ASU CHM 113: General Chemistry I
CHM 113 is ASU's first general chemistry course with lab, covering atomic structure, stoichiometry, bonding, thermochemistry, and gases. It serves biology, engineering, and pre-health majors in huge numbers and carries a classic gateway-course reputation.
Fennie is independent and not affiliated with Arizona State University. This is an unofficial study guide.
What makes it hard
Stoichiometry is the make-or-break: it appears in week two and underlies everything after, and students who never get fluent at mole conversions bleed points all semester. The math is constant, with unit conversions and multi-step calculations, and exam time pressure exposes anyone who practiced by reading worked examples instead of solving problems cold.
What you'll cover
- • Atomic structure and the periodic table
- • Stoichiometry and the mole
- • Chemical reactions in solution
- • Thermochemistry
- • Chemical bonding basics
- • Gas laws
The CHM 113 study guide
How to study for ASU CHM 113, step by step.
- 1
Make stoichiometry automatic by week three
Mole conversions appear in week two of CHM 113 and underlie everything after. Drill mass-to-mole-to-particle chains daily until they're reflex, since students who stay slow here bleed points all semester.
- 2
Solve problems cold, every day
Reading worked examples feels like studying but doesn't build exam speed. Work problems with solutions closed, check after, and redo misses the next day.
- 3
Track units through every calculation
Dimensional analysis catches most CHM 113 errors before they cost points. Write units on every quantity and let them cancel. It turns multi-step problems into guided paths.
- 4
Keep lab reports off exam week
Lab runs parallel with its own deadlines. Draft reports right after each session so the pre-exam week belongs to problem practice, not procedure write-ups.
- 5
Rehearse under time pressure before each exam
Timed mixed problem sets, no notes, including earlier material. Exam time pressure exposes everyone who practiced slowly, so make speed part of your practice, not a surprise.
Today
Today's CHM 113 plan
What a Fennie Daily Plan looks like for CHM 113. Yours is built from your own syllabus and adapts every day to your deadlines and progress.
First plan free, no card required. Fennie is independent and unaffiliated with your school.
FAQ
Is CHM 113 at ASU hard?
It's one of ASU's classic gateway STEM courses. The concepts are standard gen chem, but the math fluency required, especially stoichiometry under exam time pressure, is what separates grades. Daily problem practice is non-negotiable.
How do I pass CHM 113?
Master mole conversions and stoichiometry early until they're automatic, then solve problems daily without looking at solutions. Reading worked examples feels like studying but doesn't build the speed timed exams require.
Do I need calculus for CHM 113?
No, algebra is the math workload: unit conversions, ratios, and multi-step calculation chains. Weak algebra, not missing calculus, is what makes the course's math feel hard.