Why are there so many “General Chemistry” courses? Which should I take?
Each General Chemistry course has been designed to meet the needs of particular groups of students; courses differ in the specific material covered, in the extent and rigor of that coverage, and in the expectations for both initial preparation and outcomes. Majors that require general chemistry usually specify which course to choose based on the needs of that major; check the University catalog for the requirements of your major. Courses that fulfill Group D breadth requirements for both the University and the College of Arts & Sciences include: CHEM 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 107, 108, 111 and 112; note that CHEM 100, 105, 111, and 112 are not lab courses. If you have taken one general chemistry sequence and then change to a major that requires a different sequence, you may not need to start over, depending on the courses and majors involved - e.g., the CHEM 103/104/220/221 or 107/108/220/221 sequence is accepted in place of CHEM 111/112/115/120 for students moving into chemistry or biochemistry from a different major. Check with your new department to see if your prior courses will be accepted. Differences in coverage between course sequences means that if you switch from the first half of one general chemistry sequence to the second half of another, you may be missing key material, or may end up repeating topics. Consult with your advisor and the appropriate course instructors to decide on whether it would be better for you to continue with your original sequence, or to switch into a different course. The following brief descriptions of the CHEM 1XX courses may be useful: CHEM 100 (Chemistry and the Human Environment): CHEM 100 is a non-mathematical, non-laboratory course oriented toward students who are not required to take any chemistry courses in their curricula. CHEM 100 emphasizes how chemistry can be employed to help understand environmental phenomena and demonstrates relationships between chemistry and energy, food, toxic and solid waste, air and water pollution, drugs, and other student-generated topics. This course is not considered to be “general chemistry”.CHEM 101-102: This two semester sequence is required by a variety of majors in the following Colleges: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Health Sciences, and Human Services, Education and Public Policy. It is also a natural science elective for a significant number of arts, humanities, and social science majors. Topics covered in CHEM 101 include: stoichiometry, thermochemistry, atomic structure, periodicity, chemical bonding, states of matter, concentration units, and acids/bases. Those dealt with in CHEM 102 involve: colligative properties, redox, kinetics, equilibria, electrochemistry, descriptive inorganic chemistry, introduction to organic chemistry, and nuclear chemistry. One year of high school chemistry is a recommended prerequisite; high school algebra or concurrent enrollment in MATH 010 or a higher mathematics course is strongly recommended for CHEM 101. CHEM 101 is a prerequisite for CHEM 102.CHEM 103-104: This two-semester sequence is designed (and required) for a variety of science and engineering majors. CHEM 103 deals with stoichiometry and chemical nomenclature, chemical behavior in liquids, solids, and solutions, atomic and molecular structure, chemical reactions in solution including acid-base equilibria, and an introduction to thermodynamics. CHEM 104 covers gases, thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibrium among gases, liquids and solids, equilibrium in solution, acids and bases, electrochemistry, and nuclear chemistry. Topics touched on briefly in CHEM 104 include transition elements and types and nomenclature of organic compounds. One year of high school chemistry is a strongly recommended prerequisite. If placed in MATH-114, MATH-115, or MATH-117, these MATH courses are co-requisites for CHEM 103. Students whose MATH Placement Examination score placed them in MATH-221 or higher need not take a MATH course coincident with CHEM-103. CHEM 103 is a prerequisite for CHEM 104.CHEM 103-104H: The content of CHEM-103/104 Honors is similar to CHEM-103/104, but the format used in the Honors version is a combination of active and cooperative techniques supplemented by a framework of mini-lectures, rather than the traditional straight lecture. These courses are intended to allow students to take further chemistry courses if desired or needed. Prereq: one year of high school chemistry, highly recommended. If placed in MATH-114, MATH-115, or MATH-117, these MATH courses are co-requisites for CHEM 103. Students whose MATH Placement Examination score placed them in MATH-221 or higher need not take a MATH course coincident with CHEM-103. CHEM-104H is open to all students with B or better average, overall, and in CHEM-103.CHEM 105: This is an introductory course which is designed exclusively (and required) for nursing majors. Although its level is comparable to that of CHEM 101-102, it is functionally a more difficult course due to its vastly accelerated pace. Most of the topics covered in CHEM 101-102 are dealt with in CHEM 105 in one semester: nuclear chemistry, atomic structure, periodicity, chemical bonding, molecular structure, nomenclature, stoichiometry, states of matter, thermodynamics, acids and bases, concentration units, kinetics, equilibria, and electrochemistry. One year of high school chemistry is recommended; high school algebra or concurrent registration in MATH 010 or a higher level mathematics course is required for CHEM- 05.CHEM 106: CHEM-106 is also intended (and required) solely for nursing majors. It is a single semester survey of relevant elementary organic and biochemistry, with strong emphasis on the latter. (It is not general chemistry.) CHEM-106 is designed to cover a general introduction to organic functional groups, organic reactions in solution, organic physical properties, atomic structure, acid base chemistry of inorganic and organic reactions, pH calculations, hydrophobicity of macromolecules, amino acids, amino acid and peptide ionization states, proteins, enzyme kinetics, Henderson Hasselbach equation, amino acid titrations, 3D structure of proteins, carbohydrates including monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides, glycolysis, TCA cycle, and electron transport chain. CHEM-105 is a prerequisite for CHEM-106. CHEM 107-108: This two-semester sequence is designed for life-science majors and places an emphasis on the chemistry associated with organic, environmental, and biological systems. The course is intended for life and medical science majors though any science major enrolled in the integrated curriculum is welcome, as space permits. CHEM 107 explores the characterization of chemical structures and their subsequent interactions, including atomic and molecular structure, chemical reactions in solution, energetic driving forces, chemical and physical properties of solutions, and quantitative stoichiometric relationships. CHEM 108 focuses on thermodynamics & energetics, chemical kinetics, and principles of equilibrium among all states of matter and in aqueous solution such as acids and bases, electrochemistry, and nuclear chemistry. One year of high school chemistry is a strongly recommended prerequisite, and MATH 114 or a higher-level mathematics course is a required co-requisite for CHEM-107. CHEM 107 is a prerequisite for CHEM 108. BISC207 is a co-requisite for CHEM107, and BISC208 is a co-requisite for CHEM108.CHEM 107-108H: The content of CHEM-107/108 Honors is similar to CHEM-107/108, but the format used in the Honors version is a combination of active, cooperative, and problem-based learning techniques supplemented by a framework of mini-lectures, rather than the traditional straight lecture. These courses are intended to allow students to take further chemistry courses if desired or needed. Prereq: one year of high school chemistry, highly recommended; concurrent registration in MATH-114 or a higher mathematics course required. Coreq: BISC207H is a co-requisite for CHEM107H, and BISC208H is a co-requisite for CHEM108H. Note that CHEM-108H is open to all students with B or better average, overall, in CHEM-107H.CHEM 111-112: This two-semester sequence is designed (and required) for B.S. chemistry, biochemistry, and chemical engineering majors. Topics covered in CHEM 111 include: states of matter, nomenclature, stoichiometry, concentration units, periodicity, redox reactions, atomic structure, chemical bonding, molecular structure, and valence bond and molecular orbital theories, and symmetry (elements and point groups). Those dealt with in CHEM 112 include: descriptive inorganic chemistry, acids and bases, coordination chemistry, organic chemistry, nuclear chemistry, thermodynamics, equilibria, electrochemistry, and kinetics. One year of high school chemistry or one semester of college chemistry is a required prerequisite, MATH 115 or a higher level mathematics course is a corequisite. CHEM 111 is a prerequisite for CHEM 112CHEM 111-112H: This two-semester sequence is restricted to first-year B.S. chemistry, biochemistry, and chemical engineering majors in the Honors program who have mastered the equivalent of a strong high school chemistry course or AP chemistry; the course moves at a pace appropriate for that background. Compared to the regular section, Honors CHEM 111 explores topics in greater depth and with broader extensions. Class assignments and exams emphasize analysis and application of ideas in addition to core knowledge. Topics covered in CHEM 111H include: atomic theory, stoichiometry, ionic compounds (bonding, properties, structures, solution behavior and reactivity), electronic structure and periodicity, covalent compounds (properties, Lewis and VSEPR structures, valence bond and molecular orbital theory), metallic bonding and band theory, kinetic theory and the gaseous state. Topics covered in CHEM 112H include: condensed phases and intermolecular forces, solutions, acid/base theories and solvent systems, organic chemistry, kinetics, coordination chemistry, thermodynamics, electrochemistry and nuclear chemistry. Two years of high school chemistry or a strong one-year experience is highly recommended for CHEM 111H, as is concurrent enrollment in MATH 241 or higher. Honors students wanting to enroll in CHEM 112H who did not take CHEM 111H should have earned an A in CHEM 111.CHEM 115: Introduction to Chemical Sciences. This one-semester laboratory-based course provides an introduction to the properties and reactions of aqueous solutions and ionic equilibria, including calculator- and Excel-based data analysis and presentations. It is not a general chemistry course – rather, it is a co-requisite taken with CHEM 111 by first-year CHEM and BIOC majors.
I’m confused about the different GPA’s that appear in my degree audit – which ones count?
There are several GPA’s used in the Degree audit. The first appears under the University requirements; this is based on all of the courses you have taken at the University of Delaware. (This will be the same as the latest “cumulative GPA” in your unofficial transcript.) The second shows up after the listing of the courses required by your major, and is shown as “Verify GPA” The first example shown is for a B.S. degree: This GPA counts only the CHEM classes that are required for the degree. As this example shows, it will also include any BISC classes being used in place of CHEM options to fulfill BIOC degree requirements. If you have repeated a CHEM course, only the higher grade for that course is included here. The second example is for a B.A. degree: All CHEM classes taken are included in this calculation. If you repeat a CHEM class, both grades will contribute to the GPA.For B.S. degrees, there is a third GPA - the “Operative Chemistry GPA”, which appears shortly after the “Verify” GPA: The Operative CHEM GPA includes every CHEM course taken at UD (required or not). Like the “Verify” GPA, the Operative GPA will also include any BISC classes being used in place of CHEM options to fulfill BIOC degree requirements. If you have repeated a CHEM course, only the higher grade for that course is included here. (The Operative CHEM GPA is used to determine eligibility for an Honors Degree or Degree with Distinction.) To graduate, you need a 2.00 minimum value for each of these GPA’s. In addition, for a B.A. degree you must earn at least a C- in all required CHEM courses. (Given that the B.S. degree requires more and higher level CHEM classes, the minimum grade for any required course here is a D-.)
Can I earn degrees/major in both CHEM and BIOC by taking all of the required courses for each?
Yes and no. The key distinction here is between a degree and a major. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers two types of degrees, and four majors: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees for majors in Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees for majors in Chemistry and Chemistry Education. University regulations state that “Students cannot pursue double majors in the same or related fields.” Thus you cannot earn a B.S. degree with majors in both chemistry and biochemistry, or a B.A. degree with majors in both Chemistry and Chemistry Education. You could, however, earn two degrees: a B.S. in Biochemistry and a B.A. in Chemistry by fulfilling both sets of requirements. (Note that the breadth requirements for a B.A. degree are more extensive than for the B.S., and that a foreign language is required for the B.A.)
Can I place out of chemistry classes using AP credit?
Information concerning AP and IB credit for chemistry classes is available on the Office of the Registrar website. An AP score of 3 earns credit for CHEM 101-102 (no credit for engineering majors); a score of 4 or 5 earns credit for CHEM 103-104. For nursing majors, a score of 3, 4, or 5 earns credit for CHEM 105. A higher level IB score of 5, 6 or 7 earns credit for CHEM 103-104.
I would like to test out of a chemistry class. How does Credit by Exam work?
Virtually all of the requests we receive for Credit-by-Exam involve our various freshman chemistry courses. Dr. Wingrave administers the exams to the group of requestors at the beginning of every fall term. The occasional request for Credit-by-Exam for a higher level course is dealt with on an individual basis by the instructor involved. Here is the procedure that you need to follow: 1) Secure a copy of the Credit-by-Exam form 2) Bring it to the Associate Chair’s office (BRL 102) for a signature. 3) Take it to the Cashier’s Office in the Student Services Building to pay the current fee per credit hour. They will stamp a receipt on the form. 4) Contact the instructor to arrange a mutually convenient time/place for you to take the examination. At that time, you should give her/him the receipted form. 5) After grading the exam, the instructor will enter your grade on the form and return it to the Associate Chair for final signature and distribution. You will need to earn at least a grade of C- to gain credit for the course.
What does being on academic probation mean? What do I do about it?
Being placed on academic probation means that you have a GPA below 2.0, but have a low enough deficit point score to avoid academic dismissal. You will be limited to 14 credits per semester and must seek academic advising before registering for classes until your GPA is above 2.0 and your deficit points are eliminated. Details may be found at the Undergraduate Academic Services site.
How do I satisfy the 3-credit Discovery Learning Experience in chemistry?
All undergraduates must complete 3 credits of a Discovery Learning Experience (DLE). Most CHEM and BIOC students take care of this in one of three ways: through a Study Abroad program through undergraduate research. This includes CHEM 468 (or an equivalent course for research carried out in another department), the senior thesis course UNIV 401-402 and Honors lab courses CHEM 334H, 445H, 446H, 458H. Getting credit for off-campus internships is described in these guidelines link to Internship-rules pdf file .through enrollment in CHEM 402 (Teaching Experience) to serve as a teaching assistant for a lab section (3 credits, usually in the winter or summer), a teacher’s assistant to help with grading or help sessions in a course (fall or spring, 1 credit), or a peer mentor for classes using PBL or workshops (fall or spring, 1 credit). Enrollment in UNIV 402 requires the course instructor’s or Associate Chair’s approval.
I’m not doing so well in a class. What are my options?
Let’s assume that you have already met with your course instructor for advice about studying, and are taking advantage of help sessions, office hours, and the tutoring services offered by the Office of Academic Enrichment (as well as other academic resources lusted earlier.) If these strategies are not helping, you can (within the first 8 weeks of the semester) withdraw from the class or change your grading option to pass/fail or audit. (Any registration changes after the free drop/add period incur a $25 processing fee.) If you withdrawl from a class after the free drop/add period you will receive a grade of "W" and not earn credit for the course; tuition is not refunded. There is no effect on your GPA. The Pass/Fail option can be used once a semester; you will be graded and must earn a D- or higher for a “P” to be placed on your transcript. The “P” earns you credit for the class; if you pass your actual grade is not included in your GPA, but a failing grade is included in the GPA. Courses taken pass/fail cannot be used to satisfy any requirements – if this is a required course, you will need to take it again for a standard grade later. Exercising the Audit (or Listener) option means that you will still attend class but not participate in assignments or exams, and will receive a grade of “L.” (If you stop coming to class, the instructor can change this to an “LW,” for “Listener withdrawn.”) For both the Withdraw and Audit options, you technically stay enrolled in the class, even though you will ultimately earn no credits from it. This preserves your fulltime student status in the eyes of the University, but may have implications for any scholarships, visas, etc. that you might hold. Check with Student Financial Services, the Office for International Students and Scholars, and/or the Athletics department if this is a potential concern for you.
