This is an archived copy of the 2014-2015 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.miracosta.edu.

Chemistry

http://www.miracosta.edu/CHEM

 

Chemistry is the science of the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter, especially of atomic and molecular systems. Students take chemistry courses to prepare for the major, to fulfill general education requirements, and to meet prerequisites for related courses and programs. A bachelor's degree in chemistry can lead to a career in medicine, health, engineering, industry, government, environmental science, and teaching.

Contact Information

Chair: Pierre Goueth

Dean: Carlos Lopez

www.miracosta.edu/CHEM

Department: Chemistry

Office: Building OC3600, 760.757.2121 x6924

Full-Time Faculty

Theresa Bolaños
Pierre Goueth
Nancy Lee
Kent McCorkle
Donald Robertson
Mark Yeager
How to Read Course Descriptions

Courses

CHEM 100: Introductory Chemistry

Units: 4
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with credit in CHEM 108 or CHEM 110.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC Credit limitation
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours. (1905.00)

This introductory course for non-chemistry majors teaches students the language, materials, mathematics, and principles of chemistry. It covers properties of matter, atomic theory, use of the periodic table of the elements, naming of compounds, formulas and equations, metric measurement, physical states of matter, chemistry of solutions, acids and bases, and organic and nuclear chemistry. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for CHEM 100 or CHEM 108. No credit if taken after CHEM 110.

CHEM 102: Introduction to Organic and Biological Chemistry

Units: 4
Prerequisites: CHEM 100 or CHEM 108.
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with credit in CHEM 210.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC Credit limitation
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours. (1905.00)

This course introduces organic chemistry and is designed for students pursuing health professions. Topics include nomenclature, bonding, isomerization, reaction mechanisms, and instrumental methods of interpreting aliphatic and aromatic compounds as well as the structure and reactions of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, enzymes, and metabolic functions. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: No credit if taken after CHEM 210.

CHEM 104: Chemistry of Living Things (Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry)

Units: 5
Prerequisites: None
Advisory: MATH 20
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with credit in CHEM 102.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC Credit limitation
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 6 hours. (1905.00)

This course surveys concepts and skills of the chemistry of living organisms with an emphasis on the human body. Topics include the structure of the atom, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, the structure and reactions of organic compounds, carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and proteins, nucleic acids, and metabolism, with applications in the physiology, nutrition, and pharmacology of the human body. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: No credit if taken after CHEM 102.

CHEM 108: Preparatory Chemistry

Units: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 64 or eligibility determined by the math placement process.
Corequisite: MATH 64 if prerequisite not met.
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with credit in CHEM 110.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC Credit limitation
Lecture 3 hours. (1905.00)

This introductory chemistry course focuses on developing problem-solving skills needed for success in CHEM 110. It emphasizes the application of the scientific method, modern ideas concerning atomic structure and chemical bonding, the periodic table and its relationship to chemical properties, principles of stoichiometry including chemical ratio calculations, chemical nomenclature, properties of the states of matter, and chemical reaction principles. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for CHEM 100 or CHEM 108; No credit if taken after CHEM 110.

CHEM 110: General Chemistry

Units: 5
Prerequisites: CHEM 108 or one year of high school chemistry or qualification through a chemistry placement exam; MATH 64 or eligibility determined by the math placement process.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 6 hours. (1905.00)

This first semester of a one-year general chemistry sequence focuses on the fundamental principles of chemistry. Students learn the application of these principles with special significance placed on chemical computation. Topics include atomic structure, bonding, the periodic table, nomenclature, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, thermochemistry, and bonding. The course emphasizes critical thinking, writing, problem solving, and analysis skills, and it meets requirements of chemistry, biochemistry, biology, physics, pre-dental, pre-medical, and pre-engineering majors. C-ID CHEM-120S and C-ID CHEM-110.

CHEM 111: General Chemistry

Units: 5
Prerequisites: CHEM 110.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 6 hours. (1905.00)

This continuation of Chemistry 110 studies the fundamental principles of chemistry and their applications. Topics include solutions, kinetics, equilibrium, acid-base chemistry, aqueous ionic equilibrium, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry, and organic chemistry. The laboratory includes a variety of experiments to supplement and reinforce the class work. It also includes a section on qualitative analysis. C-ID CHEM-120S.

CHEM 210: Organic Chemistry I

Units: 5
Prerequisites: CHEM 110.
Advisory: CHEM 111.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 6 hours. (1905.00)

This course is the first semester in a standard one-year organic chemistry sequence for students majoring in chemistry and other sciences. Topics covered include the structure and reactions of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, alcohols, ethers, and dienes; determination of structure by physical and chemical methods; and organic chemistry lab techniques. Students discuss aromatic compounds, structure, nomenclature, and reactions. The course emphasizes reaction mechanisms of organic chemical reactions and predicting products.

CHEM 211: Organic Chemistry II

Units: 5
Prerequisites: CHEM 210.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 6 hours. (1905.00)

This course continues the one-year organic chemistry sequence begun in CHEM 210. Topics covered include the structure and reactivity of alcohols, aldehydes and ketons, organometalic compounds, carboxylic acids and derivatives, amines and other nitrogen functions, aromatic compounds, sulfur-, phosphorus-, and silicon-containing compounds, heterocyclic compounds, and di- and polyfunctional compounds; conjugation and aromaticity; multistep organic synthesis; and biological chemistry. The course emphasizes the application of organic chemistry reaction mechanisms learned in Chemistry 210 to other compounds. It examines new reactions specific for different functional groups, including alcohols, thiols, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acid derivative, aryl halides, and biochemistry-related organic chemistry molecules.

CHEM 292: Internship Studies

Units: 0.5-3
Prerequisites: None
Corequisite: Complete 75 hrs paid or 60 hrs non-paid work per unit.
Enrollment Limitation: Instructor, dept chair, and Career Center approval. May not enroll in any combination of cooperative work experience and/or internship studies concurrently.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU

This course provides students the opportunity to apply the theories and techniques of their discipline in an internship position in a professional setting under the instruction of a faculty-mentor and site supervisor. It introduces students to aspects of the roles and responsibilities of professionals employed in the field of study. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students must develop new learning objectives and/or intern at a new site upon each repetition. Students may not earn more than 16 units in any combination of cooperative work experience (general or occupational) and/or internship studies during community college attendance.

CHEM 298: Directed Study in Chemistry

Units: 1-3
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Instructor and department chair approval and successful completion of 12 units of college work with at least a 3.0 grade-point average.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Laboratory 3 hours
Laboratory 6 hours
Laboratory 9 hours. (1905.00)

This course allows students to pursue a special area of interest in order to achieve specific goals beyond the scope of existing courses within the discipline. Students work independently and interact directly with an instructor on an individual basis and as prescribed by the Directed Study Agreement.