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Thinking about taking chemistry courses? You need to know:
- Chemistry courses are structured and must be taken in a specific order
- Some chemistry courses are only offered in the Fall or Spring
- Your past experience in chemistry will determine which courses you start with at W&M
- The introductory chemistry sequence at William & Mary is CHEM 103/103L (General Chemistry I and Lab) and CHEM 206/206L (Organic Chemistry I and Lab) in the first year, followed by CHEM 208/254L (General Chemistry II and Lab) and CHEM 209/253L (Organic Chemistry II and Lab) in the second year.
See the Undergraduate Catalog for full course descriptions. Have transfer credits that might apply towards your degree? Visit the Transfer & Test Credit site for details about transfer credit evaluation.
Planning Your First Year
If you want to major in chemistry, you should complete CHEM 103 and 103L (General Chemistry I and Lab) and CHEM 206 and 206L (Organic Chemistry 1 and Lab) in your first year, if possible. If you get a later start, there are other plans of study that will allow you to complete your degree in 4 years, but this will put you on the easiest track.
Calculus is a prerequisite for several required chemistry courses. Students are encouraged to complete MATH 111 and MATH 112 (Calculus I and II) during their first year. Students who have already earned credit for MATH 111 and 112 should take PHYS 101/101L and PHYS 102/102L.
We offer different levels of introductory chemistry courses for first year students, depending on high school preparation.
Interested in Research?
First year students may also take CHEM 190 (Introductory Research) in the spring. Contact the Director of Undergraduate Research for more information.
If You Have AP/IB Credit
If you have AP or IB credit, we encourage you to take CHEM 205 (Advanced General Chemistry) in the fall. This course allows you to begin your study of chemistry in your first semester. Without this course, you would have to wait until the spring semester to take a chemistry course.
If You Don't Have AP/IB Credit
Well-prepared students without AP or IB credit who intend to major in Chemistry may elect to take CHEM 205 with instructor permission. These students must also take CHEM 103L laboratory, and either CHEM 254 or CHEM 256 laboratory.
Placement Testing and Credit by Examination
If you believe you have a strong high school chemistry background, you may opt to take the general chemistry diagnostic exam offered by the Chemistry Department. Based on your score on this short exam you will be encouraged to take either CHEM 205 or CHEM 103 as your first course in chemistry. You might wish to take this exam even if you have AP or IB credit for CHEM 103. Success on the diagnostic exam can help confirm that you are ready to take the accelerated CHEM 205 course. Be sure you are logged into Blackboard before you access the exam directly with this link.
Well-prepared students who don’t have AP or IB credit for CHEM 103 are welcome to enroll in CHEM 205. A diagnostic assessment is available here to guide your decision. On the other hand, those who wish to earn CHEM 103 credit can take an exam at the beginning of the fall semester. This exam is similar in length and scope to final exams in CHEM 103. Passing the exam will result in credit for CHEM 103 and 103L appearing on your transcript. Note that you do not have to take or pass the exam for CHEM 103 credit to enroll in CHEM 205. Passing the exam also gives you the option of enrolling in CHEM 208 in the spring instead of CHEM 205 in the fall.
Introductory Courses offered only in the Fall semester
- CHEM 103 - General Chemistry I
- CHEM 103L - General Chemistry Laboratory I
- CHEM 205 - Advanced General Chemistry
Introductory Courses offered only in the Spring semester
- CHEM 190 - Introductory Research
- CHEM 206 - Organic Chemistry I
- CHEM 206L - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I