# Chemistry (CHEM) courses

Merced College · 2026-2027 Catalog · 9 courses

Source: https://catalog.mccd.edu/schools/programs/school-stem/courses/chem-courses

"Offered" lists sections in this catalog year's class schedules: Fall 2026, Spring 2027.

### CHEM-02A — Introductory Chemistry

- **Units:** 4
- **Hours:** 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- **Prerequisite:** Placement as determined by the college’s multiple measures assessment process or completion of a course taught at or above the level of intermediate algebra
- **C-ID:** CHEM 101
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 17 sections (/c/merced-college/schedule/fall-2026/chem.md); Spring 2027, 18 sections (/c/merced-college/schedule/spring-2027/chem.md)
- (Cal-GETC area 5A/C)
- (CSU breadth area B1/B3) (IGETC area 5A/5C) [CSU-GE and IGETC are only for 2024-25 catalogs or earlier]

This is an introduction to the general principles of inorganic chemistry, atomic and molecular structure, states of matter, solutions, and radioactivity. The class is designed for students majoring in liberal studies; nursing or agriculture. (04/20)

### CHEM-02B — Introductory Chemistry: Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry

- **Units:** 4
- **Hours:** 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- **Prerequisite:** CHEM-02A; Placement as determined by the college’s multiple measures assessment process or completion of a course taught at or above the level of intermediate algebra
- **Advisory:** ENGL-C1000 (Formerly ENGL-01A) and LRNR-30
- **Transfers to:** CSU
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 3 sections (/c/merced-college/schedule/fall-2026/chem.md); Spring 2027, 4 sections (/c/merced-college/schedule/spring-2027/chem.md)
- (CSU breadth area B1/B3) [CSU-GE and IGETC are only for 2024-25 catalogs or earlier]

This is a continuation of CHEM-02A with emphasis on organic and biochemistry. The structure, nomenclature, and properties of organic compounds such as: alkanes, alkenes, arenes, alcohols, thiols, amines, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and their derivatives are covered. Structure, properties and reactions of biochemical compounds such as carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids are covered and followed through major and minor metabolic pathways. This course is intended for students in liberal studies, agriculture, and health-related fields. It is not for chemistry or science majors. (10/20)

### CHEM-04A — General Chemistry I

- **Units:** 5
- **Hours:** 3 hours lecture, 6 hours lab
- **Prerequisite:** CHEM-02A; Placement as determined by the college’s multiple measures assessment process or completion of a course taught at or above the level of intermediate algebra
- **Advisory:** ENGL-C1000 (Formerly ENGL-01A)
- **C-ID:** CHEM 110, 120S
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 5 sections (/c/merced-college/schedule/fall-2026/chem.md); Spring 2027, 4 sections (/c/merced-college/schedule/spring-2027/chem.md)
- (Cal-GETC area 5A/C)
- (CSU breadth area B1/B3) (IGETC area 5A/5C) [CSU-GE and IGETC are only for 2024-25 catalogs or earlier]

This course is designed to teach general principles of chemistry emphasizing nomenclature, chemical equations, stoichiometry, concentration, gas laws, atomic structure, bonding, intermolecular forces, and crystalline solids. It is designed for the student majoring in chemistry, physics, biology, engineering, pre-med, or related fields. A student who has not successfully completed the prerequisite of CHEM-02A but has completed a high school chemistry course with a grade of “B” or higher may consider submitting a prerequisite challenge. (02/21)

### CHEM-04B — General Chemistry II

- **Units:** 5
- **Hours:** 3 hours lecture, 6 hours lab
- **Prerequisite:** CHEM-04A
- **Advisory:** ENGL-C1000 (Formerly ENGL-01A)
- **C-ID:** CHEM 120S
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 2 sections (/c/merced-college/schedule/fall-2026/chem.md); Spring 2027, 2 sections (/c/merced-college/schedule/spring-2027/chem.md)
- (CSU breadth areas B1/B3) (IGETC area 5A/5C) [CSU-GE and IGETC are only for 2024-25 catalogs or earlier]

This is a continuation of the general principles of chemistry, with emphasis on kinetics, chemical equilibria, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry and transition metal complexes. An introduction to the principles of organic chemistry is included. The lab provides the student with experience in qualitative and quantitative analysis. (02/21)

### CHEM-13A — First Semester Organic Chemistry Lecture

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 3 hours lecture
- **Prerequisite:** CHEM-04B
- **Advisory:** ENGL-C1000 (Formerly ENGL-01A)
- **C-ID:** CHEM 150, 160 S
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/merced-college/schedule/fall-2026/chem.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/merced-college/schedule/spring-2027/chem.md)

This course is a study of the theory and practice of organic chemistry examining the bonding, structure, stereochemistry, nomenclature, properties, and reactions of hydrocarbons and organic halides. Addition, substitution, elimination, and rearrangement reactions are examined. Corresponding mechanisms and energy diagrams are included in the study. Nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared, ultra-violet and mass spectroscopy are introduced as structural elucidation techniques.(05/21)

### CHEM-13AL — First Semester Organic Chemistry Lab

- **Units:** 2
- **Hours:** 6 hours lab
- **Prerequisite:** CHEM-04B
- **Corequisite:** CHEM-13A
- **Advisory:** ENGL-C1000 (Formerly ENGL-01A)
- **C-ID:** CHEM 150, 160 S
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/merced-college/schedule/fall-2026/chem.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/merced-college/schedule/spring-2027/chem.md)

A laboratory course that includes the study of organic laboratory techniques including the synthesis of organic compounds, separation, characterization, identification, purification, and the use of related instrumentation. This course is directed toward students in science and pre-professional preparation. (05/21)

### CHEM-13B — Second Semester Organic Chemistry Lecture

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 3 hours lecture
- **Prerequisite:** CHEM-13A and CHEM-13-AL
- **Advisory:** ENGL-C1000 (Formerly ENGL-01A)
- **C-ID:** CHEM 160 S
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/merced-college/schedule/spring-2027/chem.md)

This course is a continuation of CHEM-13A, expanding the study of organic chemistry to include aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, ethers, thiols, sulfides, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and derivatives, amines and an introduction to the biochemistry of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. Included is a further examination of the use of IR, NMR, GC and Mass Spectroscopy in the identification of organic substances. (05/21)

### CHEM-13BL — Second Semester Organic Chemistry Lab

- **Units:** 2
- **Hours:** 6 hours lab
- **Prerequisite:** CHEM-13A and CHEM-13AL
- **Corequisite:** CHEM-13B
- **Advisory:** ENGL-C1000 (Formerly ENGL-01A)
- **C-ID:** CHEM 160 S
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/merced-college/schedule/spring-2027/chem.md)

In the laboratory, course emphasis is placed on the reaction, synthesis, purification, characterization, spectroscopy, and qualitative tests of organic substances. This course is directed toward students in science and preprofessional preparation. (05/21)

### CHEM-95S — Introductory Chemistry Support

- **Units:** 1
- **Hours:** 3 hours lab
- **Corequisite:** CHEM-02A
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 3 sections (/c/merced-college/schedule/fall-2026/chem.md); Spring 2027, 3 sections (/c/merced-college/schedule/spring-2027/chem.md)

A review of the core prerequisite skills, competencies and concepts needed in Introductory Chemistry. Topics include basic science process skills, prealgebra and elementary algebra, and the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective study skills needed for introductory chemistry. Intended for students who are currently enrolled in Introductory Chemistry.