Catalog 2025-2026

Chemistry

Students in a Science Lab with Beaker

For those interested in the fascinating world of chemistry, the Chemistry Department at CCRI offers two paths. For students who prefer more hands-on learning in the laboratory and a faster route to employment in the field, check out the Chemical Technology certificate and associate in applied science (AAS) degree. For the start of a traditional undergraduate chemistry degree with the chance of completing a bachelor's degree at a baccalaureate-granting institution including Rhode Island College (RIC) or the University of Rhode Island (URI), check out the Joint Admissions Agreement (JAA) transfer degrees.

Chemical Technology students may take either the certificate or AAS program on a part- or full-time basis as the programs are designed to allow students to fit their education into their busy lives. We recommend that all students initially enroll in the certificate program as employers often do not discriminate between certificate- and degree-holding job candidates. Graduates of either Chemical Technology program typically secure jobs in the field, often before graduation, and may continue their education, sometimes with support from their employers. The AAS degree in Chemical Technology transfers to most four-year institutions as the first two years of a traditional bachelor’s degree program in chemistry. For more information, contact Program Coordinator Wayne Suits at 401-825-2010 or wsuits@ccri.edu.

Students who enroll in one of the JAA transfer degrees can earn an associate’s degree while completing the first two years of a traditional chemistry bachelor's degree at CCRI then transfer to RIC or URI to complete the bachelor’s degree. Benefits of being a JAA student include possible tuition discounts at RIC or URI, waived application fees at RIC or URI, seamless transfer as a junior, and more.

Programs

Associate Degree Programs

Certificates

JAA Transfer Degrees

Courses

Chemistry (CHEM)

CHEM 1000  - Chemistry of Our Environment  
(4 Credits)  
This course is an introductory, entry-level course in chemistry for non-science majors, with emphasis on every day, practical applications. The course covers basic chemistry principles, which are then applied to contemporary issues. Use of mathematics is minimized as much as possible. The laboratory assignments demonstrate topics discussed in class. Note: This course is a prerequisite for CHEM-1060 and is recommended as a Science elective in the Liberal Arts or General Studies program.

Lecture: 3 hours, Lab: 3 hours
  
Prerequisite(s): (MATH 0600 or MATH 0095 or MATH 0101 or MATH 0100 or Math Placement or MATH 1420 or MATH 1025) or (Bachelor Degree or higher)
  
Course completes the following requirements:
Critical Thinking
Scientific Reasoning
Lab Science Requirement
Mathematics and Science  
URI/RIC Transfer General Education Transfer Opportunity: Yes  
CHEM 1010  - Survey of Biomedical Chemistry  
(5 Credits)  
This is an introductory study of chemistry principles that form the foundation for understanding biomedical and dental sciences. Content includes atomic theory, chemical bonding, the nature and properties of matter and solutions, the colloidal state, crystallization and the chemical functioning of basic biological compounds. Laboratory exercises demonstrate concepts presented in lectures.

Lecture: 3 hours, Lab: 3 hours, Other: 1 hour
  
Prerequisite(s): (CHEM 1020 or Chemistry Placement Exam) and (MATH 0600 or MATH 0095 or MATH 0099 or MATH 0100 or MATH 0101 or Math Placement or MATH 1420 or MATH 1025) or (Bachelor Degree or higher)
  
Course completes the following requirements:
Critical Thinking
Scientific Reasoning
Lab Science Requirement
Mathematics and Science  
URI/RIC Transfer General Education Transfer Opportunity: Yes  
CHEM 1020  - Basic Skills for Chemistry  
(3 Credits)  
This course is for students who are inadequately prepared to enter General Chemistry or Survey of Biomedical Chemistry. Topics stressed are physical measurements, problem-solving and chemical language. Students are given first-hand experience in data gathering, evaluation and presentation. Note: Not open to students who have already completed CHEM 1010 or CHEM 1030 without permission of department chairperson. If you plan to continue to Dental Hygiene (DYHG); Environment, Sustainability, and Management (ESMD); Science (SCID); any of the Engineering programs; or JAA degrees that require CHEM 1030, it is suggested that you take MATH 0101 as your MATH prerequisite for this course.

Other: 4 hours
  
Prerequisite(s): Chemistry Placement Exam and (MATH 0600 or MATH 0099 or MATH 0100 or MATH 0101 or Math Placement or MATH 1420 or MATH 1025) or (Bachelor Degree or higher)
  
CHEM 1030  - General Chemistry I  
(5 Credits)  
Principles of chemistry dealing with the structure of matter, periodic system, chemical bonding, formulas and equations are studied in this course. Laboratory work provides an opportunity to see the applications of these chemical principles. Note: This course is for students who plan to pursue further studies in science, pharmacy or engineering.

Lecture: 3 hours, Lab: 3 hours, Other: 1 hour
  
Prerequisite(s): (CHEM 1020 or Chemistry Placement Exam) and (MATH 0600 or MATH 0101 or MATH 1200 or MATH 1200C or Math Placement) or (Bachelor Degree or higher)
  
Course completes the following requirements:
Scientific Reasoning
Quantitative Literacy
Lab Science Requirement
Mathematics and Science  
URI/RIC Transfer General Education Transfer Opportunity: Yes  
CHEM 1060  - Chemistry of Hazardous Materials  
(3 Credits)  
This course provide an insight into hazardous liquids, solids and gases. Students are exposed to basic chemistry, storage, handling laws, standards and firefighting practices pertaining to hazardous liquids, solids and gases.

Lecture: 3 hours
  
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 1000
  
CHEM 1100  - General Chemistry II  
(5 Credits)  
This course, together with CHEM 1030 satisfies the requirement for one year of science. Lectures are concerned with rates of reactions, equilibria, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry and complexation reactions. Laboratory involves further application of chemical principles and the separation and identification of inorganic ions.

Lecture: 3 hours, Lab: 3 hours, Other: 1 hour
  
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 1030
  
Course completes the following requirements:
Lab Science Requirement  
CHEM 2250  - Organic Chemistry I Lecture  
(3 Credits)  
This course deals with chemical principles involved in organic reactions. Emphasis is placed on compounds in the aliphatic series. Note: Students must be enrolled in the Chemical Engineering and Chem-Biology Engineering concentrations to register.

Lecture: 3 hours
  
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 1100
  
CHEM 2260  - Organic Chemistry II Lecture  
(3 Credits)  
A continuation of CHEM 2250, this course emphasizes the aromatic series of organic compounds and synthetic organic chemistry. Note: Students must be enrolled in the Chemical Engineering concentration to register.

Lecture: 3 hours
  
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 2250
  
CHEM 2270  - Organic Chemistry I  
(5 Credits)  
This course deals with the chemical principles involved in organic reactions. Emphasis is placed on compounds in the aliphatic series. The laboratory enhances lecture material by illustrating methods of preparation, purification and characterization of organic compounds using accepted techniques.

Lecture: 3 hours, Lab: 3 hours, Other: 1 hour
  
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 1100
  
CHEM 2280  - Organic Chemistry II  
(5 Credits)  
A continuation of CHEM 2270, this course emphasizes the aromatic series of organic compounds and synthetic organic chemistry. The laboratory enhances lecture material by illustrating methods of preparation, purification and characterization of organic compounds using accepted techniques.

Lecture: 3 hours, Lab: 3 hours, Other: 1 hour
  
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 2270
  
CHEM 2500  - Applications in Science and Math^  
(1 Credit)  
This capstone course is intended for students in their final semester of the Science program. It will allow students an opportunity to demonstrate an integration of knowledge and abilities acquired in previous science and mathematics courses with the added intent of having students develop new insights. Students will read selected articles, such as those that come from scientific journals, in a variety of fields and then have the opportunity to collaborate with their peers and hone writing, synthesis and presentation skills in a seminar setting. Note: Students should have a minimum of 21 General Education credits and a minimum of 18 Science credits or permission of department to register.

Lecture: 2 hours
  

Chemical Technology (CHMT)

CHMT 1120  - Chemical Technology I  
(6 Credits)  
This course is an introduction to basic concepts in chemistry. The course covers chemical properties, identification and separation of substances, atomic and molecular structure, elements and compounds, liquids and solutions; the periodic table and the naming of inorganic substances. Students will use a variety of instruments including the gas chromatograph, manometers, analytical balances and visible spectrophotometers.

Lecture: 2 hours, Lab: 8 hours
  
Course completes the following requirements:
Scientific Reasoning
Quantitative Literacy
Lab Science Requirement  
URI/RIC Transfer General Education Transfer Opportunity: Yes  
CHMT 1121  - Chemistry for Biotechnology  
(3 Credits)  
This course provides an introduction to basic concepts in chemistry and instruction in the use of instruments, including gas and liquid chromatographs, electronic balance, visible spectrophotometers and pH meters. Topics covered include chemical properties, identification and separation of substances, atomic structure, elements and compounds, gases and solutions, acids and bases and amino acids and proteins.

Lecture: 2 hours, Lab: 3 hours
  
CHMT 1220  - Chemical Technology II  
(6 Credits)  
This course is a continuation of Chemical Technology I and covers acid-base chemistry, equilibrium, qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Lecture: 2 hours, Lab: 8 hours
  
Prerequisite(s): CHMT 1120
  
Course completes the following requirements:
Lab Science Requirement  
CHMT 2321  - Chemical Technology III  
(5 Credits)  
This course covers all forms of gravimetric, volumetric, and spectrophotometric analyses. Students will also be reintroduced to atomic absorption spectrophotometry during analysis of aqueous metal and heavy metal samples.

Lecture: 2 hours, Lab: 6 hours, Other: 0 hours
  
Prerequisite(s): CHMT 1220
  
Course completes the following requirements:
Lab Science Requirement  
CHMT 2322  - Chemical Technology IV  
(5 Credits)  
This course covers an introduction to organic chemistry via a study of organic functional groups, classification of organic compounds using wet and instrumental methods and organic reactions. It will also focus on infrared spectrophotometry separation methods, including gas chromatography and high pressure liquid chromatography.

Lecture: 2 hours, Lab: 6 hours, Other: 0 hours
  
Prerequisite(s): CHMT 2321
  
Course completes the following requirements:
Lab Science Requirement  
CHMT 2421  - Chemical Technology V^  
(8 Credits)  
This course is a continuation of Chemical Technology IV and covers the nature of reversible processes, equilibrium constants, solute and solvent systems and the kinetics of chemical reactions. Instrumental methods used include atomic absorption, emission spectroscopy, ultraviolet and NMR spectroscopy. The course concludes with a variety of special methods and student projects.

Lecture: 4 hours, Lab: 8 hours
  
Prerequisite(s): CHMT 2322
  
Course completes the following requirements:
Lab Science Requirement