lavender19 Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 So, I previously took Organic Chemistry at a four year university and there were at least 500 students in my class and everyone was smart (Cornell), so it was difficult to do well! I just did not connect with the professor and did not understand what was going on so I dropped the course. I was wondering how difficult Organic Chemistry would be at a community college? Nothing was more difficult for me than Organic and I'm terrified to take it again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 very few schools require it. Why are you taking it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lavender19 Posted April 24, 2013 Author Share Posted April 24, 2013 Well I want to stay near my fiancé and one of the PA programs in the town we're moving to requires Organic Chemistry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinntsp Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Even if it isn't easier at a CC the class sizes are usually smaller which means more teacher/student interaction. That may be a better setting for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted April 24, 2013 Moderator Share Posted April 24, 2013 very few schools require it. Why are you taking it? agree. avoiding o-chem was a big reason for me to go pa vs md... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Well then at CC it would probably be a lot easier, but it depends on the CC and the professor. I heard horror stories about CC Orgo or university Orgo. I took it at university and our professor was horrible, so I taught it myself. If it is absolutely required, then take it at CC. Also buy "organic chem as a second language." Wonderful book. It will make o-chem seem like a piece of cake. The subject has one fundamental concept and if you get that, then you get all of the class. This book will drill that into you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lavender19 Posted April 24, 2013 Author Share Posted April 24, 2013 There are many reasons why I'm avoiding medical school. First off, I HATE the physical sciences. I think the small class room setting will be good for me. More student/professor interaction! Less competition too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 I wouldn't go into PA school with the attitude of hating physical sciences. Stuff we learn requires basic knowledge of all sciences, even o-chem. Can you get away without o-chem? Yes. Will things make more sense with o-chem? YES! Same with physics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted April 24, 2013 Moderator Share Posted April 24, 2013 I wouldn't go into PA school with the attitude of hating physical sciences. Stuff we learn requires basic knowledge of all sciences, even o-chem. Can you get away without o-chem? Yes. Will things make more sense with o-chem? YES! Same with physics. I loved physics. never took ochem and don't think I have suffered for it at all. graduated 3rd in my class of 80 and have scored very highly on pance and all my panre's, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 I loved physics. never took ochem and don't think I have suffered for it at all. graduated 3rd in my class of 80 and have scored very highly on pance and all my panre's, etc. That's why I said it's not essential :). But if OP's school requires o-chem, my best bet is they are going to teach him/her biochemistry so that would be different from curricular here. I think o-chem is useless in PA school but I am glad I took biochem because things make a lot more sense now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benny32311 Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 I took Orgo at a CC and absolutely loved the class. It was a lot of work, but I had a great teacher whose background was in science education. I had a nice small class of 25 - 30 students, so if I had any questions the teacher was always available. She was also finishing her doctorate in science education, so she had a fresh approach past lecturing and letting you figure it out for yourself. It was great. I was terrified of taking orgo, but worked hard and actually did really well in it, and enjoyed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoRyou Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 Purplez, thank you for bringing this book to my attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoRyou Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 So, I previously took Organic Chemistry at a four year university and there were at least 500 students in my class and everyone was smart (Cornell), so it was difficult to do well! I just did not connect with the professor and did not understand what was going on so I dropped the course. I was wondering how difficult Organic Chemistry would be at a community college? Nothing was more difficult for me than Organic and I'm terrified to take it again! If you look at my avatar you will see I am as apprehensive as you are lavender Purplez and for those who are familiar with the book, I noticed there is "Organic Chemistry I as a Second Language:Translating the Basic Concepts", OR "Organic Chemistry II as a Second Language: Second Semester Topics" Which one would you recommend? TYIA http://www.lookupbyisbn.com/Lookup/Book/0471272353/0-471-27235-3/1 <--- As you see here there are 'other' versions of the book Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jts Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 I took Orgo at a CC and absolutely loved the class. It was a lot of work, but I had a great teacher whose background was in science education. I had a nice small class of 25 - 30 students, so if I had any questions the teacher was always available. She was also finishing her doctorate in science education, so she had a fresh approach past lecturing and letting you figure it out for yourself. It was great. I was terrified of taking orgo, but worked hard and actually did really well in it, and enjoyed it. I also took Orgo at a local CC. The professor had a doctorate on Organic Chem and he was an awesome teacher. I found it difficult but I liked it so much better than Inorganic Chem. I worked my silly head off because I also had a full-time job but I enjoyed every minute of it! To me, so much of biology and medicine in general made so much more sense to me after Orgo. And yes, the smaller class size was wonderful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoRyou Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 I have always said, I like the CC classes because you do get that individual attention from the prof if needed. The classes are always cheaper and that is always a good thing IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lang Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 Also buy "organic chem as a second language." Wonderful book. It will make o-chem seem like a piece of cake. The subject has one fundamental concept and if you get that, then you get all of the class. This book will drill that into you. Yes!! Those books (there are 2, one for each semester) are how I got through ochem with good grades!!!! Great suggestion!! And they're cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benny32311 Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 I have always said, I like the CC classes because you do get that individual attention from the prof if needed. The classes are always cheaper and that is always a good thing IMHO. Yeah, I don't understand why more people don't use them. You are presented with the same material and learn the same things, and for a lot of my classes I had Dr.s teaching instead of TAs or people that were retired from a particular field that could bring real life experience to what they were teaching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jts Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 You are correct, whoRyou! I was nicely surprised at the quality of instruction at my local CC...and at the high percentage of profs with doctorates. All that without heavy debts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jts Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 You are correct, whoRyou! I was nicely surprised at the quality of instruction at my local CC...and at the high percentage of profs with doctorates. All that without heavy debts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jts Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 You are correct, whoRyou! I was nicely surprised at the quality of instruction at my local CC...and at the high percentage of profs with doctorates. All that without heavy debts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA803 Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Personally I've never found much continuity judging courses based on CC vs 4y or in the level 100-200-300-400. I took many of my prereqs at a CC and some of the 200 level classes were much harder than many of my 400 series classes at my 4y. But like others have said, cheaper+smaller class size helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA803 Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Personally I've never found much continuity judging courses based on CC vs 4y or in the level 100-200-300-400. I took many of my prereqs at a CC and some of the 200 level classes were much harder than many of my 400 series classes at my 4y. But like others have said, cheaper+smaller class size helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA803 Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Personally I've never found much continuity judging courses based on CC vs 4y or in the level 100-200-300-400. I took many of my prereqs at a CC and some of the 200 level classes were much harder than many of my 400 series classes at my 4y. But like others have said, cheaper+smaller class size helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoRyou Posted May 3, 2013 Share Posted May 3, 2013 Do WE really need it?!? Technically no, ... http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2008/07/16/do-pre-meds-really-need-that-year-of-organic-chemistry/ But some say the rigor of the course and discipline needed to pass is itself a weeding out process for those considering to be a physician assistant and it is required for their school like myself. And others say, if one can’t pass organic chemistry, it is unlikely they will develop the studying skills needed for medicine, which I think is bull. All I know is I need the class and I am going to give it my ALL when I am ready. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoRyou Posted May 3, 2013 Share Posted May 3, 2013 Do WE really need it?!? Technically no, ... http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2008/07/16/do-pre-meds-really-need-that-year-of-organic-chemistry/ But some say the rigor of the course and discipline needed to pass is itself a weeding out process for those considering to be a physician assistant and it is required for their school like myself. And others say, if one can’t pass organic chemistry, it is unlikely they will develop the studying skills needed for medicine, which I think is bull. All I know is I need the class and I am going to give it my ALL when I am ready. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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