<p>How strong is Michigan in the sciences? I’m particularly wondering about physics and chemistry.</p>
<p>Michigan is pretty strong in the sciences although it is a bit shadowed by the college of engineering. Physics has a great program here at the university and the upper level physics courses will engage you into deeper complex problems early on. Chemistry is filled with premed students trying to fill their prereqs. Its difficult and requires lots of studying and memorization.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info… anything else?</p>
<p>With regards to chemistry:</p>
<p>As challenging as you want… once you demonstrate ability (first semester), you can sign up for grad classes as early as second semester. </p>
<p>You can also design your own interdisciplinary program if you want to. That’s what I’m doing. I essentially have full control over my curriculum, so I don’t have to waste my time taking classes that I feel are a waste of my time.</p>
<p>There are lots of research positions available. It was pretty easy for me to find one as a freshman and yes, I actually do research (as opposed to washing dishes 
).</p>
<p>graduate chem classes second semester freshman year? Do they just bypass undergrad pchem, achem, inorganic, and quantum? Sounds a bit hard to believe…</p>
<p>Second semester freshman year, I did it for bio and my friend did it for physics. It’s really hard, but equally rewarding. You have a point though, I just assumed you could do the same thing for chemistry. Nevertheless, I’m going to try to do it (although one year ‘late’) for chem as well. The key point is to recognize that one’s knowledge in any subject does not come exclusively from taking classes. Some people read scientific journals and textbooks without extrinsic motivation and teach themselves science because they like it.</p>
<p>You don’t have to have bypassed every single undergrad class, but you have to be willing and able to work hard to make up for the classes you haven’t yet taken because you /will/ be expected to know that material. I can’t emphasize that enough; it really is a challenge but some people (like myself) welcome the difficulty as a nice change from high school. It’s like a full immersion.</p>
<p>By the time you’ve successfully completed the grad class, there’s really no point in taking certain undergrad classes anymore because you already know the material. That’s why designing your own major is such a great advantage; if you were trying to complete a “normal” bio major or chem major you’d probably still have to take those classes.</p>
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<p>just wondering, what’s the name of ur interdisciplinary program?</p>
<p>I wasn’t saying that you need to have pchem, achem etc. to excel in grad chem classes (although it certainly wouldn’t hurt). I just find it odd that someone would go straight to grad-level courses without exploring the myriad of (very) challenging undergrad upper level chem classes here at the university. Doesn’t make much sense, IMO. I’d be curious to find out what grad course he/she was taking freshman year, though.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure I said certain undergrad classes aren’t worth taking after taking certain grad classes, but I’m equally sure I did not say that ALL undergrad classes are not worth taking (I hope the double-negatives work out correctly).</p>
<p>There are TONS of undergrad classes that are interesting and challenging. In fact, there are lower-level undergrad classes that are interesting, challenging, and directly applicable to real research (e.g. Chem 210 and 215–especially 215). I admit I was using sloppy terminology. I just meant that, as early as freshman year, if you want to be challenged and exposed to (the equally interesting) topics that are typically only covered at the graduate level, there is nothing stopping you.</p>
<p>I agree, skipping the undergraduate curriculum is incredibly foolish and would leave you with gaping holes in your scientific background. However, taking courses in which you would not learn anything is an equally foolish action, just as is limiting yourself to the standard curriculum. Do you see what I’m saying?</p>
<p>random statement ~ Econ315=HELL</p>
<p>Tentai, I haven’t yet decided on the name. That’s actually the hardest part, haha. Fortunately, I still have a while to finish deciding.</p>
<p>From an employment standpoint, is designing your own interdisciplinary program a good idea? Or is it too much hassle they don’t want to hear about to check that your classes are legit and that you actually know what the name implies you know. This would be when there are programs which can be easily adapted to what your interdisciplinary program is.</p>
<p>Yeah, I’ve thought about that, but when your plans are grad school/med school, it’s not exactly a drawback since they look at your courses anyways. I think there are more benefits than drawbacks. And no, there aren’t programs that are easily adapted to what my interdisciplinary major is. If that were the case, why would I go to the trouble to design it myself?</p>
<p>Besides, I’m double-majoring in econ in case I decide to go into business. I’m sure your point is null.</p>
<p>The last sentence was asking about if it’s a good idea IF there are easily adapted programs, not saying there is to yours. </p>
<p>Thanks though.</p>
<p>Ok, sure. It wasn’t quite clear to me what you were saying.</p>