Undergraduate

Getting Started with Chemistry at Dartmouth College

  1. The Chemistry Department offers three courses in general chemistry.
    1. Chem5 (Fall and Winter) and Chem6 (Winter and Spring) are part of a two-term general chemistry sequence.
    2. Chem11 (Fall and Spring) is a standalone one term course in general chemistry.

If you are interested in majoring in chemistry, you will want to make sure to complete one of the general chemistry series (Chem5 and Chem6 or Chem11) during your first year at Dartmouth College.

  1. Math3 is a prerequisite for all our general chemistry courses. If you are interested in taking Chem5 and Chem6 in your first year at Dartmouth College, please be sure to take Math3 during your first year fall term if you do not already have credit for Math3.
  2. Students with a 4 or 5 on the AP Chemistry Exam, 6 or 7 on the IB higher level Chemistry exam or an A on the A-level Chemistry exam. Note - students with A-level Chemistry exams need to contact the Registrar and the Department as it will not automatically give credit.
    1. Receive credit on entrance for Chem5.
    2. Are placed into Chem11.
    3. May opt to take the Chem6 credit exam which would give the student credit for Chem6 and allow them to enroll directly in organic chemistry, Chem51 (Fall and Spring) or Chem57 (Winter).
  3. All other students are encouraged to complete the Chemistry Placement Test on Canvas, which can be found here.  A student's performance on the exam will result in their placement into either Chem5 or Chem11.  Note – All students without credit on entrance for Chem5 who wish to take Chem11 must take and pass the placement exam.  Students who aren't sure which course is right for them are encouraged to take the placement exam.
  4. Students interested in a refresher in some basic concepts in general chemistry are encouraged to complete the Self-Guided Chem5 Preparation Course on Canvas, which can be found here. This course can be taken during the four weeks preceding the term that you will take Chem5 and will serve as an excellent introduction to some topics that will be covered quickly during the first week of the term.

 

If you are interested in completing general chemistry during your first year at Dartmouth College, some possible paths through general chemistry in the first year are shown below.

Students with/without Math3 credit who place into or intend to take Chem5.

  • Year/Term
    • One
      • Fall: Math3
      • Winter: Chem5
      • Spring: Chem6

Students with/without Math3 credit who place into or intend to take Chem5.

  • Year/Term
    • One
      • Fall: Chem5
      • Winter: Chem6

OR

  • Year/Term
    • One
      • Winter: Chem5
      • Spring: Chem6

Students with Math3 credit and a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Chemistry Exam, 6 or 7 on the IB higher level Chemistry exam, an A on the A-level Chemistry exam or who are placed into Chem11 based on their performance on the placement exam.

  • Year/Term
    • One
      • Fall: Chem11

OR

  • Year/Term
    • One
      • Spring: Chem11

Students without Math3 credit but with a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Chemistry Exam, 6 or 7 on the IB higher level Chemistry exam, an A on the A-level Chemistry exam or who are placed into Chem11 based on their performance on the placement exam.

  • Year/Term
    • One
      • Fall: Math3
      • Spring: Chem11