Chemistry
The Chemistry Program has three tracks of Introductory Chemistry; which track you pursue depends on your interest and the other courses you have taken in the subject.
Track 3 is for students who are considering a major outside of the sciences, and Track 1 and Track 2 are for students who are considering a major in Biology, BBMB (Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology), BB&C (Brain, Behavior, and Cognition), Chemistry, Geology or pursuing a health career.
Note: One semester of an introductory course with lab from either Track 1 or 2 is recommended for students considering a Geology major. (See details about the tracks below.)
The chemistry placement tool is required for all students interested in either Track 1 or 2.
If you have any questions, contact Associate Professor Nate Boland at bolandne@whitman.edu or 509-527-5906, or Associate Professor Dalia Biswas at rohksad@whitman.edu or 509-527-5953.
AP and IB Credit: If you received a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Chemistry exam or a score of 5, 6 or 7 on the IB Chemistry exam, you will receive three credits of general chemistry (CHEM 125) after Whitman College receives your exam report. Students cannot earn credit toward the CHEM 135 lab. All students, even those with AP or IB chemistry credit, are required to complete the chemistry placement test.
Track 1: These introductory courses, intended for students not majoring in the sciences, fulfill the science and the quantitative analysis distribution requirement. They introduce chemistry concepts in the context of applied disciplines. You may take either course for credit, but not both.
- CHEM 100 - Introduction to Environmental Chemistry
- CHEM 102 - The Chemistry of Art
Track 2: This is a yearlong sequence of introductory general chemistry for all majors, with the exception of geology (see note above). Introductory courses review foundational knowledge covered in a typical high school chemistry course but in more depth and introduce advanced concepts required for students majoring in a science discipline.
- CHEM 111- Problem-Solving in Chemistry. This class is a co-requisite for CHEM 125, depending on your placement score.
- CHEM 125 and 126 - General Chemistry I and II
- CHEM 135 and 136 - General Chemistry Lab I and II
Track 2: Advanced general chemistry with lab (CHEM 140) is an accelerated one-semester course that covers introductory general chemistry concepts in greater detail and at a faster pace while building on the background material learned in high school. This course also introduces advanced topics that are not covered in our regular general chemistry sequence in Track 1.
- CHEM 140 - Advanced General Chemistry Lecture and Lab
Track 3: These introductory courses, intended for students not majoring in the sciences, fulfill the science and the quantitative analysis distribution requirement. They introduce chemistry concepts in the context of applied disciplines. You may take either course for credit, but not both.
- CHEM 100 - Introduction to Environmental Chemistry
- CHEM 102 - The Chemistry of Art