Overview of Courses
General Chemistry
Note: ALL General Chemistry sequences start in Fall Quarter.
CHEM 110 - Quantitative Problem Solving in Chem/Fundamentals of Chem
(first class in 3 Quarter Fall/Winter/Spring Sequence)
Placement only by Assessment. Students with AP Chem 5 or IB (HL) Chem 7 may NOT take this course. Solution strategies for traditional word problems and their application to basic chemistry quantitative problems: dimensional analysis, chemical equations, stoichiometry, limiting reagents. There is no separate lab course associated with CHEM 110. The course has a mandatory discussion on T or W 1:00pm to 2:50pm.
CHEM 151/161 - General Chemistry
(first classes in 2 Quarter Fall/Winter Sequence)
Placement only by Assessment. Quantum mechanics, electronic structure, periodic properties of elements, chemical bonding, thermodynamics, gas laws, intermolecular forces, properties of solids and liquids, solutions and colligative properties. Must be taken concurrently with the CHEM 161-0 lab course.
CHEM 171/181 - Advanced General Chemistry
(first classes in 2 Quarter Fall/Winter Sequence)
Placement by NU Chemistry Placement Exam. Review of mole problems and stoichiometry; descriptive chemistry, elements, compounds, and inorganic reactions; gas laws; phase equilibria and colligative properties; chemical equilibrium; aqueous equilibria; topics in chemical bonding and molecular structure. Must be taken concurrently with the CHEM 181-0 lab course.
Organic Chemistry
CHEM 215-1/235-1
(first classes in 3 Quarter Fall/Winter/Spring Sequence)
Placement by Northwestern Chemistry Placement Exam. Foundational concepts in organic chemistry will be introduced. Topics include structure and properties of common functional groups, acidity/basicity, conformational analysis, stereochemistry, and reactivity of organic compounds. CHEM 215-1 must be taken concurrently with the CHEM 235-1 lab course.
CHEM 217-1/237-1
(first classes in 3 Quarter Fall/Winter/Spring Sequence)
Placement by Northwestern Chemistry Placement Exam. Integrated Science Program (ISP) students and prospective Chemistry majors should take this course—no commitment to the major is necessary. Coverage is similar to Chem 215-1, although the sequence curriculum is specifically designed for students with interest in advanced study in chemistry, graduate-level research in chemistry or related fields including MD/PhD programs. CHEM 217-1 must be taken concurrently with the CHEM 237-1 lab course.