Field of Interest
The Associate in Science (AS), Emphasis in Chemistry provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who wish to specialize in chemistry or are preparing for graduate programs in the area. With an associate's degree, students may qualify as a chemical technician or chemical equipment operator and tender. With a bachelor's degree, students may pursue a career as a chemist, chemical engineer, or materials scientist. Upon completion of a graduate degree, students may pursue a career as a chemistry professor.
Details
Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:
- Field of Interest
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
- Type
- Associate in Science (AS)
- Academic Plan
- Associate in Science, Emphasis in Chemistry (DEG)
- Academic Plan Code
- 8603
- Total Credits Required
- 60-64
- Catalog Year
- 2025-2026
- Effective Term
- Fall 2024
- Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges to earn a degree with this emphasis.
What You’ll Learn
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Construct qualitative and quantitative models to draw conclusions concerning physical and chemical phenomena.
- Using a fundamental understanding of scientific inquiry, solve problems within the discipline of chemistry.
- Design experiments and collect data, using appropriate technology and equipment.
- Analyze and interpret data, using technology as appropriate.
- Report data, results, and analysis and the experimental processes used to generate those data in formal and informal settings.
- Design a procedure that promotes safety and manages risk in a laboratory setting.
- Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior appropriate to the chemistry discipline.
- Analyze real world problems and synthesize real world solutions applying chemistry theory and principles.
- Collaborate with diverse individuals and groups to solve problems.
- Effectively communicate in an articulate, respectful, ethical and culturally responsive manner.
- Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.
Career Opportunities
With a major in chemistry, you’ll build a foundation that’s vital for solving issues in agriculture, energy, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and other problems that face our world. A chemistry degree can be the first step toward a career in medicine, manufacturing, research, or education.
Successful completion of this degree may lead to
employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related
occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for
this degree. Education requirements vary for the
occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some
of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program
director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding
education level, wages, and employment information.
Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$77.02
Annual Median Wage
$160,216
Number of People Employed
67
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 38.8 %
Operate or tend equipment to control chemical changes or reactions in the processing of industrial or consumer products. Equipment used includes devulcanizers, steam-jacketed kettles, and reactor vessels.
Typical Education Level
a high school diploma or less
Hourly Median Wage
$18.97
Annual Median Wage
$39,470
Number of People Employed
1,061
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 16.7 %
Conduct chemical and physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative and quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, and gaseous materials for research and development of new products or processes, quality control, maintenance of environmental standards, and other work involving experimental, theoretical, or practical application of chemistry and related sciences.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$29.72
Annual Median Wage
$61,824
Number of People Employed
318
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 18.6 %
Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$29.55
Annual Median Wage
$61,465
Number of People Employed
545
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 21.5 %
Research and study the structures and chemical properties of various natural and synthetic or composite materials, including metals, alloys, rubber, ceramics, semiconductors, polymers, and glass. Determine ways to strengthen or combine materials or develop new materials with new or specific properties for use in a variety of products and applications. Includes glass scientists, ceramic scientists, metallurgical scientists, and polymer scientists.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$36.11
Annual Median Wage
$75,127
Number of People Employed
80
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 13.8 %
Teach courses pertaining to the chemical and physical properties and compositional changes of substances. Work may include providing instruction in the methods of qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Typical Education Level
a Doctoral degree or more
Hourly Median Wage
$35.06
Annual Median Wage
$72,944
Annual Job Openings
2,879
Number of People Employed
26,552
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 13.3 %
* Career and wage information provided by Lightcast using data,
reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Lightcast’s
proprietary analytical processes. Lightcast’s data covers multiple classes of workers
including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed. Disclaimer
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Pathway Map Options
There are multiple options available for this pathway map.
These options vary depending on the available transfer institutions and what degrees you may be able to transfer into.
These pathway map options may share some common coursework. To explore what additional coursework
may be required, select your desired option from the list below. Once selected, the list of
courses and any associated details will be automatically updated in the course sequence below.
The differences between individual pathway map options may only be a few courses.
The list of courses below has been updated
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
| Awareness Areas |
- In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below,
students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise
met by other program requirements:
- Cultural [C] and
- Global [G] or Historical [H]
-
Students are strongly encouraged to visit
with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all
graduation requirements.
|
No additional coursework is required to transfer to Northern Arizona University.
Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device,
some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this
page on a device with a larger screen.
A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
| Course Number |
Course Name |
Requisites |
Notes |
Area |
Credits |
(CHM150 and
CHM151LL) or
CHM150AA or
(CHM151 and
CHM151LL) or
CHM151AA |
(General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or General Chemistry I or (General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or General Chemistry I with Lab |
Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or one year of high school chemistry taken within the last five years] and (a grade of C or better in MAT151 or higher level mathematics course, or satisfactory score on placement exam), or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. and Prerequisites or Corequisites: CHM150 or CHM151. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or one year of high school chemistry taken within the last five years] and (a grade of C or better in MAT151 or higher level mathematics course, or satisfactory score on placement exam), or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: C or better in [(CHM130 & CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or 1 yr of high school chemistry taken within the last 5 yrs] & C or better in MAT151 or higher or satisfactory score on placemt exam, or permission of the Instructor or Dept or Div Chair. and Prerequisites or Corequisites: CHM150 or CHM151. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or one year of high school chemistry taken within the last five years] and (a grade of C or better in MAT151 or higher level mathematics course, or satisfactory placement), or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair.View requisites |
|
SQ and SQ in combo w/ CHM150 or CHM151 or SQ or SQ and SQ in combo w/ CHM150 or CHM151 or SQ |
4–5 |
ENG101 or
ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL |
Prerequisites: Writing placement or (C/ better in ESL097 or WAC101) or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C/better in ESL097 or WAC101),or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 and Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).View requisites |
Critical course
|
FYC or FYC |
3 |
| SB |
Social and Behavioral Sciences |
|
|
|
3 |
MAT220 or
MAT221 |
Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I |
Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT187, or MAT188, or an appropriate District placement. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT187, or an appropriate District placement.View requisites |
Critical course
OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area for which MAT22+ is a prerequisite.
|
MA or MA |
4–5 |
FYE101 or
FYE103 |
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success |
|
|
|
1–3 |
A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
| Course Number |
Course Name |
Requisites |
Notes |
Area |
Credits |
(CHM152 and
CHM152LL) or
CHM152AA |
(General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory) or General Chemistry II |
Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM150 or CHM151) and CHM151LL], or CHM150AA, or CHM151AA, or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. and Prerequisites or Corequisites: CHM152. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM150 or CHM151) and CHM151LL], or CHM150AA, or CHM151AA, or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair.View requisites |
|
SQ and SQ in combo w/ CHM152 or None |
4 |
| CRE101 |
College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking |
Prerequisites: (A grade of C or better in ENG101 or ENG107) and (appropriate reading placement test score or a grade of C or better in RDG095 or RDG100 or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or permission of Instructor).View requisites |
|
L |
0–3 |
ENG102 or
ENG108 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL |
Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.View requisites |
|
FYC or FYC |
3 |
MAT230 or
MAT231 |
Calculus with Analytic Geometry II or Calculus with Analytic Geometry II |
Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT220, or MAT221, or equivalent. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT220, or MAT221, or equivalent.View requisites |
|
MA or MA |
4–5 |
PHY115 or
PHY121 |
University Physics I or University Physics I: Mechanics |
Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or one year of high school chemistry taken within the last five years] and (a grade of C or better in MAT151 or higher level mathematics course, or satisfactory score on placement exam), or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT220 or MAT221 or permission of Department or Division. One year of High School physics or PHY111 and PHY112 suggested but not required.View requisites |
|
|
4–5 |
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
| Awareness Areas |
- In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below,
students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise
met by other program requirements:
- Cultural [C] and
- Global [G] or Historical [H]
-
Students are strongly encouraged to visit
with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all
graduation requirements.
|
No additional coursework is required to transfer to Northern Arizona University.
Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device,
some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this
page on a device with a larger screen.
A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
| Course Number |
Course Name |
Requisites |
Notes |
Area |
Credits |
(CHM150 and
CHM151LL) or
CHM150AA or
(CHM151 and
CHM151LL) or
CHM151AA |
(General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or General Chemistry I or (General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or General Chemistry I |
No requisites and Prerequisites or Corequisites: CHM150 or CHM151. or Prerequisites: C or better in [(CHM130 & CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or 1 yr of high school chemistry taken within the last 5 yrs] & C or better in MAT151 or higher or satisfactory score on placement exam or permission of the Instructor or Dept or Div Chair. or Prerequisites: C or better in [(CHM130 & CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or 1 yr of high school chemistry taken within the last 5 yrs] & C or better in MAT151 or higher or satisfactory score on placemt exam, or permission of the Instructor or Dept or Div Chair. and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CHM150 or CHM151 or Corequisites: CHM150 or CHM151 or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or one year of high school chemistry taken within the last five years] and (a grade of C or better in MAT151 or higher level mathematics course, or satisfactory score on placement exam), or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair.View requisites |
|
SQ in combo w/ CHM150 or CHM151 or SQ or SQ or None |
3–5 |
| CRE101 |
College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking |
Prerequisites: (A grade of C or better in ENG101 or ENG107) and (appropriate reading placement test score or a grade of C or better in RDG095 or RDG100 or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or permission of Instructor).View requisites |
|
L |
0–3 |
| Transfer Option |
|
|
|
|
|
Pathway Map Option Details
No pathway map option has been selected. Please select from the pathway
map options listed above.
Ready to get started?
Follow one of the options below to get started on your personal career pathway.
Click here for MCC’s easy-to-use Enrollment Steps.
Learn more about and find contact information for the Chemistry program.
Ask general questions over the phone at 480-461-7400 or via online chat.
Course Area Key
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
- C = Cultural Diversity in the US
- CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
- FYC = First Year Composition
- G = Global Awareness
- H = Historical Awareness
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
- L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
- MA = Mathematics
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
- SG = Natural Sciences General
- SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Disclaimer
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, meet with an academic advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm10?id=190004).
Previous Catalog Years
The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.
Previous catalog years for Associate in Science (AS) in Associate in Science, Emphasis in Chemistry
