Description
All students planning to take any chemistry course at the University of Minnesota should take the chemistry placement exam. This test covers material at the high school level and is designed to evaluate the student’s readiness to start in a college level chemistry course. Satisfactory performance (a score of 18 or higher) will allow the student to begin with Chem 1021. A score of 17 or lower will require the student to begin the chemistry sequence with Chem 1011 or 1015. Students who have had high school chemistry and have not taken the chemistry placement test are able to register for Chem 1011 or 1015.

Background in high school chemistry
Chem 1011 is intended for students with a basic knowledge of chemistry and is taught at a slower pace. Chem 1011 is not intended to replace high school chemistry, which is the prerequisite for all introductory courses. Students who have not had chemistry in high school should complete GC 1166- Principles of Chemistry, or a course equivalent to high school chemistry.

Math background for chemistry
Research by the chemistry department has indicated a correlation between a weak background in mathematics (specifically algebra) and failure to complete general chemistry with satisfactory grades. When there is any question about a student’s math preparation, the student should be encouraged to complete a math course before beginning chemistry. Depending on placement and the student’s major goals, this math course should be GC 0731, Math 1051, Math 1151, or Math 1031.

Placement Exam
A chemistry placement exam is available online at http://onestop.umn.edu/placement. To sign on for the test, students will need to use the username and password sent to them with their orientation materials or contact the CLA Student Information Office to be assigned a username (the username is not the student’s x500 internet ID). Calculators may be used during the test. Students cannot qualify for credit by taking this exam. The test may only be taken once.

Chem 1021 is available to students who score an 18 or higher on the test. Students with a 17 or lower who have had high school chemistry should take Chem 1011. Students with no high school chemistry should be placed into GC 1166. The chemistry department strictly enforces these prerequisites as well as the mandatory first day attendance policy.

New High School Students
NHS students who take the chemistry placement exam in a reasonable amount of time before their orientation date will have a course recommendation on their placement report. Results for students who take the test after their placement reports have been printed will be available to advisers.

New Advanced Standing Students
NAS student orientation records will not contain chemistry placement information. Many NAS students will be placed into appropriate UM chemistry courses on the basis of chemistry preparation completed at their previous schools. For equivalences, check the IT transfer guide.

Testing for placement above and credit for general chemistry
The chemistry department offers a test that can be used to grant credit for general chemistry. Only students with a strong background in chemistry should be referred to take the exam. Advisers may confer with staff at the General Chemistry Program Office before referring students to take the exam for credit. If a referral for an exam to grant credit is appropriate, adviser should use the Request for Special Exam form. A fee will be assessed.

Related Information
Orientation

First Day Attendance Policy

The Chemistry Department

IT Transfer Guide