How do I prepare for a college chemistry lab if I've never taken one?

College Majors Science Majors
1

<p>I’ll be starting a summer General chem 1 course and never took a lab course in high school or ever before.</p>

<p>Are there any good books that will aid me, or prepare me for the lab? I don’t know how to identify any lab tools or anything, how can I prepare? </p>

<p>I am assuming some preparation is better than nothing, and I want to do all I can to prepare.
Also I am in the process of reviewing required math so that won’t be a problem.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>There really isn’t much to prepare for. Is this a combined course with lab or just the lab? Other than knowing the chemistry behind what’s happening, all you need to know is how to read the instructions. Knowing lab equipment help too, but you can just look at something like this to get started: <a href=“http://cantonhighchem.com/files/lab%20equipment%20sheet%20side%20b.jpg[/url]”>http://cantonhighchem.com/files/lab%20equipment%20sheet%20side%20b.jpg&lt;/a&gt; Just know some of the things may not be called the same as on that link, but you aren’t go into this alone. There will be others in your situation and even more that know it and will be right next to you as you’re doing the lab.</p>

3

<p>I’d have to agree, you can’t really do too much prep before the course. Just make sure you read the lab carefully before you go in. Don’t forget your goggles/lab coat/etc! but they’ll remind you that constantly at uni. Bug your TA with questions, but chances are, they’ll go over the lab before you start and point out unfamiliar items. You’ll have a lab partner, and they’ll likely know what’s going on. And if they don’t, you can always look around to see what equipment other people are using (but make sure you look at the smart ones, haha!).</p>

<p>If you’re really set on preparing, make sure to check out the picture that nate763 posted. Really, general chem is pretty basic, and they understand that many kids have never been in a lab before.</p>

4

<p>Pay close attention to your instructor and lab assistant. Find yourself a good lab partner and please wear your goggles.</p>