CHEM C180C: General Chemistry A

Course Outline of Record
Item	Value
Eff Term	Fall 2026
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	12/05/2025
Top Code	190500 - Chemistry, General
Units	5 Total Units (Lecture Units 3; Lab/Other Units 2)
Hours	162 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54; Lab Hours 108)
Total Outside of Class Hours	108
Total Student Learning Hours	270
Total Student Learning Hours	162
Course Credit Status	Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee	No
Basic Skills	Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable	No
Open Entry/Open Exit	No
Grading Policy	Standard Letter (S)
Local General Education (GE)	Area 5A Physical Sciences (CB1)
California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)	Cal-GETC 5A Physical Science (5A) Cal-GETC 5C Laboratory Activity (5C)
Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)	IGETC 5A Physical Science (5A) IGETC 5C Laboratory Activity (5C)
California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth)	CSU B1 Physical Science (B1)

Course Description

Formerly: CHEM C180 and CHEM C180L. This is the first semester of a one-year course in chemistry intended for majors in the natural sciences (chemistry, biochemistry, biology, geology, physics, pre-medicine), mathematics, and engineering. Introduction to both the principles and mathematical analysis of general chemistry and basic lab techniques, especially for students intending to proceed with further chemistry courses. Topics include atomic structure and bonding, the stoichiometry of chemical equations, thermochemistry, and the behavior of gases and solutions. PREREQUISITE: CHEM C130 or a recent high school chemistry course with a grade of C or better, and a course taught at the level of intermediate algebra or appropriate math placement. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC: Credit Limitations: no credit for CHEM C110 if taken after CHEM C180 or CHEM C220; no credit for CHEM C130 if taken after CHEM C180 or CHEM C220; no credit for CHEM C140, PHYS C140 if taken after CHEM C180 or CHEM C220. C-ID: CHEM 110, CHEM 120 S Seq Course 1.C-ID: CHEM 110, CHEM 120 S Seq Course 1.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

Recognize the basic states and properties of matter and distinguish between chemical and physical change
Write, balance, and perform calculations based on chemical reactions of various types and use the mole concept to quantify the amounts and composition of chemicals and solutions.
Use the Ideal Gas Law and associated laws to describe and explain gas behavior qualitatively and quantitatively.
Describe the composition of the atoms, subatomic particles, and the positions of electrons.
Predict the physical, chemical, and electronic properties of elements using the periodic table.

Course Objectives

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles of chemistry, including: Atomic and Molecular Structure, bonding, basic treatment of Quantum Theory, Periodic Properties, Stoichiometry, Gas Laws, States of Matter and an introduction to Solutions.
2. Apply mathematics to solving Chemistry problems.
3. Analyze experimental data.
4. Formulate solutions to quantitative problems.
5. Anticipate, recognize, and respond properly to hazards in laboratory procedures and managing chemical waste.
6. Keep accurate and complete experimental records.
7. Perform accurate quantitative measurements.
8. Interpret experimental results and draw reasonable conclusions.
9. Analyze data statistically, assessing the reliability of experimental results, and discussing the sources of systematic and random error in experiments.
10. Communicate effectively through oral and written reports.

Lecture Content

Nomenclature
Atomic Structure
Basic Quantum Theory and Electronic Structure
Periodic Properties
Chemical Reactions
Stoichiometry
Gas Laws
Molecular Structure and Bonding
States of Matter
Aqueous Solutions

Lab Content

The laboratory sequence will support the above topics including primarily (≥80%) hands-on qualitative and quantitative experiments that incorporate data analysis. Experimental activities for the course include safety training, solution preparation, chemical measurements, titration, gravimetric analysis, and spectrophotometry.

Separation of Mixtures Measurements and Identification Techniques Density
Accuracy, Precision and Graphing Empirical Formulas
Classification of Chemical Reactions
Thermochemistry Gas Law Studies
Lewis Structures and Building Molecular Models
Acids and Bases: Reactions and Standardization
Acids and Bases: Analysis Cooling Curves

Method(s) of Instruction

Lecture (02)
DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
DE Online Lecture (02X)
Lab (04)
DE Live Online Lab (04S)
DE Online Lab (04X)

Instructional Techniques

Lecture with interactive discussion, problem assignments, demonstrations, and hands-on laboratory experiments

Reading Assignments

Textbook reading and problem-solving exercises

Writing Assignments

Explanations of concepts and/or experimental results

Out-of-class Assignments

Problem assignments

Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended

108

Methods of Student Evaluation

Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Short Quizzes
Report
Problem Solving Exercises
Skills Demonstration

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Detailed analysis of scientific data, application of content to scenarios

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Completion of mathematical problems in stoichiometry, gas laws, and other topics. Balancing equations, drawing and interpreting graphs

Resources Subscreen

Open Education Resource: Flowers, Paul; Theopold, Klaus; Langley, Richard; Robinson, William R.. Chemistry 2e. (2025).
Manual: Dupon, J.W.. CHEM 180 Lab Manual: Experimentation in General Chemistry. Coastline Community College (2024).
Textbook: Brown, LeMay, Bursten, Murphy, & Woodward. Chemistry: The Central Science (15th Edition). Pearson (2022).
Manual: Brown, LeMay, Bursten, Murphy, Woodward, Nelson & Kemp. Laboratory Experiments for Chemistry: The Central Science. Pearson (2017).

Eligible Discipline(s)

Chemistry: Master’s degree in chemistry OR bachelor’s degree in chemistry or biochemistry AND master’s degree in biochemistry, chemical engineering, chemical physics, physics, molecular biology, or geochemistry OR the equivalent. Master's degree required.

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