Chemistry
8 courses · Butte College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
CHEM 1 General Chemistry I
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture, 102 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 11 or CHEM 51 or one year of high school Chemistry; and Intermediate Algebra or equivalent
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- CHEM 110/CHEM 120S
This course introduces students to the basic principles of chemistry with a quantitative emphasis. Topics include atomic theory, chemical bonding, molecular geometry, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, gases, thermochemistry, intermolecular forces and solutions. This is the first semester of a one-year course in chemistry intended for majors in the natural sciences (chemistry, biochemistry, biology, physics, pre-medicine), mathematics, and engineering. The two-semester sequence of CHEM 1 and CHEM 2 provides the basic chemical background needed for further investigations into our physical environment. Graded only. (C-ID CHEM 110/CHEM 120S).
CHEM 2 General Chemistry II
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture, 102 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 1
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- CHEM 120S
This course is a continuation of CHEM 1, General Chemistry I. Topics include chemical kinetics and equilibrium, acid-base and solubility equilibria, thermodynamics, oxidation-reduction, electrochemistry, coordination compounds, nuclear chemistry, introduction to organic chemistry and qualitative analysis. This is the second semester of a one-year course in chemistry intended for majors in the natural sciences (chemistry, biochemistry, biology, physics, pre-medicine), mathematics, and engineering. The two-semester sequence of CHEM 1 and CHEM 2 provides the basic chemical background needed for further investigations into our physical environment. Graded only. (C-ID CHEM 120S) (C-ID CHEM 120S = CHEM 1 and CHEM 2).
CHEM 11 Introduction to Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture, 51 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course will develop the language of chemistry and quantitative agility needed as a foundation for experimental laboratory work and problem solving in the chemical sciences. It will include a survey of essential chemistry topics (e.g. the periodic table, nomenclature, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, bonding, and solution chemistry) along with fundamental laboratory skills (e.g. observation, analysis, measurements and uncertainty, dilutions and lab safety). This course is intended as preparation for CHEM 1 students who did not successfully complete high school chemistry. Graded only.
CHEM 21 Organic Chemistry I
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture, 102 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 2
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- CHEM 150/CHEM 160S
This is the first semester of a one-year course in organic chemistry intended for majors in the natural sciences (chemistry, biochemistry, biology, physics, and pre-medicine). It covers fundamental principles of organic chemistry including structure, nomenclature, conformational analysis and stereochemistry. The physical properties, reactions and reaction mechanisms of alkanes, alkyl halides, alcohols, ethers, alkenes, alkynes, and allylic systems are studied. Infrared spectroscopy and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy are discussed in detail. Graded only. (C-ID CHEM 150/CHEM 160S).
CHEM 22 Organic Chemistry II
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture, 102 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 21
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- CHEM 160S
This is the second semester of the one-year course in organic chemistry intended for majors in the natural sciences (chemistry, biochemistry, biology, physics, and pre-medicine). The physical properties, reactions and reaction mechanisms of conjugated systems, aromatic compounds, carbonyl compounds (aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and their derivatives), amines and biomolecules are studied. Laboratory work includes advanced techniques in reaction conditions, product separation, purification and spectroscopy. Graded only. (C-ID CHEM 160S) (C-ID CHEM 160S = CHEM 21 and CHEM 22).
CHEM 51 Elementary Inorganic Chemistry
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture, 102 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- Beginning Algebra or equivalent
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- CHEM 101
This is a survey course in the principles of inorganic chemistry, including atomic theory and periodic properties, nuclear chemistry, electronic structure, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, gas behavior, solution chemistry, kinetics and equilibrium, acids and bases, oxidation and reduction, and elementary thermodynamics. It is recommended for allied health or applied science majors. Graded only. (C-ID CHEM 101).
CHEM 52 Elementary Organic and Biochemistry
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture, 51 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 51
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- CHEM 102
This course is a survey of organic and biochemistry for nursing majors and other allied health fields. Topics include general organic chemistry and biological chemistry as they apply to living systems. The laboratory component will support the course topics including both qualitative and quantitative experiments, and analysis of data. Graded only. (C-ID CHEM 102).
CHEM 95 Special Studies-CHEM
- Units
- 1-3
- Hours
- 51-153 hours independent study
- Prerequisite
- Permission of instructor
- Transfers to
- CSU
Supervised study in researching an area in the student's academic major. Any student interested in registering for a Special Studies course should contact a full-time instructor or chair/coordinator in the appropriate area no later than the last day of the tenth week of instruction. Students may not petition for a Special Studies course until they have completed satisfactorily 12 units of study at Butte College. 51-153 hours Independent Study. This course may be repeated to a maximum of 3.00 units to complete the entire curriculum of the course.