I would bet that if you asked an incoming freshman what course(s) scared them the most, a large number would tell you chemistry.  Heck, it scared ME!  The answer to the question as to why this is the case is one I cannot give a real definitive answer to.  Based on this information, Chemistry 4 has been developed to the state it is today.  Simply, as the professor teaching Chemistry 4, I make NO assumptions about what you know about chemistry (well, I do expect you have heard of an atom, an electron, a proton, and a neutron…) AND I assume you are a little apprehensive (OK, a LOT apprehensive) about taking chemistry.  Chemistry 4 strives to spend its time teaching you the 'fundamentals' of chemistry, which are covered quickly in the 'regular'
sequence.  It is expected that most students in Chem 4, if not all, will take Chem 6A in the Winter, as soon as they finish Chem 4.  My goal is to get you ready to enter 6A and do well in it.

Chemistry 4 spends its time teaching the fundamentals of chemistry: those things that you were supposed to remember from high school chemistry.  These fundamentals include nomenclature, stoichiometry, writing and balancing equations, types of reactions, predictions, determination of chemical formulas from experiment (to name a few).  Chem 6A assumes that you have a pretty good working knowledge of these topics and as a result spends much less time on them, so time can be spent on more advanced concepts like bonding, quantum mechanics, etc (we will lightly touch on some of these in Chem 4 as well).  There is one MAJOR difference in the structure of Chem 4 from that of 6A and that is Chem 4 has a laboratory that is integrated into the course (6A/B/C do not; the lab component, 6BL, is a separate course and is taken after you complete 6B or 6C)).  The Chem 4 lab is meant to have you do experiments that demonstrate things you learn in class and is one of the aspects of Chem 4 that students really like. We use a different textbook (a custom text, cost of about $50) that is especially geared to help you learn the fundamentals.  The lab materials (book and
worksheets) can be purchased from the bookstore (this is also a custom printing) OR downloaded and printed piece by piece from the course webpage (which is what I recommend).

All of you should have taken a Chemistry placement exam; this exam recommends what chemistry class you should take to start at UCSD.  It is only a recommendation.  My general guidelines work like this: you should take Chemistry 4 if any of these apply:
     You were recommended to take it from the placement exam results;
     You did NOT take chemistry in high school;
     The last time you took chemistry was your freshman or sophomore year in high school; OR
     You do not feel that you had a good chemistry course in high school (meaning you feel like you did not really learn chemistry very well);
     You are really apprehensive (scared) about taking chemistry;
     You are not confident in your math skills;
     You are in precalculus and not calculus.

The major advantage is that you will enter Chem 6A confidant and prepared to do your best.  Oh, and you get to have me as a professor!

Take Chem 4.  Doing well in chemistry is as much about where you are mentally as it is about how much chemistry you know.  Piece of mind really helps you to do well.  Chem 4 strives to give you this as far as chemistry goes.  I will see many students in my Chem 6A class in Winter quarter who will tell me that they wished they had taken Chem 4.

Take Chemistry 6A!!!!!

Taking Chemistry 4 will put you one quarter out of sequence as far as chemistry goes.  This is generally NOT a problem as far as graduation goes.  IF you feel that you have to get back "on track" you can always take Chemistry 6C during the summer and that will put you right back on sequence for organic chem in the fall (Chem 140A).  But don't let this deter you from taking Chem 4!

OF COURSE!!!  Taking Chemistry 4 will not put a black mark on your record (a misconception many students and their parents have).  Many of my ex-Chem 4 students are doctors, dentists, lawyers, research scientists, etc.  Many still keep in touch with me.

No.  Honors Chem 6AH is only offered in fall.  You would have to wait a year to take it and I recommend that you do NOT wait!  Take Chem 6A in the Winter (with me of course!).

Check with the bookstore; I'm sure they have a good return policy; if you ordered it, you might call them and change to the Chem 4 text.  However, since you will be taking 6A, why not keep it for winter.  Drop me a line if you have any questions!