Credit by Examination

Students may earn credit toward graduation by taking an EM Test in a few chemistry and biochemistry courses.

Credit by Examination (EM Test) in Chemistry

Students may earn credit toward graduation by taking an EM Test. If you are a current Ohio State undergraduate and interested in testing out of a course in Chemistry, you must first meet with one of the Chemistry advisors to determine your eligibility for the exam and to obtain a testing referral.  Examination Mark (EM) credit is not available for Chemistry 1100 or for Chemistry courses at the 2000 level and above. A syllabus for each Chemistry course is available from the CBC Syllabus Archive. 

All EM Tests are taken in the Ohio State University Testing Center in the Student Academic Services Building (585 Student Academic Services Building, 281 West Lane Ave | (614­) 292-­2241). 

Who should you contact first about taking an EM Test in Chemistry?

Please call our Undergraduate Office at (614) 292-1204 to make an appointment to meet with:

What are the criteria required to qualify for taking EM Tests?

  • Any prerequisites for the course
  • A comparable college level chemistry lecture and lab experience
  • Cannot have a previous mark in the course (including a grade of W or R for audit).

What are the Chemistry courses that can qualify for EM credit?

  • 1110 Elementary Chemistry (5): 2.5­ hour exam: Introductory chemistry for non­science majors, including: dimensional analysis, atomic structure, bonding, chemical reactions, states of matter, solutions, chemical equilibrium, acids and bases, and topics in organic and biological chemistry. Students must show proof of placement in Math 1116 or higher. Not open to students with credit for Chemistry 1210, 1250, 1610, or 1910H.
     
  • 1210 General Chemistry I (5): 2­ hour exam: First course for science majors covering: dimensional analysis, atomic structure, the mole, stoichiometry, chemical reactions, thermochemistry, electron configuration, bonding, molecular structure, gases, and solids. Prerequisite: high school chemistry or equivalent, and proof of placement into Math 1150 or higher is required. Not open to students with credit for Chemistry 1250, 1610, or 1910H.
     
  • 1215 General Chemistry Bridge (2): 1­ hour 45­ min exam: A bridge course for students with credit for CHEM 121 who want to move on to CHEM 1220. Topics include: gases, liquids and intermolecular forces, and solids. Prerequisite: 121, 161, or 201H; and proof of placement into Math 1150 (150) or higher. Not open to students with credit for CHEM 1210, 122, or 123.
     
  • 1220 General Chemistry II (5): 2.5 ­hour exam: A continuation of 1210 for science majors covering: liquids and intermolecular forces, solutions, kinetics, chemical equilibrium, solubility and ionic equilibria, qualitative analysis, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, descriptive chemistry, coordination compounds, and nuclear chemistry. Prerequisites: 1210, 1250, 1610, or 1910H, and proof of placement in Math 1150 or higher. Not open to students with credit for Chemistry 1620 or 1920H.
     
  • 1250 General Chemistry for Engineers (4): 2.5­ hour exam: First course for engineering majors covering: dimensional analysis, atomic and molecular structure, the mole, stoichiometry, chemical reactions, states of matter, solutions, kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, thermodynamics, and electrochemistry. Prerequisite: One unit of high school chemistry and placement into Math 1150 or higher. Not open to students with credit for Chemistry 1210, 1610, or 1910

Important facts about taking an EM Test in Chemistry:

  • The test is similar to a final exam in the course, which is composed of 40-­50 multiple choice questions, including laboratory questions.
  • A periodic table will be provided if appropriate.
  • On all of the Chemistry exams, a score of 65% or higher is required to receive credit.
  • You have only one chance to take the test.
  • You must bring your ID and a testing referral, which can be obtained by meeting with an advisor in Room 110 Celeste Lab, 120 W. 18th Ave.
  • In most cases, the Office of Testing will grade the test right after you take it and tell you the results immediately.
  • There is an administration fee of $60.00 for each EM Test, payable to Ohio State during the online registration process.
  • Only non­programmable calculators may be used during the EM Tests in the Chemistry series. Calculators may not be shared. Please see the Undergraduate Chemistry calculator guide.
  • Students with disabilities should contact the Ohio State Office of Student Life Disability Services, (614) 292­-3307, to make alternate arrangements for taking the EM Tests

Biochemistry Departmental Exams

Credit for the following Biochemistry courses may be earned by passing a Departmental Exam. Arrangements to determine eligibility and to take the exam must be made by contacting the individuals listed.

  • Biochem 2210 (4): A survey of biochemistry stressing the qualitative rather than the quantitative approach. Credit does not count toward a major in biochemistry. Prerequisite: CHEM 1110 (102), or 1210 (122), or equivalent. Not open to students with credit for 211 and 212. Recommended text: Betteleheim, Fredrick A., et al., Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry. Harcourt. Arrangements to determine eligibility and to take the departmental exam must by made by contacting Holly Wheaton.
  • Biochemistry 4511 (4): An introductory course in biochemistry dealing with: the molecular basis of structure; metabolism; genetic replication; transcription; and translation in plants, animals, and microorganisms. Prerequisite: CHEM 1220 (123) or 1250 (125); and 2510 (252) or 2310 (231); and one semester of Biological Sciences; or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 511. Arrangements to determine eligibility and to take the exam must be made by contacting Dr. John Shimko.