Science (Physical)

Chemistry 

This section will summarize the U's three main early chemistry course sequences as well as a more introductory course for students who don't want more than just one chem course. 

Key notes:

• Lecture + lab sign-up required: Most chem courses require you to register for both a lab and lecture course together. (Examples: CHEM 1061 + 1065, CHEM 1082 + 1086.)

• Switching tracks: You can generally swap between sequences after the first course. For example, you can go from CHEM 1061+1065 to CHEM 1082+1086, or from CHEM 1086+1065 to CHEM 1062+1066.

Placement

• Prior college chem credits? Check our transfer guide to see where credit like AP or prior PSEO can let you start in our sequences.

  • Caution: While a 5 on AP Chem grants credit for Chem 2 and lets you jump directly to organic chem, the chem department often recommends 'retaking' chem 2. Students are more successful in that class coming from a Chem 2 class at the U rather than from AP Chem.

• Math may be required: While there's no chemistry subject placement test, some chem courses require math placement either from our test or prior college credit:

• CHEM 1061 or 1081: Placement into at least MATH 1151, Precalculus 2.

• CHEM 1071: Placement into at least MATH 1271, Calculus 1.

See our math placement test guide if you need to take it.

These are some general guidelines, but check the requirement lists for majors or health careers that interest you to be sure your planned courses fit your goals. 

General/Flexible Chemistry Sequence

For a wide variety of science majors, including biology and CSE. 

• 1. CHEM 1061 + 1065, Chem Principles 1 

  2. CHEM 1062 + 1066, Chem Principles 2 

  3. CHEM 2301, Organic Chem 1: Lecture only, no lab.

  4. CHEM 2302 + 2311, Organic Chemistry 2: For this, students may take the 2311 lab after 2302.

Chemistry for the Life Sciences Sequence

Common sequence for biology & life science majors.

1. CHEM 1081 + 1065, Chemistry for the Life Sciences 1

2. CHEM 1082 + 1086, Chemistry for the Life Sciences 2

3. CHEM 2081 + 2085, Chemistry for the Life Sciences 3 (5 cr)

Chemistry Sequence for Physical Scientists & Engineers

The first two courses (1071 and 1072) are not currently open to PSEO students, so check the General/Flexible sequence above instead. Common sequence intended for College of Science & Engineering majors. 

1. CHEM  1071 + 1065, General Chemistry 1 for Physical Scientists & Engineers

2. CHEM  1072 + 1066, General Chemistry 2 for Physical Scientists & Engineers

3. CHEM 2301, Organic Chem 1: Lecture only, no lab.

4. CHEM 2302 + 2311, Organic Chemistry 2: For this, students may take the 2311 lab after 2302.

CHEM 1015 + 1017, "Introductory Chem": For Students Who Won't Take More Than One Chem Course

• • • No placement test or prior chemistry required.

    • Take this if you need a high school chemistry course and do not plan to take any more chemistry afterward.

      • Do not take this if you plan to eventually take more college chemistry, such as for a future major.  This is not required or expected before taking one of the general chemistry sequences listed above.

Physics

These are some general guidelines about which physics course you may want to take, but check the requirement lists for majors or health careers that interest you to be sure your planned courses fit your goals. 

Common Courses

Algebra required. Most introductory. Not used towards many STEM fields.

• • CI 1563, Physics by Inquiry - This course has a "learning-by-doing" theme. The only section you have to sign up for is a lab, with no lecture attached.

  • PHYS 1001W, Energy & the Environment

Trigonometry required. Used towards some (but not many) STEM fields such as dentistry or physical therapy.

• • PHYS 1101W & 1102W, Introductory Physics 1 & 2

    • • Includes lecture, discussion, and lab sections. 

      • It's common to only take 1101W unless your program requires both courses.

  • PHYS 1107 & 1108, Introductory College Physics 1 & 2: 

    • • Online & asynchronous equivalent to PHYS 1101W.

      • It's common to only take 1107 unless your program requires both courses.

Calculus required.  Used towards many STEM majors, such as biology or engineering. Very time-intensive, with a lecture, discussion, and lab sections. Prior physics experience (in high school or college) recommended.

• PHYS 1301W & 1302W, Intro Physics for Science & Engineering 1 & 2

  • • Calculus 2 is required for 1302W.

    • May still work towards life science fields like biology, but not recommended. 

• PHYS 1221 & 1222, Intro Physics for Life Science Majors 1 & 2

  • • May still work towards non-life science majors like engineering, but not recommended.

    • Unlike 1302W, Calculus 2 is not required for 1222.

Other Physical Science Courses (4 credits)

• AST 1001, Exploring the Universe

• CEGE 1501, Environmental Issues and Solutions

• ESCI 1001, Earth and Its Environments [offered online]

• ESCI 1006, Oceanography

• ESPM 1425, Intro to Weather and Climate [offered online]

• SLHS 1301W, Physics & Biology of the Spoken Voice [offered online]

• GEOG 1425, Intro to Weather and Climate [offered online]

Other Physical Science Courses (3 credits)

• BBE 1002, Biorenewable Resources [offered online]

• HORT 1061, The Sustainable Lawn [Fall] [offered online]

• ESCI 1101, Introduction to Geology [offered online]

• ESPM 1011, Issues in the Environment [offered online]

Find a course that you want to take but the section you are interested in is full or wait listed? Check out the Getting Into Closed Courses page to learn how to get into closed courses.

Note: Physics does not use wait lists, and students cannot email instructors for access to closed courses.