Intro to Chemistry covers the fundamental principles of matter and energy. You'll explore atomic structure, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, and the periodic table. The course dives into chemical reactions, gases, solutions, and basic thermodynamics. You'll also get hands-on experience with lab techniques and safety procedures.

Is Intro to Chemistry hard?

Intro to Chem has a reputation for being tough, but it's not impossible. The concepts can be abstract, and there's a lot of math involved. Many students find the lab work challenging at first. But with consistent effort and practice, most people can get the hang of it. The key is staying on top of the material and not falling behind.

Tips for taking Intro to Chemistry in college

Use Fiveable Study Guides to help you cram 🌶️
Practice problems regularly, don't just read the textbook
Form study groups to tackle complex concepts together
Master dimensional analysis for stoichiometry calculations
Memorize common polyatomic ions and their charges
Draw Lewis structures to understand bonding better
Use mnemonics for remembering the reactivity series of metals
Watch YouTube videos for visual explanations of reactions
Review your lab procedures before each session
Check out "The Periodic Table: A Visual Guide to the Elements" by Tom Jackson for a fun dive into elements

Common pre-requisites for Intro to Chemistry

College Algebra: This course covers equations, functions, and graphs. It's essential for handling the mathematical aspects of chemistry.
Pre-Calculus: Building on algebra, this class introduces trigonometry and analytic geometry. It's helpful for understanding more complex chemical calculations.

Classes similar to Intro to Chemistry

General Biology: Explores the fundamentals of living organisms, including cell structure and function. It often includes basic chemistry concepts applied to biological systems.
Physics I: Covers mechanics, energy, and thermodynamics. Many concepts overlap with chemistry, especially in thermodynamics and atomic structure.
Environmental Science: Studies the interaction between humans and the environment. It incorporates chemical principles when discussing pollution, climate change, and resource management.
Geology: Focuses on Earth's structure, composition, and processes. It involves chemistry when studying mineral formation and rock composition.

Chemistry: Focuses on the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter. Students delve deeper into organic, inorganic, physical, and analytical chemistry.
Biochemistry: Combines chemistry and biology to study chemical processes in living organisms. It's crucial for understanding metabolism, genetics, and drug development.
Chemical Engineering: Applies chemistry principles to design and operate chemical plants and improve production processes. It involves a lot of math and physics alongside chemistry.
Materials Science: Explores the properties and applications of various materials. It heavily relies on chemistry to understand material composition and behavior at the molecular level.

What can you do with a degree in Intro to Chemistry?

Pharmacologist: Develops and tests new drugs. They study how chemicals interact with biological systems to create effective medications.
Forensic Scientist: Analyzes physical evidence from crime scenes. They use chemical analysis to identify substances and link evidence to suspects or victims.
Environmental Consultant: Assesses and manages environmental issues. They use chemical knowledge to understand pollutants and develop remediation strategies.
Food Scientist: Improves food products and ensures food safety. They apply chemistry to analyze food composition, develop new products, and enhance food preservation techniques.