Harper College will be closed Monday, December 23 through Wednesday, January 1 for Winter Break.
Major options 
Get your Associate in Science degree and transfer to a four-year institution to study chemistry or a related major. Take core courses along with chemistry-focused classes in general chemistry, calculus with analytic geometry, general physics, organic chemistry and more.
Harper's science courses are taught in state-of-the-art laboratories by instructors who are experts in their respective fields. You can apply to be an assistant on a variety of faculty-led research projects. Gain additional experience outside the classroom by participating in the Chemistry Club or one of many other extracurricular activities available to students.
Academic advisors will help you choose courses that meet the specific requirements of the four-year college or university you plan to attend.
This sample transfer planning guide meets the requirements of the Associate in Science degree and follows the Illinois Articulation Initiative chemistry baccalaureate major recommendations. Students are also encouraged to complete course sequences at the same institution prior to transfer. Students choosing to follow this sample plan need to choose the major of Associate in Science if needing financial aid. Transfer institution requirements may vary - students should check individual college/university requirements before completing the sample plan as outlined. Baccalaureate admission may be competitive. Completion of these courses alone does not guarantee admission.
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHM 121 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
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Description: Studies principles of atomic and molecular structure, bonding, stoichiometry, states of matter, kinetic molecular theory, and solutions. Corresponding laboratory experiments include volumetric and gravimetric analyses, a qualitative study of reactions, visible spectrophotometry, and problem-based analyses. Intended for all students whose majors require general chemistry, including science majors and pre-professionals. The course also satisfies a general education laboratory science requirement for students with previous chemistry experience. IAI P1 902L, IAI CHM 911 Prerequisite: Two semesters of high school chemistry or CHM 110 with a grade of C or better AND placement into college-level mathematics without support. mathplacement.php Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| ENG 101 | Composition I | 3 |
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Description: Emphasizes the writing of expository prose. Introduction to the critical reading of nonfiction prose. IAI C1 900 Prerequisite: ENG 096 with a grade of P or other placement options: english-placement-grid.php ESL students need one of the following options: ESL 073 and ESL 074 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 086 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 099 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 with required writing placement test score; or ESL 074 with required reading placement test score. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| Humanities and Fine Arts1 | 3 | |
| MTH 200 | Calculus I | 5 |
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Description: Studies limits, continuity, derivatives, antiderivatives, and definite integrals as they relate to algebraic, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, logarithmic and exponential functions. Includes applications to geometry, science, and engineering. IAI M1 900-1, IAI MTH 901 Prerequisite: MTH 140 (Precalculus) with a grade of C or better, or other placement options. mathplacement.php Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHM 122 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
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Description: Continues CHM 121 as the second semester of a general chemistry sequence intended for all students whose major requires a full year of general chemistry, including science majors and pre-professionals. Includes the principles of chemical kinetics, equilibrium, acid-base reactions, electrochemistry, and thermodynamics. Also introduces topics in organic, nuclear, transition metal, and descriptive chemistry. Laboratory includes experiments related to the lecture material. IAI CHM 912 Prerequisite: CHM 121 (General Chemistry I) with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| ENG 102 | Composition II | 3 |
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Description: Continues ENG 101. Reading literature and writing of various types of prose. Introduces methods used in writing investigative papers. IAI C1 901R Prerequisite: ENG 101 with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor or department chair. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| MTH 201 | Calculus II | 5 |
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Description: Continues MTH 200. Uses integrals to describe area and volume, studies techniques of integration, series, conics, polar coordinates and parametric equations with applications to science and engineering. IAI M1 900-2, IAI MTH 902 Prerequisite: MTH 200 (Calculus I) with a grade of C or better, or other placement options. mathplacement.php Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| PHY 201 | General Physics I: Mechanics | 5 |
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Description: Introduces mechanics using calculus. Topics include force and motion; work and energy; rotation; oscillations; and fluids. For students in chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics. IAI P2 900L, IAI PHY 911 Prerequisite: MTH 200 (Calculus I, IAI M1 900-1, IAI MTH 901) with a grade of C or better. Recommend concurrent enrollment in MTH 201 (Calculus II, IAI M1 900-2, IAI MTH 902). Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHM 204 | Organic Chemistry I | 5 |
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Description: Applies modern theories of electronic structures to the study of chemical and physical properties of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and alkyl halides. Students also study reaction mechanisms and stereochemistry as they apply to the above classes of organic compounds. Laboratory includes syntheses, qualitative organic analyses, IR and visible spectrophotometry, gas chromatography, thin layer chromatography, HPLC, polarimetry, and refractometry. Intended primarily for science majors and pre-professionals. IAI CHM 913 Students should complete CHM204 and CHM205 at the same school since topics are covered in different order at different schools. Prerequisite: CHM 122 (General Chemistry II, IAI CHM 912) with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| PHY 202 | General Physics Ii: Electricity and Magnetism | 5 |
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Description: Introduces electricity and magnetism using calculus. Topics include charge; electric field and potential; resistance, capacitance, and inductance; DC and AC circuits; magnetic fields; laws of Gauss, Ampere, and Faraday; Maxwell’s equations and electromagnetic waves; geometric optics, lenses and mirrors, interference and diffraction, and polarization. Intended for students in chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics. IAI PHY 912 Prerequisite: MTH 201(Calculus II, IAI M1 900-2, IAI MTH 902) and PHY 201 (General Physics I: Mechanics, IAI P2 900L, IAI PHY 911) with grades of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| Social and Behavioral Science2 | 3 | |
| SPE 101 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 3 |
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Description: Theory and practice of oral communications. Development of poise, confidence and skill in speech organization and delivery. Emphasis on frequent speaking, development of standards of criticism and selection and organization of material. IAI C2 900 Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHM 205 | Organic Chemistry II | 5 |
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Description: Continues CHM 204 with further study of nomenclature, stereochemistry, reactions, and mechanisms of the following functional groups: conjugated dienes, aromatics, alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, and nitrogen containing compounds. Laboratory includes syntheses, qualitative organic analyses, NMR, IR and UV-Vis spectrophotometry, gas chromatography, thin layer chromatography, HPLC, polarimetry, and refractometry. Intended primarily for science majors and pre-professionals. IAI CHM 914 Students should complete CHM204 and CHM205 at the same school since topics are covered in different order at different schools. Prerequisite: CHM 204 (Organic Chemistry I, IAI CHM 913) with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| Humanities and Fine Arts1 | 3 | |
| Physical and Life Science3 | 3 | |
| Social and Behavioral Science2 | 3 | |
1 - Select at least one course from Humanities and one from Fine Arts. Interdisciplinary courses may count in either category. Refer to the Associate in Science degree for approved courses in this category. One course from Humanities and Fine Arts or from Social and Behavioral Sciences must meet the World Cultures and Diversity graduation requirement for the Associate in Science degree.
2 - One course from Humanities and Fine Arts or from Social and Behavioral Sciences must meet the World Cultures and Diversity graduation requirement for the Associate in Science degree.
3 - Select from Life Science. Refer to the Associate in Science degree for approved courses in this category.
For more information about chemistry courses at Harper, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.