Associate in Science Degree

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Graduates with a concentration of studies in chemistry have successfully transferred to undergraduate chemistry programs at many colleges. MVCC also has articulation agreements with a range of institutions. Please contact the STEM center for more information regarding articulation agreements. Two years of High School mathematics, or the equivalent, and one year of laboratory science are required. A third High School Math course, or its equivalent, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics are recommended.

Goal 1 To prepare students to successfully transfer to a four-year institution in the chemistry discipline

  • Graduates transfer to BS or BA chemistry programs with junior status.

Goal 2 Provide students with the necessary skills to communicate in writing, to communicate data and results mathematically, and to follow written direction

  • Students will communicate conclusions and error analysis of scientific inquiry through written lab reports
  • Students will communicate data and results of scientific inquiry through written lab reports
  • Students will demonstrate the ability to follow written protocol

Goal 3 Provide students the opportunity to organize and display data and results and to devise and test laboratory analysis schemes

  • Students will maintain lab records.
  • Students will use computer software to aid in the organization, processing and display of data.
  • Students will use appropriate reference materials to find physical constants for laboratory materials.
  • Students will devise a procedure to identify unknowns.

Goal 4 Prepare students to work effectively as part of a group

  • Students will produce and submit clear written reports of scientific inquiry.

Goal 4 To provide students opportunities to collect, organize, and evaluate scientific information.

  • Students will demonstrate their ability to function effectively within a group to complete laboratory assignments.

Goal 5 Prepare students with scientific methodology for collecting and assessing laboratory data and demonstrating skills necessary for transfer to upper level chemistry programs; and to demonstrate higher level mathematical reasoning

  • Students can apply a quantitative and scientific approach to problem solving.
  • Students demonstrate techniques for the creation and graphic analysis of data sets.
  • Students will evaluate and process the laboratory data.
  • Students will demonstrate higher-level mathematical reasoning.

Goal 6 To prepare students to demonstrate information literacy

  • Students will use traditional and contemporary information technology.
  • Students will identify, access, and appropriately use authoritative sources of information.

Total Credit Hours: 61 - 62

First Semester

This course is an opportunity for students to develop the skills necessary to be successful in college. Students learn the importance of the faculty-student and advisor-advisee relationship, develop time management techniques, apply effective study skill techniques, recognize the implications of living in a diverse society, utilize college resources, and explore career and transfer requirements. Collaborative projects are included. Students matriculated in a degree program must take this course in their first term of study.

This course focuses on several kinds of writing-self-expressive, informative, and argumentative/persuasive, and others. A minimum of five essay compositions are required. The course emphasizes the composition of clear, correct, and effective prose required in a variety of professions and occupations. Prerequisites: Appropriate high school GPA or placement test score or EN090 Basic Writing Skills or SL116 ESL4: Advanced Composition or SL145 ESOL Advanced Composition

This is the first in a sequence of three courses in calculus. Topics include limits and continuity, differentiation of algebraic, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions, and indefinite and definite integration. Applications are included. Prerequisite: An appropriate placement test score or MA150 Precalculus.

This course introduces to the field of chemistry for science and engineering students. Topics include dimensional analysis, stoichiometry, periodicity, atomic structure and bonding, the states of matter, solutions, and acid and base concepts. The laboratory exercises exemplify chemical principles and develop individual problem-solving abilities. The laboratory experience includes preparation of the laboratory report and notebook. Prerequisites: High School Chemistry; and appropriate high school GPA or placement test score, or MA121 Fundamentals of College Mathematics 1, or MA139 College Algebra, or a corequisite of MA125 College Algebra and Trigonometry.

Social Science courses include: PY101, SO101, AN101, PS101, OR GE101

Take any Physical Education Course

Second Semester

This course encourages a deeper understanding of human nature and the human condition through the study of ideas and values expressed in imaginative literature. Emphasis is placed on the use and development of critical thinking and language skills. Library-oriented research is required. Prerequisite: EN101 English 1: Composition or EN105 English Composition for Speakers of Other Languages or EN106 English 1: Composition & Reading.

This is a calculus-based physics course for mathematics, physics, and engineering students. Topics include translational motion, particle dynamics, work and energy, momentum and impulse, rotational kinematics, rigid body motion, gravitation, vibrational motion, wave motion, and acoustics. Prerequisites: MA151 Calculus 1.

This is the second in a sequence of three courses in calculus. Topics include the integration of trigonometric functions, the differentiation and integration of the inverse trigonometric functions, further techniques in integration, L’Hopital’s Rule, improper integrals, and infinite series. Applications are included. Prerequisite: MA151 Calculus 1.

This course is a continuation of CH141 General Chemistry 1. Topics include chemical thermodynamics, electrochemistry, chemical kinetics, chemical and solution equilibrium, descriptive organic chemistry, nuclear chemistry, and descriptive chemistry of elements. Prerequisite: CH141 General Chemistry 1.

Take any Physical Education Course

Third Semester

This course introduces organic chemistry for science and engineering students. It includes a systematic study of classes of carbon compounds. It stresses reaction mechanisms, methods of synthesis, structured optical activity, chemical physical properties, and nomenclature. Topics included alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aromatic compounds, stereochemistry, and spectroscopy. Prerequisites: CH141 General Chemistry 1 and CH142 General Chemistry 2.

This calculus-based physics course in electricity, magnetism, geometrical optics, and physics optics is for mathematics, physics, and engineering students. Topics include Coulomb’s Law, the electric field, potential, capacitance, Ohm’s Law, DC circuits, the magnetic field, charged particle ballistics, induced EMF, inductance, Maxwell’s Equations, alternating current circuits, geometrical optics, and physical optics. Prerequisites: MA152 Calculus 2; PH261 Engineering Physics 1.

BI141, BI142, BI201, CH246, ES151, GL101, MA253, MA260, PH263, ES151, ES161 OR Internship

Take any Physical Education Course

Fourth Semester

This course introduces the nature and study of history, and covers the emergence and development of Eurasian civilization to about 1500 A.D. in the Near East, India, China, Europe, the Western Hemisphere, and Africa. Attention is given to religion in these civilizations and on the rise of the West to a position of world power during the Middle Ages.

This course is a continuation of CH247 Organic Chemistry 1 in developing the topics of: spectroscopy, alkyl halides, alcohols, ethers, carboxylic acids and their functional derivatives, aldehydes and ketones, carbanions, amines, and phenols. The laboratory exercises introduce multi-step synthesis and the analysis of organic compounds. Prerequisite: CH247 Organic Chemistry 1.

BI141, BI142, BI201, CH246, ES151, GL101, MA253, MA260, PH263, ES151, ES161, OR Internship

Social Science GE Electives include: BM101, PY101, SO101, AN101, PS101, OR GE101.

Take any Physical Education Course

(a) Social Science GE Electives include: BM101, PY101, SO101, AN101, PS101, OR GE101.

(b) Chemistry Electives include: BI141, BI142, BI201, CH246, ES151, GL101, MA253, MA260, PH263, OR Internship