General Chemistry Placement
Beginning in the fall 2008 semester, all new students attending WVU as well as all current students who need to take math or chemistry will be required to take the quantitative reasoning assessment (QRA), formerly known as the math placement exam, which consists of two parts – basic algebra and calculus readiness. A student’s performance on this exam will be used to determine whether he or she is qualified to enroll in Chemistry 115 or should take a lower level preparatory course, Chemistry 110. The Department also offers a more advanced general chemistry course, Chemistry 117, for students who enter WVU with a reasonably strong background in chemistry.
Chemistry 110 – Introduction to Chemistry
Chemistry 110 is a two credit course designed to help students develop their problem solving skills and help them better prepare for eventual enrollment in Chemistry 115. A student must obtain a minimum score of 10 on the basic algebra section of the QRA to qualify for Chemistry 110.
Chemistry 115 – Fundamentals of Chemistry
Chemistry 115 is the first semester of a full-year general chemistry course and is typically taken by science and engineering majors at WVU. A student may qualify for Chemistry 115 by (1) obtaining a minimum composite score of 24 on the two parts of the QRA or (2) by attaining a minimum math ACT score of 26 or a minimum math SAT score of 600 or (3) by earning a grade of C or better in Chemistry 110.
Chemistry 117 – Principles of Chemistry
Chemistry 117 is the first semester of an alternative general chemistry course sequence designed to offer students a more advanced treatment of chemical principles than Chemistry 115. This course is typically taken by students who are enrolled in the Honors College or who plan to major in chemistry. A student may qualify for Chemistry 117 by (1) obtaining a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement examination in Chemistry or (2) by having a minimum math ACT score of 26 or a minimum math SAT score of 600 and by obtaining a minimum score of 14 on the Qualifying Examination for Chemistry 117. This Qualifying Examination, which will be administered during New Student Orientation, consists of 20 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as basic aspects of atomic structure, stoichiometry and the mole concept, determination of empirical formula, Lewis structures and VSEPR theory, solubility properties of simple salts, unit conversions, and chemical equilibrium. Additional information about Chemistry 117 may be obtained by contacting Professor Jeff Petersen at jpeterse@wvu.edu.
