChem don't really relate to one another so taking one before the other wouldn't necessarily benefit you. I would say, pick the one that you think you would be weaker in and take that later (closer to your MCAT date).

 

[Iio]

Only physics 2 would help with orgo (like molecular dipoles maybe?) but that's about it. Honestly you could just flip a coin, or choose whatever is relevant to the other classes you're taking.

In that case, which one is easier? I'm not particularly good at math or chemistry... I'll probably also be taking classes the next two summers, so it would be hypothetically if I chose physics first...

Fall 2012 - Physics 1.
Spring 2013 - Physics 2.
Summer 2013 - Organic chemistry 1.
Fall 2013 - Organic chemistry 2.

Is my plan so far. If not the summers, then I'll simply take those classes in the fall and springs.

 

[ShenanigansMD]

In that case, which one is easier? I'm not particularly good at math or chemistry... I'll probably also be taking classes the next two summers, so it would be hypothetically if I chose physics first...

Fall 2012 - Physics 1.
Spring 2013 - Physics 2.
Summer 2013 - Organic chemistry 1.
Fall 2013 - Organic chemistry 2.

Is my plan so far. If not the summers, then I'll simply take those classes in the fall and springs.

Physics is just math and fighting your terrible intuition when it comes to physics (like I did).

Orgo is all about memorizing reactants/products, mechanisms, and constructing 3d molecules in your head.

In my opinion, orgo is easier. It depends on who you are though. Physics 1 was also terribly dry and boring.

 

[Hogfan10]

In that case, which one is easier? I'm not particularly good at math or chemistry... I'll probably also be taking classes the next two summers, so it would be hypothetically if I chose physics first...

Fall 2012 - Physics 1.
Spring 2013 - Physics 2.
Summer 2013 - Organic chemistry 1.
Fall 2013 - Organic chemistry 2.

Is my plan so far. If not the summers, then I'll simply take those classes in the fall and springs.

Don't take OChem in the summer 🙂

 

[Iio]

Don't take OChem in the summer 🙂

LOL while I was writing that post I was thinking to myself if that was a bad idea or not. Maybe I'll just stack up on other required courses in the summer. Ideally, freeing up my schedule for a minor (or two), or just having less classes stacked for whichever sequence I'd be taking in 2014 fall and spring out of the orgo and phys.

 

[TipToad]

Don't take OChem in the summer 🙂

Oh God. You're a razorbacks fan. I can't even deal.

 

[Iio]

Physics is just math and fighting your terrible intuition when it comes to physics (like I did).

Orgo is all about memorizing reactants/products, mechanisms, and constructing 3d molecules in your head.

In my opinion, orgo is easier. It depends on who you are though. Physics 1 was also terribly dry and boring.

Ehhh I don't know which would be easier for me... I've heard organic is a really tough class... But then my less than impressive mathematics skills doesn't exactly help with physics... I'm in a catch-22 right now. 😛

 

[TipToad]

Ehhh I don't know which would be easier for me... I've heard organic is a really tough class... But then my less than impressive mathematics skills doesn't exactly help with physics... I'm in a catch-22 right now. 😛

Physics math is really easy math (and I took Calculus-based for both I and II). The professor shouldn't be testing your math ability but rather your knowledge of the topics. The difficulty in physics doesn't lie in the mathematics but the intuition necessary to solve more complicated problems.

 

[kpcrew]

It depends on what subject the other science classes are. If they're physics then take orgo. If they're chemistry related, then take physics. If they're bio classes, flip a coin. Don't take either in the summer because the material comes at you way too quickly.

 

[Iio]

It depends on what subject the other science classes are. If they're physics then take orgo. If they're chemistry related, then take physics. If they're bio classes, flip a coin. Don't take either in the summer because the material comes at you way too quickly.

Yeah, I'll basically be taking bio classes. Thanks for all the replies guys.

It looks like they'll both be about the same difficulty so it doesn't particularly matter which I take first... Correct me if I'm wrong anybody. I'm going to ask some of my friends who have taken these classes which they'd recommend first. It looks like it doesn't matter though.

Physics sounds interesting though. Organic sounds easier though. I'll possibly skim a textbook related to the topics... They both look like they'll take 30 to 40 hours a week. Or 20 to 30, just on the individual class.

 

[Charles Darwin]

Yeah, I'll basically be taking bio classes. Thanks for all the replies guys.

It looks like they'll both be about the same difficulty so it doesn't particularly matter which I take first... Correct me if I'm wrong anybody. I'm going to ask some of my friends who have taken these classes which they'd recommend first. It looks like it doesn't matter though.

Physics sounds interesting though. Organic sounds easier though. I'll possibly skim a textbook related to the topics... They both look like they'll take 30 to 40 hours a week. Or 20 to 30, just on the individual class.

No way. If any class takes you more than 20 hours of studying per week to master the material, you're not doing something correctly. I can see 10-15 hours per week on non-test weeks and 15-20 on test weeks for either class.

 

[ILuvScience]

Physics is freaking awesome! Lol I'll let you know how organic chem 1 is after I take it in the spring.


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[Iio]

No way. If any class takes you more than 20 hours of studying per week to master the material, you're not doing something correctly. I can see 10-15 hours per week on non-test weeks and 15-20 on test weeks for either class.

I see people say this a lot and I don't get it... Do you include doing homework as part of your 15-20 hour studying per week? I've spent more time in certain classes and still came out poorly. ...... Or maybe you mean studying as in simply reviewing and memorizing material after having done all the homework, in that case, it would make sense

 

[NightGod]

I see people say this a lot and I don't get it... Do you include doing homework as part of your 15-20 hour studying per week? I've spent more time in certain classes and still came out poorly. ...... Or maybe you mean studying as in simply reviewing and memorizing material after having done all the homework, in that case, it would make sense

The only time I spent more than 10 hours in a week on Physics (not including class/lab time) was during finals week in second semester. It's really not as hard as most people seem to make it, as ShenanigansMD said, it's mostly about fighting your intuition about how you thought physics worked. If something seems completely logical the first time you hear it after the first couple of weeks, there's a decent chance you misunderstood what you heard

 

[James2321]

Choose what you feel is gonna to be relevant to your study and other courses, I would recommend orgo but it totally up to you...


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[tarheel1408]

If I were you, I would take physics first because its easier. But that depends on the kind of person you are. Orgo is just a hard subject for me, so it benefited me more to have taken it closer to my MCAT date.

 

[kpcrew]

Physics is a lot more math (especially if you take calc based) and concepts while organic chemistry involves a lot of abstract thinking. It doesn't matter which one you do first since they don't really overlap.

 

[xxhopefulxx]

The two classes are completely different...I personally took orgo first. I am taking physics this year. I would not recommend taking them over the summer (especially if you are planning on taking them at a local CC and not the 4 yr institution).

 

[thehappydoctor]

Hi everyone,

So what is general consensus? orgo or physics...?im not particularly gifted or excited for either one...

Also, is chem and bio manageable at the same time?

 

[NYCMS2]

Hi everyone,

So what is general consensus? orgo or physics...?im not particularly gifted or excited for either one...

Also, is chem and bio manageable at the same time?

Physics, and bio and chem are fine together.

 

[dmf2682]

I'd vote for physics. If you understand physics well, certain organic chemistry concepts are easier to grasp. It's certainly not required, just saying that I feel having a strong background in physics made organic intuitive.

 

[Iso4ane]

Why not take them both at the same time.

 

[Praefectus]

Don't take OChem in the summer 🙂

From what I hear, labs are awful when you take Organic during the summer. My recommendation would be to take it with an easier cohort of classes, unless you know that your introductory physics classes are notoriously hard.

 

[Haislip]

take physics now and then orgo

 

[ndngrl]

I took physics before organic chem and I am glad I did. I decided to take organic chem with a hard but highly recommended professor. Turns out he's more of a physical chemist and stressed a lot of concepts from physics II- magnetism helped when we had to explain diamagnetic anisotropy in a minimum 2 paragraph essay on our final, he made us write 2 mini reports based on our understanding of the electrostatics involved in bonding, etc. Not much came up from physics I. Normally, I think people will find organic chem 'more manageable' after having taken physics, but then again, it always depends on the professor/school.

 

[scene]

just take them concurrently since Orgo and Phys go hand in hand.

 

[NuttyEngDude]

The correct answer is, take the one with the better prof 😀