Two different Chemistry courses.

[businessguy]

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Which course should I be taking? The 1st course looks like the one for Science majors, yet I've heard that prereqs should be Intro to Chem and not Principles of Chem.

Principles of Chemistry I

This course is intended for physical science and engineering students. A study of the fundamental principles of chemistry with particular reference to stoichiometry, atomic structure and periodic properties, chemical bonding and the physical properties of solids, liquids and gases. A lab component will illustrate the behaviour of chemical systems and the precise techniques of quantitative analysis.

Introductory Chemistry I

An introduction to the study of chemistry with particular reference to stoichiometry, atomic structure and periodic properties, chemical bonding and the physical properties of solids, liquids, gases and solutions. The lab component will emphasize the techniques of quantitative and qualitative analyses.

 

[ShyRem]

Ask the chem dept which one is for chem majors and take that one.

 

[ihopetobeado2]

I vote for

"Principles of Chemistry I

This course is intended for physical science and engineering students. . ." If the physical science majors and engineering majors have to take this course, the biology majors and the pre-meds will have to take this course. All four types of students take the same first-year chemistry courses.

 

[CaveatLector]

I disagree with the last poster. I specifically asked that sam equestion of a pre-med advisor at MSU just days ago and their answer was that chem for physical science and engineers was NOT necessary to fulfill the premed requirement.

 

[jbone]

Prin. of Chem I is the one required by medical schools. At my school it was like course #1210.
Intro to chem is exactly that, an intro. Counts towards your science gpa but not toward medical school pre. reqs. Its course # is 1010 at my school.
just my $0.02.
Take Prin. of Chem I and so on. 👍

 

[Law2Doc]

Which course should I be taking? The 1st course looks like the one for Science majors, yet I've heard that prereqs should be Intro to Chem and not Principles of Chem.

Principles of Chemistry I

This course is intended for physical science and engineering students. A study of the fundamental principles of chemistry with particular reference to stoichiometry, atomic structure and periodic properties, chemical bonding and the physical properties of solids, liquids and gases. A lab component will illustrate the behaviour of chemical systems and the precise techniques of quantitative analysis.

Introductory Chemistry I

An introduction to the study of chemistry with particular reference to stoichiometry, atomic structure and periodic properties, chemical bonding and the physical properties of solids, liquids, gases and solutions. The lab component will emphasize the techniques of quantitative and qualitative analyses.

If this is your first foray into science courses, and you are just doing it for premed prereqs, then take the more basic one. Confirm with an advisor that this course is satisfactory for premed prereqs. Med schools don't care if you took the same courses as engineers, or if you had calculus based things etc. They care that you got As in a year of college chemistry. Leave the other course to those who actually want to be chemical engineers.

 

[blee]

The best advice would be to check with an advisor. My guess, however, is that the first one is the appropriate course to take.

 

[scpod]

Which course should I be taking? The 1st course looks like the one for Science majors, yet I've heard that prereqs should be Intro to Chem and not Principles of Chem.

Actually, the med school you are going to should be the one to ask just to make sure. One of our state med schools has no actual prereq requirement, but the other one says specifically, "All science course work must be acceptable for continued study by department majors." Based on that, then ShyRem probably gave the best advice-- ask the department which one is for chem majors.

 

[ShyRem]

Also, look at the OChem prereqs. If it specifically states one of those two courses is a prereq, then take that one.

 

[CrazyPremed]

I've noticed that - at many schools - there is usually a big difference. Intro to chemistry classes are usually a one semester survey of general (inorganic) chemistry. These include general - and a little of organic - chemistry and are usually designed for majors that cover all of their chemistry needs in one year (nursing, medical technology, etc.) The two semester series of general chemistry is designed for science (chemistry, biology) majors. This sequence includes two semesters of general (inorganic) chemistry, followed by two semesters of organic chemistry. This series should cover the material as needed for the MCAT, the first series may not. If you haven't had chemistry in high school (or don't feel as confident), it may be advantageous to take the intro class to get your feet wet. Many of my classmates did this, and aced the rest of the chemistry sequence.

The bottom line: check with your school's premed advisor. Most schools should have the necessary classes listed in the office or on the web page. Which school are you going to (if you don't mind me asking)?

CrazyPremed

 

[JamieMac]

Prin. of Chem I is the one required by medical schools. At my school it was like course #1210.
Intro to chem is exactly that, an intro. Counts towards your science gpa but not toward medical school pre. reqs. Its course # is 1010 at my school.
just my $0.02.
Take Prin. of Chem I and so on. 👍

You definitely need to check with advisors and/or admissions to verify, but from everything that I have read or heard, you will need to take Chem I and II. I agree with jbone...Intro to chem will not likely count for much of anything in your actual quest...with the exception of shaking the rust off. I hadn't had chem since high school and I studied from a chem book purchased at Borders. This was good enough for me to test into Chem I, and save $1,500. Some may have also indicated that you need Ochem I and II as well. Good luck!