CHM: Chemistry

Browse Courses in the Course Catalog

The courses listed below are part of Hawkeye's course catalog. The course cost is subject to change, and the listing does not confirm that the course is currently available. To see currently available courses and sections, visit the course search.

If you plan to transfer courses back to your current college or university, make sure the courses you want to take at Hawkeye will transfer. To confirm, meet with your advisor at your current school or, if you're attending the University of Northern Iowa, University of Iowa, or Iowa State University, visit www.TransferinIowa.org.

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CHM-122 Introduction to General Chemistry

4 credits—An introductory course which assumes a minimal student background in mathematics and chemistry. The course is intended to serve students in allied health programs and any student desiring an application-oriented, less theoretical approach to chemistry. The course introduces students to the practical aspects and basic concepts of chemistry including measurements, dimensional analysis, matter, energy, atoms, elements, the Periodic Chart, nuclear chemistry, chemical bonding, nomenclature, an introduction to organic chemistry, chemical quantities, formulas, gases, chemical calculations, balancing equations, solutions, acids and bases, chemical kinetics, and equilibrium. Coordinated laboratory exercises are intended to emphasize topics covered in the lecture as well as stress basic laboratory techniques. Elementary algebra is required as a prerequisite.

Lecture Hours: 48 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in MAT-063 or MAT-060. Or equivalent placement score.

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $986.00

CHM-132 Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry

4 credits—This lecture-laboratory course is intended primarily to serve undergraduate health-related majors such as nursing and dental hygiene as well as the general studies students seeking an integrated background in organic and biological chemistry. Students will study topics applications from a clinical, human or environmental perspective. Laboratory exercises are coordinated with the lecture topics.

Lecture Hours: 48 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): CHM-122

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $981.00

CHM-165 General Chemistry I

4 credits—This lecture and laboratory course is the first of a two-semester sequence designed specifically for students majoring in chemistry, physics, biology, or pre-engineering. It is a mathematically rigorous course that assumes the entering student has a strong background in algebra and finite mathematics. Students will learn specific-content chemical information that will be applied within the context of a variety of chemistry applications. Many of the applications that will be investigated highlight contemporary social and scientific issues. Through participation in course activities, each student should expect to improve her/his knowledge of chemistry and to develop improved qualitative and quantitative problem-solving skills. Hands-on experience with laboratory experiments will allow students to learn proper procedures, to gather meaningful data, and to draw logical and appropriate conclusions based on the laboratory data. Content will include chemical equations, stoichiometry, gases, thermochemistry, equilibrium, electronic structure of atoms, periodic trends, molecular bonding and structure, intermolecular forces, and nuclear chemistry.

Lecture Hours: 48 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C- in MAT-102, or MAT-110, or MAT-156.

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $1,010.00

CHM-175 General Chemistry II

4 credits—This lecture and laboratory course is the second of a two semester sequence designed specifically for students majoring in chemistry, physics, biology or pre-engineering. Students will have successfully completed General Chemistry I or its' equivalent. The course focuses on chemical equilibria and their applications, thermodynamics, kinetics, modern materials, electrochemistry, properties of solutions, chemistry of the representative main group and transition elements, coordination compounds, basic organic chemistry, biological chemistry, and chemistry of the environment. Specific topics are outlined under the course content. Laboratory exercises are coordinated with lecture topics where possible, and are intended to augment and support these topics.

Lecture Hours: 48 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): CHM-165

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $1,083.00

CHM-260 Organic Chemistry I

3 credits—Theory and practice of organic chemistry with emphasis on the chemistry of functional groups, structure, bonding, molecular properties, reactivity and nomenclature of alkanes, alkenes, alcohols and ethers, stereochemistry, reaction mechanism, nucleophilic substitution and elimination reactions.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in CHM-165 and CHM-175.

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $702.00

CHM-270 Organic Chemistry II

3 credits—Theory and practice of organic chemistry with emphasis on nomenclature and reactivity of alkenes, alkynes, aromatics, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, amines, and polyfunctional compounds.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in CHM-260 or equivalent.

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $702.00

CHM-924 Honors Project

1 credits—This course involves in-depth independent research on an approved topic under supervision of a faculty member. Upon project's completion, results will be shared with community of peers and faculty. This course can be repeated with different content for credit.

May be taken for up to 3 credits.

Lecture Hours: 16

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $234.00

CHM-928 Independent Study

1 credits—This course provides students with an opportunity to pursue or investigate a topic of interest that does not fit within the framework of regular course offerings. An independent study self-directed learning agreement must be discussed with and submitted to a faculty advisor prior to registration. This course may be repeated for credit with different content.

May be taken for up to 5 credits.

Lecture Hours: 16

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $234.00

CHM-949 Special Topics

1 credits—Special Topics expands the curriculum by allowing students to enroll for up to three credits in a specific course or program area. Subject matter may be an in-depth extension of the particular area and is developed by the teaching faculty to meet unique interests and needs of the students. This course may not duplicate another one already in the catalog. This course may be repeated for credit with different content. This course can be taken for 1–3.

Lecture Hours: 16

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $234.00