How much math to take Chemistry

NurseFirst · Feb 19, 2005

I have only had elementary Algebra. Is this enough math for successful taking General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry? I only had high school Chemistry.

If you know how to solve for unknowns that should be sufficient. Might help to be able to read tables and graphs. Knowing how to solve for unknowns and keeping the units straight. (e.g. 46 kcal/mol as an answer).

Mostly, I think there's a lot of arithmetic: given a table of bond energies and a reaction, is the reaction exothermic or endothermic. Stuff in electronegativity and electrochemistry.

I think the most sophisticated I ever got in chemistry (and I've had: inorganic, organic, biochem, quant analysis) was square roots for quant. The many, many years ago that I took it, many people were still doing this by long-hand. TI had just put out a (what is by today's standards) a very simple calculator, for $150 (dropped soon after to $100) which did square roots. Needless to say, I bought it.

What I highly recommend for any of this is, when you are doing math problems, ask yourself if the answer is reasonable. If you are giving a dose of something (taking this from nursing now) that is 250mg/mL and you are giving less than 250mg, you have to be giving less than 1 mL. (This, of course, is more exciting if you are giving, say, 800mg. Then you can easily determine that the answer you get should be above 3 mL.)

NurseFirst

nikonos · Feb 20, 2005

Chem involves a lot less math than physics, but there are still a lot of calculations you will have to be able to do esp. in lab. It is virtually all algebra and the "hardest" thing that I can recall doing were log functions during the second semester of inorganic. Quite honestly, the calculator does most of the work for you, you just have to know the formulas and record how you reached your particular answer. I think that if you felt you were strong in algebra that you will be fine. Good luck.

group_theory · Feb 20, 2005

A good solid background in Algebra is essential to understanding General Chemistry (it will also make it easier)

Definately know your logs and exponentials (acid-base pH, pKa, enzyme kinetics). Understand direct and inverse relationship in equations (important in gas laws PV = nRT)

Keeping units straight, and solving for unknowns are essential

That's about it for general chem and intro organic

Now if you decide to pursue physical chemistry or upper level chem classes, then understanding calculus, multivariable calc and linear algebra are essential. Of course, that's only if you want to be a chem major :uhoh21:

Group_theory

following_faith · Feb 20, 2005

I would also check with the school you are going to be taking them at. At the school that I am taking a chemistry course through, they want you to have college algebra first for the general chemistry and then just the general chemistry to have any upper level chem, like organic...etc.

NurseFirst · Feb 20, 2005

a good solid background in algebra is essential to understanding general chemistry (it will also make it easier)
definately know your logs and exponentials (acid-base ph, pka, enzyme kinetics). understand direct and inverse relationship in equations (important in gas laws pv = nrt)
keeping units straight, and solving for unknowns are essential
that's about it for general chem and intro organic
now if you decide to pursue physical chemistry or upper level chem classes, then understanding calculus, multivariable calc and linear algebra are essential. of course, that's only if you want to be a chem major :uhoh21:
group_theory

to a previous poster: oh, logs...i forgot about those!!! and exponentials, of course! silly me.

i have a degree in microbiology. 3 years of chemistry (general, organic, biochem) and quantitative analysis. seriously thought about a chem major, but the amt of math, and the reputation of the math department, dissuaded me. i discovered later that math was easy for me until i hit calculus. i used to love word problems, but we sure didn't get along when it came to calculus word problems!!!! i don't know when i've studied more for a class.

i didn't need calculcus for organic (which is considered to be lower division, anyway) or for biochem.

nursefirst

MryRose · Feb 21, 2005

For the intro to inorganic chemistry class I took, the pre-req was college algebra which I took the semester prior. It wasn't that bad at all mathwise and I do not consider myself anywhere near a math whiz!

Check on the pre-req's for the class. Also our libraries keep a copy of the chem texts available to view. You can see the math needed by looking at the text.

I only had pre-algebra in high school,and that was way back in 1976!!! So if I can learn it, just about anyone can! lolol:chuckle

Hugs!

MaryRose

group_theory · Feb 21, 2005

For the intro to inorganic chemistry class I took, ...
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Also our libraries keep a copy of the chem texts available to view. You can see the math needed by looking at the text.

A quick clarification

It is unfortunate that some schools refer to their general or introductory chemistry classes as "inorganic" chemistry. The term general or intro chemistry is more suitable simple because inorganic chemistry is a branch of chemistry, just like organic chem, physical chem, biochem, and analytical chem.

It is akin to learning about DNA in a intro biology course and calling the course "molecular genetics" because it dealt with DNA.

I wanted to clarify it in case someone takes a look at an "inorganic chemistry" textbook and freaks out when they see symmetry and group theory discussed in the construction of molecular orbitals.:uhoh21:

jhawk07 · Feb 21, 2005

College Algebra definitely and possibly geometry.

kirbi · Feb 21, 2005

The more familiar you are with algebra, the more comfortable you will be in Chem. It's a lot of math.

Maisie · Feb 22, 2005

Thanks for the the information. I wanted to attend an accelerated program, but the prereq is Chemistry. The math will take 3 semesters. and then two semesters of Chemistry. At that point, I may as well go to a 2 year college. I need to start working soon.

RNJoAnn · Feb 23, 2005

I'm taking General Chemistry this quarter. It's mostly solving algebraic equations. Right now we're working on writing and solving chemical equations. I took Algebra I and II as prerequisites and still need to take Intermediate Algebra and College Algebra, but I wanted to get the Chemistry over with. It's very difficult for me. I'll consider myself lucky if I get a C. The majority of students in the class are having difficulty, too, so I don't feel so alone. Good luck to you. I'm hoping this is the worst class I'll ever have to to take!