In the first two years CCS Chemistry and Biochemistry students generally take the following courses:

1st Year:
Chem 2B (W), Chem 2C (S) General Chemistry (Honors, 4 units) A special small honors chemistry class for qualified students covering most of the topics in Chem 1B and 1C but in more depth. Students who have completed an advanced placement course in chemistry may discuss with a CCS chemistry advisor whether these courses are necessary for them and ways to get credit for Chem 1A, 2B, and/or 2C.

2nd Year:
Chem 130 ABC (F,W,S) Organic Chemistry (4 units) ; Chem 6A (F) Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2 units); Chem 7 B,C (W,S) Organic Chemistry Laboratory (Honors, 2 units)
Chem CS 7 (W,S) Organic Spectroscopy Seminar (1-3 units). This Organic Chemistry Laboratory and seminar course will be offered to students who have taken Chem 6A and Chem 130A or Chem 8A. The course will cover experiments aimed at developing skills required to pursue independent research in Chemistry and other laboratory sciences. It will emphasize the use, theory, and interpretation of instrumental techniques such as infrared, ultraviolet, visible, NMR and mass spectroscopy, and gas chromotography. The course will be offered with open laboratory hours to be arranged. This schedule will permit students to work in a self-paced manner. These basic courses give students excellent laboratory preparation to undertake research projects and a foundation for other upper division Chemistry and Biochemistry courses, seminars, and independent study.