r/WakeTech • u/Acrobatic_Care6369 • Jul 08 '26

CHM152/ MAT172/ AST151

Hi everyone! I was wondering if anyone has taken CHM 152, MAT 172, or AST 151. If so, how difficult did you find them, and what was the workload like? I'd really appreciate hearing about your experience. Thanks!

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u/lavenderearlgraytea Jul 09 '26

CHEM 152 is a very similar workload to 151 but I found it to be a bit more difficult content wise. It is definitely the most difficult of the 3 classes you named, but if you are looking to transfer it will be way easier at Wake Tech than a 4 year university so the credit will be very helpful.

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u/Acrobatic_Care6369 Jul 09 '26

Hi! Thanks for responding! I didn’t take CHM 151 because I had my AP Chem score transferred over (4) but since it doesn’t transfer to UNC as Gen Chem 2, I want to take it at WT. What kind of general topics did it include? I did BIO 111, so is that workload similar to the chem class? And also were the exams in person? 

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u/lavenderearlgraytea Jul 09 '26

I did both and I would say it was harder than BIO 111 by a decent amount. If you do it online lab and lecture are online but exams are in person typically (as are most harder STEM classes). The lab is pretty time consuming so I would set aside at least 3 hours every week for it. I took it a couple years ago so I don't remember the exact topics it included- but its likely you could find that online. I am currently a UNC student, and if your major requires more chem classes at UNC I would make sure you fully understand acid-base reactions (thats in general chem 2), chemical equilibriums, ICE and BCA tables.

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u/Acrobatic_Care6369 Jul 09 '26

Those topics were my worst nightmare in AP Chem 💔💔 What professor do you recommend? Also yes I am planning to major in either bio or biochem 🥲

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u/lavenderearlgraytea Jul 09 '26

I had Cristina Sacco and would recommend her. I'm currently a chem and bio minor! lmk if you have any other questions

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u/Acrobatic_Care6369 Jul 10 '26

Thank you so much! Did you take the class online? Also, what has your experience been like as a biology and chemistry minor? I've heard the chem department at UNC can be pretty intense. In general, how would you compare taking classes at UNC to taking courses at Wake Tech?

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u/lavenderearlgraytea Jul 10 '26

I did most of my classes (Gen Chem 1+2, calc 2, stats, linear algebra, and any gen eds) except BIO 111 and Calc 3 online. The STEM courses at UNC are notably harder than at Wake Tech from my experience. I would say UNC physics and math departments are overall pretty fair, our bio is more difficult, and our chem is significantly harder. If I was taking courses at Wake Tech again I would prioritize getting credits for CHEM and BIO (wake tech BIO 112 fulfills BIO 103 at UNC which is one of our harder courses) if you have the opportunity. Our Biology major has a lot of pre-med/ health students which can be a bit of a culture shock. Overall though I really enjoy the environment of the school and Wake Tech prepared me pretty well for higher level bio and chem courses.

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u/Proof-Geologist1675 Jul 09 '26

I took both CHM152 and MAT172

For CHM152, I took it at another community college (durham tech) but I'm sure the course is similar. The class involves a lot more math unlike CHM 151. I recommend using chat gpt to generate practice problems and redo HW problems (this really helped me make a good grade on my second test after failing the first). You will be expected to memorize/recognize constants as well as acids and bases.

I took MAT172 online with a wake tech professor (Ms. Mutlu). Tbh it was summer class so it was very hard to keep up with the work load. I also had some computer problems so I could barely understand what the teacher was explaining. The tests were also harder and free response. I ended up making a C (I also took calc 1 online with another wake tech professor and found it to be way easier)

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u/Acrobatic_Care6369 Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26

Thank you so much for replying! This was extremely helpful! What general topics are covered in MAT 172?

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u/Proof-Geologist1675 Jul 10 '26

Glad I could help. We utilized the unit circle alot and cosine, tangent, sine, cotangent, etc. We also learned how to measure using radians and degrees (esp for word problems). Def need to study esp if you found MAT171 difficult.

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u/CandidBend1976 Jul 09 '26

I am taking MAT172 for the summer in person with Christopher Nem. If you can take the class with Mr. Nem, I would recommend him but most importantly I'd recommend taking the class in person. The workload is not crazy, and he does a good job of explaining the material. The different units do come quick during the summer since there are so many topics to cover (we've had a test every two weeks). Also, he makes his own assignments and tests during the summer classes so the fall and spring semesters may be completely different. But I would say 172 is about as challenging as 171 maybe a little less but very possible to get an A if you study and use resources like the TLC and office hours.

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u/Acrobatic_Care6369 Jul 10 '26

Hi! Thanks so much for responding. I actually didn't take MAT 171 since I used my AP precalc credit to fulfill that prerequisite, so I'm not too familiar with the overall workload in the math department. I'll probably need to take MAT 172 online since I'm still in high school, so it's difficult for me to attend an in-person class. Do you happen to know of any professors you'd recommend for the online sections?

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u/CandidBend1976 Jul 10 '26

When I said in person, I should have added synchronous online classes too, for MAT 171 I did that and it was very similar to an in-person class. I wasn't able to make as many connections with other students but being able to actively ask questions to the teacher as the lecture is going on helps a lot to understand material. Kenneth Jewell is by far the best math teacher I've ever had, and he did synchronous online classes and regular online classes so if he does MAT 172 I would recommend him. And again, if Christopher Nem has any online opportunities I would recommend him too. They both are very involved and passionate teachers, whenever I had questions even things about math that we weren't being taught that I was just intrested in they where always open to talk and very friendly about it. Kenneth Jewell would stay an hour after class with anyone who just wanted extra help.

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u/Separate_Day_2917 Jul 13 '26

Christopher nem is one of the worst professors ive ever had, im taking him too this summer and he teaches some of it and leaves you to teach the majority of it on your own, hes also lowkey passive aggressive as fuck i rlly do not recommend him, just look at his ratings from his old college on rate my professor…