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Associate in Science, Emphasis in Chemistry

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

Field of Interest
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Degree 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 2025
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

This emphasis is intended to align with the degree requirements for the following transfer partners:

ASU (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Chemistry, BS

GCU, Chemistry, BS

NAU, Chemistry (Advanced Chemistry Emphasis), BS

Refer to the for more information: , , .

Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges.

What You'll Learn
  • 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 Statistics

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 Arizona-based 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.

Chemical Engineers
$132,450
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
$42,540
Chemical Technicians
$54,180
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
$77,080
Chemists
$83,410
Materials Scientists
$79,740

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources.

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 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.

Full-time Sequence

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.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
( and
) or
or
( and
) or
 ( and ) or or ( and ) or 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
or
 or Critical course FYC or FYC 3
or
 or Critical course OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area for which is a prerequisite. MA or MA 4–5
or
 or 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
( and
) or
 ( and ) or SQ in combo w/ CHM152LL and SQ in combo w/ CHM152 or SQ 4
or
 or FYC or FYC 3
or
 or MA or MA 4–5
SQ 4
L 0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
3
1
or
 or MA or MA 4–5
SQ 4
and
 and 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
3
1
and
 and HU and C 3
or
or
 or or SB or SB or SB 3
( and
) or
( and
)		 ( and ) or ( and ) G or SB and H 3

Part-time Sequence

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.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
( and
) or
or
( and
) or
 ( and ) or or ( and ) or 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
or
 or Critical course FYC or FYC 3
or
 or 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
( and
) or
 ( and ) or SQ in combo w/ CHM152LL and SQ in combo w/ CHM152 or SQ 4
or
 or FYC or FYC 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
 or Critical course OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area for which is a prerequisite. MA or MA 4–5
and
 and 3
L 0–3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
 or MA or MA 4–5
SQ 4

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
3
1
or
 or MA or MA 4–5

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
and
 and HU and C 3
SQ 4

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
3
1
or
or
 or or SB or SB or SB 3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
( and
) or
( and
)		 ( and ) or ( and ) G or SB and H 3

General Electives

Select additional courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits but no more than a total of 64 semester credits. Consult with a faculty advisor, program director, and/or academic advisor to identify coursework that best aligns with academic and professional goals.

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
  • 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
  • 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.

View MCCCD’s for additional details regarding the requirements of this award .

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, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

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.