Associate in Science, Emphasis in Chemistry

The Associate in Science (AS), Emphasis in Chemistry provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who wish to specialize in chemistry or are preparing for graduate programs in the area. With an associate's degree, students may qualify as a chemical technician or chemical equipment operator and tender. With a bachelor's degree, students may pursue a career as a chemist, chemical engineer, or materials scientist. Upon completion of a graduate degree, students may pursue a career as a chemistry professor.

Details

Field of Interest
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Degree Type
Associate in Science (AS)
Academic Plan
Associate in Science, Emphasis in Chemistry (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
8603
Total credits required
60-64
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges.

What You'll Learn
  • Construct qualitative and quantitative models to draw conclusions concerning physical and chemical phenomena.
  • Using a fundamental understanding of scientific inquiry, solve problems within the discipline of chemistry.
  • Design experiments and collect data, using appropriate technology and equipment.
  • Analyze and interpret data, using technology as appropriate.
  • Report data, results, and analysis and the experimental processes used to generate those data in formal and informal settings.
  • Design a procedure that promotes safety and manages risk in a laboratory setting.
  • Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior appropriate to the chemistry discipline.
  • Analyze real world problems and synthesize real world solutions applying chemistry theory and principles.
  • Collaborate with diverse individuals and groups to solve problems.
  • Effectively communicate in an articulate, respectful, ethical and culturally responsive manner.
  • Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Chemical Engineers

$132,450

Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

$42,540

Chemical Technicians

$54,180

Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary

$77,080

Chemists

$83,410

Materials Scientists

$79,740

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Pathway Map Options

There are multiple options available for this pathway map. These options vary depending on the available transfer institutions and what degrees you may be able to transfer into.

These pathway map options may share some common coursework. To explore what additional coursework may be required, select your desired option from the list below. Once selected, the list of courses and any associated details will be automatically updated in the course sequence below. The differences between individual pathway map options may only be a few courses.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

No additional coursework is required to transfer to Northern Arizona University.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
(CHM150 and
CHM151LL) or
CHM150AA or
(CHM151 and
CHM151LL) or
CHM151AA		 (General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or General Chemistry I or (General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or General Chemistry I with Lab SQ and SQ in combo w/ CHM150 or CHM151 or SQ or SQ and SQ in combo w/ CHM150 or CHM151 or SQ 4–5
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC or FYC 3
SB Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
MAT220 or
MAT221		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I Critical course OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area for which MAT22+ is a prerequisite. MA or MA 4–5
FYE101 or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
(CHM152 and
CHM152LL) or
CHM152AA		 (General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory) or General Chemistry II SQ and SQ in combo w/ CHM152 or None 4
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking L 0–3
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
MAT230 or
MAT231		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry II or Calculus with Analytic Geometry II MA or MA 4–5
PHY115 or
PHY121		 University Physics I or University Physics I: Mechanics 4–5

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CHM235 and
CHM235LL		 General Organic Chemistry I and General Organic Chemistry I Laboratory 4
MAT240 or
MAT241		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry III or Calculus with Analytic Geometry III None or MA 4–5
PHY116 or
PHY131		 University Physics II or University Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism None or SQ 4–5
HU Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design 3
L Literacy & Critical Inquiry Recommend selecting a course that satisfies [L] and [SB] or [L] and [HU] or [L] and (COM) or [L] and CRE101 requirements simultaneously. 0–3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CHM236 and
CHM236LL		 General Organic Chemistry IIA and General Organic Chemistry IIA Laboratory 4
MAT277 or
MAT276		 Modern Differential Equations or Modern Differential Equations MA or None 3–4
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication COM230 Recommended SB or SB or L or SB 3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design HU 3
SB Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
Transfer Option Transfer Option 0–3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

No additional coursework is required to transfer to Northern Arizona University.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MAT220 or
MAT221		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area for which MAT22+ is a prerequisite. MA or MA 4–5
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
FYE101 or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MAT230 or
MAT231		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry II or Calculus with Analytic Geometry II MA or MA 4–5
PHY115 or
PHY121		 University Physics or University Physics I: Mechanics 4–5

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MAT240 or
MAT241		 Calculus with Analytic Geometry III or Calculus with Analytic Geometry III None or MA 4–5
PHY116 or
PHY131		 University Physics II or University Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism None or SQ 4–5

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
(CHM150 and
CHM151LL) or
CHM150AA or
(CHM151 and
CHM151LL) or
CHM151AA		 (General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or General Chemistry I or (General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or General Chemistry I SQ in combo w/ CHM150 or CHM151 or SQ or SQ or None 3–5
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking L 0–3
Transfer Option

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CHM152 General Chemistry II SQ 3
CHM152LL General Chemistry II Laboratory SQ in combo w/ CHM152 1
MAT276 or
MAT277		 Modern Differential Equations or Modern Differential Equations MA or MA 3–4

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design HU 3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CHM235 and
CHM235LL		 General Organic Chemistry I and General Organic Chemistry I Laboratory 4
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication SB or SB or L or SB 3
SB Social and Behavioral Sciences 3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CHM236 and
CHM236LL		 General Organic Chemistry IIA and General Organic Chemistry IIA Laboratory In addition to the courses listed, recommend completing CHM298. CHM298 is recommended but not required.
CHM298 is offered in three different modules, CHM298AA or CHM298AB or CHM298AC. Selection of which CHM298 module is depend on advice from mentor. 		4
SB Social and Behavioral Sciences 3

Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HU Humanities, Arts, & Design (HU) Course 3
L Literacy & Critical Inquiry Recommend selecting a course that satisfies [L] and [SB] or [L] and [HU] or [L] and (COM) or [L] and CRE101 requirements simultaneously. 0–3
Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

  • C = Cultural Diversity in the US
  • CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
  • FYC = First Year Composition
  • G = Global Awareness
  • H = Historical Awareness
  • HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
  • L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
  • MA = Mathematics
  • SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
  • SG = Natural Sciences General
  • SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm10?id=190004).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Associate in Science (AS) in Associate in Science, Emphasis in Chemistry