Overview
Chemistry 1AA3 is a continuation of Chem 1A03 and discusses organic chemistry, additional bonding topics (orbital hybridization), chemical kinetics, buffer solutions, intermolecular forces, and a new topic,...

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This was my favourite class in first year (well, second to Chem 1A03).

The material covered in 1AA3 is pretty interesting for the most part - it has some variety with more math-based problems (rates, buffers) and non-math based (aromaticity, chem bio, organic chem). I found them all equally interesting.

The first midterm was difficult because of the terrible wording of some questions, but the material itself was not too bad because the midterm came fairly early on.

The second midterm was difficult, because it basically encompassed what most people feel is the most difficult two units - organic chem and buffers - in one test.

The exam, I honestly found very difficult. The 3 mark questions, most people spent half the time allotted for the exam and still got only a couple pf them correct. The 2 markers were okay, but it makes it difficult to get a 12 in the course.

Overall, this course was very interesting. The chemical concepts were easy to understand. The prof- Dr.Hatala, was absolutely amazing in terms of clarity, communication skills, and knowledge. However, the tests were relatively hard for this course in that they were tricky and required you to go to the next level in terms of knowledge and application of concepts. The exam was pretty much the same thing as tests. So, in totality, I would recommend to study smart, not just hard. Learn how to apply concepts and not just memorize content because that is what will help you in the tests and exams which are the tough part of this course.

I found that this course was overall more interesting than its predecessor, but the evaluations were moreso "out to get us," rather than testing our knowledge and ability to apply concepts that were EMPHASIZED in class. Definitely do not take this course unless you absolutely have to!

Don't put your labs on friday afternoons are else you get screwed over with no time to review because the midterms are always on friday nights.

Chem 1AA3 is the 2nd part of the 'intro chemistry' series of courses. I had Dr. Valliant as my professor, and I enjoyed his lectures (whenever I actually woke up early enough to attend, as they were 8:30 classes). The material was somewhat interesting, if you're interested in the experimental side of chemistry (which is the basis and vast majority of chemistry).

The first midterm was very straight-forward in terms of material, but was made more difficult by the wording. However, I'm not a fan of the rote-method that is required for basic organic chemistry, and thus preferred the 2nd midterm. I found the 2nd midterm easier since it had a greater proportion of questions (buffers) that could be figured out as opposed to questions that required the memorization of certain concepts.

The final exam was difficult, but got a bit of a boost. Overall, I found this course to be a lot more challenging (and less interesting) than Chemistry 1A03, the prerequisite.

so hard. that is all.

Originally Posted by ecoghlan

so hard. that is all.

LMFAO! Agreed! One of the hardest courses I've taken in university, thus far. Even harder than a lot of courses involving essays!

Just to clarify, Friday morning labs are really not that bad. I mean, any 8:30 lab sucks to some extent, but it finishes by 11:30 so you'll have plenty of time to study. First semester all I had on Fridays was this lab (EOW) and I loved it.

Although the Friday afternoon slot is definitely not that great, I would avoid that one. :p

haha i had the friday afternoon labs, the pro to it is that you can get all the answers from friends, and get a very good idea of what the lab is like. cons: 7pm midterms following a 3 hr lab is not fun. :S

midterms were alright.. EXAMMM on the other hand was prob the hardest one i wrote first year.

this course was moderately interesting(some parts i found very interesting, some parts very dry). the tests and exam were quite challenging, but it is very possible to do well if you do a lot of practice questions. i had berti for a prof and found him to be an excellent prof, good at explaining and receptive to questions.

are the midterms for all courses (including chem 1AA3) the same regardless of which professor you get?

Originally Posted by ragedevil67

are the midterms for all courses (including chem 1AA3) the same regardless of which professor you get?

That is correct. General first year science courses with multiple cores such as Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Math all have the same midterm and exam for all the sections. Most of the time the midterm and exams are written as a collaboration between the professors but if Math is still the same then it's Haskell that writes the midterms and exam.

Originally Posted by jhan523

That is correct. General first year science courses with multiple cores such as Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Math all have the same midterm and exam for all the sections. Most of the time the midterm and exams are written as a collaboration between the professors but if Math is still the same then it's Haskell that writes the midterms and exam.

I see....thanks
but if thats the case would you say there is really any advantage in choosing one professor over another?