What is it?
Summer accelerated organic chemistry is the regular year of organic chemistry (three courses at Bellevue College, CHEM& 261, 262, 263) compressed into three 13-day courses. This allows students to complete a year of organic chemistry during the summer (usually late June/early July through mid/late August). Students may take one or two of the three courses. Each course is comprised of lecture and lab combined – they are not separated and you may not obtain credit for only lecture or only lab. The summer accelerated program is offered every summer and registration begins in mid-May. The courses are equivalent to those taught during the year – all lecture and lab content is covered!
The schedule
Please check the actual schedule as this may change from year to year: https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/classes/
(NOTE: Summer organic chem I usually starts a week before regular summer quarter for other BC classes! Make sure to read all the course details in the schedule for exact start/end dates!)
Everyone must attend lectures daily, usually 10:30-2:00PM, with usually a 15-20 min break for lunch and a couple shorter breaks (5-10 min) each hour. Students are encouraged to bring their lunch as the cafeteria is often closed on Fridays and the breaks are rather short for venturing anywhere!
For lab, we offer two options: Morning or afternoon lab four days a week. Morning labs are usually 7:30-10:20AM TWThF and afternoon labs are usually 2:10-5:30 PM MTWTh.
Yes, it is exhausting!
The pace
We cover about a chapter a day. There is a daily exam covering the previous day(s) material. A lab report may also be due each day on the previous day’s lab. Since students are in class 6-7 hours per day, the remaining hours in the day are for studying and lab assignments, eating, and sleeping… not much else! We do not recommend students take on other jobs or classes with this course.
Are you interested?
The summer series is tough! As you’d think, doing a full year of organic chemistry in nine weeks is no laughing matter. It requires a lot of motivation, determination, and will power (and brain power) to get through.
Still sure you want to take the course?! : )
Steps to enroll
- BEFORE OR AROUND APRIL: Students will need to apply to Bellevue College if they haven’t taken classes at BC before, or re-activate their status if it’s been a few quarters since they’ve been at BC. Admissions Process (This takes 2-3 weeks depending on time of the year.)
- Once you apply you will receive a BC email address, registration appointment, etc. You may need to complete orientation sessions. You should also submit your prerequisite clearance so you are not blocked for the prereqs for organic chem. We need to see that you’ve completed general chemistry (or equivalent) at another college/university
- AROUND MID-MAY: You will be able to register for summer courses. Our courses are listed in the class schedule: https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/classes/. Please note the start date for the course! It may start before other courses in the summer!
- AFTER REGISTRATION (JUNE): Please check your BC email for messages about enrollment, payment, and messages from your instructor/the college.
Please read the following:
Sample Syllabi (2022): CHEM& 261 CHEM& 262 CHEM& 263 (These are only samples – not to be exactly the same year to year)
Required/Optional Books and Materials: We are using the OpenStax (Free) Organic Chemistry textbook by John McMurry: https://openstax.org/details/books/organic-chemistry; Lab experiments will be available through Canvas course pages. Goggles and a composition notebook are required. A highly recommended material: “Organic Chemistry As A Second Language” by Klein, 1st and 2nd semester topics, any edition, is a great companion for these courses.
How to prepare
Recommended videos for organic chemistry
Advice for Summer Intensive Organic Students: http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/chemistry/summer-intensive-ochem/advice/
Review topics from Gen Chem: Molecular bonding/Lewis structures, Electronegativity and Polarity, Intermolecular forces (London dispersion, dipole-dipole, hydrogen bonding), Thermochemistry (bond enthalpy and endo/exothermic energy diagrams), Quantum mechanics (hybridization -sp,sp2,sp3- and molecular orbitals), acids and bases (pKa, pH, Lewis acids and bases, molecular acids), kinetics/thermodynamics (rate determining step, activation energy).
A listing of emails sent out to students (Summer 2013)
Last Updated April 25, 2025
