ALEKS

Placement

Welcome to General Chemistry. We want you to succeed. The first step to success is proper placement. Placement in to General Chemistry is described in detail on the ALEKS Math Placement Information page. If you have questions about placement, see your college advisor.

CHM1025, Introduction to Chemistry

If you are placed into CHM1025, we’re happy to have you. We have both a “live” (face-to-face) lecture course and an online version of CHM1025. Your college advisor will place you according to your background and your ALEKS Math score. In the fall semester, spots are limited in the face-to-face class due to space requirements. Students who take the online course tend to perform equally as well in CHM2045 as the students who take the “live” course. The online course has set due dates throughout the term but no set class meeting times, as it is entirely online. The ALEKS Chemistry homework system is used for CHM1025. ALEKS Prep is done separately – after completing CHM1025, you will need to complete the ALEKS Prep course for CHM2045/95.

CHM2045/CHM2095, General Chemistry I or Gen Chem I for Engineers

You will be placed into CHM2045/CHM2095 after taking the ALEKS Math placement test. See your college advisor if you have questions about placement. All students who place into and register for CHM2045/2095 will be required to complete ALEKS Prep. The University of Florida General Chemistry Prep is available for a few weeks prior to the start of summer, fall, and spring semesters, and continues a few weeks into each semester. The Prep is mandatory for all students who are placed into CHM2045 or CHM2095. The Department of Chemistry strongly recommends that students complete the Prep well in advance of arrival on campus. The Prep will walk students through the chemistry needed for success in CHM2045/CHM2095, and will assign students work to fill knowledge gaps. All students who achieve 100% on the Prep will earn 2% towards their CHM2045/CHM2095 course grade.

The Prep is offered at no charge.

The Prep is performed using ALEKS Chemistry. Your login information for ALEKS Chemistry is not the same as for ALEKS Math Placement – if you haven’t used ALEKS Chemistry before, you will need to set up a new account. You still need to complete ALEKS Prep even if you’ve completed CHM1025 using ALEKS.

How to register for the Prep:

  • Go to http://www.aleks.com
  • Click on “Sign up Now” (upper left, in yellow)
  • Provide the Prep course code.  For Summer 2024, the code is:  G63DR-9DXJ6
  • Prep for Fall 2024 will open mid-summer, keep an eye on this page for details
  • Follow the steps to purchase access and create your account. You will be prompted to enter your 8-digit UFID and your __________@ufl.edu email address
  • You must take the Prep specifically set up for a given semester – take Summer 2024 Prep if you’re enrolled in CHM2045 for Summer 2024. If you’re unsuccessful in CHM2045/2095/2050, you will need to repeat the Prep for the semester you intend to repeat the course.
  • Completion of any other ALEKS Prep course for a different semester does not count for credit; if you are repeating CHM2045/95, you need to repeat the Prep.

Tips for completing the Prep:

  • When you first start the Prep you will face an Initial Assessment. The initial assessment is not for credit itself. The initial assessment is not the Prep. The initial assessment may take 60-90 minutes. Take your time to work through the initial assessment honestly – don’t search for answers online or have a friend help you.
  • After the initial assessment, ALEKS will have you work through assigned material to address knowledge gaps. How long will this take? It depends on how many knowledge gaps you have.
  • Textbook? ALEKS has an ALEKSPedia that describes the course material for the Prep. You are welcome to consult any general chemistry textbook if needed. The Prep material touches on topics from Ch. 1-3 of our current General Chemistry textbook, Silberberg 9th
  • Don’t click the “I don’t know” button unless you genuinely have no idea how to approach the problem. Otherwise, ALEKS may have you review material you don’t need to review.
  • Completing any part of the Prep with outside assistance or for someone else is a violation of the Honor Code.

Why do I have to complete the Prep?

We want you to be successful in General Chemistry at UF. CHM2045/2095 is taught at a fast pace and at a high level. Instructors assume students have the math prerequisite for CHM2045 and have a good background in some of the chemistry fundamentals. The instructors will proceed quickly through material covered in the Prep module and quickly move on to new material. We believe so strongly in preparing you for success that completion of the Prep module with mastery of 100% of the topics is worth 2% of your course grade in CHM2045/2095.

What does the Prep cover?

  • Math and Algebra
  • Measurement
  • Matter
  • Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
  • Stoichiometry

What does my score need to be?

To earn the full 2% of your final course grade, you will need to earn a score of 100% in the Prep. After you finish the initial assessment in ALEKS you will see a pie chart and a % mastery value. If the value is less than 100%, you will be prompted through the topics you need to review to earn 100% mastery on all topics. Along the way you may encounter additional “knowledge checks” and eventually a Class Completion Knowledge Check. When finished, you will see that you’ve completed 100% of the pie, and you’ll be prompted to complete a review. You need to complete a minimum % of the ALEKS in order to earn any credit towards your grade. Details will be in your course syllabus.

What happens if I don’t take the Prep?

Your maximum course grade will be 98.0%. The 2% deficit could easily result in the difference of a letter grade in the course.

Where do I go to take the Prep?

The Prep is available online at www.aleks.com.

When should I take the Prep?

Prep for Summer 2024 is available beginning March 20 and is due May 22 2024. You must take the Prep that corresponds to the semester you are enrolled in CHM2045/2095 to receive credit for completing the Prep. There are no extensions to ALEKS Prep for any reason – start it as early as you can. There is sufficient time during the semester for you to complete the ALEKS. This policy is firm.

Taking CHM2045 in Fall 2024? Keep an eye on this page for information. Prep for Fall 2024 will be available mid-summer. Always make sure to participate in the correct course for the required semester of CHM2045/2095.

How much does the Prep cost?

The Prep is offered at no charge.

Questions?

For technical support, contact ALEKS support. ALEKS system requirements can be found here. You can check your system for ALEKS compatibility. For administrative questions, contact Mrs. Veige, Director of General Chemistry, at genchem@chem.ufl.edu. For help completing topics in ALEKS, you can visit the Chemistry Learning Center in SFH 105 for assistance from any TA holding office hours, or see the tutors at Broward Teaching Center.