"Which college course is more difficult?": General Chemistry or College Physics I?

Question

Currently, I'm taking a biology but I need to take two more science courses before I start my major courses. Plus, I maybe transferring to another institution soon and I need a certain amount of science courses before I leave. Should I do the following

1. Take two semesters of chemistry
2. Take two semesters of physics
3. Take one chem then one physics

**** In addition, if I take Chemistry, should I take the Introductory course first? If not, how should I prepare for such a class. Is there an introductory course to physics???

Answer 1

I'd advise against option 3. The first semester of physics is always mechanics and gravity; the second semester is electricity and magnetism. If you skip that second half, you've missed the real meat, so to speak. I'd say learn all of one or all of the other, not that half and half deal.

I found the Chem labs more tedious than the physics labs. I didn't think either course was particularly hard. Physics, especially, was just sort of obvious.

Of course, if you're a Bio major, you must have had experience cutting up animals. Ugh. Now that's a tough course.

Answer 2

Well I think the 1st semester of either one was a lot easier than the second! So I would go for option #3, esp if you know you are awful in physics. If you like chem better or physics better I'd go with that though!

As far as intro courses go, it depends on how much intro you've had yourself. I had a year of chem and physics in high school and I was fine for the classes. If you haven't had that in high school, perhaps an intro would be good.

Do you have an advisor you like? If you do, maybe discuss this with them.

Answer 3

Have u ever taken physics before. I took physics my first semester of college and since i was never exposed to it because it cause we didn't have a physics class at my high school it was a little bit harder for me. Not harder you would jsut have to study a lot to grasp the material and and ways to solve the problem but i took Chem I last semester and since i took chemistry practically all my life throughout high school and stuff it was a breeze but you you have to study. It's not that hard then again a guess it's the school you go to and also depends on the teacher

Answer 4

College physics is an introductory series in physics. Personally I'd recommend chem. My chem classes were the only courses I ever took that used multiple choice exams.

Physics is very math heavy, even in non-calculus based classes. Chemistry on the other hand invloves more memorization.

Answer 5

I'm assuming that you're not referring to "organic chemistry", because if you were, the choice would be simple: RUN from O.C.!!! However, I tend to enjoy plain ole' chemistry, so I'd opt for two semesters of chemistry. But that's just my humble opinion. For Chemistry, I'm not sure what you'd need as far as an introductory course... you should be good to know with what you remember from high school.

Answer 6

Unless you are planning to attend medical school or another science related professional graduate program, I recommend you to take option #3. There is an intro physics in some school and if you are taking it for the sake of requirement, dont take the calculus related one.

Answer 7

It depends on which is more interesting to you. I think both of the courses are equal but if one or the other is interesting you will do better. Would you prefer learning about chemicals and compounds or learning about rolling a ball down an inclined plane and gravity?

Answer 8

it depends on the professor. i personally think physics is harder because of the energy diagrams etc., but it's also because my professor isn't that good. on the other hand, i've had fantastic chem professors, which is probably why i'm a pharm major!

Answer 9

For damn sure .. Physics is harder :(

(I had both and found chemistry to be much more easier)
Good to know both though :(

Answer 10

i think take one chem and one physics. i have no doubts that college physics is harder.