Before our lecture/lab split (CHM 115 to CHM 125/CHM 126 and CHM 116 to CHM 127/CHM128), the old combined course (CHM 116) had a prerequisite of CHM 115 (instead of CHM 125 and CHM 126).  There are still a large number of students who took CHM 115 (before the split) and now wish to take CHM 127/128.  This is particularly prevalent for students who wish to wish to take CHM 127/128 as a repeat of CHM 116 (sometimes years later).  Because they took CHM 115, they need a pre-requisite waiver.  The professional advisors have asked is we could have CHM 115 added to the pre-requisite for CHM 127 and CHM 128, something like this: 

CHM 127:  Prerequisites: (CHM 125, CHM 126) or CHM 115, (MTH 122 or MTH 124 or MTH 125 or equivalent by placement or exam), and CHM 128 (may be taken concurrently).

CHM 128:  Prerequisites: (CHM 125, CHM 126) or CHM 115, and CHM 127 (CHM 127 may be taken concurrently).

I looked into this and discovered that any change in pre-reqs requires a curriculum change proposal.  This is not worth the effort, as the number of legacy students who took CHM 115 over the coming years will drop rapidly.

(DAL 7/2026)

General Chemistry (125/126/127/128) Drop policies

(Adopted by the General Chemistry Instructors November 2025)

Organic Chemistry (235/236/237/238) Drop policies

(Adopted by the Organic Chemistry Instructors November 2025)

Can a student retroactively request to have their GVSU transcript updated to reflect that they have CHM 125 and CHM 126 credit?  The reason this is important is because if they can, then they can retake the lecture portion only (or the lab portion only).  If they are left with CHM 115 credit on their transcript, then they must retake the lecture and lab both.

• If a student took CHM 130 (Gen Chem I lecture) and CHM 131 (Gen Chem II lab) at GRCC prior to Fall 2025, the two courses transferred in as CHM 115 (our old lecture/lab combined class)
• Starting in Fall 2025, CHM 115 was replaced by CHM 125 (lecture) and CHM 126 (lab). 
• At that time, the transfer equivalency was changed to CHM 130 = CHM 125 and CHM 131 = CHM 126. 

Answer: "I would say yes, this is okay for a student to request themselves. This seems like it would definitely be in the best interest of the student to keep them from retaking unnecessary courses".   (Amalia Vargas   Records Auditor Registrar's Office 9/15/2026)

Update:  we have moved to CHM 234, CHM 115 is an automatic pre-requiste, so this question is moot (DAL 7/2026)

CHM 115 to CHM 230 exceptions

There are certain situations that we regularly allow students to jump from CHM 115 to CHM 230 without CHM 109 or CHM 116. Waivers are typically delivered with a warning that the student would be better taking CHM 109 as they are missing certain topics such as equilibria, acid-base etc.  

It is very important to make sure the student and advisor understand that a pre-requisite waiver does not allow the student to get CHM 109 credit on their transcript.  This is particularly important if a degree program or graduate program requires CHM 109.  For instance, Nursing requires CHM 109 for admittance, unless it is for the second-degree program--in the latter case, they only require CHM 230.

Pre-Nursing students  After some conversations with a pre-Nursing advisor (Mike Stoll), we agreed that we would allow CHM 115 as a pre-req for CHM 230 if the student earned a B- or higher in CHM 115. 

OSH majors  After some conversations with OSH professor Dave Huizen, we agreed that we would allow CHM 115 as a pre-req for CHM 230 if the student earned a C or higher in CHM 115.  Dave noted that he might recommend exceptions if he knew the student had made good academic progress in recent semesters.

Biomedical Engineers  We have a long-standing agreement with BME that their students can jump from CHM 115 to CHM 230.  As far as I know, the only requirement is that they pass 115. (DAL 6/2024)