<p>Does anyone know anything about the organic biochemistry sequence and its relative level of difficulty compared to the organic chemistry options at UF? Thanks.</p>
<p>i have heard its hard… I would avoid it. If anything for the simple fact that there are not that many students in the class and they are all probably smarter than average. More than likely the class is curved, and this set up alone (more competitive) will make it hard to get a good grade. You do not actually NEED to take 3217 at all under any majors. Even for the biochem in the chem department or biochem IDS in the medical school programs, CHM2210 and CHM2211 will suffice CHM3217. CHM3217 is a rigorous coverage of the organic chemistry required in Biochem, CHM3218. CHM3217 trims out Organic stuff that is not necessary for biochem (advanced synthesis and spec) BUT you do it in 1 semester. If you take 3217 you MUST follow it up with CHM3218 or else you will not fulfill a biochem requirement (3217 was made for CHM3218, not vice versa). CHM3218 focuses much more on the mechanisms and intricate structural changes that occur in biochemical pathways rather than the two ends of the pathways and their more broad effects on the body (ala BCH4024 which is supposed to more closely resemble med school biochem). A reason people take both 3217 and 3218 is because they count as upper levels for a chem major or minor. CHM3218 is REQUIRED for biochem majors in the Chemistry department</p>
<p>Here are the ways you can fulfill organic and biochem:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>CHM3217, CHM3218 <- only method of meeting organic and biochem reqs in two semesters</p></li>
<li><p>CHM2210, CHM2211, CHM3218</p></li>
<li><p>CHM2210, CHM2211, BCH4024 <- the majority of science or pre-health students choose this option</p></li>
<li><p>CHM2210, CHM2211, BCH3025 (worst option… BCH3025 is a joke class that is online and is not acceptable for many professional programs, especially those in the state of Florida that are aware of why many people take it: to skimp out of the tougher BCH4024)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I am not a biochemistry major. I did, however, take the third option here. I have seen syllabi for 3218 and seen old exams for it. I would say 3218 is harder than 4024 to be honest. You have to really know the core material (pathways) deeply, whereas in 4024 you have to know a wider breadth of material a little less deeply. I LOVED 4024 and think it is an amazing class. If I were to make a recommendation to you as to what option of these four to take, I would recommend option 3.</p>
<p>If you happen to be pre-med, be aware of this: by choosing to take CHM3217 and CHM3218 you replaced your second semester of organic chemistry with biochemistry. MANY medical schools ALLOW you to do this. HOWEVER, there may still be SOME that require a full year of Organic Chemistry which 3217/3218 does not afford you.</p>
<p>Sorry to impose on the thread, but since you seem to be knowledgeable chemistry. I would like to know how CHM2047 is in comparison to the normal general chemistry. I have a strong background in AP and IB Chemistry so I wanted to know how difficult the class would be.</p>
<p>I am not as familiar with CHM2047 as I am with the Bio/Organic sequence (I know less people who have taken 2047). Personally, I took the 2045/2046 sequence. I am almost certain, however, that it is very competitive to get a good grade in it for the same reasons I already mentioned. Fewer kids take it and they are disproportionately smart. So expect to work harder for the grade you want. As far as I know, this class is just 2046 plus some stuff from CHM2045 that UF does not think the AP test covers. If I had a strong/wonderful/accomplished background in gen chem I would just go for 2046/L. 2046/L has far more students you can compete against with more variability in capability (i.e. easier to be on top).</p>
<p>I feel like typing an announcement. Please be aware, poster above me, that this is not specifically directed towards you and not drawn from assumptions about your course choices.</p>
<p>I have a problem with accelerated classes: Many of the students who take these classes want to enter graduate/professional science/health programs. Professional schools and graduate schools want a year of chemistry. Many professional schools will not accept AP or IB credit replacements in the area of general chemistry.</p>
<p>Lets take a few situations of people taking General Chemistry.</p>
<ol>
<li>CHM2045/L, CHM2046/L <- Traditional route (No AP Credit)</li>
<li>AP Credit for CHM2045/L, CHM2046/L or CHM2047/L taken college level</li>
<li>AP Credit for CHM2045/L, CHM2046/L or CHM2047/L taken at college level. A semester of advanced general chem, say, Analytical Chem and lab or Inorganic Chem and lab also taken.</li>
</ol>
<p>Lets ASSUME you got the same grade in every class taken at college level (lets just say, an A). In general, as viewed by professional schools, situations 3 > 1 > 2.</p>
<p>ALL THREE have fulfilled COLLEGE CREDIT for a YEAR of General Chem, however, only Situation 3 provides a year of General Chem taken at the COLLEGE LEVEL. </p>
<p>Situation 2 provides just as much credit as situation 1, but in a shorter amount of time. HOWEVER, in Situation 1 you have taken the full year of credit at the college level (preferable than credit earned in high school) AND you made A’s in the classes.</p>
<p>Situation 3 provides the most general chemistry credit. However, the student took the full year of credit at the college level, AND took a suitable advanced class, AND got A’s.</p>
<p>Bottom line: college credit DOES NOT equal college level. If you plan on entering a health or science graduate or professional program you are going to have to face it: you will either retake or take advanced coursework, preferably take advanced coursework, in general science areas you received AP credits.</p>
<p>I do not care what school you went to, who your AP Chem teacher is, or how amazing you think you are as an individual. FACT: 36% of students who take the AP Chemistry test earn a 4 or 5, sufficient for earned Chem 2045/L credit as P (Pass) at the Univ of Florida (P grades are not factored into your GPA’s denominator or numerator). At the Univ of Florida, 36% is about the proportion of students in any section of CHM2045/L who will earn a B-, B, or B+. Only ~15-17% will earn an A. Everyone else a C+ or lower.</p>
<p>Yeah I totally agree with mystifire. I recommend taking the regular 2045/L, 2046/L sequence, which is what I did. Trust me, I know people who came in with chemistry credit from AP and IB and ended up failing or dropping the 2045 class entirely. The sequence is not easy. If you do well enough in 2045, you can then take 2051, which is the honors chem II option (the class I am in now). Show the professional schools you can handle a year of college-level general chemistry.</p>
<p>Thank you for the advice and explaining it clearly. It really helped me think about my choices.
Do you also have information about the labs that are in the undergraduate core lab?
Like CHM 2054L or BSC 2044L? I wanted to know what are my options for a lab?</p>