Chemistry

at

Contra Costa College

Model of zingerone

The Chemistry Curriculum.
The Department.
Chemistry Facilities.
Major Instrumentation.
Contra Costa College.
Center for Science Excellence.
Contact information.

Models of single stranded DNA, and of a 'buckyball' -- buckminsterfullerene


The Chemistry Curriculum

The CCC chemistry program serves a number of functions. We offer both courses for those without prior background in chemistry, and more advanced courses for those going into scientific and technical careers. Chemistry is important not just for chemists, but also for nursing and premedical students, biologists, environmental scientists, biochemists, pharmacists, and engineers. Chemistry can also be significant for those who simply want to learn more about the nature of our physical surroundings and how they function. Chemistry is an experimental and observational science; laboratories are an important part of all of our courses.

CHEM 119
Introductory Chemistry
An introduction to chemistry; no prior chemistry background is assumed. Most students should start their study of chemistry here. Students who have recently done well in a high school chemistry course may skip Chem 119.

Offered every semester, including summer; an evening section is usually available in the Fall and Spring.
CHEM 109
Introductory Organic and Biochemistry
This course is at about the same level as Chem 119. It is required by some programs in nursing and other health sciences or environmental sciences. It is required by the CCC Biotechnology program. It may also be useful as a preview of Chem 226-227.

Suggested prerequisite: Chem 119 or 120.

Usually offered in the Spring.
CHEM 120 -
CHEM 121
General College Chemistry.
Commonly known as Freshman Chemistry, or Chem 1. It is required for majors in most fields of science and engineering. (Some programs may require only one semester.)

Suggested prerequisite for Chem 120: Chem 119 or high school chemistry.

The Chem 120-121 sequence is usually offered Fall-Spring (including an evening section) and Spring-Summer.
CHEM 220
Quantitative Analysis.
An advanced lab course. Principles and applications of "wet chemical" and instrumental analysis (includes GC-MS and AAS). Required for an AS and Bachelor's degree in chemistry or biochemistry, and for graduate programs such as clinical sciences, pharmacy and dentistry. The extensive practical experience enhances employment possibilities.

Prerequisite: Chem 121.

Usually offered in the Fall or Summer, but offering depends on enrollment.
CHEM 226 -
CHEM 227
Organic Chemistry
A standard "sophomore organic" course for science majors. Organic chemistry deals with the compounds of carbon, which comprise the vast majority of known substances. The first semester develops organic structures, reactions and experimental techniques. The second semester looks at more complex systems, especially the various classes of biomolecules.

Minimum prerequisite: Chem 120.

The Chem 226-227 sequence is offered Fall-Spring.
CHEM 298
Independent Study in Chemistry
Special projects.

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The Department

Full-Time Faculty:

Thuy Dang
(B.S., University of Utah; Ph.D., University of Colorado at Boulder)
tdang@contracosta.edu

 
Joseph Ledbetter
(B.S. and Ph.D., University of California at Davis)
jledbetter@contracosta.edu
Dr. Ledbetter's Home Page
Leverett Smith
(B.A., University of California at Santa Cruz; Ph.D., Cornell University)
LeverettSmith@contracosta.edu
Dr. Smith's Home Page
Adjunct Faculty:    

Andrew Ho
            (B.S., University of Illinois; Ph.D., Ohio State University)

William Michaely
            (B.S., University of Illinois; Ph.D., Indiana University)

Kofi Opong-Mensah
            (B.S., University of Science and Technology [Kumasi]; M.S., Ph.D., University of Wisconsin)

Setiati Sidharta
            (B.S., California State University, Stanislaus; Ph.D., University of California at Davis)

Vernon Small
            (B.S., University of New Hampshire, Ph.D., Stanford University)

Ngoc Tran
            (B.S., San Francisco State University; MS and Ph.D., University of California, San Diego)

 
Department Staff:
Devinder Johl
(B.S. and B.Ed., Panjab University; M.S., Vikram University)

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Chemistry Facilities

The chemistry department is located in the physical sciences building. In addition to classrooms, laboratories and offices, the department has instrumentation rooms, a computer room, stockroom and chemical storage building. The science/math computer laboratory is in the same building, along with study and tutorial areas.

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Major Instrumentation

Perkin-Elmer Paragon 500 Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer

Anasazi EFT-60 multinuclear Fourier-transform nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer

Hitachi R-1200 nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer

Varian Saturn 2000 gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer

Perkin-Elmer AAnalyst 100 Atomic Absorption Spectrometer

TopoMetrix Atomic Force Microscope

UV/Visible and Visible Spectrometers, including an Ocean Optics UV/VIS CD spectrometer

Gas chromatographs and high pressure liquid chromatograph

 


Contra Costa College

Contra Costa College (CCC) is a comprehensive community college located in San Pablo, California, several miles north of Berkeley, bordering Richmond and easily accessible from Interstate 80. Programs include traditional academic college courses, vocational classes, health sciences, arts, drama and music. The culinary arts program runs a popular campus restaurant. CCC was established in 1949 as the first of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District.

Academic courses at CCC are accepted for transfer credit by the University of California, the California State University, and other universities and colleges. CCC is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Program accreditations include the California Board of Registered Nursing and the American Dental Association.

For more information about the College, visit the College home page http://www.contracosta.edu

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Center for Science Excellence

The Center for Science Excellence (CSE) is a program within the Division of Natural and Applied Sciences for promoting science education. CSE provides financial assistance and mentoring for science students planning to transfer to four year colleges.

For more information about the Center for Science Excellence, visit the CSE home page http://www.contracosta.edu/cse/

 

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Contact information

Department of Chemistry
Contra Costa College
2600 Mission Bell Drive
San Pablo, CA 94806

Phone: (510) 235-7800, ext. 4389 or 4271

FAX: (510) 234-3282

tdang@contracosta.edu
LeverettSmith@contracosta.edu
jledbetter@contracosta.edu

For more information about the Chemistry Department and programs, see the Contra Costa College 2006-07 catalog.

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This page is maintained by jledbetter@contracosta.edu

Comments: CCC Web Administrator

Last update:May 12, 2006