Chemistry
Program Overview
Chemistry is the science of matter. Matter is defined as anything that can be touched, tasted, smelled, seen or felt that is made up of chemicals. Chemists transform everyday materials around us into amazing things. Chemistry students study the nature of all physical things, develop new products and process, or monitor process involved in making various products. Chemists typically work for private businesses, government agencies, or educational institutions, although some are self-employed or work for nonprofit organizations. Chemists are needed in the pharmaceutical industry to discover and develop new drugs, in the food industry to develop and test new foodstuffs and additives, in the petroleum industry to develop and test new fuels, in the textile industry to develop new synthetic products, and in the field of agriculture to develop new fertilizers or pesticides for the agricultural industry.
| Contact |
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| Chairperson Vahan Ghazarian, Ph.D., Chair |
| Phone (323) 780-6830 |
| Email ghazarv@elac.edu |
| Office Location G5-315D |
| Office Hours n/a |
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Department |
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Pathway |
Chemistry
Chemistry Course Sequence
51 Fundamentals of Chemistry I (5) CSU
Prerequisite: Math 125, Math 125S, or Math 134.
Lecture, 4 hours; Laboratory, 3 hours
This is an introductory course designed for nursing (and other paramedical students) and liberal arts majors, who will not be taking Chemistry 101, yet need a physical science course with a laboratory. This course covers, in an introductory manner, the basic principles, laws, and nomenclature of inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry.
Course Learning Outcomes
At the end of the Chemistry 51 course the student will be able to:
- Describe the structure and basic properties of inorganic, organic, and biological compounds
- Practice safe laboratory skills to apply basic principles of inorganic, organic and biological compounds to analyze data obtained in the laboratory
65 Introductory General Chemistry (4) UC:CSU IGETC Area 5A
(UC credit limit: No credit for 65 if taken after 101)
Prerequisite: Math 125, Math 125S, or Math 134.
Lecture, 3 hours; Laboratory, 4 hours
This is an introductory course for students who will be taking Chemistry 101. If presents the basic principles, laws, and nomenclature of inorganic chemistry, with emphasis upon nomenclature and problem solving. It can be used as a refresher course. This course emphasizes problem-solving skills as they apply to chemical principles. Topics include chemical measurements, significant figures, scientific notation, dimensional analysis, naming of elements and compounds, discussion of structure, introduction to chemical reactions, stoichiometry, hour per week is used as a to-be-arranged (TBA) lab supplemental hour using the chemistry PLATO software.
Course Learning Outcomes
At the end of the Chemistry 65 course the student will be able to:
- Use introductory concepts related to structure and energetics of inorganic compounds to solve problems, identifying important data and using correct units and significant figures.
- Apply the principles of chemistry to perform experiments with inorganic compounds and to analyze the results.
100 Certified Quality Improvement Associate and the Industry (3)
Lecture, 3 Hours
This is an introductory course to quality principles and tools applied in the industry. Topics on quality control, quality assurance, validation, documentation, and regulatory compliance are explored. Students are prepared for examination to become a Certified Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA).
Course Learning Outcomes
At the end of the Chemistry 100 course, the student will be able to:
- Differentiate quality tools such as flowcharts, histograms, pareto charts, scatter diagrams, cause and effect diagrams, check sheets, and control charts to improve processes.
- Evaluate quality concepts and principals such as the Shewhart cycle: plan-do-check-act (PDCA), Deming’s 14 points, the Juran trilogy, the Ishikawa diagram, and Crosby’s zero defects.
101 General Chemistry I (5) UC:CSU (CAN CHEM 2); (CHEM 101 + CHEM 102 = CAN CHEM SEQ A) IGETC Area 5A
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of Chemistry 65 and Mathematics 125S or Math 134 or acceptable level of skill as demonstrated in the Chemistry Placement Process.
Lecture, 3 hours; Discussion, 2 hours; Laboratory, 4 hours
This course presents an intensive technical program in general and inorganic chemistry for those in the various professional curricula demanding competence in the utilization of basic chemical principles and information. Emphasized are the relationships between the structure and the properties of matter. Chemical principles are presented both qualitatively and quantitatively. Topics include: stoichiometry, colligative properties, gases, thermochemistry, bonding, solid state, and solution chemistry.
Course Learning Outcomes
At the end of the Chemistry 101 course the student will be able to:
- Describe structure and energetics of inorganic compounds and introduce organic compounds
- Apply principles of energetics and structure of inorganic compounds to record and analyze data of experiments performed in the laboratory
102 General Chemistry II (5) UC:CSU (CAN CHEM 4) (CHEM 101 + CHEM 102 = CAN CHEM SEQ A) IGETC Area 5A
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of Chemistry 101.
Lecture, 3 hours; Discussion, 2 hours; Laboratory, 4 hours
This course continues the topics presented in Chemistry 101.Emphasis on kinetics, equilibrium, electrochemistry, transition metals and coordination chemistry. The laboratory program includes qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Course Learning Outcomes
At the end of the Chemistry 102 course the student will be able to:
- Describe kinetics and thermodynamics of inorganic compounds.
- Apply concepts of kinetics and thermodynamics to record and analyze data of experiments performed in the laboratory.
201 Quantitative and Instrumental Analysis (5) UC/CSU IGETC
Prerequisite: Chem 102.
Lecture, 3 Hours; Laboratory, 6 Hours
This course covers the theory and practice of chemical analysis techniques in a quantitative manner. Lecture topics include the statistical treatment of experimental data, sampling and analysis techniques, simple and complex equilibria related to chemical analysis, and modern instrumental techniques like electrochemistry, spectroscopy and separation methods. The laboratory emphasizes the techniques for quantitative chemical analysis of specific elements and compounds in complex mixtures. These techniques include gravimetric, volumetric, and modern instrumental methods of analysis.
Course Learning Outcomes
At the end of the Chemistry 201 course, the student will be able to:
- Analyze chemical components using expected principal and techniques.
- Qualify a variety of substances using classical and modern instrumental analytical methods
211 Organic Chemistry for Science Majors I (5) UC:CSU IGETC Area 5A
(UC credit limit: Chemistry 70 combined with 211 and 221, maximum credit two courses.)
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of Chemistry 102.
Lecture, 3 hours; Laboratory, 6 hours
Introduces the student to the structure, bonding, stereochemistry and reactions of carbon compounds. In the laboratory the essential skills needed in the preparation, isolation, analysis and determination of the physical properties of organic compounds are studied.
Course Learning Outcomes
At the end of Chemistry 211 course the student will be able to:
- Describe structure and principles of reactivity for selected organic compounds
- Apply concepts of reactivity to perform syntheses, purification and analysis of organic compounds
212 Organic Chemistry for Science Majors II (5) UC:CSU IGETC Area 5A
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of Chemistry 211.
Lecture, 3 hours; Laboratory, 6 hours
This course is a continuation of Chemistry 211 with additional emphasis on reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry, organic synthesis of a variety of organic compounds, including but no limited to: aromatic copounds, aldehydes, ketones, amines, carboxylic acid derivatives, enoles, enolates, carbohydrates, amino acids, polypeptides, nucleic acids, lipids and synthetic polymers. Quantitative analysis and purification methods are emphasized in the laboratory. This course also emphasizes the use of NMR, IR and Mass Spectroscopy in the analysis and identification of organic compounds.
Course Learning Outcomes
At the end of Chemistry 212 course the student will be able to:
- Describe chemical reactions of organic compounds using a mechanistic approach.
- Apply mechanistic concepts to perform multi-step synthesis, purification and analysis of organic compounds.
221 Biochemistry for Science Majors (5) UC:CSU IGETC Area 5A
(UC credit limit: Chemistry 70 combined with 211 and 221, maximum credit two courses.)
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of Chemistry 211.
Lecture, 3 hours; Laboratory, 6 hours
This course introduces the student to the structure, reactions and properties of biologically important compounds. It stresses their role in metabolism. The preparation, separation, analysis and reactions of biologically active compounds are studied in the laboratory.
Course Learning Outcomes
At the end of the Chemistry 221 course the student will be able to:
- Describe the structures and functions of selected biomolecules.
- Apply safe laboratory procedures to handle biochemical materials.