LSU ALEKS Chem Prep Requirement
The LSU Chemistry Department offers a required Chem Prep course to help you prepare for success in Chemistry 1201. Chem Prep is an online course offered through the ALEKS platform. This Chem Prep course has proven to be extremely helpful in improving success in Chem 1201 at LSU.
When is it due?
You will take the Chem Prep course before the start of the Spring 2021 semester. You must complete the course prior to Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 at midnight. The average student will require 14 hours of work but some students might require as much as 50 hours of work. The Chemistry faculty strongly encourage you to finish the ALEKS Prep Chem course over the summer months prior to the start of classes.
How does it count in my grade?
Your mastery score in ALEKS counts for 3% of your Chem 1201 course grade. You must master 90% of the topics in ALEKS prior to the deadline to receive full credit. No credit will be given for the ALEKS component of your course grade if less than 90% mastery is achieved.
I passed the ALEKS Prep Chem assignment in a previous semester. Am I required to repeat ALEKS for the current semester?
Yes, you must redo the Prep Chem assignment for the current semester even if you have already passed in a previous semester.
How do I get started?
Detailed information will be emailed to your LSU email address in mid December. You can also find the details of how to get started with ALEKS at lsu.edu/science/chemistry/aleks_prep/aleks.php
What does it cost?
There is a $30 fee that is paid directly to ALEKS using a credit card.
I paid for ALEKS for Math 1550, do I have to pay again for ALEKS in Chem 1201?
ALEKS charges separately for each product you use, so you must pay for the chemistry course even if you have already paid for a Math ALEKS product.
Is the Chemistry Prep Chem Course a prerequisite for Chem 1201?
No, it is not a prerequisite for Chem 1201. However, the Chemistry Prep Chem Course is a required component in your course grade for Chem 1201. If you elect not to do it, you will receive a score of 0 for 3% of your course grade.
When is the deadline to receive full credit?
The deadline is January 27th for the Spring 2021 semester. No partial credit will be given for completion after this deadline.
I have taken the ALEKS knowledge check, how do I begin work on mastering new topics?
In ALEKS, when you are looking at your knowledge pie, click on “Continue my Path”. Then select a topic and begin working.
In order to receive full credit, do I need 90% of the topics mastered in my pie OR
do I need a score of 90% or greater on a knowledge check?
Full credit is earned by mastering at least 90% of the topics in your pie. There is no exam, test, or knowledge check that must be passed with a score of 90% or greater. To calculate your % mastery look up your class progress as shown below. This example is not from your prep chem course.
Class progress / total topics x 100 = % Mastery.
What topics are covered in the ALEKS based Chemistry Prep Chem course?
The Chemistry Prep Course consists of basic math needed for success in Chem 1201 and topics from high school chemistry. Your Chem 1201 instructors will assume you have this basic knowledge at the start of the semester.