MTU First-Year Chemistry

All new students whose curriculum requires them to take chemistry during their first year should follow the guidelines below to determine which chemistry course to take.

Most students who have difficulty with introductory chemistry courses often have weak math skills. Therefore, guidelines for chemistry include math course placement as well as performance in high school. Consider your grade in your last semester of high school chemistry and algebra when using the guidelines.

Download the following guidelines in PDF format or check the FAQ section below.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my math is ready for chemistry?
Research by the Chemistry Department at MTU and other universities indicates a strong correlation between a weak background in mathematics and failure to complete first year chemistry with satisfactory grades.

A good understanding of basic math and advanced algebra along with word problem solving skills are required to succeed in the college level chemistry courses and laboratories (CH1100 General Chemistry or CH1110 University Chemistry 1). Specifically, you should have mastery in working with:

Logarithms, Exponential Equations, Quadratic Equations, Radicals, Straight Lines, Fractional Equations, Evaluating Expressions, Linear Inequalities, Linear Equations, Scientific Notation, Metric Conversions, Exponents, Ratio and Proportion, Decimals and Fractions

For most students, this means that they should be placed in a calculus course or should have completed MA1032 before beginning college-level chemistry courses.

What if I don't have these math skills?
When there is any question about a student's math preparation, the student is encouraged to complete a math course (either MA1030 or MA1032) and Preparatory Chemistry (CH1000) before beginning college level chemistry.

Is High School Chemistry Required?
Students enrolling in college level chemistry (CH1100 General Chemistry or CH1110 University Chemistry 1) should have taken one or two years of high school chemistry and earned a grade of B or better.

What if I have a weak background in chemistry?
If you did not have chemistry in high school or have a weak background in chemistry or it is three or more years since you've taken high school chemistry, you should enroll in CH1000, Preparatory Chemistry. CH1000 is offered Fall Semester or Track B of the Summer Session only. CH1000 is not offered Spring Semester.

How can I find out which chemistry course is required for my major?
Check the catalog (available online) or contact your advisor if you have questions about which chemistry course (General or University) is required for your major or to find out if your major requires you to take chemistry your freshman year.

What if I have received Advance Placement credits for chemistry?
Students who have taken the Chemistry Advanced Placement exam and had their official score sent to the Michigan Tech Admissions Office from the College Board, will be sent a letter from the Admissions Office indicating if they will be receiving credit. The guidelines for receiving Chemistry Advanced Placement exam credit are as follows:

A score of 3 Credit granted: CH1110, 1111 for 5 credits
A score of 4, 5 Credit granted: CH1110, 1111, 1120 for 9 credits

The credits will automatically be recorded on your transcript. If the student had already registered for a chemistry class during web registration, when the Advanced Placement credits are received, the chemistry class will automatically be dropped from their schedule.

In some cases, a student may decide to turn down the advance placement credits. This may occur when a student feels that they want to build a stronger foundation in chemistry and/or take the same sequence of courses as the other students in their major. Advance Placement Chemistry doesn’t always cover everything that is covered in first year chemistry. If a student decides to turn down the advance placement credits, the student must go to the Office of Student Records & Registration to sign a form waiving the credits before enrolling in the chemistry class.

What if I didn’t take the Advanced Placement test but I now want to receive advanced placement credit in chemistry?
The only option would be to take the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) in chemistry. A minimum score of 50 is required to receive credit for CH1110, 1111 and 1120 (9 credits). The CLEP is given online at various places. Complete information about taking the CLEP exams is available at:

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html

The cost is $50.00 plus an administration fee of $15.00. The test can be taken at any Open testing center. There are a number of open testing sites available throughout Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and other states. However, at this time, there is not a CLEP testing center in the Upper Peninsula. The nearest open testing sites to MTU are in Northern Wisconsin in Ashland (~3 ½ hour drive), Rhinelander (~2 ½ hours drive), and Green Bay (~4 ½ drive). Arrangements must be made in advance.

Who can I contact in the Chemistry Department if I have questions about which chemistry class to take?
Contact Lois Blau, Coordinator of the Chemistry Learning Center, by phone (906) 487-2297, or by email.

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Phone: (906) 487-2048 | Fax: (906) 487-2061 | Contact the Department

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This site was last modified on Monday, May 12, 2008.