In order to ensure that you are enrolled in the entry level chemistry course that best matches your ability and experience, the chemistry department utilizes an online Chemistry Preliminary Placement that students are required to complete before enrolling in chemistry 101, 102, or 105. This tool is available online 24/7 and only takes a few minutes to complete. It can be completed on a phone, tablet, or computer. You only have one chance to complete the assessment. There are no repeats, so please take your time and answer the questions thoughtfully.
After completing the Chemistry Preliminary Placement, students will earn a placement level of 0 or 1. Along with meeting designated math prerequisites, students wishing to enroll in CHEM 101, 102*, or 105* must have a chemistry preliminary placement level of 1. Students wishing to enroll in CHEM 100 must meet math prerequisites and are not required to complete the Chemistry Preliminary Placement.
It will take 1-2 business days for your Chemistry Preliminary Placement result to be updated in PAWS and utilized for course enrollment. The results also will be immediately emailed to your UWM email account for reference and planning.
*Please note that students enrolled in CHEM 102 and 105 will also complete a comprehensive in-person chemistry placement test during the first week of classes. You must earn a passing score on this test in order to retain your seat in CHEM 102 or 105. Students who do not earn a passing score on this written test will need to change their course to CHEM 100.
The following majors will need to complete the online chemistry preliminary placement a minimum of two days prior to their new student orientation session.
- Biochemistry
- Biological Sciences
- Biomedical Engineering
- BMS: Biomedical Science
- BMS: Public Health Microbiology
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Computer Engineering
- Conservation and Environmental Science
- Education: Science Education only
- Electrical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Freshwater Science
- Geosciences
- Industrial Engineering
- Material Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Laboratory Science
- Microbiology
- Neuroscience
- Nursing
- Nutritional Sciences
- Pre-Health Programs
- Pre-Anesthesiologist Assistant
- Pre-Chiropractic
- Pre-Dentistry
- Pre-Medicine
- Pre-Optometry
- Pre-Pathologist Assistant
- Pre-Pharmacy
- Pre-Physician Assistant
- Pre-Podiatry
- Pre-Veterinary Medicine
- Pre-Dietetics
- Pre-Physical Therapy
Chemistry 104 Diagnostic Testing
The chemistry prerequisite for Chemistry 104 is either a grade of C or better in Chemistry 102 or a score of 4 or 5 on the Chemistry AP Exam. As Chemistry 104 builds on Chemistry 102 material, during the first full week of class, all students in Chemistry 104 will take a diagnostic test of Chemistry 102 content knowledge. Results of this test will be helpful to students as they prepare to learn content of Chemistry 104 and these results, broken down by Chemistry 102 content areas, will be communicated to students with a personalized report sent via email following the test.
Math Prerequisites
Math Prerequisites
Students who wish to enroll in an introductory Chemistry course must meet certain math prerequisites.
- Chemistry 100 Math Prereq: MATH 105(C); or MATH 98(P) and MATH 108(C); or MATH 116(C); or Level 30 on Math Placement Test.
- Chemistry 101 Math Prereq: a grade of C or better in MATH 102(P) or Math Placement Level 30 or higher (grade of C or better in MATH 105, MATH 108 or MATH 116, or a Math course with Math Placement Level 30 or higher as a prerequisite)
- Chemistry 102 and 105 Math Prerq: Math placement level 30 or higher, or a grade of C or better in MATH 105, MATH 108 or MATH 116