Transitioning to a Health Sciences Major
Academics / Departments & Programs / Chemistry & Biochemistry / Academics / CHEM-160 Transition Plan
Many students who complete general chemistry courses choose to pursue a health science major or program (nursing, occupational therapy, etc.).
This guide explains the process by which you can transition into a health science major with a minimum of difficulty or additional coursework.
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Facilitators
David Benson
Facilitator
Full profile- Phone: (616) 526-7699
- Email: deb22@calvin.edu
- Department: Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Suggested textbook
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List of topics
- Nuclear chemistry*
- Mixtures, solutions, and concentration*
- Chemical equations and kinetics
- Chemical equilibria: acids, bases, and buffers*
- Basic hydrocarbons: structure and nomenclature
- Organic functional groups
- Common reactions in biological systems
- Amino acids, proteins, and enzymes
- Carbohydrates
- Lipids
- Nucleic acids
* These topics may partially overlap with material from general chemistry courses but are fundamental to the health sciences and should be reviewed.
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Suggested pace of study
This learning plan is arranged to facilitate a self-study over the course of 7 weeks, which will allow students a reasonable pace for learning and retention of the topics. Students may choose to adjust their pace to accommodate a shorter or longer period of time (4–10 weeks).
Week 1
- Hydrocarbons
- Textbook readings: Chapter 6 (resources)
- Suggested textbook exercises (see chapter end): 50, 60, 62, 70, 72, 78, 86, 88, 93, 94
- Fuctional groups
- Textbook readings: Chapter 7 (resources)
- Suggested textbook exercises (see chapter end): 32, 36, 40, 44, 46, 50, 54, 56, 60
Week 2
- Mixtures, solutions, and concentration
- Textbook readings: Chapter 5 (resources)
- Suggested textbook exercises (see chapter end): 44, 48, 54, 63, 64, 70, 76, 80, 93
- Chemical equations and kinetics
- Textbook readings: Chapter 8 (resources)
- Suggested textbook exercises (see chapter end): 24, 28, 36, 40, 52, 53, 62, 66
Week 3
- Chemical equilibria: acids, bases and buffers
- Textbook readings: Chapter 9 (resources)
- Suggested textbook exercises (see chapter end): 28, 38, 39, 42, 46, 48, 58, 65, 66, 75
- Complete major learning assessment 1 (Covers chapters 5–9 of Guinn textbook) [KEY]
- Four types of reactions in biological systems
- Textbook readings: Chapter 10 (resources)
- Suggested textbook exercises (see chapter end): 34, 42, 44, 45, 46, 52, 54, 58, 65, 66
Week 4
- Amino acids, proteins, and enzymes
- Textbook readings: Chapter 11 (resources)
- Suggested textbook exercises (see chapter end): 46, 56, 60, 68, 70, 76, 84, 88, 98, 108
- Nucleic acids
- Textbook readings: Chapter 15 (resources)
- Suggested textbook exercises (see chapter end): 32, 34, 37, 48, 52, 54, 66, 74, 82
Week 5
- Carbohydrates
- Textbook readings: Chapter 12 (resources)
- Suggested textbook exercises (see chapter end): 37, 40, 44, 52, 56, 60, 64, 66, 70
- Complete major learning assessment 2 (Covers chapters 10–12, 15 of Guinn textbook) [KEY]
Week 6
- Lipids
- Textbook readings: Chapter 13 (resources)
- Suggested textbook exercises (see chapter end): 34, 38, 46, 64, 70, 78, 81, 90, 91
Week 7
- Nuclear chemistry
- Textbook readings: Chapter 16 (resources)
- Suggested textbook exercises (see chapter end): 38, 44, 49, 56, 66, 71, 86, 90
- Complete Final Exam (Faculty proctored; covers chapters 5–16 of Guinn textbook)
- Hydrocarbons