Chemistry
10 courses · El Camino College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Winter 2027 · Spring 2027
CHEM 1A General Chemistry I
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 6 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- (1) CHEM 4 with a minimum grade of C or CHEM 4H or 1 year of high school chemistry and qualification by testing (El Camino College Chemistry Placement Test) and assessment (2) eligibility for MATH 170 or qualification by testing (El Camino College Mathematics Placement Test) and assessment
- Advisory
- Eligibility for English 1A
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course details fundamental theory and principles of atomic and molecular structure, physical states and chemical reactions. Included is the study of elements, compounds, periodic relationships, bonding, acids and bases, oxidation-reduction, energy, solutions, electrolytes and chemical equations. Descriptive chemistry of water and selected nonmetals including hydrogen, oxygen and carbon is presented.
CHEM 1B General Chemistry II
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 6 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- Chemistry 1A with a minimum grade of C
- Advisory
- Eligibility for English 1A
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course details the chemistry of elements and their compounds in periodic groupings, transition metal complexes, chemical equilibrium, chemical thermodynamics, kinetics, aqueous solutions, net ionic equations, oxidation - reduction equations, electrochemistry and nuclear processes. In the laboratory, qualitative analysis of common metallic and nonmetallic ions will be performed, as well as additional experiments on selected lecture topics.
CHEM 4 Beginning Chemistry
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 6 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- Proficient in intermediate algebra skills
- Advisory
- Eligibility for English 1A/English C1000 or equivalent
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course introduces the principles of chemistry, modern concepts of atomic structure and periodicity as a basis for understanding bonding, chemical formulas, chemical equations and chemical reactions, states of matter, important elements and their compounds, solutions, acid-base theories and reactions, net ionic equations, oxidation-reduction, kinetics and chemical equilibrium, chemical nomenclature and calculations. In the laboratory, emphasis is on observations, measurements, and elementary quantitative experiments with an introduction to qualitative analysis.
CHEM 4H Honors Beginning Chemistry
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 6 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- Proficient in intermediate algebra skills
- Advisory
- Eligibility for English 1A/English C1000 or equivalent
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This honors course, intended for students in the Honors Transfer Program, introduces the principles of chemistry, modern concepts of atomic structure and periodicity as a basis for understanding bonding, chemical formulas, chemical equations and chemical reactions, states of matter, important elements and their compounds, solutions, acid-base theories and reactions, net ionic equations, oxidation-reduction, kinetics, and chemical equilibrium, chemical nomenclature, and calculations. Historical and current chemical concepts will be investigated in a required research paper. In the laboratory, emphasis is on observations, measurements, and elementary quantitative experiments with an introduction to qualitative analysis. This course is enriched through extensive rigorous reading, writing, and research assignments.
CHEM 7A Organic Chemistry I
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 6 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 1B with a minimum grade of C
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course involves a comprehensive study of the major classes of aliphatic hydrocarbons and of organic halides, alcohols and ethers. This includes nomenclature, structure, properties, stereochemistry, reactions, synthetic methods, and spectroscopy. Emphasis is placed on a systematic approach to understanding the material through the use of bonding theories, energy concepts, kinetics, and reaction mechanisms. In the laboratory, emphasis is on techniques of separation and purification of organic compounds, common organic reactions, and spectroscopy.
CHEM 7B Organic Chemistry II
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 6 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 7A with a minimum grade of C
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course involves a comprehensive study of aromatic compounds and the major classes of oxygen-containing and nitrogen-containing organic compounds. This includes nomenclature, structure, properties, stereochemistry, reactions, synthetic methods, and spectroscopy. Emphasis is placed on a systematic approach to understanding the material through the use of bonding theories, energy concepts, kinetics, and reaction mechanisms. A study of biochemistry focuses primarily on lipids, carbohydrates, amino acids and proteins. In the laboratory, emphasis is on qualitative organic analysis, common organic reactions, and multistep synthesis.
CHEM 20 Fundamentals of Chemistry
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 4 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- MATH 40 or Mathematics 43 with a minimum grade of C in prerequisite or qualification by testing (El Camino College Mathematics Placement Test) and assessment
- Advisory
- ENGL 84
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course introduces fundamental theory and principles of chemistry applied to inorganic, organic, and biological chemistry. Atomic and molecular structure, chemical and physical changes, gases, solutions, nomenclature, equations and calculations will be emphasized.
CHEM 21A Survey of General and Organic Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- eligibility for MATH 80
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
The general chemistry topics in the course are units of measurement, atomic structure, the periodic table, inorganic formulas and nomenclature, chemical bonding, common chemical reactions, stoichiometry, states of matter, solutions, introduction to reaction rates and equilibrium, elementary acid-base theory and pH and buffers. The organic chemistry portion of the course studies the properties, nomenclature, common reactions and some reaction mechanisms for several classes of organic compounds. These classes include alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, phenols and ethers. There is also an introduction to resonance and stereoisomerism. The emphasis in the laboratory is on observations and measurements.
CHEM 21B Survey of Organic and Biochemistry
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 21A with a minimum grade of C
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
The study of organic chemistry continues with the nomenclature, properties, preparation, reactions and derivatives of carboxylic acids, amines, aldehydes and ketones. Principles of biochemistry are introduced. Descriptions of the structures and biochemical reactions of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes and nucleic acids will be analyzed. Catabolic/anabolic pathways as well as the energy consumed or produced by the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins will be examined. The chemistry of photosynthesis will be studied.
CHEM 99 Independent Study - Introduction to Research
- Units
- 1-3
- Hours
- hours to be arranged
- Formerly
- Chemistry 99abc
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides special advanced studies in a subject field of Chemistry not covered in the regular departmental offerings. Regular conferences with the instructor are coordinated with assigned Chemistry projects (54 hours per unit).