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Chemistry

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses Faculty

Associate Degrees

A.S. in Chemical Technology

The Chemical Technology Program trains students for a wide variety of scientific laboratory technician career opportunities. Students not only will be instructed in the theory and fundamentals of chemistry, but they will also be exposed to hands-on training with lab equipment and sophisticated state-of-the-art lab instrumentation. Students will be taught how to perform standard laboratory techniques, how to follow safety procedures, and how to prepare clear, thorough lab reports.



Throughout the program there will be emphasis on clear written communication and correct mathematical calculations. Students will be challenged to strengthen problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. They also will have opportunities to develop effective verbal communication and to use software commonly employed in scientific labs.



A student who satisfactorily completes the program will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement. Students who complete the program may also qualify for an Associate in Science degree by fulfilling the Graduation Requirements specified in this catalog.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Degree Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
CHEM 400 General Chemistry I 5
CHEM 401 General Chemistry II 5
CHEM 410 Quantitative Analysis 51
CHEM 420 Organic Chemistry I (5) 4 - 5
   or CHEM 425 Organic Chemistry with Biological Emphasis I (4)
CHEM 421 Organic Chemistry II (5) 4 - 5
   or CHEM 426 Organic Chemistry with Biological Emphasis II (4)
A minimum of 3 units from the following: 32
BUS 310 Business Communications (3)
ENGWR 300 College Composition (3)
   or ENGWR 488 Honors College Composition and Research (4)
ENGWR 301 College Composition and Literature (3)
ENGWR 302 Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3)
   or ENGWR 482 Honors Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3)
ESLW 340 Advanced Composition (4)
Total Units: 26 - 28

1Offered in spring only.

2This corresponds to the General Education Area II English Composition requirement.

The Chemical Technology Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See SCC graduation requirements.

Enrollment Eligibility

To be eligible for enrollment in the program, the student must meet the following criteria:

  • Students must complete high school intermediate algebra or MATH 120 or its equivalent with a grade of "C" or better.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • apply problem-solving and analytical thinking skills in the planning, execution, and interpretation of chemistry lab work.
  • correctly use common chemistry laboratory instruments to process materials and/or collect data.
  • demonstrate oral and written communication skills necessary to report and discuss chemistry laboratory processes with other scientifically trained personnel.
  • demonstrate an understanding of safety practices, including proper chemical waste disposal procedures.

Career Information

Employment data indicates that there are a large number of science lab technicians employed in this region. Students who complete the Chemical Technology Program may work in environmental monitoring and pollution analysis, materials testing, medical testing, or quality control. They may work in laboratories supporting manufacturing, agriculture, medical research, the petrochemical industry, or government agencies.


A.S. in Chemistry

Chemistry is the study of the properties, composition, and transformations of all material substances. It is often called the “central science” since it draws from mathematics and physics and forms a necessary background to the study of all the earth sciences and all the biological disciplines, including the various medical professions. Sacramento City College chemistry courses are designed to meet the lower division requirements for a major in chemistry in transferring to a four-year institution. For students who plan to transfer, completion of the CSU General-Breadth or IGETC general education pattern is encouraged. It is highly recommended that students meet with a counselor because major and general education requirements vary for each college/university. These courses also fulfill general education requirements for allied health, biological sciences, physical sciences, computer science, and engineering.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Degree Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
CHEM 400 General Chemistry I 5
CHEM 401 General Chemistry II 5
[ CHEM 420 Organic Chemistry I (5) 8 - 10
and CHEM 421 ] Organic Chemistry II (5)
or [ CHEM 425 Organic Chemistry with Biological Emphasis I (4)
and CHEM 426 ] Organic Chemistry with Biological Emphasis II (4)
Total Units: 18 - 20

The Chemistry Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See SCC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • understand the language and nomenclature of chemistry.
  • utilize problem solving strategies involving data collection, dimensional analysis, interpretation, and drawing reasonable conclusions from data.
  • demonstrate basic chemical laboratory skills.
  • operate a variety of modern chemical instruments and accurately interpret spectral and chromatographic data.
  • understand and apply fundamental chemical principles.

Career Information

Chemists work as pharmaceutical or environmental chemists, educators, medical researchers, quality assurance and general scientists, and pharmacists. The preparation received in chemistry is excellent background for careers in medicine, dentistry, engineering, the biological sciences, earth sciences, environmental studies, and science education.

Certificates of Achievement

Chemical Technician, Advanced Certificate

The Advanced Chemical Technician Certificate builds on the knowledge and techniques acquired after the completion of the Intermediate Chemical Technician Certificate. Students will be instructed on data analysis, propagation of error, quality control, and quality assurance. Students will be exposed to hands-on training with sophisticated state-of-the-art lab instrumentation such as: gas chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography, flame atomic absorption spectroscopy, and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Students will be taught how to follow safety procedures and how to perform standard laboratory techniques.



Throughout the program there will be emphasis on clear written communication and correct mathematical calculations. Students will be challenged to strengthen problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. They also will have opportunities to develop effective verbal communication, and to use software commonly employed in scientific labs.



There are two pathways students can take to receive the advanced chemical technician certificate: Pathway 1 is recommended for students who want to pursue analytical techniques (emphasis on quantitative analysis). Pathway 2 is recommended for students who plan to pursue organic analysis.



A student who satisfactorily completes the program will be awarded a Chemical Technician, Advanced, Certificate of Achievement.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
BUS 310 Business Communications 3
CHEMT 201 Careers in Chemical Technology 2
CHEMT 424 Instrumentation 2
CHEMT 429 Research in Chemistry 1
ENGWR 300 College Composition (3) 3 - 4
   or ENGWR 302 Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3)
   or ENGWR 482 Honors Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3)
   or ENGWR 488 Honors College Composition and Research (4)
   or ESLW 340 Advanced Composition (4)
CHEMT 297 Post Practicum Seminar in Chemical Technology 1
Subtotal Units: 12 - 13
Pathway 1 See Description
Course Code Course Title Units
CHEM 410 Quantitative Analysis 5
Pathway 1 See Description Units: 5
Total Units: 17 - 18
Pathway 2 See Description
Course Code Course Title Units
CHEM 420 Organic Chemistry I 5
CHEM 421 Organic Chemistry II 5
STAT 300 Introduction to Probability and Statistics (4) 4
   or STAT 480 Introduction to Probability and Statistics - Honors (4)
Pathway 2 See Description Units: 14
Total Units: 26 - 27

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • apply advanced chemistry principles and laboratory skills needed to safely work in a commercial lab using chemical technology with minimal supervision.
  • apply problem-solving and analytical thinking skills in the planning, execution, and interpretation of chemistry lab work.
  • correctly use common and advanced chemistry laboratory instruments to process and analyze samples and collect data.
  • demonstrate advanced oral and written communication skills necessary to report and discuss chemistry laboratory processes and results with other scientifically trained personnel.
  • demonstrate appropriate safety practices, including proper chemical waste disposal procedures.
  • apply fundamental chemical principles to concrete issues affecting society.

Career Information

Students who complete the Advanced Chemical Technology Program may work in environmental monitoring and pollution analysis, medical testing, or quality control. They may work in laboratories supporting manufacturing, agriculture, medical research, or government agencies.


Chemical Technician, Beginning Certificate

The Beginning Chemical Technician program trains students for a wide variety of entry level scientific laboratory technician career opportunities. Students will be instructed in the theory and fundamentals of chemistry, and they will be exposed to hands-on training with lab equipment. Students will be taught how to follow safety procedures and how to perform basic laboratory techniques.



Throughout the program there will be emphasis on clear written communication and correct mathematical calculations. Students will be challenged to strengthen problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. They also will have opportunities to develop effective verbal communication and use basic software commonly employed in scientific labs.



Students who complete this certificate may wish to continue their studies and work toward the Chemical Technician, Intermediate, Certificate of Achievement.



There are two pathways students can take to receive the beginning chemical technician certificate: Pathway 1 is recommended for students who only want to attain the beginning chemical technology certificate to begin working in industry. These students do not plan on taking any additional chemistry courses beyond what is listed in the course list. Pathway 2 is recommended for students who plan to take general chemistry and may take additional chemistry courses beyond the course list.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
CHEMT 201 Careers in Chemical Technology 2
ENGWR 300 College Composition (3) 3 - 4
   or BUS 100 English for the Professional (3)
   or BUS 310 Business Communications (3)
   or ENGWR 302 Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3)
   or ENGWR 482 Honors Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3)
   or ENGWR 488 Honors College Composition and Research (4)
   or ESLW 340 Advanced Composition (4)
Subtotal Units: 5 - 6
Pathway 1 See Description
Course Code Course Title Units
BUS 330 Managing Diversity in the Workplace (3) 3
   or COMM 325 Intercultural Communication (3)
   or ETHNS 300 Introduction to Ethnic Studies (3)
   or SOC 321 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3)
   or SOC 482 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States - Honors (3)
CHEM 300 Beginning Chemistry (4) 4 - 5
   or CHEM 305 Introduction to Chemistry (5)
   or CHEM 306 Introduction to Organic and Biological Chemistry (5)
   or CHEM 309 Integrated General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry (5)
[[ CISA 305 Beginning Word Processing (2) 3 - 5
and CISA 315 ] Introduction to Electronic Spreadsheets (2)
and CISC 300 ] Computer Familiarization (1)
or CISC 310 Introduction to Computer Information Science (3)
CHEMT 296 Internship in Stockroom 0.5 -1.5
A minimum of 1 unit from the following: 1
CHEMT 301 Chemical Technology Supplemental Lab (1)
CHEMT 429 Research in Chemistry (1)
CHEMT 296 Internship in Stockroom (0.5 - 1.5)
Pathway 1 See Description Units: 11.5 - 15.5
Total Units: 16.5 - 21.5
Pathway 2 See Description
Course Code Course Title Units
CHEM 400 General Chemistry I 51
Pathway 2 See Description Units: 5
Total Units: 10 - 11

1CHEM 300 and Intermediate Algebra are required prerequisite courses for CHEM 400.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • apply basic chemistry principles and laboratory skills needed to safely work in a commercial lab using chemical technology with direct supervision.
  • apply basic problem-solving and analytical thinking skills in interpretation and execution of chemistry lab work.
  • correctly use common chemistry laboratory equipment to process materials and/or collect data.
  • demonstrate basic oral and written communication skills necessary to report and discuss chemistry laboratory processes with other scientifically trained personnel.
  • demonstrate a basic understanding of safety practices, including proper chemical waste disposal procedures.

Career Information

Employment data indicates that there are a large number of entry level science lab technicians employed in this region. Students who complete the Chemical Technology, Beginning, Certificate of Achievement may work in entry level positions in laboratories supporting manufacturing, agriculture, medical research, the petrochemical industry, or government agencies.


Chemical Technician, Intermediate Certificate

The Intermediate Chemical Technician Certificate program builds on the knowledge and techniques acquired after completion of the Beginning Chemical Technician Certificate. The Intermediate Chemical Technician Certificate program trains students for a wide variety of intermediate level scientific laboratory technician career opportunities. Students will be instructed in the theory and fundamentals of chemistry, they will be exposed to hands-on training with basic lab equipment and principal lab instrumentation. Students will be taught how to follow safety procedures and how to perform standard laboratory techniques under limited supervision.



Students will be challenged to strengthen problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.



A student who satisfactorily completes the following program will be awarded a Chemical Technician, Intermediate, Certificate of Achievement.



Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
CHEM 400 General Chemistry I 5
CHEM 401 General Chemistry II 5
CHEM 495 Independent Studies in Chemistry (1 -3) 0.5 - 5
   or CHEM 410 Quantitative Analysis (5)
   or CHEM 420 Organic Chemistry I (5)
   or CHEM 423 Organic Chemistry - Short Survey (5)
   or CHEM 425 Organic Chemistry with Biological Emphasis I (4)
   or CHEM 484 Advanced General Chemistry - Honors (1)
   or CHEMT 296 Internship in Stockroom (0.5 -1.5)
CHEMT 201 Careers in Chemical Technology 2
ENGWR 300 College Composition (3) 3 - 4
   or BUS 300 Introduction to Business (3)
   or BUS 310 Business Communications (3)
   or ENGWR 302 Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3)
   or ENGWR 488 Honors College Composition and Research (4)
   or ESLW 340 Advanced Composition (4)
Total Units: 15.5 - 21

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • apply routine chemistry principles and laboratory skills needed to safely work in a commercial lab using chemical technology with limited supervision.
  • apply problem-solving and analytical thinking skills in the planning, execution, and interpretation of chemistry lab work.
  • correctly use basic laboratory equipment and common chemistry laboratory instruments to process materials and/or collect data.
  • demonstrate proficient oral and written communication skills necessary to report and discuss common chemistry laboratory processes with other scientifically trained personnel.
  • demonstrate an understanding of safety practices, including proper chemical waste disposal procedures.

Career Information

Employment data indicates that there are a significant number of intermediate level science lab technicians employed in this region. Students who complete the Intermediate Chemical Technology Program may work in environmental monitoring and pollution analysis, materials testing, medical testing, or quality control. They may work in laboratories supporting manufacturing, agriculture, medical research, the petrochemical industry, or government agencies.


Chemical Technology Certificate

The Chemical Technology Program trains students for a wide variety of scientific laboratory technician career opportunities. Students not only will be instructed in the theory and fundamentals of chemistry, but they will also be exposed to hands-on training with lab equipment and sophisticated state-of-the-art lab instrumentation. Students will be taught how to follow safety procedures, how to perform standard laboratory techniques, and how to prepare clear, thorough lab reports.



Throughout the program there will be emphasis on clear written communication and correct mathematical calculations. Students will be challenged to strengthen problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. They also will have opportunities to develop effective verbal communication and to use software commonly employed in scientific labs.



A student who satisfactorily completes the program will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement. Students who complete the program may also qualify for an Associate in Science degree by fulfilling the Graduation Requirements specified in this catalog.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
CHEM 400 General Chemistry I 5
CHEM 401 General Chemistry II 5
CHEM 410 Quantitative Analysis 51
CHEM 420 Organic Chemistry I (5) 4 - 5
or CHEM 425 Organic Chemistry with Biological Emphasis I (4)
CHEM 421 Organic Chemistry II (5) 4 - 5
or CHEM 426 Organic Chemistry with Biological Emphasis II (4)
A minimum of 3 units from the following: 32
BUS 310 Business Communications (3)
ENGWR 300 College Composition (3)
   or ENGWR 488 Honors College Composition and Research (4)
ENGWR 301 College Composition and Literature (3)
ENGWR 302 Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3)
   or ENGWR 482 Honors Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3)
ESLW 340 Advanced Composition (4)
Total Units: 26 - 28

1Offered in spring only.

2This requirement is to ensure that recipients of the Chemical Technology Certificate of Achievements have writing skills.

Enrollment Eligibility

To be eligible for enrollment in the program, the student must meet the following criteria:

  • Students must complete high school intermediate algebra or MATH 120 or its equivalent with a grade of "C" or better.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • apply problem-solving and analytical thinking skills in the planning, execution, and interpretation of chemistry lab work.
  • correctly use common chemistry laboratory instruments to process materials and/or collect data.
  • demonstrate oral and written communication skills necessary to report and discuss chemistry laboratory processes with other scientifically trained personnel.
  • demonstrate an understanding of safety practices, including proper chemical waste disposal procedures.

Career Information

Employment data indicates that there are a large number of science lab technicians employed in this region. Students who complete the Chemical Technology Program may work in environmental monitoring and pollution analysis, materials testing, medical testing, or quality control. They may work in laboratories supporting manufacturing, agriculture, medical research, the petrochemical industry, or government agencies.