2024-2025 Pierce College Catalog
Chemistry (AS-Track 1) Course Map
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 Return to: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Career Pathway
Created by Pierce faculty, this map outlines the initial coursework for this career field and for transfer to a four-year institution. It provides you a clear path to complete your degree by listing a specific set of courses relevant to your program and career. The map is designed with the appropriate number of credits and meets degree requirements. Courses are organized in a recommended sequence; please schedule accordingly. If a course is unavailable, select the next appropriate course within the sequence. If you want to change a course on this map you must speak with an advisor to assure you meet all degree requirements. For each course, a purpose statement explains how the content relates to your career field. On this map, there may be instances when you will be required to select a course from several options. Use these purpose statements and notes to choose the course that best aligns with your interests and needs. You will also find action items to complete to assure you progress and graduate on time. While this map is a great guide to courses required to complete an Associate in Science (AS-T) Degree Track 1 Degree Requirements , you are responsible for fulfilling all degree requirements. Questions? Your Success Network is ready to help you!
Important note about transfer: colleges and universities may change their requirements at any time, so this map is not a guarantee of transfer. You will need to check transfer requirements with your intended four-year school.
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2. Math Course Recommendation
Take one course per quarter until sequence is finished.
- MATH& 141 Precalculus I (5 credits)
- MATH& 142 Precalculus II (5 credits)
- MATH& 151 Calculus I (5 credits)
- MATH& 152 Calculus II (5 credits)
- MATH& 163 Calculus 3 (5 credits)
Note: MATH& 153 may be used as a substitute for MATH& 163. Please check with your transfer institution to determine how this substitution may impact your transfer-readiness. Course purpose: The fundamentals of calculus necessary for the understanding of the quantitative aspects of chemistry. These courses will also help you see the relationships between these disciplines. Note: The math course you select will depend on the Career Pathway Map you are following, the transfer institution/degree that you select, and your math placement guidance. Your advisor will assist you in selecting the relevant 5 or 7 credit course(s) based upon co-requisite options.
Completing the calculus sequence through MATH& 163 is required for Chemistry degrees at all of the public baccalaureate institutions in Washington state. MATH& 205 and MATH& 224 are recommended for students planning to major in Chemistry at WSU. MATH& 205 is recommended for students planning to earn a BS in Chemistry at WWU.
3. Chemistry Course Recommendation
Take one course per quarter until sequence is finished.
Action Item: Meet with Advisor
Use your Success Network! In your first quarter, meet with your advisor to revisit your career and transfer path, make adjustments to your goals as needed, and plan for your next steps.
Action Item: GPA Check
Complete a GPA check with an advisor regarding transfer requirements.
If you are transferring to a Bachelors of Science chemistry program, you usually need a cumulative GPA greater than 2.5 in the general and organic chemistry courses, physics sequence, and MATH& 151 and MATH& 152, with no individual course grade less than 2.0.
For a Bachelors of Arts program, you usually need a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in the general chemistry and organic chemistry courses, physics sequence, and MATH& 151 and MATH& 152, with no individual course grade less than 1.7.
For early admission to the Bachelor of Science programs, the cumulative GPA of the general and organic chemistry courses, physic sequence, and MATH& 151 and MATH& 152, is usually greater than 3.2, and for the Bachelor of Arts programs, a cumulative GPA is usually greater than 3.0.
4. English Composition I
- ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5 credits)
Course purpose: Chemists must be able to communicate their findings through the creation of scientific memos, academic texts, experimental laboratory reports, and scholarly journals. A chemist must have a strong understanding of the basic fundamentals of writing an effective essay in order to communicate successfully with colleagues in a future career and this course will provide an opportunity to learn and demonstrate those skills. Note: Your advisor will assist you in reviewing your Guided Self Placement and selecting either the 5-credit or the 7-credit co-requisite ENGL& 101 + ENGLC 101 course.
5. Social Science Course Recommendation
Choose one
- HIST& 128 World Civilizations III (5 credits)
Course purpose: Science has played a major role in the social and cultural history of man, and chemists can benefit from a strong understanding of how their achievements both improved and inspired the movement of historical developments over time. It will give you a greater appreciation for the science done in the present day and how it may effectively move humankind into the future.
Note: At WSU, Chemistry majors are required to take a history class which can be satisfied by taking either HIST& 103 or 128 at Pierce. - INTS 107 Introduction to International Studies ( 5 credits)
Course purpose: As a chemist you must be aware of what is happening in the world internationally today in order to recognize how you might make significant contributions to our modern world- these contributions might include advances in environmental chemistry, in agricultural studies, or in the biochemical and medical fields. This course will provide you a context through which to view the worldwide community. - PSYC& 100 General Psychology (5 credits)
Course purpose: Chemists must have a strong background in the basics of human nature because science is, by nature, collaborative. As a chemist you will need to be adept at interacting- and communicating- with colleagues in an effective, positive way and this course will outline the skills needed for successful future interactions in a wide variety of professional settings.
6. Chemistry Course Recommendation
Take one course per quarter until sequence is finished.
7. Physics Course Recommendation
Choose one group.
Group A
- PHYS& 221 Engineering Physics I (6 credits)
- PHYS& 222 Engineering Physics II (6 credits)
- PHYS& 223 Engineering Physics III (6 credits)
Course purpose: Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes that it undergoes. Many of the concepts of physics and chemistry are shared, and it is critical when pursuing a degree in chemistry you have an understanding of how these concepts are presented from both perspectives in order to have a strong hold on how the chemical principles may be used effectively in a future profession.
Note: Students planning to earn a Chemistry degree at EWU or WSU, or a BS in Chemistry at WWU, must take the Engineering Physics series (PHYS& 221-223); this series is also recommended by UW.
Action Item: GPA Check
Complete a GPA check on CHEM, PHYS, and MATH courses.
8. Humanities Course Recommendation
Choose one
- ENGL 207 Native American Literatures (5 credits)
Course purpose: Chemistry involves analyzing the natural world, but it is not the only way to do so. Studying Native American literature, and learning how this culture views the natural world, can help you as a chemist understand how our backgrounds influence our perceptions. - CMST& 220 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (5 credits)
Course purpose: It is critical that you are skilled at finding effective ways to get a new, innovative ideas and concepts across to others. Strong public speaking skills and the ability to clearly articulate ideas and opinions lead to better, more successful conversations with others. These are all critical skills for any scientist who needs to share new information with others in our modern society. - CMST& 240 Intercultural Communication (5 credits)
Course purpose: The examination of the effects of culture upon the process of communication. Using theory and skill development, students are prepared to communicate effectively both within and across cultures.
9. Humanities Course Recommendation
Choose one
- ART 145 History of Art - Contemporary (5 credits)
Course purpose: In the chemistry field you must have strong skills in the visualization of the models that are used to represent the minute systems of atoms and molecules that make up our natural world. This course would provide an opportunity to learn about the different influential historical styles that will provide a context for creating and thinking about the different kinds of models used to describe a number of chemical concepts. - PHIL 150 Introduction to Ethics (5 credits)
Course purpose: It is very important for modern scientists to be aware of the ethical concerns regarding their work and how it might be applied in a social and cultural context. This course will give you the opportunity to consider the extent of these concerns and how you might be faced with similar considerations in a future career as they relate to the application of your scientific work. - PHIL 230 Contemporary Moral Problems (5 credits)
Course purpose: Scientists need to be aware of the moral societal and cultural concerns that might be associated with the applications of scientific investigation. This course will cover topics in environmental science, the medical field, and biochemistry- all of which are relevant subjects that you may encounter in a number of different chemistry positions and will allow you to make more informed decisions regarding these issues.
10. Additional Recommended Courses
- MATH 205 Linear Algebra (5 credits)
Course purpose: The scientific method is heavily dependent upon numerical measurements. Being able to correctly manipulate numerical data is an important skill for chemists. Linear algebra is important component of data analysis used by chemists.
Note: Students should consult the requirements of their transfer institution to determine whether this course is required for a Chemistry degree. - MATH& 264 Calculus 4 (5 credits)
Note: MATH 224 may be used as a substitute for MATH& 264. Please check with your transfer institution to determine how this substitution may impact your transfer-readiness.
Students should consult the requirements of their transfer institution to determine whether this course is required for a Chemistry degree.
Students who are planning to major in Biochemistry should speak with their advisor on whether this plan should be adjusted to better meet the requirements of the schools they are planning to attend. Course purpose: Calculus is used by chemists to analyze complex systems. Skills in calculus are important in the study of physical chemistry.
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Return to: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Career Pathway
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