Placement into introductory or general chemistry courses is based on a student’s prior background in chemistry, their intended major, and the results of the mathematics placement test, as indicated by their ALEKS score.
Most science and engineering programs require CHEM 110 and/or CHEM 112. CHEM 110 is the first semester of a two-semester, comprehensive general chemistry sequence. It builds on student’s prior background in chemistry and involves significant mathematical manipulation and requires algebra proficiency. Students who feel their chemistry preparation is weak should consider scheduling CHEM 110 and CHEM 108 concurrently. The enforced prerequisite for CHEM 110 is completion of, or placement beyond MATH 22.
Some programs in the Colleges of Nursing, Health and Human Development, and Agriculture Sciences require CHEM 130, a one-semester college-level introductory chemistry course covering the fundamentals of general, organic, and biochemistry. CHEM 130 emphasizes chemistry concepts in environmental and health-related contexts, and it requires less mathematical preparation than CHEM 110. The enforced prerequisite for CHEM 130 is completion of, or placement beyond MATH 21.
Students may only receive credit for either CHEM 110 or CHEM 130. Please consult the academic plan for your intended major carefully before scheduling one of these courses. Additional evaluation may be done during the beginning of the semester.
What Courses Might You Take?
| ALEKS score | No high school chemistry, or chemistry more than two years ago | Chemistry in 11th or 12th grade, or honors or AP chemistry |
|---|---|---|
| 45% or less | MATH 21 then CHEM 130 or MATH 21, then MATH 22 (or MATH 26), then CHEM 110 + CHEM 108 |
MATH 21 then CHEM 130 or MATH 21, then MATH 22 (or MATH 26), then CHEM 110 + CHEM 108 |
| 46% to 60% | CHEM 130, or MATH 22, then CHEM 110 + CHEM 108 |
CHEM 130, or MATH 22, then CHEM 110 |
| 61% or more* | CHEM 130 or CHEM 110 + CHEM 108 |
CHEM 130 or CHEM 110 |
- *
or successful completion of a high school calculus course.