Reddit mentions of Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of Matter and Change

I'd like to say something fun, but it's probably this chemistry textbook.

I'm in my last class (a fun 4th year nutrition class) so I applied for graduation, and they are making me take another 100 level lab course because I have too many senior (200+) lab courses and not enough junior (100). I know, I know, it's so stupid, I couldn't believe it. I don't have a lot of cash, and I didn't expect to have to take another course, so I thought I could get away with using one of my old chem books but it's not working so well.

Access probably refers to access codes. Some courses require access codes to let you do homework online. You can either get the code with a new copy of the textbook or separately online off of the publisher's website. Out of the classes you listed, I've only taken Chem 1331, which didn't need one. I'd wait to see if your courses actually need them before buying them though.

As far as the textbooks go, I've only had one course where a physical copy was required, and that was because the tests were open book. PDFs work well if the textbook isn't used much for the class, but I personally prefer physical copes of my most used books.

One trick is to buy one edition older than the required text. Take chemistry for example. You guys need to get the 6th edition of Silberberg's Chemistry book I presume. Instead, you can get a used 5th edition book (that was actually the required text when I took the course) starting at $15 on Amazon.

Usually you can get away with getting an older version of the textbook with out a problem. It should be fine for Chem, but you can double check with your other professors as well.

Yes, this will work for you. Older editions will also work and be much cheaper:

• 5th edition
  
• Solutions manual