General Chemistry

Looking for Help?

Which General Chemistry Class is right for you?

The Chemistry Department offers several introductory chemistry courses:

Chemistry 100, Chemistry 101-102, Chemistry 104-105-106, Chemistry 107-108 and Chemistry 111.

Chemistry 100 is a one-semester course designed for students with a weak or no high school science background. It is designed to prepare students for Chemistry 107-108 or Chemistry 111. Chemistry 100 does not fulfill the Harpur all-college requirement in math and science.

Chemistry 101-102 is a two-semester course in chemistry fundamentals designed for broad coverage of chemistry. Chemistry 101 covers many of the same topics as Chemistry 111; Chemistry 102 covers organic chemistry, biochemistry and physiological chemistry. The course sequence does not fulfill the prerequisite requirement for Chemistry 221, 231, 341, or 351. Chemistry 101-102 is required for the nursing degree. Chemistry 101 is offered in the fall semester only; Chemistry 102 is offered in the spring semester only. Not open to students who have credit for CHEM 104 or 105, CHEM 111, CHEM 107 or CHEM108.

Chemistry 104-105-106 is a two-semester course sequence in the fundamentals of chemistry. Upon successful completion of the two-semester sequence, a student has sufficient chemistry background to enter Chemistry 221, 231, 341, or 351. This sequence is recommended for pre-health students and science majors (other than Chemistry and Biochemistry majors). A year of high-school chemistry is a prerequisite for Chemistry 104. Chemistry 104, 105, and 106 are offered every semester. Chemistry 104 is co-requisite for Chemistry 106. Not open to students who have credit for CHEM 111, CHEM 107 or CHEM 108.

Chemistry 107-108 is a two-semester course sequence in the fundamentals of chemistry. This sequence is designed for students with strong interest in Chemistry (Chemistry, Biochemistry, Environmental Chemistry Majors) however it is open to all science majors and it satisfies the pre-health requirements. Upon successful completion of the two-semester sequence, a student has sufficient chemistry background to enter Chemistry 221, 231, 341, or 351. Students interested in pre-health curriculum should take Chemistry 104-105-106. A year of high-school chemistry is a prerequisite for Chemistry 107. Chemistry 107 is offered fall semester only; Chemistry 108 is offered spring semester only. Chemistry 107 and 108 are not offered during the summer term. Not open to students who have credit for CHEM 104/105 or CHEM 111.

Chemistry 111, offered in the fall semester, is a one-semester general chemistry course that is faster paced than Chemistry 104-105-106 and Chemistry 107-108. However students will be equally well prepared for advanced work in chemistry by either course. Chemistry 111 is recommended for the BS degree in physics and geophysics, and in the engineering curriculum. Health professional schools, such as medical schools, often require two semesters of general chemistry. Students considering enrolling in Chemistry 111 and who are also considering a pre-health curriculum should contact the pre-health office for advice. Not open to students who have credit for CHEM 104/105 or CHEM 107/108.