Can anyone give me a link or a rundown on what the chemistry topics are that are tested on the MCAT? I am scheduling my next chem class tonight and trying to decide between a couple of chem classes…THANKS!!! 
E Lynne
You might be able to get more in-depth info from those that have taken or are currently preparing for the MCAT but, from the MCAT site, the down and dirty topics are taken from General Chemistry I and II as well as O-Chem I and II. Hope this helps a little…
All MCAT topics are posted somewhere at aamc.org under MCAT. There should be a detailed list there somewhere about each topic and what specifics it covers.
Which chemistry classes are you debating between, and what are the differences between them? It’s hard to list everything that might come up on the MCAT. What you want is a solid general background in the subject. The concepts build upon each other so most classes follow a pretty standardized format.
Thank you so much for the link–it helps to have an outline…
I looked at the university catalogue and these are the course descriptions:
CHEM140 GENERAL CHEMISTRY 4 sem. hrs.
This course is basic chemistry with special attention
to elements and reactions that occur in biological sys-
tems. Topics include atomic structure, periodic table,
octet rule, acids, bases, pH, gas laws, oxidation,
reduction and cryoscopic properties, and nuclear
chemistry. There are three hours of laboratory per
week. This course is approved for General Education
Core 7.
CHEM141 BIO-ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 4 sem. hrs.
This course is organic chemistry with emphasis on
structures and reactions that occur in biological sys-
tems, and biochemistry focusing on carbohydrates,
proteins, enzymes, lipids, nucleic acids, hormones
and some intermediary metabolism. There is a three
hour lab per week. Prerequisite: CHEM140. This
course is approved for General Education
Distribution 3.
CHEM160
PRINCIPLES OF CHEMISTRY I 4 sem. hrs.
This course introduces students to the fundamental
principles of chemistry with special emphasis on the
structure of matter and reactions. The topics include
the nature of matter, fundamental and composite par-
ticles, electronic structure of matter, the periodic
table, molecules and chemical bonds, the three states
of matter, thermochemistry, stoichiometry, chemical
reactions, and nuclear chemistry. There is a three hour
lab per week. This course is approved for General
Education Core 7.
CHEM161 PRINCIPLES OF CHEMISTRY II 4 sem. hrs.
This course is a continuation of Principles of
Chemistry I. Topics include solutions, oxidation-
reduction reactions, chemical kinetics, chemical equi-
librium, chemical thermodynamics, acid-base theory,
ionic equilibria, electrochemistry and complex com-
pounds. Computer spreadsheets are regularly used to
analyze laboratory data. There is a three hour lab per
week. Prerequisite: CHEM160 or CHEM140. This
course is approved for General Education
Distribution 3, and Computer Competency.
CHEM202 GENERAL ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 4 sem. hrs.
An introduction to the theory and practical applica-
tions of Organic Chemistry. In addition to covering
the essential and most important organic reactions,
theoretical concepts such as reaction mechanisms are
discussed. The course is intended to provide back-
ground information for students in the health sciences
and biology. There is a three hour lab per week.
Prerequisite: CHEM140 or CHEM161. This course
is approved for General Education Distribution 3.
CHEM220 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 4 sem. hrs.
This course studies the compounds containing car-
bon, both the aliphatic and aromatic series, emphasiz-
ing structural relationships, nomenclature, mecha-
nisms, and characterization of individual functional
groups. There is one three hour laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: CHEM140 or CHEM161. This course
is approved for General Education Elective.
CHEM221 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II 4 sem. hrs.
This course continues Organic Chemistry I, empha-
sizing the oxygen and nitrogen-containing functional
groups of both the aliphatic and aromatic series. It
stresses spectroscopy as an analytical method
throughout the course. There is one three hour labo-
ratory per week. Prerequisite: CHEM220. This
course is approved for General Education
Distribution 3.
I am currently in Principals of Chem 1. There was much debate about where I should start out–either Gen Chem or Principals of Chem. Other pre-meds are in Principals, but now that I am in there I hear the prof telling us that Gen Chem has more of a focus on preparing for medical related careers.
I am doing ok in the Principals class but not as well as I would like. I am considering dropping back to Gen Chem to get a better foundation and then moving on from there.
My advisor has not been a help and I get varying opinions from other professors. UGH!!
Thanks
E Lynne
Well, the next class to take sounds like it would be either Principles 2 or General 2. Although your professor says the General class is more oriented towards medical careers, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s right for pre-med students. Personally I would avoid any chemistry class that says “biology” in the description, because that means it is not intended for chemistry majors and will skip certain things. Also, for pre-req purposes, I would avoid any class that covers in one semester what you COULD do in 2 and will have to eventually anyway (such as an Orgo or Gen Chem overview). If you are just looking to GET an overview, then take one of those, but that kind of depends on where you feel you are at right now.
As far as MCAT prep, I think the best classes are the ones that majors in that subject would take, so… chemistry for chem majors, physics for physics majors, etc. The chemistry questions on the MCAT won’t all be biology-related, so you’ll have to look at chemistry from a chemist’s perspective, and in theory the class for majors will help.
Hope that helps a little. You definitely can rule out Organic and Bio-Organic since you haven’t finished Gen Chem yet. Good luck!
You need to discern which chemistry is the “basic” course for aspiring chemistry majors, and take that one. You can get this information by looking at the requirements for particular degrees. Take the class that would have to be taken by someone working toward a B.A. in chemistry. If it isn’t rigorous enough to count toward a major, it isn’t rigorous enough for your purposes.
Mary
You need a full year of General Chemistry and a full year of Organic Chemistry to apply to medical school. Based on the description you’ve provided, it looks like if you go the Chem 140 General Chem route, that is only a 1 semester course with no Chem 141 General Chem II follow up. This will leave you a semester short.
It sounds as if you’ll need to take these courses:
PRINCIPLES OF CHEMISTRY I 4 sem. hrs.
This course introduces students to the fundamental
principles of chemistry with special emphasis on the
structure of matter and reactions. The topics include
the nature of matter, fundamental and composite par-
ticles, electronic structure of matter, the periodic
table, molecules and chemical bonds, the three states
of matter, thermochemistry, stoichiometry, chemical
reactions, and nuclear chemistry. There is a three hour
lab per week. This course is approved for General
Education Core 7.
CHEM161 PRINCIPLES OF CHEMISTRY II 4 sem. hrs.
This course is a continuation of Principles of
Chemistry I. Topics include solutions, oxidation-
reduction reactions, chemical kinetics, chemical equi-
librium, chemical thermodynamics, acid-base theory,
ionic equilibria, electrochemistry and complex com-
pounds. Computer spreadsheets are regularly used to
analyze laboratory data. There is a three hour lab per
week. Prerequisite: CHEM160 or CHEM140. This
course is approved for General Education
Distribution 3, and Computer Competency.
To complete the required year of Gen Chem.
And these two:
CHEM220 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 4 sem. hrs.
This course studies the compounds containing car-
bon, both the aliphatic and aromatic series, emphasiz-
ing structural relationships, nomenclature, mecha-
nisms, and characterization of individual functional
groups. There is one three hour laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: CHEM140 or CHEM161. This course
is approved for General Education Elective.
CHEM221 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II 4 sem. hrs.
This course continues Organic Chemistry I, empha-
sizing the oxygen and nitrogen-containing functional
groups of both the aliphatic and aromatic series. It
stresses spectroscopy as an analytical method
throughout the course. There is one three hour labo-
ratory per week. Prerequisite: CHEM220. This
course is approved for General Education
Distribution 3.
To complete the required year of Organic Chem.
Good luck!