Chemistry Explains Everything!
Chem 30A is an introduction to general chemistry, and it will give you a solid preparation in all of the basics. If you’ve never taken chemistry before, or if you need a solid refresher, then this class is for you! You will use algebra in this class, so it’s a good idea to brush up on your math skills. This class is an excellent preparation for Chem 1A. It also satisfies the lab science general education requirement. The topics are: measurements, problem solving, the structure of atoms, naming compounds, patterns in the periodic table, chemical bonding, the behavior of gases, predicting chemical reactions, calculating amounts of substances that react with each other, intermolecular attractive forces, concentrations of solutions, properties of acids and bases, and radioactivity.
Chem 1A is the first semester of a year-long general chemistry sequence. This class covers many of the same topics as Chem 30A, but Chem 1A goes deeper into the topics and involves more challenging problems. Algebra is used extensively in this class. It also includes using a lab notebook to prepare for labs and to record data. You will learn how to be careful and precise in lab, check your work, and determine if your answer makes sense. You will also learn how to write formal lab reports. This class gets you ready for fields and majors that require an in-depth background and understanding of science, such as Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, pre-medicine, pre-dental, pre-veterinarian, pre-pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapy. The topics covered are: measurement, uncertainty, problem solving, compounds, naming compounds, atomic and electronic structures, calculations involving chemical reactions, predicting types of chemical reactions, heat involved in reactions, patterns in the periodic table, chemical bonding, gas laws, intermolecular forces, properties of solutions. (Prerequisite: Chem 30A)
Chem 1B is the second semester of a year-long general chemistry sequence. The class is very similar to Chem 1A, involving lots of math and algebra, recording information in a lab notebook, writing lab reports. The topics are: rates of reactions, chemical equilibrium, acid-base equilibrium, buffers, solubility equilibria, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry, coordination chemistry, and an introduction to organic chemistry. (Prerequisite: Chem 1A)
Chem 12A is the first part of a 2-course sequence on organic chemistry. Organic chemistry is concerned with the properties of carbon containing compounds. In CHEM 12A, we learn about the structures of organic molecules and some of the chemical reactions they undergo. Organic chemistry has many applications to other fields such as the biological sciences, and is a prerequisite course for most of the graduate level healthcare programs (such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, and pharmacy). You will work in the laboratory for almost 6 hours each week. You will learn many of the basic techniques organic chemists use to purify compounds and you will learn how organic chemists identify compounds with unknown structure using spectroscopy techniques. (Prerequisite: Chem 1B)
Chem 12B is a continuation of CHEM 12A. You will apply many of the basic principles learned during the first semester to new concepts presented in CHEM 12B. The biggest difference between the courses is that we are much more focused on chemical reactions in CHEM 12B. Many of the concepts we learn in CHEM 12B have important applications to biochemistry. The CHEM 12B lab is also focused on reaction chemistry. Most of our experiments will involve carrying out chemical reactions. We will purify the products and verify the identities of the products using the techniques learned in CHEM 12A lab. (Prerequisite: Chem 12A)
Chem 30B is an introduction to organic chemistry and biochemistry. It is designed for those planning to enter an allied health program such as nursing or dental hygiene. You will learn the basics of organic molecules, including naming, drawing structures, and predicting chemical reactions. You’ll learn about how the structure of a compound can be used to predict how it will behave. You’ll also learn about the structures and functions of biological molecules such as proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. We’ll learn about the reactions involved in digestion and metabolism. (Prerequisite: Chem 30A)
