Chemistry

The First Step to a Career In Science

As a chemistry student, you will learn how to use the measuring and analysis equipment in a modern chemistry lab while competently performing routine laboratory tasks. As you progress in the course, you will conduct experiments and solve problems based in general inorganic and organic chemistry principles in order to collect, interpret and communicate scientific data in multiple formats.  The Chemistry degree program equips students with the foundation necessary for transfer to at a four-year institution, so you can confidently continue your studies in the chemical or physical sciences field.

The Academic Passport, a policy of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), guarantees admission to any of the 14 PASSHE universities to a student with an earned AA or AS degree from a Pennsylvania public community college. A university can stipulate that the associate's degree contain at least 30 credits of liberal arts courses. The Academic Passport does not guarantee admission to specific majors.

Career Options

Careers

Find your path.

Food Scientist – est. salary $77,268
Chemical Technician – est. salary $50,846
Clinical Research Coordinator – est. salary $104,885*
Environmental Scientist – est. salary $75,214


 

**EMSI Data, 2019; Philadelphia County, PA; a percentage of people in these jobs may have a bachelor's degree or higher.


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Videos & Multimedia

Equipment in a CCP lab.
A CCP student working in a chemistry lab.
A chemistry student pointing to an equation in a CCP classroom.
A student working in a chemistry lab at Community College of Philadelphia.
Students learning about chemistry at CCP.
A chemistry student holding up a vial in a CCP lab.
A chemistry student working with liquids in a lab at CCP.
A student working at Community College of Philadelphia.
A chemistry student learning from her professor in a CCP lab.

Courses and Completion Sequence

The following courses and sequence of courses is designed for the optimal success and completion of the Chemistry degree/certificate. Any alterations should be discussed with your academic advisor.

Semester 1

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
CHEM 121 - College Chemistry I 4 credits Prerequisite: CHEM 110 with a grade of "C" or better or department head approval Major Course
MATH 171 - Calculus I 4 credits Prerequisite: MATH 162 with a grade of "C" or better or department head approval Mathematics
ENGL 101 - English Composition I 3 credits ENGL 101 is a prerequisite for ENGL 102 ENGL 101
CIS 103 - Computer Applications & Concepts 3 credits Prerequisite: ENGL 101 ready Technology Competency

This is a select program. All students must complete CHEM 110 and MATH 162 or receive the department head’s approval before being selected into the program.

  • This program is designed to provide students with the option of entering the workforce or transferring to a bachelor's degree program after earning their associate degree
  • Make sure you discuss your first semester schedule and your educational plan with an advisor or counselor when you register

Semester 2

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
CHEM 122 - College Chemistry II 4 credits Prerequisite: CHEM 121 with a grade of "C" or better Major Course
MATH 172 - Calculus II 4 credits Prerequisite: MATH 171 with a grade of "C" or better Major Course
ENGL 102 - The Research Paper 3 credits Prerequisite: ENGL 101 with a grade of "C" or better ENGL 102 Information Literacy
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology or
HIST 121 - Global History I or
HIST 122 - Global History II		 3 credits each   Social Science Elective Fulfills all of the Major Academic Approaches (American/Global Diversity, Interpretive Studies, and Writing Intensive)

Semester 3

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
CHEM 221 - Organic Chemistry I 5 credits Prerequisite: CHEM 122 with a grade of "C" or better Major Course
CHEM 214 - Chemical Analysis 5 credits CHEM 214 is offered only during the fall semester.
Prerequisites: CHEM 122 and MATH 162 with a grade of "C" or better.		 Major Course
PHYS 140 - Mechanics, Heat and Sound 5 credits Prerequisites: High School Physics or PHYS 111 with a grade of "C" or better and MATH 171 with a grade of “C” or better. Major Course

Semester 4

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
CHEM 222 - Organic Chemistry II 5 credits Prerequisite: CHEM 221 with a grade of "C" or better Major Course
PHYS 241 - Electricity, Magnetism and Light 5 credits Prerequisite: PHYS 140 with a grade of "C" or better, and MATH 172 with a grade of "C" or better or Dept. Head approval Major Course
BIOL 123 - Principles of Biology I or
BIOL 281 - Biochemistry I or
BTT 101 - Biomedical Technician Training Practicum 
CIS 106 - Introduction to Computer Programming or		 3 credits Prerequisite for BIOL 123: CHEM 121 or CHEM 110 with a "C" or better and high school biology or permission of the department head. 
Prerequisite for BIOL 281: CHEM 221, which may be taken concurrently, and BIOL 123 with a "C" or better.
Prerequisite for BTT 101: Permission of the Biomedical Technician Training Academic Coordinator and completion of the Orientation to Biomedical Technology		 Directed Elective
CHIN 101 - Elementary Chinese or
FREN 101 - Introductory French or
SPAN 101 - Elementary Spanish or
ENGL 115 - Public Speaking or
PHIL 111 - Critical Thinking or
HUM 101 - Cultural Traditions		 3 credits each Prerequisite: ENGL 101 ready (except for the Foreign Language courses) Humanities Elective
  • If this is your final semester! Don’t forget to complete your graduation application.
  • Meet with an advisor when registering for your classes
  • Take advantage of our scholarship opportunities for transferring students and apply for a scholarship

General Education Requirements:

All general education requirements necessary for graduation are met through the courses in the program as indicated above. Students who wish to take courses that differ from the general education courses indicated above must complete a course substitution request form. To access the form, login to the MyCCP portal, and in the Student tab, under Electronic Forms, click on the Records and Registration Forms link, then choose Request For Course Substitution Of Graduation Requirement link. A more detailed explanation of the College’s general education requirements is also available.

View the College Catalog for More Information

Featured Career

Clinical Research Coordinator

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

Median Salary
$104,885

Number of Jobs
600
in the region
10 Year Job Outlook
11%
in the region

Typical Tasks

  • Maintain required records of study activity including case report forms, drug dispensation records, or regulatory forms.
  • Oversee subject enrollment to ensure that informed consent is properly obtained and documented.
  • Monitor study activities to ensure compliance with protocols and with all relevant local, federal, and state regulatory and institutional polices.
  • Record adverse event and side effect data and confer with investigators regarding the reporting of events to oversight agencies.
  • Assess eligibility of potential subjects through methods such as screening interviews, reviews of medical records, and discussions with physicians and nurses.

How well does it pay?

New workers generally start around $43,513. Normal pay for Clinical Research Coordinators is $104,885 per year, while highly experienced workers can earn as much as $208,395.

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Program Information

Chemistry

Degree Type:

Associate in Science (A.S.)

Credits Needed to Graduate:

60

Online Learning Availability:

30% or Greater

Related Programs:

Review Transfer Opportunities Get Financial Aid

This Is a Select Program,
View the College Catalog

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