Chemistry: First-Year Courses
The Physical Sciences Department at Takoma Park/Silver Spring
offers the following courses for students who are preparing to take
college chemistry courses at the first-year level.
Courses Offered:
CH 101 Principles of Chemistry I
The first semester of a first-year college chemistry course. CH
101 is usually taken by biology and chemistry majors and students
wanting to enter many health-related programs, such as nursing,
medical, pharmacy, physical therapy, veterinary, and
optometry. This is also taken by some engineering majors. (Refer
to your program's specific transfer requirements for more
information.)
CH101 prerequisite change!
An important announcement for all students interested in taking CH 101: The prerequisites for taking CH 101 have been changed (effective starting Summer I, 2012). To register for CH 101 you must have the following prerequisites: PREREQUISITE: Either appropriate score on the chemistry placement test, or a grade of C or better in CH099A within the past five years, or consent of department. PRE-or COREQUISITE: MA 097 or appropriate score on the mathematics placement test. Assessment levels: EN 101/101A, RD 120.
The two major effects of this change are that students who want to register for CH 101 will need 1) stronger math skills, and 2) to either pass CH099A or else pass the chemistry placement test. If you have already passed CH 099A with a C or better, you do not need to take the chemistry placement test. The chemistry placement test is available at the campus assessment centers. It is recommended that you take the chemistry placement test at the assessment center at least a week before you plan to register for CH 101. The chemistry placement test is on material that you should already know from high school chemistry; no studying is necessary (just bring a scientific non-graphing calculator).
If you have a good background in chemistry but feel that your chemistry skills may be rusty enough that you are unlikely to pass the chemistry placement test, there is a 1-credit course available (CH 090) to help you recover those skills.
If you have any questions on this requirement, please email the chemistry department chair on your campus or contact a guidance counselor.
CH 102 Principles of Chemistry II
The second semester of a first-year college chemistry course. CH
102 is usually taken by biology and chemistry majors and students
wanting to enter many of the health programs, such medical,
pharmacy, physical therapy, veterinary, and optometry
schools. (Refer to your program's specific transfer requirements
for more information.)
CH 103 Chemistry for the Health Sciences
An organic chemistry/biochemistry course designed for students
interested in entering a nursing bachelor's program at a four year
institution, which requires 4 credits of college chemistry
(Prerequisite is CH 100A, Introductory Chemistry.) Check to
see if CH 103 satisfies the requirements of the 4-year
institution. CH 103 along with CH 101 will satisfy the 8 credit
chemistry requirement for some nursing programs.
CH 120 Essentials of Organic and Biochemistry
An introduction to organic chemistry/biochemistry topics for
students who want to enter a nursing bachelor's program at a four
year institution. Nursing students should check to see if CH 120
along with its pre-requisite CH 101 satisfies the requirements of
the 4-year institution.
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