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Department of Chemistry
ALEKS

ALEKS is a diagnostic and preparatory tool to help students be better prepared for taking a college-level chemistry course. The tool begins with a diagnostic test which assesses how much you know about certain topics. After that, a set of lessons helps you learn next concepts through reading and practice.

How does it work?

  1. The ALEKS module begins with setting up an account using your syr.edu email account and inputting the course code.

  2. You will then complete a diagnostic test that helps the system understand what you know and what you might need some more help learning.

  3. The system then provides a series of questions and content to help you learn the material.

  4. After you have completed all of the learning modules, you will be given a final diagnostic test to show you how much you learned.

You have up to six weeks to complete the course from when you first register.

Frequently Asked Questions

You need to enroll in this course if you are a first-year student majoring in any program other than:

  • Landscape Architecture (LA)
  • Environmental Studies (EST)
  • Sustainable Energy Management (SEM)
  • Construction Management (CM)
  • Forest Resources Management (FRM)
  • Natural Resources Management (NRM)
  • Wildlife Science (WLSC)
  • EOP

 

Students in following majors take General Chemistry, FCH150 in their first year:

  • Aquatic and Fisheries

  • Biochemistry

  • Bioprocess Engineering

  • Biotechnology

  • Chemistry

  • Conservation Biology

  • Environmental Biology

  • Environmental Health

  • Environmental Resource Engineering

  • Environmental Science

  • Forest Ecosystem Science

  • Forest Health

  • Paper Engineering

  • Undeclared

Students in following majors take General Chemistry in the second year:

  • Environmental Studies (taken during the 2nd year)

  • Wildlife Science

If you are a transfer student enrolled in any program other than Landscape Architecture or Sustainability Management (online), coursework in chemistry is part of your degree program. You must enroll in the ALEKS learning module if you will take General Chemistry or Survey of Chemistry this fall semester. If you have already received credit for either of these courses, you do not need to enroll in the program.

 

Enrollment information. It can also be found in the course code sent to you via e-mail.

This Chemistry diagnostic module costs $25, but comes at no direct cost to you. Costs are covered by a generous support from the Office of the Provost. Even though 300+ students will use the module, we consider this a small price to ensure your success during the fall semester.

The course is self-paced, so it is designed to help you learn the content at your own pace over the six-week period. If that is not enough time for you to be prepared to be successful in college-level chemistry, your instructor and/or advisor may suggest an alternative course schedule that delays chemistry for one or two semesters.

Maybe. The score you recieve on the diagnostic test will never negatively impact your grade. If the score you receive is very low, your instructor and advisor may suggests an alternative course schedule that delays chemistry for one or two semesters. You may earn "bonus" points for a high completion rate (see below).

Yes. Credit for completing the ALEKS knowledge check and learning module is defined in the syllabus for your course. You must achieve at least 80% completion to recieve partial credit for the module. Completion of 100% of the module guarantees the maximum number of bonus points.

The course code is a alphanumeric code sent to you via email. You will need this code to enroll in ALEKS. Do not share your code with anyone else.

Yes. The Math placement exam is administered by the Math department at and helps place you in the appropriate math course when you arrive on campus. The ALEKS diagnostic tool for chemistry is both an assessment tool and a learning module, so you can learn the content and be ready for chemistry at the start of the semester.

Your license is good for six weeks from the day you sign up for the ALEKS module. You need to reach 80% completion by Tuesday, August 20. So, you could begin in mid-August, but this is not a good choice. We suggest you sign up and begin the course in early July and benefit from all 6 weeks of preparatory opportunities.

Additional questions can be sent to Dr. Neal Abrams, Associate Chair in the Department of Chemistry and course instructor for FCH150 - General Chemistry lecture. You may also contact the Division of Student Affairs at 315-470-6660.

Maybe. If you have AP, IB, or other credit that would exempt you from General Chemistry and you don't plan on taking chemistry at ESF, you are not expected to enroll in the ALEKS course. Requirements are listed on the ESF Transfer Credit page.

You need some basic computer literacy skills and a desktop or laptop with high speed internet connection. All major browsers are supported and ALEKS indicates some tablet devices like the iPad Pro are also supported.