Chemistry Degrees, Certificates and Transfer Pathways

Physical Sciences & Technologies

What is Chemistry? It has been defined in various ways. Wikipedia defines it as “the scientific discipline involved with elements and compounds composed of atoms, molecules and ions: their composition, structure, properties, behavior and the changes they undergo during a reaction with other substances.” Textbooks alternatively define chemistry as the study of change, observing and measuring the world around us, etc. but it can most succinctly be defined as the study of matter and energy.

Chemistry is often called the “central science” because it links the physical, life, and applied sciences. It is foundational for most of the STEM related fields and the chemistry curriculum is designed to foster an understanding of the fundamental principles of chemistry in a variety of applications-medicine, health-care products, energy, food production, body metabolism, structural materials, microelectronics, and the environment.

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The chemistry curriculum is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to pursue a major in (1) chemistry, biology, marine science, geology, physics, medicine, engineering, or technology; (2) paramedical or allied health science, including nursing, dental hygiene, physical therapy, or nutrition; or (3) liberal arts.

Students learn how chemical knowledge is derived, theorized, and applied in solving problems in everyday life. They perform experiments in a modern chemistry laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment under the guidance of experienced faculty. In addition, students have an opportunity to enhance their understanding of chemical concepts and improve their laboratory skills through a series of computer-aided lessons and exercises.

Program Length

The Associate of Science degree is comprised of four semesters of chemistry coursework in the major. They are General Chemistry, CHEM 1A and 1B, and Organic Chemistry, CHEM 12A and 12B. In addition to the major courses, students must complete general education courses and have a total of 60 units to earn the degree. Most students can complete this degree in two years by taking a minimum of 15 units per semester.

Transfer Options

By completing the four chemistry courses in the A.S. degree in Chemistry, students have satisfied the chemistry requirements for all UC and CSU campuses and would only need to complete the remaining major requirements as required by each UC and CSU campus.

Program Specific Support

Student success is supported through an active Student Success Center, and chemistry students are provided generous tutoring support from well-qualified tutors.

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Your success is our priority! Whether you are just starting, in the middle of, or completing your time at IVC, we have a team of people in your corner to help keep you on-track to reach your goals at IVC and beyond!

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Transfer Options, Degrees and/or Certificates

Sample Academic Plans

Chemistry UC TransferCSU TransferAS

UC Transfer: Chemistry, Major* UC-7 Course 2 Years Full-Time

This is only a sample academic plan. Some UC majors may have additional required or recommended courses for transfer. Please see a counselor to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.

Semester 1

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	IGETC Area/Major	Units
WR 1	College Writing 1	1A	4
MATH 3A*	Analytic Geometry and Calculus I	2A & Major	5
CHEM 1A	General Chemistry I	5A/5C & Major	5

Semester 2

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	IGETC Area/Major	Units
WR 2	College Writing Critical Thinking	1B	4
CHEM 1B	General Chemistry II	5A/5C & Major	5
MATH 3B	Analytic Geometry and Calculus II	2A & Major	5

Summer

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	IGETC Area/Major	Units
PHYS 4A	General Physics	5A and Major	4
Arts or Humanities or Social and Behavioral Sciences	Arts or Humanities or Social and Behavioral Sciences GE Course	3A or 3B or 4	3

Semester 3

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	IGETC Area/Major	Units
CHEM 12A	Organic Chemistry	5A/5C & Major	5
MATH 4A	Analytic Geometry and Calculus III	5	5
PHYS 4B	General Physics	5A and Major	4

Semester 4

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	IGETC Area/Major	Units
CHEM 12B	Organic Chemistry	5A/5C & Major	5
MATH 24	Elementary Differential Equations	5	5
PHYS 4C	General Physics	5A and Major	4

This sample education plan assumes that student is eligible for Math 3A in the first semester.

CSU Transfer: Chemistry, Major* CSU-STEM 2 Years Full-Time

Semester 1

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	CSU Area/Major	Units
WR 1	College Writing 1	1A	4
MATH 3A*	Analytic Geometry and Calculus I	B4 & Major	5
CHEM 1A	General Chemistry I	5A/5C & Major	5

Semester 2

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	CSU Area/Major	Units
WR 2	College Writing Critical Thinking	1B	4
MATH 3B	Analytic Geometry and Calculus II	B4 & Major	5
CHEM 1B	General Chemistry II	5A/5C & Major	5

Summer

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	CSU Area/Major	Units
COMM 1	Communication Fundamentals	1C	3
HIST 20 or HIST 21	American History Course	4	3

Semester 3

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	CSU Area/Major	Units
CHEM 12A	Organic Chemistry	5A/5C & Major	5
PHYS 4A	General Physics	5A/5C & Major	4
ARTS	Arts GE Course	3A	3
PS 1	American Government	4	3

Semester 4

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	CSU Area/Major	Units
CHEM 12B	Organic Chemistry	5A/5C & Major	5
PHYS 4B and/or PHYS 4C**	General Physics Course	5A/5C & Major	4-8
Biological Science	Biological Science GE Course	5B	3
Humanities	Humanities GE Course	3B	3

This sample academic plan assumes that student is eligible for Math 3A in the first semester.
Some impacted CSUs may require or highly recommend three physics courses for transfer.

Chemistry, AS AS-GE 2 Years Full-Time

This is only a sample academic plan. Please see a counselor and check IVC's catalog to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.

Semester 1

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	AS GE Area/Major	Units
WR 1	College Writing 1	1A	4
MATH 3A*	Analytic Geometry and Calculus I	IC	5
CHEM 1A	General ChemistryI	2 & Major	5

Semester 2

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	AS GE Area/Major	Units
Communication/Thinking	Communication/Analytical Thinking GE Course	1B	3-4
MATH 3B	Analytic Geometry and Calculus II	IC	5
CHEM 1B	General Chemistry II	Major	5

Summer

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	AS GE Area/Major	Units
Social Sciences	Social Sciences GE Course	3	3
COMM 1	Communication Fundamentals	1B	3

Semester 3

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	AS GE Area/Major	Units
CHEM 12A	Organic Chemistry	Major	5
PHYS 2A or 4B	Physics Course	2	4
Arts/Humanities	Arts or Humanities GE Course	4	3
Elective	Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299)		2-3

Semester 4

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	AS GE Area/Major	Units
CHEM 12B	Organic Chemistry	Major	5
PHYS 2B or 4B	Physics Course	2	4
Elective	Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299)		3
Elective	Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299)		1-3

Note: This sample academic plan does not account for the Ethnic Studies requirement for the AS degree.

*Students may be eligible for one or more AA/AS/AA-T/AS-T degrees if they complete a GE transfer pattern, have specific courses, and have 60 transferable units. Please see a counselor for degree options and advisement.

AA = Associate of Arts
AS = Associate of Science
AA-T = Associate of Arts for Transfer
AS-T = Associate of Science for Transfer
COA = Certificate of Achievement
COP = Certificate of Proficiency

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Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians

Median Salary

$73,221

Job Growth

-14%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
20%

Certificate
39%

Associate's Degree
33%

Bachelor's Degree
8%

Chemistry

Program Length

Transfer Options

Program Specific Support

Your Support Team

Transfer Options, Degrees and/or Certificates

Chemistry UC TransferCSU TransferAS

UC Transfer: Chemistry, Major* UC-7 Course 2 Years Full-Time

CSU Transfer: Chemistry, Major* CSU-STEM 2 Years Full-Time

Chemistry, AS AS-GE 2 Years Full-Time

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