UCSF Course Waivers (Chem111 and Chem 112)

[young skywalker]

Has any UCSF student past out of Chem 111 and or Chem 112 via the waiver exam?
I've taken thermo and kinetics before and was wondering how hard the test is. Since you only need 75% to pass it doesn't look too bad.

1) Is is wise to pass out of these classes, i.e. will I be missing out on valuable specific information, or is it just general stuff?

2) What else could I do with my time?

3)Can you describe the test, especially the difficulty and how best to study for it?

Thanks a lot, any advice is highly welcome.


Chem 111 Thermodynamics: You should be familiar with the first, second and third laws of thermodynamics and their application, the concepts of energy, entropy, enthalpy, free energy and heat capacity, the properties of ideal and real non-electrolyte and electrolyte solutions, colligative properties, chemical equilibria and intermolecular forces.

Chem 112 Kinetics: You should be familiar with rate constants and rate law determination using several methods; elementary reversible, parallel and sequential reactions, derivation of rate laws from reaction mechanisms, Arrhenius pre-exponential factor, activation energy, enthalpy of activation, entropy of activation; elementary transition state theory and collusion theory; ionic effects in solutions phase kinetics; acid and base catalysis; enzyme kinetics, including the effects of inhibitors. The exam will have 2 parts (thermodynamics and kinetics) and a grade of 75% in either part will exempt you from the appropriate course.

The Physical Chemistry Waiver exam of Chem 111 and Chem 112 consists of problems at the level of a first-year physical chemistry course. The exam is closed book; notes will not be permitted. A calculator capable of doing logarithmic and exponential calculations is required. Preparation for the exam should include a thorough review of the equations and principles described above.

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[neonam11]

Yup, if there is any coursework you should try to pass out, it's the P-Chem series. No, you won't be missing out on anything important if you did not take the class. Heck, you can catch up on your sleep and have more time to study for CP and believe me, you need all the time you can get to study for CP.

I like to think that my class is highly intelligent, but no one who attempted to take the exam passed either series, so it tells you how hard the exemption exam is. I think one person from the Class of 2006 passed out of the kinetics portion only. I personally did not take the exam so I can't comment on how hard the test is. If you meet some nice P2's or P3's (it aint me 😀 ), they might lend you a copy of their old stuff so you can have an idea of what is on thest. Good luck.

 

[young skywalker]

I found old exams for both classes online.
They seem decently tough, but I hope with a little review I may just pull through.

My main question is, what is the waiver exam like? Is it just the old final from last quarter, or is it modified (i.e. harder more comprehensive?). Could someone maybe describe the format? Also if you do pass, how is it accounted for on your transcript? Are you given the grade that you scored on the test?

Thanks

 

[ucdbiochem]

i've taken both chem 111 and 112 waiver exams. they aren't that bad. if you can do the old midterms, u'll be in good shape. but the only thing is that we can use the textbk to look up equations and stuff while u can't do that at the waiver. i think that's what makes the waiver exam difficult.
yeah, like i said, do the old midterms and get an idea of the stuff they usually ask, especially the frequently used equations. once u kinda memorize those equations, u'll do fine on the waiver.
if u pass the waiver, u'll only get credits.
good luck!!

 

[player0917]

Most of us who attempted the waivers for Pchem all took the classes before, some more recently than others. This past year, the highest one out of about 10 people who took it got was about 68%. If anyone should have passed it, it was this guy, who spent an entire week prior studying for it. His downfall I think: minimal partial credit (pc) on a test where (pc) often counts a lot.

On hindsight, I agree w/ ucdbiochem in that it wasn't that bad. In fact, one of the waiver questions turned up on our midterm. However, the lack of a cheat sheet w/ equations really made them much harder. If you are serious about passing them, I would recommend focusing more on chem111 vs. chem 112. Chem 111 has more material and much more work if you have to take it. Chem 112 can be logically reasoned out and is only a 6-wk course if you have to take it.

DISCLAIMER: There will be a new Professor teaching these courses next year, well Chem 111 for sure. So he may be writing his own waiver and all of our advice is incorrect. To take a look at what to expect from this new professor, this past year's MT2 and Final was written primarily by him. MT1 was from the previous professor.

Up to this point of my pharmacy career (going into 2nd yr), I would have to say that you wouldn't be missing out on much by waiving out of Pchem. If anything, it helps you learn what you should have known from your past Pchem courses 🙂; everything becomes clearer now since these Pchem profs are much better than normal.

So, what to do with your "extra time?"--forget studying...go party! go volunteer-get involved! go hang out w/ friends! go sleep (my personal favorite)! ANYTHING EXCEPT STUDYING! There will always be more studying in your 4 yrs here.

DISCLAIMER#2: CONTRARY to popular belief, waiving out of classes DOES NOT give you THAT MUCH more "extra time." Trust me, I know all too well. But no one would ever beleive me until they try it for themselves. True, finals time are a little less stressful. But that is the only real perk. Hence, be advised.

So, good luck with your waivers! Look forward to seeing you in the Fall! Lates.