CHEM 1117 Honors Modern Chemistry I

This course is intended for students from any major (including undecided) with a strong foundation and interest in chemistry. CHEM1117 begins with the theoretical description of atomic and molecular structure and with examples of modern experimental techniques for visualizing and manipulating individual atoms and molecules. The laws of thermodynamics and kinetics are studied to understand why chemical reactions occur at all, why it is that once reactions start they can't go all the way to completion, and how molecules act as catalysts to speed up reactions without being consumed themselves.

Course overview

Department
Chemistry
School
MCAS
Credits
3
Level
Undergraduate
Offered
Every Fall

Catalog details

Corequisites
CHEM1119
Satisfies core
Natural Science

Catalog text is imported from the reviewed Boston College course snapshot. Confirm eligibility in EagleApps.

Requirements fulfilled

  • Geological Sciences B.S.: (D) Corequisite: two semesters of Chemistry with labs (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
  • Environmental Geoscience B.S.: (E) Corequisite: two semesters of Physics with labs, or two semesters of Chemistry with labs, or three semesters of Biology (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
  • Biochemistry B.S.: CHEM1109 General Chemistry I and CHEM1111 Laboratory (or CHEM1117 and CHEM1119) (4 credits) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
  • Neuroscience B.S.: Foundation (24 Credits) — General Chemistry I with lab (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
  • Mathematics B.S.: Natural science, computer science, or economics corequisites (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
  • Computer Science B.S.: Required science component (two-semester laboratory sequence) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
  • Chemistry B.S.: Two semesters of general chemistry lecture and laboratory (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)

Requirement eligibility can vary by school, cohort, and section. Confirm the selected section in EagleApps or with an advisor.

Official evaluation summary

3.71 / 5

Based on 241 aggregate responses from BC Avalanche/Blue evaluations.

Data freshness

Course and evaluation data last updated 2026-08-02. Source details and limitations are documented in Data Sources and Methodology.

Instructors

  • Alexis Grimaud
    Fall 2026
  • Casey Howshall
    Fall 2021 · Official rating 4.67/5
  • Matthias Waegele
    Fall 2025, Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022, Fall 2021 · Official rating 3.83/5
  • Sammi Wu
    Fall 2024 · Official rating 4.41/5
  • Tarah Yared
    Fall 2023 · Official rating 4.34/5

Sections

  • Section 01
    Fall 2026 · Alexis Grimaud · Merkert Chemistry Center 130 TuTh 09:00AM-10:15AM · Offered
  • Section 02
    Fall 2026 · Alexis Grimaud · Merkert Chemistry Center 127 Tu 06:00PM-06:50PM · Offered
  • Section 03
    Fall 2026 · Alexis Grimaud · Merkert Chemistry Center 127 W 06:00PM-06:50PM · Offered