CHEM 3AGeneral Chemistry
The first course in UCSC's three-quarter introductory chemistry series. Topics in this quarter include atomic theory and structure, the periodic table, chemical bonding, molecules and their structure, intramolecular forces, and chemical reactions and stoichiometry.
Prerequisite(s): previous or concurrent enrollment in MATH 2 or higher, or a math placement (MP) score of 200 or higher. Students cannot enroll in CHEM 3A after receiving a 'C' or better in CHEM 1B.
- If you completed the prerequisites but get an error message: UCSC Students contact department for approval to enroll - chemistryadvising@ucsc.edu. Provide proof of prerequisite material.
- Visiting Students: Prerequisite review is waived in the summer—email summer@ucsc.edu with any enrollment issues.
- If this class is a prerequisite for a Session 2 course you want to take, email summer@ucsc.edu for a permission number anytime after you enroll.
Find a section and add it to your scheduleLive seat counts, time-conflict checks and the walk from your previous class.
When it runs
Winter 2027Open Winter 2027
| Section | Type | When | Where | Instructor | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Lecture | Tue Thu 9:50am–11:25am | Kresge Acad 3105 | C. M. Brison | Open 0/600 |
Fall 2026Open Fall 2026
| Section | Type | When | Where | Instructor | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Lecture | Mon Wed Fri 8:00am–9:05am | Kresge Acad 3105 | P. S. Weiss | Open 65/600 |
| 02 | Lecture | Mon Wed Fri 2:40pm–3:45pm | Kresge Acad 3105 | A. R. Johnston | Open 200/600 |
| 03 | Lecture | Tue Thu 5:20pm–6:55pm | Media Theater M110 | C. M. Brison | Open 73/200 |
Summer 2026Open Summer 2026
| Section | Type | When | Where | Instructor | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Lecture | Mon Wed Fri 9:00am–11:30am | Online | C. M. Brison | Open 92/100 |
| 02 | Lecture | Mon Wed Fri 1:00pm–3:30pm | Online | J. L. Ruiz Gonzalez | Open 39/100 |
Spring 2026Open Spring 2026
| Section | Type | When | Where | Instructor | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Lecture | Tue Thu 9:50am–11:25am | Thim Lecture 003 | G. L. Millhauser | Open 219/224 |
Winter 2026Open Winter 2026
| Section | Type | When | Where | Instructor | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Lecture | Tue Thu 9:50am–11:25am | Kresge Acad 3105 | G. L. Millhauser | Open 530/544 |
Fall 2025Open Fall 2025
| Section | Type | When | Where | Instructor | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Lecture | Mon Wed Fri 9:20am–10:25am | Kresge Acad 3105 | A. A. Eroy-Reveles, A. R. Johnston | Open 594/600 |
| 02 | Lecture | Mon Wed Fri 10:40am–11:45am | Kresge Acad 3105 | A. A. Eroy-Reveles, A. R. Johnston | Open 536/566 |
Who teaches it
| Instructor | Rating | Difficulty | Would take again | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caileen Brison | 4.0 / 5 | 3.1 / 5 | 76% | 45 |
| Peter Weiss | 4.2 / 5 | 2.7 / 5 | 87% | 125 |
| Anna Johnston | 4.8 / 5 | 2.5 / 5 | 100% | 15 |
| Glenn Millhauser | 4.2 / 5 | 3.3 / 5 | 90% | 105 |
From RateMyProfessors, which is student-submitted and not a survey. Small review counts move a long way on one bad quarter.
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