Is it required to take Chemistry in College?

Question

I'm a junior in high school and i was wondering whether i should take AP Physics or AP Chemistry in high school. I've already taken AP Biology. Is chemistry a class that you are required to take in college if you don't earn an AP credit for high school? Obviously it would be if i were to major in something like chemical engineering or something like that, but otherwise is it required? because i'd rather take it in high school if it is because i've heard that the class and lab hours in college are awful. Also, i dont really like chemistry and would be much better at physics. Oh, I have already taken honors chemistry as well, so i have the graduation requirement. my school is weird, you have to take the normal class before the AP version, whereas many schools allow you to take just the AP. Thanks for your advice/help, i don't really have anyone around here to ask.

Answer 1

Whether you have to take chem or not in college depends a lot on your major/field of study.

I went pre-med, and I can tell you right now that Organic Chemistry kicked my a**! Course, it will depend on your professors/instructors, but dear lord was that a hard class.

And I love science too!

Although I'm sure it sucks to have to go through them, taking the regular class before the AP class is a great way to hammer home all the material you go over.

Answer 2

This answer depends on your goals for a career. If you want to be a pharmacist/doctor/dentist/nurse/psychiatrist or any other professional that deals with distributing medications, yes, chemistry will be necessary for you to complete as part of your science courses.
However, AP credit or not I never took chemistry or physics. not in high school not in juniour college or university. I was scared of the math involved in the formulas everyone says they were doing in class. Mixing this and that to get blue or whatever....no way. I took all sorts of other sciences to make the same equivalent credits tho. I was an English major and I was in the teaching program. I did not take chem but that does not mean if i had been forced to that it would not have helped me. I have knowledge of the periodic table because of other classes and social sciences that dealt with natural elements, gas & particles etcetera, but only you can decide whether you need to take the one class or the other.
Can you get a feel for the class by talking to the teachers and reading the textbook? The laws of physics versus the chemical elements of chemistry seems more interesting but that is your choice. Have you talked to your counselor or a careers counselor or someone in the science department to get their advice?
Really, it comes down to what you want on your transcripts when you go to college. and besides that, you have to pass the AP test to get AP credit anyhow which may be easier said than done. If you prefer one over the other then don't hesitate, sign up. But if you still doubt it, then make a list for both and get the positives and negatives on paper in front of you. The one with the most positive attirbutes should probably be your pick.
good luck.


And if you are a person of faith maybe ask your pastor's opinion or pray about it and wait for an answer. You've already decided in your heart, you just need to listen to yourself!

Answer 3

Whether you need to take chemistry in college will depend on your major. Clearly, if you are a materials engineering major or a chemistry major, you're more likely going to have to take chemistry. Some top science schools, like MIT, require you to take chemistry regardless of major.

But most schools with a science requirement allow you to choose from a number of different science courses. I wouldn't worry.

Answer 4

Most colleges require you to take 1 - 2 science classes. Typically you would pick one from the natural sciences, and one from the physical sciences. If you don't want to take chemistry there are plenty of other sciences classes that I’m sure will count towards the requirement. Check the general education requirements for the state university in which you live, this would be your best guideline.

Answer 5

Most colleges that I have heard about require either a basic life science class, or biology (which are basically the same thing). Never heard of chemistry as a required class, unless it is part of your major. Good luck! AP classes are tough, but getting through them is so rewarding!!

Answer 6

Well, each school has different requirements as far as core curriculum, but I've never heard of chemistry being one unless you're going into a science-based field and I've attended 4 colleges.

I'd recommend taking it at the high school level, though.

Answer 7

i am not sure but i think there is a physical science breadth.

just take AP chem so that your transcript looks more impressive and well rounded. then take AP physics your senior year, so that physics will be easier when in senoir year you will be in a higher math level

depending on your college the AP credit might be able to be transferred, unless youre going to be a chemistry major.

Answer 8

It depends on your major, and you might want to check what courses college that you will attend requires for BS: should you want that degree. Years ago you needed two science courses in some schools and one in other schools.

Answer 9

Depends on the college.