Sep 30, 2025  
GRCC Curriculum Database (2025-2026 Academic Year) 
    
GRCC Curriculum Database (2025-2026 Academic Year)
Add to Catalog (opens a new window)

CHM 260 - Organic Chemistry I


Description
CHM 260 is the first part of a two-semester sequence for those students who require a full year of organic chemistry. This course is designed to prepare students for biological chemistry and serves mainly students in pre-pharmacy, pre-dental, pre-medicine, chemical engineering, chemical technology, and chemistry programs. The course topics include nomenclature, stereochemistry, mechanism, organic reactions, and spectroscopy. Many transfer institutions require CHM 261  as a co-requisite.
Credit Hours: 4
Contact Hours: 4
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: C or Higher in one of the following courses: CHM 120  or CHM 140  
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
Pre-Biochemistry, A.A. (General Transfer), Pre-Biological Laboratory Science, A.A. (3+1, Davenport University), Pre-Cell and Molecular Biology, A.A. (General Transfer), Pre-Chemistry, A.A. (General Transfer), Pre-Chemical Engineering, A.A. (General Transfer), Pre-Pharmacy, A.A. (General Transfer)
Other Courses Where This Course is a Prerequisite: CHM 270; CHM 250
Other Courses Where this Course is a Corequisite: CHM 261
Other Courses Where This course is included in within the Description: None
General Education Requirement:
None
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
NA
Course Learning Outcomes:
  1. Predict patterns and properties, both physical and chemical, that occur in organic chemistry related to topics such as solubility and reactivity of different classes of compounds.
  2. Apply the systematic method of nomenclature to organic compounds, including assignment of chiral centers for enantiomers and diastereomers.
  3. Interpret spectroscopic data, specifically NMR, IR, and MS.
  4. Predict the outcome of a variety of organic chemical reactions, including acid/base, substitution, elimination, addition, oxidation and reduction.
  5. Write the correct mechanisms for a variety of organic chemical reactions.
  6. Design efficient multi-step syntheses using retrosynthetic analysis.

Course Outline:
I. Review of General Chemistry

    A. Structure and bonding

    B. Resonance

    C. Hybridization

    D. Physical properties

    E. Acids and bases

II. Hydrocarbons

    A. Physical properties

    B. Nomenclature

    C. Conformation

    D. Isomers

III. Haloalkanes

    A. Radical type reactions

    B. Radical type mechanisms

IV. Stereochemistry

    A. Stereoisomers

    B. Chirality

    C. Optical activity    

V. Substitution and Elimination

    A. Reactions and mechanisms

    B. Structure and reactivity

    C. Factors affecting reactions

VI. Alcohols and Thiols

    A. Structure and nomenclature

    B. Physical properties

    C. Acidity and basicity of alcohols

    D. Reactions and mechanisms

VII. Ethers, Sulfides, and Epoxides

    A. Structure and nomenclature

    B. Physical properties

    C. Reactions and mechanisms    

VIII. Introduction to Spectroscopy

    A. Interpreting infrared spectra

    B. Interpreting NMR spectra

    C. Interpreting mass spectra
Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
No
Instructional Strategies:
Lecture:  70-90%

Group work:  5-15%

Class discussions:  5-10%

Demonstrations or videos:  0-5%
Mandatory Course Components:
None
Equivalent Courses:
None


Accepted GRCC Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit: None
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: NA

Course prepares students to seek the following external certification:
No
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: N/A
Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:
None
Course Type:
Program Requirement- Offering designed to meet the learning needs of students in a specific GRCC program.
Course Format:
Lecture - 1:1
Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 4
People Soft Course ID Number: 102817
Course CIP Code: 40.05
Maximum Course Enrollment: 40
High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No
Non-Credit GRCC Articulation Agreement With What Area: No
Identify the Non Credit Programs this Course is Accepted: NA


School: School of STEM
Department: Physical Sciences
Discipline: CHM
Faculty Credential Requirements:
18 graduate credit hours in discipline being taught (HLC Requirement), Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
The instructor should have a Master of Science or Ph.D. degree in chemistry or related field with 18 graduate hours in chemistry.  An emphasis on organic chemistry is preferred.
Major Course Revisions: N/A
Last Revision Date Effective: 20250225T14:27:03
Course Review & Revision Year: 2029-2030
Essential Abilities/Technical Standards:
1.   Essential judgment skills include the ability to identify, assess, and comprehend situations for the purpose of problem solving and coming to appropriate conclusions and/or course of actions.  Specifically, students must be able to:

  • Apply mathematical concepts to solve problems
  • Discern relevant and irrelevant information when solving problems
  • Express knowledge of the appropriate level of chemistry in written and/or verbal formats
  • Draw conclusions based on knowledge and experimental results

2.    Essential physical/neurological functions include the ability to use the senses of sight, hearing, touch, and smell. Students must meet  expectations necessary to safely perform tasks required to study chemistry, which include the need for manual dexterity and the ability to use sight and hearing. Specifically, students must be able to:

  • Operate a computer for the purposes of inputting or graphing data and writing reports

3.  Essential communication skills include the ability to communicate effectively with fellow students, faculty, and all members of the Physical Sciences department. Specifically, students must be able to:

  • Understand written and verbal direction when completing tasks and assignments associated with the lecture portion of science courses
  • Understand written and verbal directions when following all Departmental safety rules and procedures
  • Use information technology skills consistent with effective communication.

4.  Essential emotional coping skills include the ability to demonstrate the mental health necessary to safely engage in the practice of scientific discovery.  Specifically, students must be able to:

  • Engage in multitasking without becoming overly stressed
  • Collaborate with classmates to complete a task in the classroom 
  • Cooperate with others and work in groups or alone as indicated by a particular course

5.  Essential intellectual/conceptual skills include the ability to measure, calculate, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate to engage competently in the safe practice of Chemistry. Specifically, students must be able to:

  • Select appropriate methods to solve mathematical problems
  • Use a calculator to complete calculations
  • Use a computer to generate graphs and reports
  • Analyze complex graphical data and/ or concepts
  • Express an understanding of the concepts learned in chemistry in written form or verbally

6.  Other essential behavioral attributes include the ability to engage in activities consistent with safe practice without demonstrated behaviors of addiction to, abuse of, or dependence on alcohol or other drugs that may impair behavior or judgment. The student must demonstrate responsibility and accountability for actions as a student in the Physical Sciences Department and as a developing professional in the field of chemistry consistent with accepted standards of practice.

Grand Rapids Community College strives to be more than ADA compliant. We strive to be accessible and welcoming to all students of all abilities. After reviewing the Essential Abilities/Technical Standards for this program; your responsibilities as a student entail determining if you can complete all associated coursework either:

  • With Accommodation. I am otherwise qualified to meet the same academic standards as any other student entering the program. However, based on a medically documented condition or diagnosis, I would qualify for reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990). I will meet with Disability Support Services on campus to arrange those accommodations in an interactive process with the department of Physical Sciences.
  • Without Accommodation. I am able to complete the program without need for reasonable accommodation or modification. In the event my medical documentation reveals otherwise or a condition manifests that would necessitate an accommodation; it is my responsibility to inform a responsible authority figure within the department of (field of study) and work with Disability Support Services to see if a reasonable accommodation or modification can be made.

 

 





Add to Catalog (opens a new window)