I typed out a huge explanation, but then the page refreshed and deleted it. I guess it was mostly unnecessary so I will hit the high points.
-I'm a sophomore in a biochem engineering program
-I've finished the first two basic chemistry courses(aced them)/will be taking organic next semester
-I feel a lack of confidence in my all-around chemistry knowledge, but I still am more comfortable than the majority of my classmates.
-I understand that intuition comes with time, but I would really like to start building the connections between theory and application.
-Basically I don't want just a working knowledge, but a full understanding.

I would just like to know any books/resources that would help build my chemistry intuition. What books really helped build you in a "Master Chemist?"

Do you guys have any advice on things I could do now to really have a solid foundation before I hit the upper-level courses?

Anything else to add?

Thanks!

books don't make a master chemist, experience does.
you're not going to read your way to chem glory, you gotta put in work.

This is true, but make no mistake you will be spending a lot of time hitting the books as well.

been there.
also been in the lab a lot..because that's where skills are really honed.
you can be a bookworm with a 4.0, but have bearpaws with a pipette, and your assaying skills will be worthless. companies aren't going to care what books you've read, they want to know what you can do for them.

Sure me to...but book learning is what makes it possible.

One can certainly do organic synthesis without theory...I had a summer intern at the FDA while still in undergrad. I did some synthesis...but I didn't understand it. I was little more the a cook following a recipe at the time...this was pre sophomore organic mind you.

In fact I'd say that organic chemistry is equal parts book and lab...if you want to be good. I mean just keeping up with all the named reactions...then you need to keep abreast of the journal articles of those working close to you in the field.

Yeah there is no way you can deny the importance of book learning when it comes to chemistry...there is just WAY to much theory that is very important.

...unless of course all you are doing is peptide couplings...then sure you don't need much book learning at all.
But the first time you try a total synthesis of a natural product like say Taxol..LOL. Well no doubt you will need a lot of theory and knowledge to even begin to approach a retro synthesis of pretty much any natural product that has more than 1 chiral center.

So to the parent poster. My advise is this. Study your ass off to learn as much theory as you can. Then start exploring the world of chemistry. Do some extractions...get a good handle no acid/base pKa/pKb etc. What you learn here will pretty much apply across the board to synthesis. Eventually though you just got get into the kitchen and do some cooking.

If you really want to pursue chemistry there is no way around it. Go to grad school...make sure you pick someone that is very good at what they do and can teach you. Then you will spend 4-6 years in the lab diving very deep into the world of organic synthesis. Personally I'd recommend a Med Chem program for the simpel fact that you get to do organic chemistry with a purpose.

Peace.

I feel like everything will get better once I get into organic and higher level ChemE courses. These basic chemistry courses just water it down too much for those who are just taking it as a requirement. It leaves me feeling inadequately prepared.

even that's not necessary. if you've waited 'til grad school to learn all the applied and analytical techniques, then you're already behind. learn as many techniques you can as an undergrad; pick one that you like doing the most, and do method dev. then you can become a specialist in a niche market.

well, that's one way to do it, anyway.
or you could blow more money on school loans. whatever you choose, biotech and nanotech are hot markets. after a couple years work in industry with a bachelor's, you'd likely make more than a master's right out of school anyway.
it really depends on what you want to do. if you want to oversee a team of researchers, then yeah, a graduate degree is essential; but you don't need one to do research.