General Chemistry I with Lab
CHEM-X400.07
Gain an Introduction to General Chemistry
This course covers introductory concepts that will be important to future studies. Topics include atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonding, basic reactions, stoichiometry, and states of matter. Problem-solving is an important part of this course. Students gain hands-on laboratory experience with instrumentation, data analysis, and observation skills using an at home lab kit. This course is designed for biology, premedical, prenursing, preclinical and prehealth students.
Learning Objectives
- Gain an understanding of the global connections between chemical cycles and human activities
- Know how chemical theories are applied to understand and model global processes
- Understand how global relations affect the flow of chemical systems in the environment inways that impact your life and the lives of others
- Explain how chemistry impacts human life
Course Format
This course is offered in an online asynchronous format. There are no set meeting times, however, students follow a weekly schedule and there will be deadlines to meet in terms of course requirements. This course cannot be completed at an accelerated rate.
Course Developer
Transferring for College Credit
Many UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies courses may transfer to other institutions for college credit. We recommend contacting your intended institution's registrar's office before enrolling to confirm transfer eligibility.
About the Textbook
About the Lab Component
Don't Need the Lab Component?
If you are looking for a course without the lab component, please see CHEM-40006: General Chemistry I
Course Information
Course sessions
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
Mastering Chemistry with Pearson eText Access Code for Introductory Chemistry 7th
by Nivaldo Tro
ISBN / ASIN: 9780135592144
You may purchase textbooks via the UC San Diego Bookstore.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 8/10/2026
Note:
Schedule:
Instructors:
Tobey Tam
Tobey Tam, Ph.D., has a background in the fields of biotechnology patents, computation biology, and health care. She prosecuted biological, biochemical, and medical device patents in local law firms and in a biotech company. She also holds a California teaching credential and has taught a variety of science and health care courses at the college level for over ten years and has taught at UCSD, CSUSM, and the San Diego Community Colleges. She received her Ph.D. in biology from UCSD and conducted her post-doctoral research at the San Diego Supercomputer Center. When she is not working, she enjoys nature by visiting the state parks.
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
All course materials are included unless otherwise stated.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 8/31/2026
Note:
Schedule:
Instructors:
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Vagarshak Begoyan
During his graduate training, he gained experience teaching undergraduate general and organic chemistry labs and lectures. In his professional work, Vagarshak applies organic chemistry principles to the design and synthesis of complex biomolecules, with particular expertise in nucleoside and nucleotide chemistry, reaction design, and synthetic problem-solving. His teaching approach emphasizes building a strong conceptual understanding of reaction mechanisms and reactivity, while connecting course material to real-world applications.
He believes chemistry becomes more approachable when broken down into clear, intuitive steps, and encourages students to actively engage with the material through practice and discussion. Outside of teaching and research, he enjoys reading fantasy and science fiction, playing board games and Dungeons & Dragons, spending time outdoors, and woodworking.
Tobey Tam
Tobey Tam, Ph.D., has a background in the fields of biotechnology patents, computation biology, and health care. She prosecuted biological, biochemical, and medical device patents in local law firms and in a biotech company. She also holds a California teaching credential and has taught a variety of science and health care courses at the college level for over ten years and has taught at UCSD, CSUSM, and the San Diego Community Colleges. She received her Ph.D. in biology from UCSD and conducted her post-doctoral research at the San Diego Supercomputer Center. When she is not working, she enjoys nature by visiting the state parks.
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
Mastering Chemistry with Pearson eText Access Code for Introductory Chemistry 7th
by Nivaldo Tro
ISBN / ASIN: 9780135592144
You may purchase textbooks via the UC San Diego Bookstore.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 9/21/2026
Note:
Schedule:
Instructor:
Tobey Tam
Tobey Tam, Ph.D., has a background in the fields of biotechnology patents, computation biology, and health care. She prosecuted biological, biochemical, and medical device patents in local law firms and in a biotech company. She also holds a California teaching credential and has taught a variety of science and health care courses at the college level for over ten years and has taught at UCSD, CSUSM, and the San Diego Community Colleges. She received her Ph.D. in biology from UCSD and conducted her post-doctoral research at the San Diego Supercomputer Center. When she is not working, she enjoys nature by visiting the state parks.
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
Mastering Chemistry with Pearson eText Access Code for Introductory Chemistry 7th
by Nivaldo Tro
ISBN / ASIN: 9780135592144
You may purchase textbooks via the UC San Diego Bookstore.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 9/21/2026
Note:
Schedule:
Instructor:
Tobey Tam
Tobey Tam, Ph.D., has a background in the fields of biotechnology patents, computation biology, and health care. She prosecuted biological, biochemical, and medical device patents in local law firms and in a biotech company. She also holds a California teaching credential and has taught a variety of science and health care courses at the college level for over ten years and has taught at UCSD, CSUSM, and the San Diego Community Colleges. She received her Ph.D. in biology from UCSD and conducted her post-doctoral research at the San Diego Supercomputer Center. When she is not working, she enjoys nature by visiting the state parks.
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
Textbook 1.) Mastering Chemistry with Pearson eText Access Code for Introductory Chemistry 7th, Author: Nivaldo Tro, ISBN: 9780135592144.
Policies:
Withdrawal End Date:
Note:
Schedule:
Instructors:
Tobey Tam
Tobey Tam, Ph.D., has a background in the fields of biotechnology patents, computation biology, and health care. She prosecuted biological, biochemical, and medical device patents in local law firms and in a biotech company. She also holds a California teaching credential and has taught a variety of science and health care courses at the college level for over ten years and has taught at UCSD, CSUSM, and the San Diego Community Colleges. She received her Ph.D. in biology from UCSD and conducted her post-doctoral research at the San Diego Supercomputer Center. When she is not working, she enjoys nature by visiting the state parks.
Erick Ellis
Erick Ellis is a Synthetic Organic Chemist. He has a PhD in Synthetic Organic Chemistry from Jackson State University in 2010. Erick has over 17 years of experience teaching and tutoring Chemistry, conducting research, working as a lab manager, and working in regulatory affairs.
As a Chemistry Professor, Erick has taught various courses (Organic and General Chemistry Lectures and Laboratories, and Introduction to Chemistry Lecture).
As a Laboratory Technical Manager, Erick coordinated Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Workshops and managed the NMR and EPR Core Laboratories. He trained more than 200 people on various NMR and EPR instruments usage.
As a Synthetic Organic Chemist Graduate Student, Erick led and assisted on the Novel Methods of Spiroisoxazolines Synthesis Research Project. He designed a new synthetic method to produce alkenes and creating 8 novel Spiroisoxazolines.
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
Textbook 1.) Mastering Chemistry with Pearson eText Access Code for Introductory Chemistry 7th, Author: Nivaldo Tro, ISBN: 9780135592144.
Policies:
Withdrawal End Date:
Note:
Schedule:
Instructor:
Tobey Tam
Tobey Tam, Ph.D., has a background in the fields of biotechnology patents, computation biology, and health care. She prosecuted biological, biochemical, and medical device patents in local law firms and in a biotech company. She also holds a California teaching credential and has taught a variety of science and health care courses at the college level for over ten years and has taught at UCSD, CSUSM, and the San Diego Community Colleges. She received her Ph.D. in biology from UCSD and conducted her post-doctoral research at the San Diego Supercomputer Center. When she is not working, she enjoys nature by visiting the state parks.
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
Textbook 1.) Mastering Chemistry with Pearson eText Access Code for Introductory Chemistry 7th, Author: Nivaldo Tro, ISBN: 9780135592144.
Policies:
Withdrawal End Date:
Note:
Schedule:
Instructors:
Tobey Tam
Tobey Tam, Ph.D., has a background in the fields of biotechnology patents, computation biology, and health care. She prosecuted biological, biochemical, and medical device patents in local law firms and in a biotech company. She also holds a California teaching credential and has taught a variety of science and health care courses at the college level for over ten years and has taught at UCSD, CSUSM, and the San Diego Community Colleges. She received her Ph.D. in biology from UCSD and conducted her post-doctoral research at the San Diego Supercomputer Center. When she is not working, she enjoys nature by visiting the state parks.
Patrick Brennan, PhD
Patrick Brennan is a biophysicist interested in the underpinnings that govern the function of biomolecules. He utilizes electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) techniques to delineate the molecular mechanisms that govern G-protein coupled receptor signal transduction which has broad applications to health and disease. He received his B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of St. Thomas and his PhD program at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He has a passion for teaching and believes that the purpose of education is to empower willing learners with the most valuable resource in the modern world, knowledge. His desire to empower learners with the requisite chemical understandings is strongly rooted in the world of possibilities that came with his own education. Possessing a “toolbox” of knowledge puts learners in a position where they are not only capable of solving existing problems but also designing new problems to address.
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
Textbook 1.) Mastering Chemistry with Pearson eText Access Code for Introductory Chemistry 7th, Author: Nivaldo Tro, ISBN: 9780135592144.
Policies:
Withdrawal End Date:
Note:
Schedule:
Instructor:
Tobey Tam
Tobey Tam, Ph.D., has a background in the fields of biotechnology patents, computation biology, and health care. She prosecuted biological, biochemical, and medical device patents in local law firms and in a biotech company. She also holds a California teaching credential and has taught a variety of science and health care courses at the college level for over ten years and has taught at UCSD, CSUSM, and the San Diego Community Colleges. She received her Ph.D. in biology from UCSD and conducted her post-doctoral research at the San Diego Supercomputer Center. When she is not working, she enjoys nature by visiting the state parks.
