Affordable
Quality education should not put you in the red. The cost of attending Irvine Valley College is very low compared to the private, UC, and CSU systems.
What is Chemistry? It has been defined in various ways. Wikipedia defines it as “the scientific discipline involved with elements and compounds composed of atoms, molecules and ions: their composition, structure, properties, behavior and the changes they undergo during a reaction with other substances.” Textbooks alternatively define chemistry as the study of change, observing and measuring the world around us, etc. but it can most succinctly be defined as the study of matter and energy.
Chemistry is often called the “central science” because it links the physical, life, and applied sciences. It is foundational for most of the STEM related fields and the chemistry curriculum is designed to foster an understanding of the fundamental principles of chemistry in a variety of applications-medicine, health-care products, energy, food production, body metabolism, structural materials, microelectronics, and the environment.
The chemistry curriculum is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to pursue a major in (1) chemistry, biology, marine science, geology, physics, medicine, engineering, or technology; (2) paramedical or allied health science, including nursing, dental hygiene, physical therapy, or nutrition; or (3) liberal arts.
Students learn how chemical knowledge is derived, theorized, and applied in solving problems in everyday life. They perform experiments in a modern chemistry laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment under the guidance of experienced faculty. In addition, students have an opportunity to enhance their understanding of chemical concepts and improve their laboratory skills through a series of computer-aided lessons and exercises.
Program Length
The Associate of Science degree is comprised of four semesters of chemistry coursework in the major. They are General Chemistry, CHEM 1A and 1B, and Organic Chemistry, CHEM 12A and 12B. In addition to the major courses, students must complete general education courses and have a total of 60 units to earn the degree. Most students can complete this degree in two years by taking a minimum of 15 units per semester.
Transfer Options
By completing the four chemistry courses in the A.S. degree in Chemistry, students have satisfied the chemistry requirements for all UC and CSU campuses and would only need to complete the remaining major requirements as required by each UC and CSU campus.
Program Specific Support
Student success is supported through an active Student Success Center, and chemistry students are provided generous tutoring support from well-qualified tutors.
Transfer, Degrees and/or Certificates
Sample Academic Plans
Semester 1
| Course | Title | IGETC Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 1 | College Writing 1 | 1A | 4 |
| MATH 3A* | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | 2A & Major | 5 |
| CHEM 1A | General Chemistry I | 5A/5C & Major | 5 |
Semester 2
| Course | Title | IGETC Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 2 | College Writing Critical Thinking | 1B | 4 |
| CHEM 1B | General Chemistry II | 5A/5C & Major | 5 |
| MATH 3B | Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | 2A & Major | 5 |
Summer
| Course | Title | IGETC Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHYS 4A | General Physics | 5A and Major | 4 |
| Arts or Humanities or Social and Behavioral Sciences | Arts or Humanities or Social and Behavioral Sciences GE Course | 3A or 3B or 4 | 3 |
Semester 3
| Course | Title | IGETC Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM 12A | Organic Chemistry | 5A/5C & Major | 5 |
| MATH 4A | Analytic Geometry and Calculus III | 5 | 5 |
| PHYS 4B | General Physics | 5A and Major | 4 |
Semester 4
| Course | Title | IGETC Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM 12B | Organic Chemistry | 5A/5C & Major | 5 |
| MATH 24 | Elementary Differential Equations | 5 | 5 |
| PHYS 4C | General Physics | 5A and Major | 4 |
- This sample education plan assumes that student is eligible for Math 3A in the first semester.
Semester 1
| Course | Title | CSU Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 1 | College Writing 1 | 1A | 4 |
| MATH 3A* | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | B4 & Major | 5 |
| CHEM 1A | General Chemistry I | 5A/5C & Major | 5 |
Semester 2
| Course | Title | CSU Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 2 | College Writing Critical Thinking | 1B | 4 |
| MATH 3B | Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | B4 & Major | 5 |
| CHEM 1B | General Chemistry II | 5A/5C & Major | 5 |
Summer
| Course | Title | CSU Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMM 1 | Communication Fundamentals | 1C | 3 |
| HIST 20 or HIST 21 | American History Course | 4 | 3 |
Semester 3
| Course | Title | CSU Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM 12A | Organic Chemistry | 5A/5C & Major | 5 |
| PHYS 4A | General Physics | 5A/5C & Major | 4 |
| ARTS | Arts GE Course | 3A | 3 |
| PS 1 | American Government | 4 | 3 |
Semester 4
| Course | Title | CSU Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM 12B | Organic Chemistry | 5A/5C & Major | 5 |
| PHYS 4B and/or PHYS 4C** | General Physics Course | 5A/5C & Major | 4-8 |
| Biological Science | Biological Science GE Course | 5B | 3 |
| Humanities | Humanities GE Course | 3B | 3 |
- This sample academic plan assumes that student is eligible for Math 3A in the first semester.
- Some impacted CSUs may require or highly recommend three physics courses for transfer.
Semester 1
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 1 | College Writing 1 | 1A | 4 |
| MATH 3A* | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | IC | 5 |
| CHEM 1A | General Chemistry I | 2 & Major | 5 |
Semester 2
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication/Thinking | Communication/Analytical Thinking GE Course | 1B | 3-4 |
| MATH 3B | Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | IC | 5 |
| CHEM 1B | General Chemistry II | Major | 5 |
Summer
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Sciences | Social Sciences GE Course | 3 | 3 |
| COMM 1 | Communication Fundamentals | 1B | 3 |
Semester 3
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM 12A | Organic Chemistry | Major | 5 |
| PHYS 2A or 4B | Physics Course | 2 | 4 |
| Arts/Humanities | Arts or Humanities GE Course | 4 | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 2-3 |
Semester 4
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM 12B | Organic Chemistry | Major | 5 |
| PHYS 2B or 4B | Physics Course | 2 | 4 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 | |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 1-3 |
*Students may be eligible for one or more AA/AS/AA-T/AS-T degrees if they complete a GE transfer pattern, have specific courses, and have 60 transferable units. Please see a counselor for degree options and advisement.
AA = Associate of Arts | AS = Associate of Science | AA-T = Associate of Arts for Transfer | AS-T = Associate of Science for Transfer | COA = Certificate of Achievement | COC = Certificate of Completion | COP = Certificate of Proficiency | = Fast Track Career Path
Explore Careers
Not sure if Chemistry is the right fit?
Exploratory Interest Area
Explore Chemistry while still working toward your academic goals.
Talk with a Counselor
Speak to one of IVC’s Academic Counselors to learn more about all of your options.
Why choose IVC?