General Chemistry Series

UC Davis students work in groups during a Chemistry 2B lab at UC Davis on Monday, May 5, 2014. The students were looking for chemical equilibrium using observational color shifts.
The CHE 3 (Chemistry for Life Sciences) and CHE 103 (Organic Chemistry for Life Sciences) series will not be offered in the 2018-19 academic year. Students who took classes in one of these series last year (2017-18) or who were planning to take classes in them this year should consult their major advisers for academic options to satisfy degree requirements.

Placement Requirement

All students who register in CHE 2A, CHE 2AH, or CHE 3A are required to satisfy the Chemistry Placement Requirement. Students who do not satisfy the placement requirement to remain enrolled in general chemistry will be administratively dropped from the course by the Department of Chemistry no matter what anyone else, including an adviser or an instructor, may tell you.

The Student Academic Success Center provides review materials, workshops, drop-in and group tutoring, and additional resources. For a quarterly listing of graduate student tutors, see Tutors in Chemistry

Laboratory Section

All students enrolled in chemistry lab courses are required to follow the safety rules. These rules are mandatory and expected from all students at all times, including the FIRST DAY of lab. Please familiarize yourself with the information before your first scheduled lab.

Of special note is the required safety apparel:

  • ANSI-compliant, indirectly-vented, chemical splash safety goggles 
  • 100% cotton lab coat
  • Closed-toe, closed-heel shoes
  • Clothing that completely covers your arms and legs

Students are also required to have a current lab manual. Manuals are provided below in PDF form for viewing and downloading. They are also available for purchase at the UC Davis Bookstore.

Safety goggles and lab coats are available for purchase at the UC Davis Bookstore. As a part of our "Green Lab" initiative, your lab coat and goggles may be donated at the end of the quarter to be washed and sold at a reduced rate. We encourage you to buy used when available.

Course Materials