Chemistry
10 courses · College of the Desert · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026
CH 001A General Chemistry I
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 72, Lab Hours: 54
- Prerequisite
- CH 003 or one year high school chemistry MATH 012.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- CHEM 110, CHEM 120S
This is the first course of a two-semester sequence covering the basic principles and concepts of chemistry with emphasis on chemical calculations. Inorganic chemistry is stressed, and the material includes a discussion of atomic structure, chemical bonding, molecules, reaction types, states of matter, and the properties of solutions. The laboratory part of the course complements the lectures and includes qualitative analysis. (C-ID CHEM 110; CHEM 120S)
CH 001B General Chemistry II
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 72, Lab Hours: 54
- Prerequisite
- CH 001A.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- CHEM 120S
This is the second course of a two-semester sequence covering the basic principles and concepts of chemistry with emphasis on chemical calculations. Inorganic chemistry is stressed, and the material includes a discussion of thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, chemical equilibrium, acid-base equilibria in aqueous solutions, electrochemistry. There is a brief introduction to organic, biological and nuclear chemistry. The laboratory part of the course complements the lectures and also includes one experiment on qualitative analysis of cations and anions. (C-ID CHEM 120S)
CH 002 Chemistry and Society
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 54
- Prerequisite
- MATH 054
- Advisory
- ENG 061.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course explores chemical concepts and their applications to everyday life. Topics cover the fundamental concepts by analyzing environmental, health, social, historical, economic, cultural, and current scientific issues in chemical contexts. The course also reviews properties of elements and compounds, energy and matter, chemical bonding, and major scientific discoveries.
CH 003 Introductory General Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 54, Lab Hours: 54
- Prerequisite
- MATH 054.
- Advisory
- ENG 061.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC (with unit limitation)
- C-ID
- CHEM 101
This course is the study of the principles of inorganic chemistry. Instruction is given in calculations, atomic theory, periodic law, compounds, bonding, nomenclature, states of matter, reaction types, composition, stoichiometry, acids, bases, pH, gas laws, and solutions. Laboratory is a hands-on experience stressing manipulation, procedure, data, and outcome calculations. Note: This course should be taken by Liberal Studies majors on the Education track to satisfy the chemistry requirement. It should also be taken as a prerequisite for CH 001A for students who have not had high school chemistry within the past 5 years. (C-ID CHEM 101)
CH 005 Bio-organic Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 54, Lab Hours: 54
- Prerequisite
- CH 003 or CH 007 Students who have already taken CH 004 will be allowed to register for this class and do not need to take CH 007.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a survey of organic chemistry and biochemistry with an emphasis on the health sciences. It covers the major functional groups of organic compounds. The biologically active macromolecules and their components are discussed. Bioenergetics and metabolism are a substantial part of this course. The course is intended for health sciences students in dental hygiene, physician assistant, and related programs. Note: This course, in conjunction with CH 003 or CH 007, satisfies the requirements for those Health Sciences programs that require one year of chemistry other than general chemistry. C-ID: CHEM 102
CH 007 Fundamentals of Chemistry
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 72, Lab Hours: 54
- Prerequisite
- MATH 054.
- Advisory
- ENG 061.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is a survey of basic principles of inorganic, organic and bio-organic chemistry presented on a level for the general student. Note: This course, in conjunction with CH 005, meets the requirements for bachelor's degrees in nursing, dental hygiene, and allied health programs. Beginning Fall 2023 CH 004 is becoming CH 007. CH 004 will be offered one last time during Summer 2023 before the course transitions to CH 007.
CH 008 Environmental Chemistry
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 54
- Prerequisite
- MATH 054.
- Advisory
- ENG 061.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course presents the fundamentals of chemistry as applied to contemporary environmental topics concerning the atmosphere, water, solids, energy, and green chemistry. This is an introduction to environmental chemistry without assuming any prior knowledge of chemistry. The essential foundational science needed to understand these topics will also be covered.
CH 010A Organic Chemistry I
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 72, Lab Hours: 54
- Prerequisite
- CH 001B.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- CHEM 160S
This course is the first of a two-semester sequence covering the basic principles and concepts of organic chemistry. An in-depth study is made of the bonding of carbon, stereochemistry, and the reactivity of alkanes, alkyl halides, alkenes, alkynes and alcohols. Addition, elimination, substitution and free radical reactions are discussed. Infrared Spectroscopy, Mass Spectrometry and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy are being covered in detail. The course is designed for chemistry, biology and pre-professional majors. (C-ID CHEM 160S)
CH 010B Organic Chemistry II
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 72, Lab Hours: 54
- Prerequisite
- CH 010A.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- CHEM 160S
This course is the second of a two-semester sequence covering the basic principles and concepts of organic chemistry. Ethers, epoxides, sulfides, conjugated systems, UV spectroscopy, aromatic compounds, ketones and aldehydes, amines, carboxylic acids and carboxylic acid derivatives, and synthetic polymers are covered. An introduction is made to biochemical compounds: carbohydrates, nucleic acids, amino acids, peptides, proteins, and lipids. Condensation and Alpha substitution reactions are introduced. Review from the first semester of Organic Chemistry includes IR, Mass Spectroscopy, NMR Spectroscopy, kinetics, thermodynamics, and molecular orbital theory. The course is designed for chemistry, biology and pre-professional majors. (C-ID CHEM 160S)
CH 031 Undergraduate Research Experience
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 18, Lab Hours: 54
- Prerequisite
- CH 001B.
- Advisory
- LIS 001.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Under the supervision of STEM faculty, students will select a project to be completed during the semester. Topics will include information retrieval, computer skills applied to laboratory research, time management and organizational skills, application of modern research methods, experimental design, data collection and analysis, presentation skills (written and oral), and applying for summer internship opportunities. This course is intended for students pursuing a STEM degree and who have completed a minimum of 35 college level units.