We have found that some students who register for CHEM 111, General Chemistry I, have an inadequate background in high school chemistry or other chemistry preparatory courses. These students generally don’t do well in CHEM 111. We administer a chemistry placement test to all students who enroll in CHEM 111 to be sure that their background is sufficient for them to succeed in the course. Any student who wishes to enroll or remain enrolled in CHEM 111 must take the exam. Students who do poorly on the exam or don’t take the exam will be deregistered from the course.

We recommend that students who don’t pass the exam sign up for CHEM 101, Chemical Concepts, Contemporary Issues I. CHEM 101 does not have a prerequisite of high school chemistry, but rather the course provides students with a basic background in chemistry. Anyone who earns a grade of C or better in CHEM 101 does not have to take or retake the placement test to take CHEM 111.

Students take the placement test during the first meeting of the section of CHEM 111 in which they are enrolled. They should be sure to arrive early, because latecomers will not be allowed to work past the stop time. For more information about the exam, see Chemistry Placement Test Information.

For more information contact:

Dr. Steven Patterson
Chair, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Archer 603
Phone: (617) 573-8253
E-mail: spatters@suffolk.edu