Choosing the Right Organic Course

CHM 231/231.L

A one semester four credit lecture/lab combination that can only be taken as a package. This is a survey course that cannot serve as a prerequisite to higher-level organic chemistry courses. It can serve as a course in both Thematic Sequences offered by Chemistry and Biochemistry, although it is an appropriate background course only for the one semester biochemistry survey course CHM 332/332.L. It is currently the preferred organic  chemistry course for students in Nutrition and Exercise Science as designated by their departments. It is also one of the possible options for certain majors programs in the biological sciences. This is not a preferred course for pre-medical students since it does not have sufficient depth of coverage.

CHM 241 and 242

A year-long lecture course in organic chemistry, three credits each term. These courses are meant to be taken concurrently with the CHM 244/245 or CHM 254/255 laboratory sequences. These courses are designed for all majors (including chemistry and biochemistry majors) that require two semesters of organic chemistry. Most majors programs in the biological sciences recommend or require this sequence. The Chemical Engineering Department also recommends this sequence for their students, but does not require the second semester laboratory course, CHM 245. The CHM 241/242 sequence is approved for both Chemistry and Biochemistry Thematic Sequences. This course is appropriate background to the Biochemistry courses CHM 332/332.L, and CHM 432. This is the most commonly taken organic chemistry sequence among pre-medical students who are not Chemistry or Biochemistry majors.

CHM 244

First semester two-credit lab course for non-majors designed to accompany CHM 241. Co-registration in CHM 241 and CHM 244 is required for all students. This course is graded separately from CHM 241. Students may drop the lecture without dropping the lab or vice-versa. However, we have found that students who drop lecture usually tail off in the laboratory course. It is not clear whether this is primarily due to unfamiliarity with material covered in the lecture or lack of motivation on the part of the student once the decision to drop the lecture course has been made. Occasionally students have dropped the lab course in either the first or second semester, while staying in the corresponding lecture course The ACS final given at the end of CHM 242 does have spectroscopy questions that are covered in the laboratory component of our course sequence. Students who do not take the lecture and laboratory courses concurrently appear to be at a competitive disadvantage based on historical data.

CHM 245

The second semester two credit lab to accompany CHM 242. The Chemical Engineering Department does not require that their majors take this laboratory course. See the comment above concerning the CHM 242 final.

CHM 254 and 255

The year-long lab course designed for chemistry and biochemistry majors, two credits each semester. Late-declaring majors can substitute CHM 244 for CHM 254, but are required to take CHM 255 to complete their organic requirement.