Help and advice for
incoming freshmen:
freshman.affairs@yale.edu

Yale College
Dean's Office
P.O. Box 208241
New Haven, CT
06520-8241   USA

Chemistry Preregistration

Chemistry is one of the core sciences, and it is central to the study of many other sciences. If you are considering a major in Biology, Chemical Engineering, or Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, you must complete a year or more of chemistry (with laboratories) as a prerequisite to the major. Similarly, if you intend to go to medical school, you are advised to take a year of general or organic chemistry, including the associated laboratories, in freshman year.

Chemistry Preregistration

The department will place you in an appropriate course using admissions data and the preregistration information that you submit on line, as described below. Most students decide to begin their study of chemistry by enrolling in a general chemistry course. Individuals with an especially strong science background may choose to take a placement test (given by the department at the start of the academic year) and accelerate into courses that are more advanced.

  
Chemistry Preregistration 

Additional Resources

There are three general chemistry offerings:

  1. CHEM 112a and 113b, Chemistry with Problem Solving;
  2. CHEM 114a and 115b, Comprehensive General Chemistry;
  3. CHEM 118a, Quantitative Foundations of General Chemistry.

Three additional course sequences are open to freshmen who are sufficiently well prepared:

  1. CHEM 124a, 125b, Freshman Organic Chemistry;
  2. CHEM 220a, Organic Chemistry, and 221b, The Organic Chemistry of Life Processes;
  3. CHEM 332a, 333b, Physical Chemistry with Applications in the Physical Sciences

Additional information about course content and how to decide which course might be the best fit for you appear on the Chemistry courses page.

If you wish to take a chemistry course during freshman year, follow these steps:

  1. Fill out the High School Math and Science Survey by June 15.
  2. Based upon your responses, the department will recommend a course, or a range of courses, which will likely be most suitable for you. Instructions for how to view this advice will be posted on the Chemistry department Web site by August 6.
  3. Based upon this advice, indicate your preference for a particular chemistry course via the Chemistry Preregistration Form (available August 7) by August 20, 2009. Please make a selection even if you are not sure which course you are qualified for.
  4. During Freshman Orientation, students will be able to look up their placement on the Chemistry department Web site and speak to faculty advisers in the department.  

The Calendar for the Opening Days of College and the departmental Web site will contain announcements about information sessions, late registration procedures, and placement tests for fall-term classes.

If you have questions about chemistry preregistration after you have read this material and consulted the departmental Web site, please call 203 432-3916.