Chemistry / Biochemistry major

mhcc.edu/Science

chemist

Faculty Advisers

Dr. Elizabeth Cohen: 503-491-6012 Room AC2566 | Elizabeth.Cohen@mhcc.edu | Students with last name A-E
Bernadette Harnish: 503-491-7293 | Room AC2596 | Bernadette.Harnish@mhcc.edu | Students with last name F-J
Dr. Michael Russell: 503-491-7348 | Room AC2568 | Michael.Russell@mhcc.edu | Students with last name K-O
Dr. Joyce Sherpa: 503-491-7443 | Room AC2565 | Joyce.Sherpa@mhcc.edu | Students with last name P-S
Dr. Jessica Wittman: 503-491-7633 | Room AC2589 | Jessica.Wittman@mhcc.edu | Students with last name T-Z

Chemistry is the study of matter, and its interactions with other matter and energy. Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space.

Students who pursue chemistry as their college major can go on to work in: different types of labs; crime forensics; food science; fermentation (making cheese, beer, wine, and more); or teaching. Many careers in science require students to earn a four year degree or higher.

Curricular Outcomes

At the completion of this curriculum, students should be able to:

  • Retain and apply critical chemistry concepts while enrolled in the curriculum
  • Use chemistry principles and logical reasoning skills to solve problems
  • Demonstrate proper laboratory techniques with attention to detail, including the use of associated equipment and instrumentation
  • Communicate scientific topics effectively
  • Recognize connections between chemistry and other disciplines

Students interested in pursuing the Chemistry/Biochemistry major can complete the following courses toward the Science requirement and/or electives on the AS (recommended), AAOT, AGS or ASLA degrees. Students are highly encouraged to work with a university transfer adviser to ensure transferability of courses. Admitted students may also log on to Navigate to start the process of building an academic plan based on this major and can notify an adviser for review.

CH221General Chemistry I5
CH222General Chemistry II5
CH223General Chemistry III5
CH241Organic Chemistry I 15
CH242Organic Chemistry II 15
CH243Organic Chemistry III 15
1

This sequence may replace the 300-level organic chemistry requirement at colleges and universities. With an acceptable score on the ACS National Exam and a minimum of a “C” or better in each course, this sequence transfers as 11-15 credits of 300-level coursework to all Oregon public universities. Check with your transfer institution to determine any additional organic chemistry requirements.

Transfer Schools

chemist

Exploring chemistry as your major? Learn more with MHCC's Career Coach, which covers: skills needed for each career, wages, employment rates, and live job postings in the Greater Multnomah County Area.

Careers related to chemistry:

The following shows just one example of how students can complete an Associate of Science degree while also taking lower-division chemistry courses. Be sure to work with an MHCC chemistry adviser and the transfer institution you'd like to attend to ensure correct courses are being taken. Not all courses are offered every term. Click on a course number to see what term(s) the course is typically offered.

  • Full time = 12 or more credits per term; takes about 2 years to complete.
  • 3/4 time = 9 to 11 credits per term; takes about 3 years to complete.
  • Part time = 6 to 8 credits per term; takes about 4 years to complete.

Sample Plan (full time)

Plan of Study Grid
First QuarterCredits
CH221 General Chemistry I 5
MTH251 Calculus I: Differential Calculus 5
WR121Z Composition I (Course offered online) 4
 Credits14
Second Quarter
CH222 General Chemistry II 5
MTH252 Calculus II: Integral Calculus 5
WR122Z
Composition II (Course offered online)
or Technical Writing (Course offered online)
4
Arts & Letters 3-4
 Credits17-18
Third Quarter
CH223 General Chemistry III 5
MTH253 Calculus III 4
Social Science 3-4
 Credits12-13
Fourth Quarter
CH241 Organic Chemistry I 5
MTH254 Calculus IV: Multivariable/ Vector Calculus Part 1 5
PH211 General Physics with Calculus I 5
 Credits15
Fifth Quarter
CH242 Organic Chemistry II 5
PH212 General Physics with Calculus II 5
Oral Communication 3-4
Social Science 3-4
 Credits16-18
Sixth Quarter
CH243 Organic Chemistry III 5
PH213 General Physics with Calculus III 5
Health & Physical Education 3
Arts & Letters 3-4
 Credits16-17
 Total Credits90-95

CH104 General Chemistry for Health Professions

Credits 5Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W, and MTH058 or MTH060, each with a grade of "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels.

This course is taught on the assumption that the enrollee has had no previous introduction to the study of chemistry. The student must be proficient in general mathematics and must be able to handle elementary algebraic operations. The first term includes the major topics of inorganic chemistry including elements, compounds, atomic structure, nomenclature, stoichiometry, bonding and structure, states of matter, solution chemistry, equilibrium, reaction rates, thermodynamics, acid-bases and pH and nuclear chemistry.

Additional Course Fee: $25.00

This course fulfills: Lab Science

CH105 Organic Chemistry for Health Professions

Credits 5Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: CH104 and MTH058 or MTH065, or placement above stated course level.

This course is an introduction to organic chemistry. The student must have passed CH104. The course includes an introduction to the nomenclature, physical properties, and chemical properties of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, benzenes, haloalkanes, alcohols, ether, aldehydes, ketones, amines, and carboxylic acid derivatives.

Additional Course Fee: $25.00

This course fulfills: Lab Science

CH106 Biological Chemistry for Health Professions

Credits 5Fall/Spring

Registration Requirement: CH104 or CH112.

CH106 is an introduction to the general topics in biochemistry: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids and bioenergetics.

Additional Course Fee: $25.00

This course fulfills: Lab Science

CH151 Basic Chemistry

Credits 4Fall/Winter

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W, each with a grade of "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels. Co-requisite: MTH095, MTH098 or higher.

CH151 is a basic course designed for students who want to take CH221 but who lack sufficient math and/or chemistry background. This one-term course includes mathematical applications appropriate to CH221, as well as an introduction to classification of matter, atomic theory, stoichiometry and nomenclature.

Additional Course Fee: $25.00

This course fulfills: Lab Science

CH221 General Chemistry I

Credits 5Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W, each with a grade of "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels. Co-requisite: MTH111 or placement above stated course level. Recommended requisite: CH151.

This course offers the fundamental basis of chemistry for science, pre-professional and engineering majors. A strong emphasis is placed on a mathematical approach. CH221 covers atomic and molecular structure, stoichiometry, periodic properties, thermochemistry and introductory chemical bonding.

Additional Course Fee: $25.00

This course fulfills: Lab Science

CH222 General Chemistry II

Credits 5Summer/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: CH221 with a grade of "C" or better.

This course offers the fundamental basis of chemistry for science, pre-professional, chemistry and engineering majors. A strong emphasis is placed on a mathematical approach. CH222 covers molecular bonding and molecular properties, gases, liquids, solids, physical states and changes of state, solutions, kinetics and nuclear chemistry.

Additional Course Fee: $25.00

This course fulfills: Lab Science

CH223 General Chemistry III

Credits 5Summer/Spring

Registration Requirement: CH222 with a grade of "C" or better.

This course offers the fundamental basis of chemistry for science, pre-professional and engineering majors. A strong emphasis is placed on a mathematical approach. CH223 covers equilibrium, introduction to acids and bases, spontaneity of reactions, ionic equilibria, oxidation reduction and electrochemistry.

Additional Course Fee: $25.00

This course fulfills: Lab Science

CH241 Organic Chemistry I

Credits 5Fall

Registration Requirement: WR121 or WR121Z and MTH095, each with a grade of "C" or better, or placement above stated course levels; and CH222.

The study of aliphatic, aromatic and biochemical compounds. CH241 includes a study of nomenclature, aliphatic hydrocarbons, structure, conformation, stereochemistry, resonance and aromaticity, addition mechanism and infrared spectroscopy.

Additional Course Fee: $25.00

This course fulfills: Lab Science

CH242 Organic Chemistry II

Credits 5Winter

Registration Requirement: CH241.

This course continues organic chemistry involving the study of free radical, substitution and elimination mechanisms involving alkyl halides, alcohols and ethers. Organic redox reactions, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and carbonyl chemistry are also studied.

Additional Course Fee: $25.00

This course fulfills: Lab Science

CH243 Organic Chemistry III

Credits 5Spring

Registration Requirement: CH242.

This course continues the study of carbonyl chemistry as well as polymers, heterocycles, proteins, carbohydrates and nucleic acids.

Additional Course Fee: $25.00

This course fulfills: Lab Science

Course offered online

Cultural Literacy course