This is an archived copy of the 2017-2018 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 scientific research, medicine, health, engineering, industry, government, environmental science, and teaching.

Contact Information

Chair: Theresa Bolaños

Dean: Michael Fino

www.miracosta.edu/CHEM

Department: Chemistry

Office: OC 3600, 760.757.2121 x6924

Full-Time Faculty

Kristine Arquero
Theresa Bolaños
Pierre Goueth
Kent McCorkle
Thong Nguyen
Linda Woods
Mark Yeager

How to Read Course Descriptions

For more detailed information about a course, such as its content, objectives, and fulfillment of a degree, certificate, or general education requirement, please see the official course outline of record, available at http://www.miracosta.edu/governance/coursesandprograms/courseoutlines.html.

Courses

CHEM 100: Introductory Chemistry

Units: 4
Prerequisites: None
Advisory: MATH 30 or eligibility determined by the math placement process.
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in CHEM 100H, CHEM 108, CHEM 110, or CHEM 110H.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours. (1905.00)
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

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/CHEM 100H or CHEM 108. No credit if taken after CHEM 110/CHEM 110H.

CHEM 100H: Introductory Chemistry (Honors)

Units: 4
Prerequisites: None
Advisory: MATH 30 or eligibility determined by the math placement process.
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in CHEM 100, CHEM 108, CHEM 110, or CHEM 110H.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours. (1905.00)
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

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. This honors course offers highly motivated students the opportunity to complete, document, and discuss independent scientific research. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for CHEM 100/CHEM 100H or CHEM 108. No credit if taken after CHEM 110/CHEM 110H.

CHEM 102: Introduction to Organic and Biological Chemistry

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

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 210H. C-ID CHEM-102.

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 prior credit in CHEM 102.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 6 hours. (1905.00)
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

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: 4
Prerequisites: MATH 64 or eligibility determined by the math placement process.
Enrollment Limitation: Concurrent enrollment in MATH 64 if prerequisite not met. Not open to students with prior credit in CHEM 110 or CHEM 110H.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours. (1905.00)
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

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. The laboratory component of this course provides direct participation in experiments, demonstrations, learning activities and discussions related to fundamental concepts in chemistry. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for CHEM 100/CHEM 100H or CHEM 108; No credit if taken after CHEM 110/CHEM 110H.

CHEM 110: General Chemistry

Units: 5
Prerequisites: CHEM 108, one year of high school chemistry, or qualification through a chemistry placement exam; MATH 64 or eligibility determined by the math placement process.
Advisory: CHEM 108 strongly recommended if it has been four or more years since chemistry course.
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in CHEM 110H.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 6 hours. (1905.00)
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

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. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for CHEM 110 or CHEM 110H. C-ID CHEM-110 and C-ID CHEM- 120S.

CHEM 110H: General Chemistry (Honors)

Units: 5
Prerequisites: CHEM 108, one year of high school chemistry, or qualification through a chemistry placement exam; MATH 64 or eligibility determined by the math placement process.
Advisory: CHEM 108 strongly recommended if it has been four or more years since chemistry course.
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in CHEM 110.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 6 hours. (1905.00)
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

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. This honors course offers highly motivated students the opportunity to complete, document, and discuss independent scientific research. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for CHEM 110 or CHEM 110H. C-ID CHEM-110 and C-ID CHEM-120S.

CHEM 111: General Chemistry

Units: 5
Prerequisites: CHEM 110 or CHEM 110H.
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in CHEM 111H.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 6 hours. (1905.00)
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

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. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for CHEM 111 or CHEM 111H. C-ID CHEM-120S.

CHEM 111H: General Chemistry (Honors)

Units: 5
Prerequisites: CHEM 110 or CHEM 110H.
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in CHEM 111.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 6 hours. (1905.00)
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

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. This honors course offers highly motivated students the opportunity to complete, document, and discuss independent scientific research. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for CHEM 111 or CHEM 111H. C-ID CHEM-120S.

CHEM 210: Organic Chemistry I

Units: 5
Prerequisites: CHEM 111 or CHEM 111H.
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in CHEM 210H.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 6 hours. (1905.00)
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This first course in a standard one-year organic chemistry sequence is designed for students majoring in chemistry and other sciences. Major themes include bonding, molecular structure, isomerism, conformational analysis, nomenclature, reaction mechanisms, and synthesis. The lecture emphasizes the mechanisms, reactions, and synthesis of aliphatic compounds, such as alkanes, cycloalkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, and alcohols; the lab emphasizes the determination of physical properties and the separation, purification, and identification of organic compounds using spectroscopic techniques. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for CHEM 210 or CHEM 210H. C-ID CHEM-150. C-ID CHEM-160S.

CHEM 210H: Organic Chemistry I (Honors)

Units: 5
Prerequisites: CHEM 111 or CHEM 111H.
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in CHEM 210.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 6 hours. (1905.00)
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This first course in a standard one-year organic chemistry sequence is designed for students majoring in chemistry and other sciences. Major themes include bonding, molecular structure, isomerism, conformational analysis, nomenclature, reaction mechanisms, and synthesis. The lecture emphasizes the mechanisms, reactions, and synthesis of aliphatic compounds, such as alkanes, cycloalkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, and alcohols; the lab emphasizes the determination of physical properties and the separation, purification, and identification of organic compounds using spectroscopic techniques. This honors course offers highly motivated students the opportunity to complete, document, and discuss independent scientific research. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for CHEM 210 or CHEM 210H. C-ID CHEM-150.

CHEM 211: Organic Chemistry II

Units: 5
Prerequisites: CHEM 210 or CHEM 210H.
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in CHEM 211H.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 6 hours. (1905.00)
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This continuation of the one-year organic chemistry sequence emphasizes the application of organic chemistry reactions, mechanisms and synthesis learned in CHEM 210 to other compounds. It examines new reactions for different functional groups, including alcohols, thiols, aldehydes, ketones, arenes, carboxylic acid and its derivative, amines, and their application in biological molecules. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for CHEM 211 or CHEM 211H. C-ID CHEM-160S.

CHEM 211H: Organic Chemistry II (Honors)

Units: 5
Prerequisites: CHEM 210 or CHEM 210H.
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in CHEM 211.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 6 hours. (1905.00)
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This continuation of the one-year organic chemistry sequence emphasizes the application of organic chemistry reactions, mechanisms and synthesis learned in CHEM 210 to other compounds. It examines new reactions for different functional groups, including alcohols, thiols, aldehydes, ketones, arenes, carboxylic acid and its derivative, amines, and their application in biological molecules. This honors course offers highly motivated students the opportunity to complete, document, and discuss independent scientific research. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for CHEM 211 or CHEM 211H.

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
Course Typically Offered: To be arranged

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)
Course Typically Offered: To be arranged

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.