Allow me to introduce myself...

TheIndependent
Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:59:04 +0000

Poskashflo:
-I honestly believe Loomis is one of the best professors at WashU – it’s hard to get 300+ kids to focus on chemistry in the morning, yet he’s capable of doing so. Gen Chem at WashU is standardized, such that no matter which professor you have (I think Mabbs is teaching it too, or is it Buhro?) you will have the same homework (Problem Sets) and exams. Chem 111 is much more of applying concepts learned in class to different scenarios - I know kids who didn’t study and aced it (as well as kids who had to work very hard for a below-average grade.) I would think that the vast majority of the students are unfamiliar with the material, at least the more advanced topics, therefore not taking AP Chem will not put you in an disadvantage. As far as my advice for the course, I would say to take the quizzes seriously! Quizzes are usually given weekly during recitation and can replace your lowest test score at the end of the semester (nevertheless, they are still normalized – so don’t think that a 100% on quizzes will give you a 100% exam score.) The quizzes provide an opportunity for the students to learn the material as the course progresses, as opposed to cramming before tests. Mao is the lecturer for General Chemistry Lab - which consists of 4 hour lab section in which ALL work is done (barring one or two take-home lab write-ups) not including the Pre-Lab assignment. There is also a midterm and final, and the class is not curved (85%-89.9% is an A-, 90%+ A) The class is not too terribly difficult, although it does get monotonous after sometime.

Jinxed:
If you are in the engineering school, a 5 on AP chemistry allows you to skip GenChem I and II and receive credit for it. If you are not in the engineering school, a 5 on AP chemistry gives you chemistry elective credit (Chem 103 and 104 – non-existent classes, btw,) and you must take Gen Chem I and II. You MUST take the diagnostic exam in order to be eligible for Peer-Led Team-Learning (study groups) and extended recitation (recitation lead by a instructor/lecturer in the course as opposed to a grad student – made especially for those who do not do well on the diagnostic,) as well as the CHemistry Peer Mentor service available for students who do not perform well on the diagnostic exam. The exam has NO bearing on your Chem 111A grade.

hope that helps