Dear Member of the Oberlin Class of 2012,

We in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry would like to welcome you to Oberlin and let you
know about courses that you might be interested in taking during your first year.
 
General chemistry is a required course for several science majors, including chemistry, biochemistry,
biology, neuroscience, and geology, and is often a prerequisite to advanced courses in these majors.  It is highly desirable to take general chemistry during your first year at Oberlin if you plan to pursue one of
these science majors.
 
There are two ways to do this: the year-long CHEM 101/102 sequence or the one-semester CHEM 103
course. CHEM 103 is designed for students with strong high school chemistry backgrounds who also plan
to take calculus during the first semester.  The course focuses on more advanced topics within introductory chemistry, including reactions, equilibrium, thermodynamics, reactions rates and mechanisms, and bonding.
 
We encourage you to give serious consideration to taking CHEM 103. This course allows you to complete the general chemistry sequence in only one semester, which can be a real advantage for many science
majors. Thus, CHEM 103 opens the possibility for you to take in the spring semester courses that have
CHEM 102 or 103 as a prerequisite, e.g. organic chemistry or inorganic chemistry. If you take the CHEM
101/102 sequence, you would have to wait a year to take such courses. This also means that you could
qualify sooner for advanced courses in chemistry and in other science departments and have time to take
more of them in your four years at Oberlin.  The potential advantages of taking CHEM 103 will become
more evident as you plan your academic schedule in consultation with your academic advisor when you
arrive on campus.
 
CHEM 103 is open only to students who pass a placement examination or who have scored at least 3
on the Advanced Placement Exam in Chemistry. In addition, there is a co-requisite of MATH 133 (Calculus
I) which may be satisfied by enrolling in this course or through equivalent credit.  The placement
examination will be held on Wednesday, August 27 at 4 p.m. in the Craig Lecture Hall.  It is a good idea to spend some time reviewing for the placement exam, particularly if it has been a year or two since you
have studied chemistry.  To aid in your preparation, review materials, including practice placement exams, are available on the chem/biochem department website.
 
If you are unsure as to whether or not CHEM 103 is appropriate for you, taking the placement exam will
help to answer that question.  There is nothing to be lost in taking the exam, and it can only help you in
planning for your first year.  You are encouraged to take it if you have any interest in CHEM 103.
 
Please email the departmental administrative assistant, Pat West (patricia.west@oberlin.edu), if you intend to take the placement exam.  If you qualify for CHEM 103 through AP credit, you do not need to take the exam, but YOU MUST reserve your spot in the class by emailing the department or calling (440) 775-8300 before 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 27.
 
We look forward to seeing you in CHEM 101 or CHEM 103 in the fall.
 
The Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty
 
Additional Links:
Chemistry Courses 
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry