how difficult is organic chemistry? do you look forward to going to organic chemistry classes, or dread it?

Answer 1

Depends on the instructor's approach. Most of the time Organic Chemistry is nothing more than rote memorization. I personally dreaded it. The 2 Biochemistry, 2 Inorganic Chemistry and 3 Physical Chemistry courses I took were far more exciting.

You will encounter it (although infrequently) as a biologist, depending on your discipline.

Answer 2

I'm taking Organic I right now. It's definitely a course that you have to spend a lot of time on outside of class, and involves both memorization of rules as well as comprehension of mechanisms. Personally I think that's why it's such a tough course... most people are either memorizers, like biologists, or comprehenders, like mathematicians. But for this you need both.

I really do enjoy the course though, it's neat to make things like vanilla extract and stuff in the lab. I know it's hard to find time to study, but if you want to do well in the course, you should be spending at least two hours of study per every hour of lecture. I definitely don't recommend taking this course if you have too much on your plate, like a job or extracurricular activities. I know people do it, but not many people can do that and get As.

And organic is useful, even beyond undergrad... if you're going to be a doctor, or a researcher, you have to understand organic molecules and how and why they work they way they do. For example enantiomers... they always talk about Thalidomide, and why it caused so many birth defects... it was because of things you'll learn about in organic.

Answer 3

Organic chemistry is typically a weed-out course for pre-med students. You need it to apply to medical school, but unless you actually become a chemist, you don't ever really use it. It's notoriously rough to prevent students from getting into med school (like the MCATs). If you have a good head for chemistry, organic chem is actually fun. However, most bio students do not, hence the course is rough. I had an excellent teacher, who was actually a biochemist, so he taught it in a way that bio majors understood it, but most are not as lucky. The labs were cool, except they are synthesis reactions for the most part, which take forever. Don't schedule a class immediately after your orgo lab--you won't make it.

Answer 4

It depends. Organic chemistry is a bit of an art as opposed to physical chemistry. Organic reactions are complex and can move in various directions based on advanced and specific proteins and other molecules acting as ultra-selective catalysts. P chem, on the other hand is much more generic and specific.

Neither of them is particularly difficult if you have a college level of intelligence. But, many people who excel at chemistry, find organic, particularly biochemistry to be a bit of a challenge. It's very different.

Answer 5

For me, between organic and organic and Inorganic, organic and organic became plenty extra good; possibly a 6. yet, it wasn't the chemistry section. i'm now not an rather imaginitive individual and that i've got quite some difficulty visualizing the systems of organic and organic molecules. variety of a three-D spatial challenge. Inorganic became much less confusing for me because of the fact quite some that's math appropriate. additionally, the molecules are structurally less difficult and don't want as plenty imaginitive illustration as lots of the super, pretty based organic and organic molecules. Plus, i think of the reactions studied in Inorganic chemistry are somewhat much less complicated. AND, maximum organic and organic chemicals stink to severe heaven and that i've got a comfortable nostril.

Answer 6

For me it was easier than general chemistry. I still didn't like the class very much. Chemistry was pretty tough for me. I was a little to focused on sports to do as well as I could in the class. I enjoyed the lab time a lot more than general chemistry as well. That for me was the best part of chemistry as I am sure it is for most people.

Answer 7

Well. In organic chemistry I typically scored in the single digits-low teens range on tests.

Out of 120-150 points.

Something about the subject matter and tests on blue books didn't work so well with me. Still, I went to class every day and did fine in the lab and got my C both semesters.

As you can imagine, this had 0 impact on the rest of my life (see below)

Answer 8

I found organic chemistry to be easier than my "introductory chemistry" courses and definitely looked forward to them. However, talking to several other students in chemistry, it depends on what you like.

Answer 9

I loved O-chem and was only lukewarm about General Chem. It is interesting to do all the syntheses and to think sbout how electrons are moving.

My major advice is to just work as many problems as you can get ahold of. Also if there is a study group you can join (in my case the chem department held weekly sessions) you should do it. Just expose yourself to as much of it as you can so when you get the tests you aren't stunned. It is definitely a class that you get what you give!

Good luck, before you know it you'll be drawing the structure of Methylcyclohexane without even thinking about it.

Answer 10

Organic Chemistry was difficult for me. It is often called "the gateway to medical school" so it can't be too easy.