Program Codes:
CHM.AS
Associate in Science Degree
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The Chemistry Transfer program parallels the first two years of a baccalaureate degree program at four-year colleges and universities. Students will learn the basics of general chemistry and organic chemistry that will prepare them to meet the challenges of preprofessional courses at the upper division colleges and universities.
Below are required courses and recommended course groupings and sequences for program completion. Courses may have prerequisite and corequisite requirements. Check course descriptions for details.
A theoretical treatment of principles and laws underlying atomic structure, chemical reactions, enthalpy changes, bonding and states of matter integrated with descriptive material and quantitative calculations.
Introduction to the general chemistry laboratory: includes the conduct of inorganic reactions and general laboratory techniques. An appreciation and understanding of safety and environmental aspects of the general chemistry laboratory is developed. General chemistry laboratory techniques such as separation and titration and inorganic multistep synthesis are carried out. A variety of chemical reactions are performed, redox reactions and titrations are carried out, a stock solution and a series of dilute solutions are prepared from the stock, the enthalpy of reaction using Hess’ Law is determined, and the MW of a volatile liquid is determined using the Ideal Gas Law.
CHM 121
Through a variety of writing projects requiring competence in clear, correct, and effective English, students use inferential and critical skills in the process of composing documented essays. Extensive reading materials serve as structural models and as the bases for discussion and for the writing of essays involving response, analysis, and synthesis.
RDG-011 may be taken as a co-requisite if not previously completed with a grade of "C" or better.
Emphasis is on those topics from algebra and trigonometry that best prepare students for the first course in calculus. The areas of study are algebraic and transcendental functions and their graphs. Of special interest are polynomials, rational, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions. Additional topics include vectors, polar coordinate systems, matrices and determinants. TI83/84 graphing calculator required.
Appropriate score on the College placement test and/or satisfactory score on the diagnostic examination, “C” or better in MAT-014 or departmental approval
This course introduces students to a problem solving approach to computer applications through the use of spreadsheets, database, presentation manager, a programming language and Internet skills. It emphasizes Visual Basic and Microsoft Excel, in addition to surveying fundamental computer concepts and is designed for students who already possess a familiarity with computer applications. It is recommended for students planning to transfer to an upper division college that has a computer programming requirement in its computer literacy course. This course is suitable for liberal arts, science transfer and business transfer students who wish to transfer to a university and complete their bachelor,s degree.
Physical/Health Education Elective
Students may take a health elective (3 credits) in place of Physical Education. However, if the total credits exceed 66 upon graduation, they may not transfer.
A continuation of CHM 121, concentrating on properties of liquids, solids and solutions, kinetics, equilibrium, properties of acids and bases, acid-base and solubility equilibria, thermodynamics and electrochemistry.
CHM-121 with a grade of “C” or better
The laboratory course associated with CHM 122, General Chemistry II. The labs are related to the lecture topics and are meant to reinforce them. Computers are used for data acquisition and data handling using Microsoft EXCEL.
CHM 122
A grade of “C” or better in ENG-121
Presents fundamental ideas of calculus such as the derivative, integral and their applications. Topics include fundamentals of analytic geometry. The first course in a sequence of calculus courses intended for the student interested in mathematics, engineering and the natural, physical and social sciences. TI83/84 graphing calculator required.
Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Humanities (GE HUM).
Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Social Science (GE SS).
A mechanistic study of the preparation and chemical reactivity of alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes. Conformational analysis and stereochemistry of organic compounds.
CHM-122 with a grade of “C” or better
Introduction to the organic chemistry laboratory, performing organic reactions and notebook keeping. An appreciation and understanding of safety and environmental aspects of the organic laboratory. Introduction to organic chemistry laboratory techniques for the purification, isolation and identification of organic compounds - melting point, boiling point, recrystallization, distillation, IR spectroscopy and aspects of chromatography.
CHM 221
Emphasizes theoretical models and basic physical principles. The course is precalculus based and uses some basic calculus in the development and applications of physical principles in a scientific environment. Students will use computers in the laboratory for developing programming skills for the analysis of experimental data. Topics include kinematics, dynamics, conservation of energy and momentum, waves, temperature and heat and thermodynamics. The first semester of a two-semester college-parallel sequence for liberal arts science and pre-professional students.
This course is to be taken in conjunction with General Physics I and is the first semester of a two semester laboratory university-parallel sequence for liberal arts science and pre-professional students. Students will make measurements and develop an understanding of the errors in those measurements and the final result. The importance of maintaining a laboratory notebook is emphasized as well as accurate and concise reporting of the data and results; data interpretation is also emphasized. The computer is used of data acquisition and analysis. Laboratory safety is also discussed.
Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Humanities (GE HUM).
Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Social Science (GE SS).
A mechanistic study of the preparation and chemical reactivity of aromatic compounds, alcohols, phenols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, amines, carboxylic acids, and carboxylic acid derivatives.
Laboratory experience includes the characterization and identification of organic compounds using modern spectroscopic techniques: IR, 1H-NMR-, 13C-NMR, and Mass Spectrometry (MS). Introduction to basic techniques of chromatography (GC, HPLC) are also included.
CHM 222
Emphasizes theoretical models and basic physical principles. The course is precalculus-based and uses some basic calculus in the development and applications of physical principles in a scientific environment. Students will use computers in the laboratory for developing programming skills and for the analysis of experimental data. Topics include electro-statics, direct current circuits, electromagnetism, alternating currents, electromagnetic waves, geometrical and physical optics, quantum theory, atomic physics and nuclear physics. The second semester of two-semester college-parallel sequence for liberal arts science and pre-professional students.
This course is to be taken in conjunction with General Physics II and is the second semester of a two semester laboratory university-parallel sequence for liberal arts science and pre-professional students. Students will make measurements and develop an understanding of the errors in those measurements and the final result. The importance of maintaining a laboratory notebook is emphasized as well as accurate and concise reporting of the data and results; data interpretation is also emphasized. The computer is used of data acquisition and analysis. Laboratory safety is also discussed.
Students will engage in a scientific investigation under the guidance of a research scientist in an academic institution, including Middlesex County College. A Middlesex County College Natural Sciences Department administrator or faculty member will monitor the project. The research scientist and the MCC staff member will jointly assess the student's work. The assessment includes a minimum of 180 hours of field study. This course can be used to fulfill the SCI/MAT elective or Chemistry Elective but not both, for the Science Transfer Chemistry Program. Students are expected to provide their own transportation to external institutions.
For students majoring in Pharmacy or Pre-Professional (medical, dental, etc.), biology may be required.
Contact Name: Donna Howell, department chair
Contact Phone: 732.906.2592
Contact Email: dhowell@middlesexcc.edu
Department Web: https://www.middlesexcc.edu/natural-sciences/
They will learn the basics of general chemistry and organic chemistry that will prepare them to meet the challenges of preprofessional courses at the upper division colleges and universities.
A passing score on the College’s mathematics placement test for both Algebra I and Algebra II or MAT-013 and MAT-014 is required for all Chemistry majors. In addition, a high school laboratory chemistry course with a minimum grade of “C” or CHM-010 and a high school laboratory biology course or BIO-010 with a minimum grade of “C” are also required.
The Statewide Transfer Agreement for New Jersey ensures that students who earn an A.A. or A.S. degree at a community college will have those credits fully transferable to a New Jersey public four-year institution, will have completed half of the credits required for a basic four-year degree and will have completed all of the lower division general education requirements. In addition, articulation agreements with private institutions may provide similar transfer provisions. Students should discuss the transfer process with an advisor.
Once students complete developmental coursework (if needed), the degree can be completed in two years of full-time study. They can shorten the amount of time by taking courses in the summer and winter sessions.