Chemistry and Math Course Prerequisites

This page outlines the requirements for enrolling in foundational chemistry courses, including the criteria for meeting chemistry and math prerequisites, placement exam options, and the pathways available to ensure you begin in the course that best matches your skills and background.

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CHEM 210 Prerequisites

CHEM 210: Must meet Chemistry and Math prerequisites:

  • To meet the Chemistry prerequisite, students must meet one of the following criteria:
    • Completes CHEM 160 with a C- or better.
    • Earns a score of 45 or higher (45%) on the Chemistry Placement Exam.
  • To meet the Math prerequisite, students must meet one of the following criteria:
    • Completes ANY of the following courses with a C- or better: MATH 112, MATH 113, MATH 115, MATH211, MATH 212, MATH 221, MATH 222.
    • Earns a satisfactory score on a mathematics placement exam.
  • ALEKS Math placement score: 61 or higher.
  • ACCUPLACER Advanced Algebra and Functions: 250 or higher.
  • ACCUPLACER Intermediate Algebra: 65 or higher.

Note: Higher level acceptable MATH classes in lieu of MATH 072: MATH 112, 113, 115, 196, 211, 212, 221, 222, and 325.

CHEM 151, 160 and 210 Placement

CHEM 151 or CHEM 160 placement requires at least one of the following:

  • ACT math subscore or SCSU MMA1: 20 or higher
  • SAT math subscore: 520 or higher
  • Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA's): 1150 or higher
  • ACCUPLACER:
    • 255 or higher on Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra & Statistics (QAS)
    • 245 or higher on Advanced Algebra & Functions (AAF)
    • 50 or higher on College Level Math (CLM exam)
    • 60 or higher Intermediate Alg Placement Test-CAT or SCSU MMIA
    • 70 or higher on either Elementary Algebra (EA exam) or SCSU MMEA
    • Completion of MATH 070 with a C- or better*

CHEM 210 placement requires at least one of the following:

  • ACT math subscore or SCSU MMA2: 22 or higher
  • SAT math subscore: 530 or higher
  • Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA's): 1158 or higher
  • ACCUPLACER:
    • 245 or higher Advanced Algebra & Functions (AAF exam)
    • 50 or higher on College Level Math (CLM exam)
    • 60 or higher Intermediate Alg Placement Test-CAT or SCSU MMIA
  • Completion of MATH 072 with a C- or better**
  • Completion of CHEM 160 with a C- or better

Key

*Instead of MATH 070, these higher-level classes are acceptable: MATH 072, 103 (formerly 193), 106 (formerly 196), 112, 113, 115, 211, 212, 221, 222 and 325.

**Instead of MATH 072, these hhigher-level MATH classes are acceptable: MATH 106 (formerly 196), 112, 113, 115, 211, 212, 221, 222 and 325.

Accuplacer scores are valid for two years.

ACT, SAT and MCA scores are valid for five years.