If you find yourself staring at a paragraph in your textbook for more than an hour and still not fully comprehending (or caring about) its contents, you may unfortunately be subjected to the unkindness of having to fulfill your natural sciences requirements.

If your professor is lecturing about atoms and you are thinking about an Adam you once knew, there may be a problem with the neurotransmitters in your brain. Or, if you are reading about gamma radiation and you can’t help but daydream about your Gamma Phi Beta sorority-girl crush, you may be suffering from a deficit of norepinephrine.

Can a chemical imbalance result from taking a chemistry class?

Liberal arts schools like DU pride themselves in creating well-rounded graduates who are prepared to succeed in the “real” world, which is why students are required to take a full year of natural sciences. However, I have to admit, I was pretty positive that one year of chemistry in high school was more than enough for me.

To be truthful, other things arouse curiosity in me; particularly things I can see. Although the idea of taking three quarters of chemistry was unappealing, even a little nauseating, it was the only class I could get into.

With vocabulary like polymerization, chlorofluorocarbon and Ytterbium, it’s no surprise that you might be wondering why you didn’t just take Japanese instead.

Don’t get me wrong; I am genuinely fascinated by the amount of knowledge that chemists have and I do believe that the composition of matter is exciting for those who have enough patience to understand it. I also have a newfound respect for science majors.

Though as a journalism major, I fear that chemistry may have little use for me in the future other than perhaps the boasting of my knowledge of isotopes during a cocktail party.

While others are learning why fish fall from the sky or why poor old Pluto is no longer a planet, I am working diligently on constructing molecules out of balls and sticks.

So, why am I taking a NATS course in chemistry? Well, the answer is obvious. When I am suddenly jolted awake from a peaceful night’s sleep by an undying need to know what happens when you combine hydrochloric acid and sodium bicarbonate, I will undoubtedly know the answer.

What do we non-science majors do with the feelings of frustration and resentment that conjure up when thinking about science? We just have to Barium!