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Our Mission

Las Positas College is an inclusive, learning-centered, equity-focused environment that offers educational opportunities and support for completion of students' transfer, degree, and career-technical goals while promoting lifelong learning.

Chemistry Education Associate of Science (AS)

About the Program

The AS in Chemistry Education degree fulfills the lower-division requirements for four-year BA Chemistry programs designed for future high school and middle school science teachers. The AS Degree is designed to articulate directly with four-year-institution teacher preparation programs with a focus on chemistry education, including single subject teacher preparation in science with a concentration in chemistry. An AS in Chemistry Education would also be an appropriate transfer preparation for students considering chemistry-related interdisciplinary fields.

Career Opportunities

An AS in Chemistry Education may lead to careers in middle and high school science teaching. Chemistry majors interested in teaching at the college level and/or pursuing research careers will continue on to pursue post-graduate degrees.

Program Outcomes

  • Upon completion of the AA in Chemistry Education, students are able to demonstrate proficiency in solving complex problems in and conceptual understanding of General Chemistry as measured by the ACS Full-Year General Chemistry Exam.
  • Upon completion of the AA in Chemistry Education, students are able to demonstrate proficiency in solving complex problems in and conceptual understanding of Organic Chemistry as measured by the ACS Full-Year Organic Chemistry Exam.
  • Upon successful completion of an AS in Chemistry Education, students are able to design and conduct laboratory experiments, and analyze and interpret their data.
  • Upon successful completion of an AS in Chemistry Education, students are able to effectively communicate the methods, analysis, results, and conclusions of their experiments.
  • Upon successful completion of an AS in Chemistry Education, students are able to quantitively analyze nature at the atomic scale by applying fundamental chemical concepts, ranging from atomic theory to organic synthesis.
  • Upon successful completion of an AS in Chemistry Education, students are able to skillfully perform experimental measurements, techniques, and protocols, properly use standard laboratory instruments, and adhere to safe laboratory practices.

Required Core: (42-43 Units)

Course Number Course Title Units
BIO 1A General Botany 5
  or  
BIO 1B General Zoology 5
  or  
BIO 30 Introduction to College Biology 4
CHEM 1A General College Chemistry I 5
CHEM 1B General College Chemistry II 5
CHEM 12A Organic Chemistry I 5
CHEM 12B Organic Chemistry II 5
MATH 1 Calculus I 5
MATH 2 Calculus II 5
PHYS 2A Introduction to Physics I 4
PHYS 2B Introduction to Physics II 4

Total Units for the Major: 42 -43

The Associate Degree is conferred upon those students who complete the required 60 or more semester units of the degree pattern with a grade-point average of 2.0 or better, of which 12 units must be earned at Las Positas College. In addition, students must complete a General Education pattern in order to earn a degree: see the Las Positas College General Education Pattern for Associate of Science (AS) Degree, California State University General Education-Breadth, or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (for CSU) patterns for listing of areas and courses. Double counting courses in GE and the major is permissible. The number of units that may be double counted will depend on the entry point to the degree program, the optional course(s) taken, and the GE pattern selected. Elective units are degree applicable. Consult with an adviser or a counselor to plan the courses necessary to achieve your academic goal.

Recommended Electives are suggested for students interested in taking courses beyond unit requirement for degree:

  • EVST 5 Energy and Sustainability
  • GEOL 1 Physical Geology
  • BIO 40 Humans and the Environment