Chemistry

The First Step to a Career In Science

Apply

Program Duration: 2 Year Program
Degree Type: Associate in Science (A.S.)
Total Credit Hours: 60

Student examines test tube while instructor speaks to the class in the background.

About This Program

As a chemistry student, you will learn how to use the measuring and analysis equipment in a modern chemistry lab while competently performing routine laboratory tasks. As you progress in the course, you will conduct experiments and solve problems based in general inorganic and organic chemistry principles in order to collect, interpret and communicate scientific data in multiple formats. The Chemistry degree program equips students with the foundation necessary for transfer to at a four-year institution, so you can confidently continue your studies in the chemical or physical sciences field.

The Academic Passport, a policy of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), guarantees admission to any of the 14 PASSHE universities to a student with an earned AA or AS degree from a Pennsylvania public community college. A university can stipulate that the associate's degree contain at least 30 credits of liberal arts courses. The Academic Passport does not guarantee admission to specific majors.

Quick Information

General Contact Call (215) 751-8010

Apply Now

Transfer Opportunities

Public university in central Pennsylvania offering diverse programs.

A private liberal arts college located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offering a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs.

A private research university in Philadelphia known for co-op programs and innovation.

Part of the Rutgers system, offering diverse academic options in Camden, New Jersey.

A public research university in Philadelphia, offering diverse programs and a vibrant campus experience.

View all transfer opportunities

Semester 1

This is a select program. All students must complete CHEM 110 and MATH 162 or receive the department head's approval before being selected into the program.

Course Number and Name	Credits	Advisory Notes	Course Type
CHEM 121 - College Chemistry I	4 credits	Prerequisite: CHEM 110 with a grade of "C" or better or department head approval	Scientific Reasoning
MATH 171 - Calculus I	4 credits	Prerequisite: MATH 162 with a grade of "C" or better or department head approval	Quantitative Reasoning
ENGL 101 - English Composition I or ENGL 101H - English Composition I (Honors)	3 credits	ENGL 101 is a prerequisite for ENGL 102 and ENGL 115	Writing/Research/Info Lit 1
CIS 103 - Introduction to Information Technology	3 credits	Prerequisite: ENGL 101 ready	Technological Competency

Notes:

This program is designed to provide students with the option of entering the workforce or transferring to a bachelor's degree program after earning their associate degree
Make sure you discuss your first semester schedule and your educational plan with an advisor or counselor when you register

Semester 2

Course Number and Name	Credits	Advisory Notes	Course Type
CHEM 122 - College Chemistry II	4 credits	Prerequisite: CHEM 121 with a grade of "C" or better	Major Course
MATH 172 - Calculus II	4 credits	Prerequisite: MATH 171 with a grade of "C" or better	Major Course
ENGL 102 - The Research Paper or ENGL 102H - The Research Paper (Honors)	3 credits	Prerequisite: ENGL 101 with a grade of "C" or better	Writing/Research/Info Lit 2
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology or SOC 101H - Introduction to Sociology (Honors) or HIST 121 - World History: The Distant Past or HIST 122 - World History: The Recent Past or HUM 101 - Cultural Traditions: Ancient to the 13th Century or HUM 101H - Cultural Traditions: Ancient to the 13th Century (Honors)	3 credits		Cultural Analysis and Interpretation

Notes:

Don’t forget to meet with an advisor and review this schedule when registering for your classes
Make sure you are using Starfish Connect to track and improve your grades
Stay on the path to success: take advantage of academic support services offered by Counseling the Learning Labs, Academic Advising and more
Now is a good time to start financial planning for next semester:
- Manage your financial aid
- Take advantage of our payment plans and know the payment deadlines
- Apply for a scholarship— You only have to complete one application to be considered for all available scholarships
Visit Career Connections to learn about internships and your future career possibilities

Semester 3

Course Number and Name	Credits	Advisory Notes	Course Type
CHEM 221 - Organic Chemistry I	5 credits	Prerequisite: CHEM 122 with a grade of "C" or better	Major Course
CHEM 214 - Chemical Analysis	5 credits	CHEM 214 is offered only during the fall semester. Prerequisites: CHEM 122 and MATH 162 with a grade of "C" or better.	Major Course
PHYS 140 - Mechanics, Heat and Sound	5 credits	MATH 171 with a grade of "C" or better. It is suggested that students who have never had a physics course take PHYS 111 before PHYS 140.	Major Course

Notes:

Meet with an advisor and review this schedule when registering for your classes
Make sure you are using Starfish Connect to track and improve your grades
Stay on the path to success: take advantage of academic support services offered by Counseling the Learning Labs, Academic Advising and more
Start financial planning for next semester:
- Manage your financial aid
- Take advantage of our payment plans and know the payment deadlines
- Apply for a scholarship—You only have to complete one application to be considered for all available scholarships

Semester 4

Course Number and Name	Credits	Advisory Notes	Course Type
CHEM 222 - Organic Chemistry II	5 credits	Prerequisite: CHEM 221 with a grade of "C" or better	Major Course
PHYS 241 - Electricity, Magnetism and Light	5 credits	Prerequisite: PHYS 140 with a grade of "C" or better, and MATH 172 with a grade of "C" or better or Dept. Head approval	Major Course
BIOL 123 - Principles of Biology I or BIOL 281 - Biochemistry I or BTT 101 - Biomedical Technician Training Practicum CIS 106 - Introduction to Computer Programming or	3 or 4 credits	Prerequisite for BIOL 123: CHEM 121 or CHEM 110 with a "C" or better and high school biology or permission of the department head. Prerequisite for BIOL 281: CHEM 221, which may be taken concurrently, and BIOL 123 with a "C" or better. Prerequisite for BTT 101: Permission of the Biomedical Technician Training Academic Coordinator and completion of the Orientation to Biomedical Technology	Directed Elective
ENGL 115 - Public Speaking	3 credits each	Prerequisite: ENGL 101, which may be taken concurrently	Oral Communication/ Creative Expression

Notes:

If this is your final semester! Don’t forget to complete your graduation application.
Meet with an advisor when registering for your classes
Take advantage of our scholarship opportunities for transferring students and apply for a scholarship

Student in lab pouring chemicals into dishes

Launch Your Career in Chemistry

Food Scientists and Technologists est. salary $77,603
Chemical Technician est. salary $53,493
Soil and Plant Scientists est. salary $73,368

Learn More

**EMSI Data, 2022; The greater Philadelphia region; a percentage of people in these jobs may have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Career Outlook

$142,236

Median Salary of a Clinical Research Coordinator

940

Number of Jobs in the Region

+.06%

10-year Job Outlook in the Region for a Clinical Research Coordinator

Featured Career

Clinical Research Coordinator

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

Starting Pay: $69,268

Typical Tasks

Maintain required records of study activity including case report forms, drug dispensation records, or regulatory forms.
Oversee subject enrollment to ensure that informed consent is properly obtained and documented.
Monitor study activities to ensure compliance with protocols and with all relevant local, federal, and state regulatory and institutional polices.
Record adverse event and side effect data and confer with investigators regarding the reporting of events to oversight agencies.
Assess eligibility of potential subjects through methods such as screening interviews, reviews of medical records, and discussions with physicians and nurses.

Explore Related Programs

Let's Get Started

Apply

Plan a Visit

Apply for Financial Aid