CHEM& 261: Organic Chemistry I – 6 credits
About this course
This is the first of a three-quarter sequence required for science/engineering majors and pre-professional health students (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary, etc.) It assumes you’ve had a year of college general chemistry.
PREREQUISITES ARE CHECKED. Please make sure you are cleared for prereqs – either you will have taken the prereq course (CHEM& 163) at BC, or you will need to submit your college transcripts if prereqs were completed at another institution. If you do not need to take CHEM& 163 (general chemistry III) for your desired program, but need to take this course, please contact the program chair to request an exception and view this page for suggestions on how to prepare.
Summer Accelerated Format:
Bellevue College also offers a summer accelerated organic chemistry series, which allows students to take all three quarters in one summer. The course usually starts the week before the official summer quarter begins, and is 13 days per course. The dates are specified in the class schedule. Click here for more info on summer accelerated organic chemistry
CHEM& 261 Course Materials:
Please check the bookstore for the latest information on required materials.
- Organic Chemistry 3rd edition by David Klein (Wiley). This digital textbook and solutions manual will be available in Canvas through Inclusive Access, which is charged at the time of tuition.
- “Introduction to Organic Laboratory Techniques: A Microscale Approach, 5th Edition” by Pavia et al (Cengage). The older 4th edition is less expensive but becoming difficult to find – a newer edition will suffice.
- Safety Goggles
- Laboratory Notebook
- Optional: Molecular Model Kit
- Optional: Depending on your instructor, you might also be offered a course pack or old exams packet.
How to Prepare for Organic Chemistry
Organic chemistry has a reputation for being a challenging course. A review of key concepts and skills from general chemistry will serve you well!
Last Updated June 18, 2023