Chemistry Department

• NIST Summer Internship Research Fellowship (SURF) Programnew window
• National Science Foundation - Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU):  Chemistrynew window

• Careers & the Chemical Sciences - American Chemical Societynew window
• Explore Chemistry - American Chemical Societynew window
• Undergrad Student Resources – Career Planning, Internships, Research, Experience - American Chemical Societynew window (acs.org)

• University of Maryland Department of Chemistry and Biochemistrynew window: Offers BS degree in Chemistry and BS degree in Biochemistry (ACS certified)
  • Sample plan leading to a degree in CHEMnew window
  • Sample plan leading to a degree in BCHMnew window
• UMBC Department of Chemistry and Biochemistrynew window: Offers BS degree in Chemistry (ACS certified); BA degree in Chemistry; BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and BA in Chemistry Education
• University of Baltimore – BS in Forensic Studiesnew window
• UMD Shady Grove – BS in Fermentation Science new window

Chemistry department faculty members want to welcome you to Montgomery College!

In order to be ready to take CHEM131 at Montgomery College, you must read through the steps in this section. 

Students without a high school diploma or GED and under the age of 18 years old by the first day of their initial entry term are considered Underage Students.  Underage students are not eligible for standard admission into the College and may only register through dual enrollment.  Please visit our Dual Enrollment webpage for more information.

Students are eligible to enroll in CHEM131 directly if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

•  Assessment level of MATH117 (APPM) and completion of one of the following:
  
  • Co-registration of CHEM031 (2 semester hours) + CHEM 131 Principles of Chemistry I (4 cr)
  • ALEKS CHEM131 Preparation module with 95% mastery
  • CHEM099 Introductory Chemistry (grade of C or higher)
• Assessment level of MATH165 or higher and completion of AP Chemistry or Honors-level Chemistry (grade of C or higher in past 2 years)
• Assessment level of MATH181 or higher **
• Completion of MATH165 (grade of C or higher) **
• Completion of Precalculus (grade of B or higher) or Calculus (grade of C or higher) in high school within past year **

 ** Students may want to consider the low-cost ALEKS CHEM131 Preparation module (PDF, ) for a review of background chemistry knowledge prior to enrolling in CHEM131 Principles of Chemistry I.

How do I request a registration override for CHEM131? 

Complete the Chemistry Course Override request formnew window
or
send an email to chemistry@montgomerycollege.edu with this information:

1. Verification that you meet one or more of the CHEM131 eligibility criteria
2. Your student M#
3. Term in which you wish to register

There are 3 options for students to prepare to start CHEM 131. Pick the option that’s best for you:

Option A:

**ALEKS CHEM 131 Preparation module – The ALEKS CHEM 131 Preparation Module is designed to provide you with the pre-requisite background knowledge necessary to be successful in CHEM 131. To get started, contact chemistry@montgomerycollege.edu.

ALEKS is a Web-based system that uses adaptive questioning to determine your knowledge level in chemistry and provide you with an individualized learning experience tailored to your specific strengths and weakness. Because it recognizes your prior knowledge, it allows you to spend time learning only the content you need to master while bypassing content you already know. This gives you the ability to take control of your learning and master the material at your own pace over an 11-week access period. The module must be completed to 95% to be ready for CHEM131.

Option B:

NEW!  CHEM 031 Principles of Chemistry I Exploration – an academic support course (2 credits) designed to be taken concurrently with CHEM131 (4 credits) allowing students that need additional preparation to complete CHEM131 in a single semester. Check the online course schedule for available sections.

Option C:

CHEM 099 Introductory Chemistry – our traditional preparatory course (3 credits) provides the background chemistry content needed to be prepared to take CHEM131. Check the online course schedule for available sections.

What if I need an accommodation related to my disability to complete the Chemistry Guided Placement tasks?

For disability related accommodations, contact Disability Support Services before completing any tasks in this section.

Who do I contact for help? 

Students should consult with an academic counselor, a Chemistry Department Chair or a faculty advisor:

Rockville campus: Chemistry@montgomerycollege.edu
Germantown Campus: Thomas.Chen@montgomerycollege.edu  or James.Lipchock@montgomerycollege.edu
Takoma Park campus: Valerie.Lantz@montgomerycollege.edu

Designed for the student that would like to experience a ‘mini’ independent research project to complement and expand on the regular course curriculum. Students take the regular chemistry course and work on an independent research project under the mentorship of a faculty member.  An honors module can be taken with any chemistry laboratory course: CHEM 131, CHEM 132, CHEM 135, CHEM 203, or CHEM 204.

Prerequisites:

• Minimum GPA 3.2, 12 MC credits (including ENGL101 or ENGL101A) and instructor permission

The following projects were conducted by various faculty advisers and chemistry students in previous honors modules.

CHEM 131HM

• Factors Affecting the Copper Concentration in Brewed Tea: Craig Benson
• Determination of Heavy Metals in Canned Vegetable Fluids: Craig Benson
• Correlation of Bone Density and Calcium Content among Different Livestock: Craig Benson
• Dissolution rates of "slow-dissolve" iron dietary supplements: Craig Benson

CHEM 203HM

• Green Synthesis and 2D NMR analysis of esters: Laura Anna

CHEM 204 HM

• Microwave-Assisted Esterification Reactions: Rachel Ndonye

Introduction to Research, SCIR 297, is designed for the promising science, engineering, or mathematics (SEM) student who would like to build upon general SEM skills learned from general courses in order to generate competency in scientific critical thinking and research. This course enables SEM students to pursue research topics of their own choosing with the guidance and supervision of an assigned faculty member. Students should have a strong interest in SEM and be committed toward completion of a multi-semester and interdisciplinary-spanning research project. Projects will not duplicate curriculum content, but will expand on that content. May be repeated for a maximum of six credits with consent of department.  The course is two credit hours, and is a one-hour discussion, and three hours laboratory each week. 

Prerequisites: 

• Minimum GPA of 3.0; BIOL 150, CHEM 131, MATH 180, and instructor approval
• For more information on the Honors Module, undergraduate research opportunities and available instructors, please contact the department

Need further assistance? Visit the Chemistry Help, Tutoring, and Advising page for more information.

CHEM 099 – Introductory Chemistry (PDF, )

CHEM 105 – Chemistry and Society (PDF, )

CHEM 106 – Chemistry and Society Laboratory (PDF, )

CHEM 131 – Principles of Chemistry I (PDF, )

CHEM 132 – Principles of Chemistry II (PDF, )

CHEM 135 – General Chemistry for Engineers (PDF, )

CHEM 150 – Essentials of Organic and Biochemistry (PDF, )

CHEM 203 – Organic Chemistry I (PDF, )

CHEM 204 – Organic Chemistry II (PDF, )

CHEM 272 – Bioanalytical Laboratory (PDF, )

The chemistry department has nine chemistry labs for courses in general chemistry, organic chemistry, chemistry for engineers, chemistry in society, and an introduction to organic and biochemistry class. In addition, there is an instrumentation room to support organic chemistry labs, along with recitation rooms and a project lab for faculty/student research.