Introduction to Organic Chemistry I

This course is a prerequisite for Introduction to Organic Chemistry II at GOA. The purpose of the course is to teach organic chemistry content and to prepare students for organic chemistry at the collegiate level. This course dives into mechanisms and reaction types that make up all living things on this planet, carbon chemistry.

From a content perspective, this course introduces the magnificent world of complex molecules, their properties, reactions, and applications. Understanding the properties, and appreciating the incredible organic world we live in, is the key to understanding how to address some of the most challenging problems that we face today and in the future.

This course also helps students build their problem-solving and pattern-recognition skills so that when students take organic chemistry at the collegiate level they will be prepared to “speak” the language. At the collegiate level, introductory organic chemistry is oftentimes a challenging course for many students entering pre-health programs of study or science majors getting their prereqs taken care of.

Organic Chemistry I focuses on the “language of organic chemistry.” Students learn to predict electron movement for organic reactions. They focus on molecular structure (i.e. bond angles, shapes, polarity, and resonance), basic nomenclature, and prediction of electron movement.

This course is the first in a two-part series. Organic Chemistry I is offered in Semester 1 and Organic Chemistry II is offered in Semester 2. While it is possible to take only this first course, we recommend signing up for both semester courses.

Students in GOA courses will need reliable access to a computer with webcam/microphone connections, an email address (preferably school-based), a Web-conferencing app (GOA courses use Zoom), and a Word processing app (GOA courses use Google’s G Suite). When necessary, alternative arrangements may be made. Some courses require additional materials which can be found here.

NCAA-approved course

UC-approved course

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