Introductory Chemistry (Preparatory)

Course Description

CHM1025C – Introductory Chemistry is a 4-credit, integrated lecture-and-laboratory course designed for students who lack the high-school chemistry background needed to enter CHM1045C / CHM2045C (General Chemistry I) directly, or for students seeking a foundational chemistry course to support allied-health, biology-non-majors, or technology programs. The course covers the fundamental concepts and quantitative skills of chemistry: measurement and unit conversion, matter and its properties, atomic structure, the periodic table, chemical bonding, chemical formulas and nomenclature, chemical reactions and equations, basic stoichiometry, and an introduction to gases, solutions, acids and bases, and (at some institutions) organic and biological chemistry.

The course sits within the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) under Physical Sciences > Chemistry and is offered at approximately 26 Florida public institutions. CHM1025C is the standard preparatory chemistry course across the Florida College System and is also offered as a dual-enrollment option for advanced high-school students. The integrated "C" format means lecture and laboratory meet as a unified course.

Important: CHM1025C is NOT the same as CHM1045C/CHM2045C (General Chemistry I). CHM1025C is a preparatory course at less depth and pace; it does not satisfy the chemistry requirement for biology, chemistry, engineering, pre-medicine, or other STEM majors. CHM1025C is appropriate for students preparing to take CHM1045C/CHM2045C, or for nursing-preparation, allied-health-preparation, or non-STEM science elective purposes.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of CHM1025C, students will be able to:

Apply the scientific method in chemistry, including measurement, the metric system (SI units), significant figures, and dimensional analysis.
Distinguish among the states of matter and classify matter as element, compound, or mixture; distinguish physical and chemical properties and changes.
Describe basic atomic structure: protons, neutrons, electrons, atomic number, mass number, isotopes, atomic mass.
Use the periodic table to predict elemental properties; identify groups and periods; classify elements as metals, non-metals, and metalloids.
Describe electron configuration and Lewis dot symbols at an introductory level.
Predict chemical bonding: ionic vs. covalent; predict charges of common ions; predict polarity at an introductory level.
Apply chemical nomenclature for binary ionic compounds (including transition metal compounds), ionic compounds with polyatomic ions, binary covalent compounds, and acids.
Write and balance chemical equations; classify reactions (combination, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement, combustion).
Apply basic stoichiometry: the mole concept; molar mass; mole-mass-particle conversions; mass relationships in reactions.
Describe and apply the gas laws at an introductory level (Boyle's, Charles's, Avogadro's, the combined and ideal gas laws).
Apply concepts of solutions: solubility, concentration (mass percent, molarity at an introductory level), dilution.
Apply concepts of acids and bases: pH, neutralization at an introductory level.
Demonstrate laboratory competencies: safe practices; use of basic laboratory equipment (balance, graduated cylinder, beaker, Bunsen burner); making measurements; recording data in a lab notebook.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on instructor and institutional emphasis, students may also:

Apply introductory thermochemistry: heat, calorimetry at a basic level.
Investigate introductory organic chemistry: hydrocarbon families, functional groups, isomerism (often included at institutions where CHM1025C serves allied-health programs).
Investigate introductory biochemistry: macromolecules — carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids — at a survey level.
Apply introductory nuclear chemistry: radioactivity, half-life, applications.
Conduct qualitative analysis exercises identifying common ions or compounds.

Major Topics

Required Topics

Introduction to Chemistry: The scientific method; measurement and the metric system (SI units); significant figures; uncertainty; dimensional analysis (the factor-label method).
Matter and Energy: States of matter; classification of matter (elements, compounds, mixtures); physical and chemical changes; conservation of mass and energy.
Atomic Theory and Structure: The atom; subatomic particles; isotopes; atomic mass; the development of atomic models.
The Periodic Table: Organization; periods and groups; metals, non-metals, metalloids; periodic properties (introductory).
Electron Configuration and Periodic Trends: Electron arrangement at an introductory level; Lewis dot symbols; introductory periodic trends.
Chemical Bonding: Ionic vs. covalent bonding; charges of common ions; Lewis structures of simple molecules; introduction to polarity.
Chemical Nomenclature: Naming binary ionic compounds; ionic compounds with polyatomic ions; binary covalent compounds; acids; writing formulas from names.
Chemical Reactions and Equations: Writing and balancing equations; reaction types (combination, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement, combustion); precipitation reactions; introduction to oxidation-reduction.
The Mole Concept and Stoichiometry: Avogadro's number; molar mass; mole-mass-particle calculations; mass relationships in chemical reactions; introduction to limiting reactant.
Gases: Properties of gases; the gas laws (Boyle's, Charles's, Avogadro's, combined, ideal); STP.
Solutions: Solubility; concentration units (mass percent, molarity at an introductory level); dilution.
Acids and Bases: Definitions (Arrhenius, Brønsted-Lowry); strong and weak acids and bases; pH; neutralization.
Laboratory Practice: Safety; measurement techniques (mass, volume, temperature); separation techniques; reactions and observations; gas-law experiments; titrations and pH; formal lab report writing.

Optional Topics

Thermochemistry: Heat; specific heat; calorimetry — at an introductory level.
Introductory Organic Chemistry: Hydrocarbons (alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aromatic); functional groups; isomerism — often included at institutions serving allied-health pathways.
Introductory Biochemistry: Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids — at a survey level.
Nuclear Chemistry: Radioactivity; half-life; nuclear reactions; applications in medicine.
Qualitative Analysis: Identifying common ions in solution.

Resources & Tools

Most-adopted textbooks at Florida institutions: Introductory Chemistry by Nivaldo J. Tro (Pearson); Foundations of College Chemistry by Hein and Arena (Wiley); Introductory Chemistry: Concepts and Critical Thinking by Charles H. Corwin (Pearson); Basic Chemistry by Timberlake and Timberlake (Pearson).
Open-access alternative: Several open-source preparatory chemistry texts available through OER Commons and similar repositories; some Florida community colleges have moved to instructor-developed open course packs as zero-textbook-cost options.
Online learning platforms: Mastering Chemistry (Pearson, paired with Tro and Timberlake); ALEKS (chemistry preparatory); WebAssign; Sapling Learning.
Laboratory equipment: Balances; graduated cylinders, beakers, flasks; Bunsen burners or hot plates; pH meters and pH paper; basic chemical reagents.
Lab manuals: Typically institution-specific; commercial alternatives from Hayden-McNeil and others.
Calculators: Most institutions allow scientific (non-graphing) calculators; symbolic-algebra calculators are typically prohibited.
Reference and visualization tools: PhET Interactive Simulations (free, University of Colorado); Khan Academy chemistry videos; Crash Course Chemistry videos.
Tutoring and support: Institution chemistry learning centers and tutoring; many institutions offer specific support for CHM1025C as a "math-and-chemistry skills" foundation course.

Career Pathways

CHM1025C is a foundational preparatory course rather than a terminal vocational course. It supports several Florida-relevant pathways:

Pre-General-Chemistry Preparation: Most students take CHM1025C in order to be ready for CHM1045C/CHM2045C, the gateway to chemistry, biology, biotech, engineering, pre-medical, and pre-pharmacy programs.
Nursing (LPN, ASN, BSN) — some Florida nursing programs accept CHM1025C as the chemistry prerequisite (others require CHM1045C); confirm with your specific program.
Allied Health Programs: Radiologic technology, respiratory therapy, dental hygiene, surgical technology, medical laboratory technology — many accept CHM1025C as their chemistry prerequisite.
Engineering Technology BAS Pathways: CHM1025C may satisfy the chemistry requirement for some Engineering Technology BS programs (verify with your specific program).
Health Information Management, Healthcare Administration: CHM1025C may satisfy a science-elective requirement.
K–12 Education (Elementary): CHM1025C may satisfy a science-content requirement for elementary education BS programs.

Special Information

Critical: CHM1025C vs. CHM1045C/CHM2045C

This is the single most common chemistry-placement error in Florida:

CHM1025C — Introductory Chemistry (preparatory): Designed for students without high-school chemistry background, or for nursing/allied-health/non-STEM programs that accept introductory chemistry. Covers fundamentals at less depth and pace. Does NOT satisfy the chemistry requirement for biology, biotech, chemistry, engineering, pre-medical, pre-pharmacy, or pre-dental majors.
CHM1045C / CHM2045C — General Chemistry I (majors): The first course in the year-long majors-track sequence. Required for STEM majors and most pre-health programs.

Students intending to enter STEM majors or pre-health programs should verify with their advisor whether CHM1025C is required preparation, optional preparation, or unnecessary. Students who place directly into CHM1045C/CHM2045C should generally do so; CHM1025C is the recommended preparatory option only when CHM1045C/CHM2045C placement is not yet achievable.

Articulation and Transfer

CHM1025C transfers across the Florida common course numbering system. It satisfies the laboratory science general education requirement under the AA degree at most institutions. A grade of C or higher is required for use as a prerequisite for CHM1045C/CHM2045C. CHM1025C does NOT transfer to fulfill the CHM1045C/CHM2045C requirement at SUS institutions; it only serves as preparation.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites vary by institution but typically include:

Mathematics: Completion of any required developmental mathematics, MAT1033, or MAC1105 (placement varies); some institutions specifically list MAC1105 readiness or MAC1147 as a co-requisite.
Reading: College-readiness in reading.
No formal high-school chemistry prerequisite — this is the entry point for students without high-school chemistry.

Course Format and Workload

CHM1025C is typically more demanding than students initially expect. Expect 3 hours of lecture and 2–3 hours of laboratory each week, plus 8–12 hours per week of out-of-class study (less than CHM1045C but substantial). Strong basic-algebra skills are essential; many institutions report that struggles with dimensional analysis and the mole concept are the most common challenges. Students who succeed in CHM1025C typically transition successfully to CHM1045C the following term.

Course Code Variations

Florida institutions title this course variously: "Introductory Chemistry," "Introduction to Chemistry," "Introduction to General Chemistry," "Foundations of Chemistry," and "Basic Chemistry" all refer to the same SCNS course. The lecture-only variant CHM1025 exists at some institutions (without integrated lab); the integrated CHM1025C is the most common format. CHM1025 (lecture only) is sometimes paired with a separate laboratory course.