Chemistry
13 courses · Cuesta College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026
CHEM 193 CHEMISTRY SPECIAL TOPIC
- Units
- 0.5 to 4
- Hours
- 0.5 to 4 hours per week: (0.50 - 4.00 lecture hours/0.00 - 0.00 lab hours)
Examines a special topic in the field of study related to the discipline offering this course.
CHEM 200 INTRODUCTORY CHEMISTRY
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 7 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/4.00 lab hours/0.00 activity hours)
- Prerequisite
- Elementary Algebra or eligibility for transfer-level math using the current college process
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- CHEM 101
Presents an introduction to chemistry and chemical laboratory techniques and methods, including a survey of important chemical principles, and a description of the elements and their compounds. One lab hour per week will utilize Facilitator Assisted Learning to practice problem solving.
CHEM 201A GENERAL COLLEGE CHEMISTRY I
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 7 hours per week: (4.00 lecture hours/3.00 lab hours/0.00 activity hours)
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 200 or One year High School Chemistry with a minimum grade of C or better and Intermediate Algebra or eligibility for transfer-level mathematics using the current college process
- Advisory
- Knowledge of logarithms and graphical analysis of linear functions is strongly recommended. These topics are part of the pre-calculus curriculum
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- C-ID CHEM 110. CHEM 201A+201B = C-ID CHEM 120S
Presents the first semester of a one-year course intended primarily for science and engineering majors in the fundamental principles of chemistry. Topics covered include kinetic-molecular treatment of gases, atomic structure and the periodic law, thermochemistry, chemical bonding, correlation of structure with properties, quantitative relationships in chemical reactions, chemical formulas and equations. Laboratory work includes a study of precision and accuracy, standard methods of gravimetric and volumetric analysis, and computer acquisition and analysis of data.
CHEM 201AX APPLIED PROBLEMS FOR GENERAL CHEMISTRY
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 1 hours per week: (1.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
- Corequisite
- CHEM 201A
- Transfers to
- CSU
Supplements Chem 201A to further develop general chemistry skills and conceptual understanding. Provides the opportunity for additional assistance in developing and mastering problem-solving abilities.
CHEM 201B GENERAL COLLEGE CHEMISTRY II
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 7 hours per week: (4.00 lecture hours/3.00 lab hours)
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 201A
- Advisory
- Knowledge of exponential functions, logarithms, and graphical analysis of linear functions is strongly recommended for second semester topics. These topics are part of the pre-calculus curriculum.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- CHEM 201A+201B = C-ID CHEM 120S
Presents advanced general chemistry topics as a continuation of Chemistry 201A. Topics covered include chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, aqueous equilibria, free energy, entropy, electrochemistry, coordination chemistry, nuclear, and organic chemistry. Laboratory work includes quantitative and qualitative analysis with computer acquisition and analysis of data.
CHEM 201BX APPLIED PROBLEMS FOR GENERAL CHEMISTRY II
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 1 hours per week: (1.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
- Corequisite
- CHEM 201B
- Transfers to
- CSU
Supplements Chem 201B to further develop general chemistry skills and conceptual understanding. Provides the opportunity for additional assistance in developing and mastering problem-solving abilities.
CHEM 201P PREPARATION FOR GENERAL COLLEGE CHEMISTRY
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 2 hours per week: (2.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
- Prerequisite
- Intermediate Algebra or eligibility for transfer-level math using the current college process and CHEM 200 or One year of high school Chemistry with a minimum grade of C or better
- Transfers to
- CSU
Presents problem-solving and fundamental reasoning skills needed for success in CHEM 201A, General College Chemistry I. This course is designed for students who meet Chem 201A prerequisites but need additional preparation prior to enrolling in Chem 201A. Topics include techniques for chemical problem solving, dimensional analysis, unit conversion, chemical nomenclature, fundamentals of chemical reactions, and principles of stoichiometry including mass, mole, and volume calculations.
CHEM 211 INTRODUCTORY ORGANIC/BIOCHEMISTRY
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 6 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/3.00 lab hours)
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 200
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- CHEM 102
Presents a survey of organic and biochemistry. Intended primarily for nursing, allied health, agriculture, and some biology majors. Topics include the classification, structure, and reactions of organic molecules as well as biological chemistry as it applies to living systems. Laboratory topics include separation techniques, characterization of organic molecules, reactions of organic and biological compounds.
CHEM 212A ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 9 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/6.00 lab hours/0.00 activity hours)
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 201B
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- C-ID CHEM 150. CHEM 212A+212B = C-ID CHEM 160S
Presents the first semester of a one-year course in organic chemistry intended primarily for science and preprofessional health majors. Foundational organic chemistry concepts, structure, nomenclature, and the physical and chemical properties of hydrocarbons, alkyl halides, and alcohols are studied. Topics include stereochemistry, conformations, Valence Bond theory, infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, as well as nucleophilic substitution, electrophilic addition, elimination, and radical reactions and reaction mechanisms. Laboratory work includes extensive study of organic techniques for isolation, purification, and characterization.
CHEM 212B ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 9 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/6.00 lab hours/0.00 activity hours)
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 212A
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- CHEM 212A+212B = C-ID CHEM 160S
Presents the second semester of a one-year course in organic chemistry. Includes the study of mechanisms and reactions of ethers, epoxides, carbonyl compounds, acid derivatives, and aromatic compounds. Structure elucidation using spectroscopy, multi-step synthesis, and some biochemical applications of organic chemistry will be studied.
CHEM 212P PREPARATION FOR ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 2 hours per week: (2.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours/0.00 activity hours)
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 201B
- Corequisite
- CHEM 201B
- Transfers to
- CSU
Reviews topics from general chemistry and presents introductory organic chemistry topics in preparation for Organic Chemistry I. Designed for students who meet the pre-requisites for Organic Chemistry I (or will before Organic Chemistry I is offered next) and would like to prepare. Includes topics on periodic table trends, molecular shapes and structures, valence bond theory, polarity, acidity and pKa, and drawing structures.
CHEM 231 BIOCHEMISTRY
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 4 hours per week: (4.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours/0.00 activity hours)
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 201A
- Advisory
- CHEM 201B
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Presents a detailed introduction to the principles, concepts and terminology of biochemistry with an emphasis on the structure and function of biological molecules and the role of metabolism in energy production. Topics include the fundamental structures, chemistry, and properties of four groups of biological macromolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids) and their building blocks. This course will also present protein structure and function, enzyme catalysis, and the details of the central metabolic pathways (e.g., glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, the citric acid cycle, electron transport, and oxidative phosphorylation) including their regulation and integration. Throughout the course the organizing principles of biochemistry and the distinctive characteristics of the living state will be emphasized.
CHEM 252 WORK EXPERIENCE IN CHEMISTRY
- Units
- 0.5 to 4
- Hours
- 1.5 to 12 hours per week: (0.00 - 0.00 lecture hours/0.00 - 0.00 lab hours/1.50 - 12.00 work experience hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Provides opportunities for students in Chemistry to connect academic curricula to experiential learning in the workplace as an internship, Service Learning placement or general employment. Allows students to develop and work on learning objectives in workplace competencies and technical skills relevant for their course of study and career pathway. Students must work 54 hours for each unit of credit earned, in half-unit increments (27 hours), up to a maximum of 4 units. Employment can be paid or unpaid.