CHEM 14A
General Chemistry for Life Scientists I
Description: Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour. Preparation: high school chemistry or equivalent background and three and one half years of high school mathematics. Requisite: completion of Chemistry Diagnostic Test. Enforced corequisite: Life Sciences 30A or Mathematics 3A or 31A or score of 48 or better on Mathematics Diagnostic Test. Not open to students with credit for course 20A. Introduction to physical and general chemistry principles; atomic structure based on quantum mechanics; atomic properties; trends in periodic table; chemical bonding (Lewis structures, VSEPR theory, hybridization, and molecular orbital theory); coordination compounds; properties of inorganic and organic acids, bases, buffers. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 4.0
Units: 4.0
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Most Helpful Review
Fall 2024 - I think this class is definitely a good class to take if you need to fulfill chemistry requirements. Overall, Professor Lavelle gives a lot of easy credit. For example, we get 4 chemistry community credits each week, discussion attendance points, and also quizzes. There are unlimited attempts for the quizzes so it is a really good resource to understand concepts, make mistakes, and still earn 100% on each one. He also lists all the questions and topics you need to know from the textbook, and I personally like to take notes from both his lecture slides and the textbook. There are two midterms (15 questions, 1 question being your name) and one final (30 questions). The midterms were pretty easy, but the final was slightly more challenging but also not too difficult. As long as you read the textbook, do the textbook questions, and perhaps attend some of the UA sessions, you will be absolutely fine. All the exams were MCQs, which made the test easier. The only downside is that each question is worth 4 points, so you don't get any intermediate marks. Overall, this class is a good choice if you want lots of free credits, optional work, and lots of resources.
Fall 2024 - I think this class is definitely a good class to take if you need to fulfill chemistry requirements. Overall, Professor Lavelle gives a lot of easy credit. For example, we get 4 chemistry community credits each week, discussion attendance points, and also quizzes. There are unlimited attempts for the quizzes so it is a really good resource to understand concepts, make mistakes, and still earn 100% on each one. He also lists all the questions and topics you need to know from the textbook, and I personally like to take notes from both his lecture slides and the textbook. There are two midterms (15 questions, 1 question being your name) and one final (30 questions). The midterms were pretty easy, but the final was slightly more challenging but also not too difficult. As long as you read the textbook, do the textbook questions, and perhaps attend some of the UA sessions, you will be absolutely fine. All the exams were MCQs, which made the test easier. The only downside is that each question is worth 4 points, so you don't get any intermediate marks. Overall, this class is a good choice if you want lots of free credits, optional work, and lots of resources.
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Most Helpful Review
Spring 2024 - take this class with Reslan!!!! Could not recommend her more. She's a bit disorganized with her lecture but holds amazing review sessions and is very helpful during office hours. The class itself can be difficult because it's a lot of material crammed but she at the end she did listen to students and cut material. She values our feedback and provides great formula sheets. Her exams are very fair and she gave good practice exams. Discussion is not mandatory but highly recommended because that's when you actually do practice problems. Lectures were recorded. Best chem teacher :)
Spring 2024 - take this class with Reslan!!!! Could not recommend her more. She's a bit disorganized with her lecture but holds amazing review sessions and is very helpful during office hours. The class itself can be difficult because it's a lot of material crammed but she at the end she did listen to students and cut material. She values our feedback and provides great formula sheets. Her exams are very fair and she gave good practice exams. Discussion is not mandatory but highly recommended because that's when you actually do practice problems. Lectures were recorded. Best chem teacher :)
Most Helpful Review
Winter 2024 - To be honest, the lectures in this class were pretty useless. I ended up teaching myself most of the material on my own. He also tests on a lot of theoretical concepts which threw me for a loop. I wouldn't take him again, but it honestly isn't the end of the world if you get this professor. Just be ready to do a lot of self studying. Dr. Scerri honestly isn't mean though and is kind of funny in office hours (which are helpful to an extent).
Winter 2024 - To be honest, the lectures in this class were pretty useless. I ended up teaching myself most of the material on my own. He also tests on a lot of theoretical concepts which threw me for a loop. I wouldn't take him again, but it honestly isn't the end of the world if you get this professor. Just be ready to do a lot of self studying. Dr. Scerri honestly isn't mean though and is kind of funny in office hours (which are helpful to an extent).
Most Helpful Review
Spring 2022 - I took this class 3 years ago so I can't remember too much about it, but I just want to note that Wu was the best science professor I've ever had. He was super chill, took his time explaining concepts to the class, and was very understanding with midterm regrades. I honestly think he is the only reason I was able to pass this class. He is an incredible professor that makes chemistry seem much less daunting to non-stem majors like myself who hate science. I'm not sure if he still teaches this class but if he does, I HIGHLY recommend taking it with him. I've heard lots of horror stories about the other chem professors but Wu was incredible and I don't have a bad word to say about him.
Spring 2022 - I took this class 3 years ago so I can't remember too much about it, but I just want to note that Wu was the best science professor I've ever had. He was super chill, took his time explaining concepts to the class, and was very understanding with midterm regrades. I honestly think he is the only reason I was able to pass this class. He is an incredible professor that makes chemistry seem much less daunting to non-stem majors like myself who hate science. I'm not sure if he still teaches this class but if he does, I HIGHLY recommend taking it with him. I've heard lots of horror stories about the other chem professors but Wu was incredible and I don't have a bad word to say about him.
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