What kind of mathematic stuff is there in Chemistry 1 at junior college? ?

Question

I was going to take introduction to chemistry at a junior college, but the class was full, but the teacher did say that the class is mostly math, more math than chemistry in first level chemistry class, what kind of math is there in the basic beginner chemistry course in school?

It is called chemistry 10 at our school, but it is really just the basic, or first chemistry course that students take before taking the other chemistry courses.

What are you calculating or doing mathematically ?

Answer 1

Introductory chemistry at the university level tends to be algebra level mathematics. Basically you are solving for an unknown value. Once you go beyond general chemistry and enter physical chemistry the math moves on to calculus.  

Answer 2

Intro chem is taught at different levels for differing students.  Usually there is a chem for non-science majors; chem for health science majors; and chem for science, engineering, and pre-med (General Chem, two semesters worth).

Chem for non-science majors focuses mostly on qualitative aspects.  There is some math but it is kept simple and involves only very simple concepts.  Students who are non-science majors take this to meet a general physical science requirement.  We're talking about basic addition and subtraction here.  Maybe some pre-algebra material but definitely no deep down algebra.

Chem for health science is similar to a year of college-prep high school chem, but a bit harder since it's compacted into a single semester.  Less focus on qualitative and introduces more to the analytical side of chem so there is adequate preparation of future coursework, but overall less rigorous than the next level.  There is more algebra but it's not too bad.

As I stated, if you took a college-prep chem class in HS then it will be shockingly similar just faster paced.

Gen Chem is the actual 'college chem' and is a requirement for science, engineering, and part of the pre-med curriculum.  This level is exclusively quantitative, with heavy focus on bonding theory, thermal properties, analytical measurements (pH and stuff), etc.  It's a 2-semester course.  Although considered tough, the math is actually quite easy, only algebraic (calculus is only touched when you hit upper division chem courses).  However, you do have to be very speedy and proficient with algebra during exams because of the time limits.  I would say 90% of the people who struggle in Gen Chem do so because their math skills just aren't there.  Since there is less focus on qualitative aspects, one should have taken a college-prep HS chem course, or if not, should take the health science chem course first before attempting this one.