Chemistry Prerequisites

Below are the prerequisites for all courses in the SBVC Chemistry Department. These chemistry prerequisites are aligned with the corresponding C-ID descriptors, which are developed through California’s statewide, faculty-driven intersegmental articulation process and establish the expected preparation for comparable lower-division transfer courses.

  • CHEM 101 Introductory Chemistry: Eligibility for college level English and Mathematics based on the SBVC Guided-Self Placement process.
  • CHEM 104 Introductory Organic, and Biological Chemistry: Prerequisite Introductory Chemistry (CHEM 101)
  • CHEM 105 Introductory, General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry: Eligibility for college level English and Mathematics based on the SBVC Guided-Self Placement process.
  • CHEM 150 General Chemistry I: Prerequisite Introductory Chemistry (CHEM 101) or CHEM 105
  • CHEM 151 General Chemistry II: Prerequisite General Chemistry I (CHEM 150)
  • CHEM 205 Quantitative Analytical Chemistry: Prerequisite General Chemistry II (CHEM 151)
  • CHEM 212 Organic Chemistry I: Prerequisite/Corequisite General Chemistry II (CHEM 151)
  • CHEM 213 Organic Chemsitry II: Prerequisite Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 212)

 

Meeting Chemistry Prerequisites

Chemistry prerequisites may be met by completing the specific course at SBVC or by providing transcripts that verify the completion of an equivalent course at another accredited college or university. This may be done through Admissions and Records using the Transfer Credit Evaluations process.

Alternatively, a student may challenge the prerequisite. For questions regarding prerequisite challenges, please contact the department chair.

 

Ways to Meet CHEM 101 Prerequisite Requirement

CHEM 150 (General Chemistry I) and CHEM 104 (Introductory Organic and Biological Chemistry) require the completion of CHEM 101 (Introductory Chemistry) as a prerequisite.

The CHEM 101 prerequisite may be satisfied in one of the following three ways:

  • Introductory Chemistry: Completion of an equivalent course at SBVC or another accredited college or university. Note that high school chemistry does not meet the prerequisite.
  • AP Examination: A passing score on the AP Chemistry Exam (documented by a high school transcript or official AP score documentation).
  • ACS Diagnostic Exam: A passing score on the American Chemical Society (ACS) Diagnostic Exam administered by the Chemistry Department during the Fall or Spring semesters at the dates, times, and locations below. The exam is 45 minutes in length.
Fall 2026 ACS Diagnostic Exam Schedule
  • Friday August 14, 10 AM in PS-198
  • Monday August 24, 10 AM in PS-198
  • Tuesday October 20, 10 AM in PS-198
  • Friday October 23, 10 AM in PS-198
  • Friday November 6, 10 AM in PS-198
  • Monday November 16, 10 AM in PS-198
  • Friday December 11, 10 AM in PS-198