What to Expect from Online Chemistry Courses
When deciding whether to enroll in online college chemistry courses, it can be helpful to find out about the general format of these courses, the lab component options, and the possible subject areas. Students interested in online chemistry courses can find distance-learning options at two-year community colleges and four-year universities. Some online courses in this area of study may be offered to satisfy general education degree requirements or undergraduate major coursework. In other cases, these classes may be provided to distance learners who aren't seeking college credit but just want to build their chemistry knowledge. Options like this are often delivered through schools' continuing education departments or open access programs.
Many online chemistry courses/classes combine coursework with mandatory lab work designed to provide students with hands-on experience. Colleges integrate required assignments or lessons with online or on-campus lab assignments. Online components are typically delivered in an asynchronous manner, which enables the student to attend class at a convenient time and location. Proctored examinations may also be required, which could take place on campus or at an approved facility in the student's area.
Lab Components
An online course in chemistry with lab components gives distance learners an interactive way to understand the material. There are three formats in which online students may complete lab requirements, depending on the course.
- On-campus labs may be included in a hybrid or blended learning format that combines online coursework with onsite lab work.
- Online labs may be required for online chemistry courses that do not have an onsite component.
- Hands-on labs conducted at home are another option available to students of all-online chemistry courses and may require the purchase of a lab kit.
Online science lab classes are completed by logging on to a school's virtual classroom environment to view lessons, introductory material, and instructions for the lab experiment or activity. When working on virtual labs, students use online simulations, often featuring a click and drag interface, while logging the observations and results.
Lab kits purchased for a chemistry simulation online typically contain lab manuals, activity supplies, and safety equipment. Class message boards or chat rooms may be available to allow students and instructors to discuss the activities and reinforce the material.
Technology Requirements
In order to participate in online science courses with lab components, students need to have basic digital literacy skills, such as being comfortable sending emails and using the internet. In addition, they need to have access to certain computer hardware and software. For instance, those in lab simulations need to make sure that the version of their web browser is compatible with the simulation or that they have downloaded the software necessary to run the program. At the most basic level, success in an online chemistry course requires access to a computer with the following features:
- A recent Windows, Mac, or Linux operating system
- A certain amount of RAM
- High-speed internet access
- Antivirus software
- Office programs for word documents and spreadsheets
- Speakers/headphones
- Webcam
- CD/DVD drive
Online Chemistry Course Topics
Prospective online students can find courses in general chemistry that are aimed at science majors as well as non-science majors. There are also courses available in a variety of chemistry subfields. Some of the options include:
- Organic chemistry
- Inorganic chemistry
- Environmental chemistry
- Technology and energy resources
- Computer applications for chemistry
- Chemistry of batteries and supercapacitors
- Biological chemistry
- Chemistry of living systems
Individuals who are interested in online chemistry courses can find courses that include on-campus labs and courses where lab components are facilitated through online simulation of a chemistry lab or at-home kits.
Where Can I Find Online Chemistry Classes?
Online chemistry courses are available from private and public universities and community colleges, as well as open-access learning sites. Check institution websites or platforms such as edX and Coursera for classes that match your interests and needs. Some courses are outlined below.
University of England Online
The University of England offers their chemistry lab class and lecture as separate components, so students can choose to take one or the other, or both together. Classes are self-paced, and the lab uses the hands-on, at-home model. This requires the purchase of additional materials. Topics covered include:
- The scientific method
- Fundamental properties of matter
- Basic quantum mechanic principles
- Safe use of basic scientific equipment
Georgia College
The Survey of Chemistry I and II courses require a high school chemistry class to have been completed prior to enrollment. These options are not self-paced and will have due dates assigned by the instructor like a regular college course. Off-site lab work must be completed alongside the courses to receive credit. Students will learn about:
- Elements and compounds
- Molecular geometry
- Chemical equations
- Organic biochemistry
Johns Hopkins
The online AP Chemistry course offered by Johns Hopkins is open to high school students who have completed Algebra I and have achieved advanced math scores on an approved test. Lecture videos may be watched, and at-home labs completed, on the student's own schedule. Lab kit and access to the textbook must be purchased. Covered topics include:
- The periodic table
- Chemical reactions
- Kinetics
- Electrochemistry
SUNY Empire State College
Chemistry I can be taken on an individual basis or as part of a degree program. It requires the purchase of a kit for its lab component and covers material such as:
- Principles of chemistry
- Periodic properties
- Chemical bonding
- Stoichiometry
Oregon State University
Oregon State offers both General and Organic chemistry courses online. Some courses include online or mail-order labs, while others require an in-person, on-campus component. Some courses without on-campus lab requirements include:
- General Chemistry for non-science majors
- ROYGBIV: The Chemistry of Colors
- General Chemistry of Living Systems
- General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry
UC Berkeley
A free, non-credit-granting chemistry course is hosted online by UC Berkeley, with lessons based on the university's for-credit General Chemistry course. There is no lab component, but demonstrations are included in some of the lessons. The 13-module course covers a range of material, including:
- The periodic table
- Chemical reactions
- Thermochemistry
- Chemical kinetics
