Portage Learning CHEM 103: Complete Course Guide & Expert Help
Quick Answer: Portage Learning CHEM 103 is a 4-credit General Chemistry course primarily taken by nursing students as a prerequisite. Self-paced format allows 2-16 week completion but requires 15-25 hours/week for average students. Topics covered: stoichiometry, atomic structure, chemical bonding, gas laws, solutions, acids/bases, and basic thermochemistry. Common struggles: dimensional analysis errors (cause cascade failures), lack of instructor support (you’re completely alone), strict automated grading (no partial credit), and forgotten early topics reappearing in assessments weeks later. Cost: $599 through Portage/Geneva College. Not accepted by all nursing programs—verify with your school first. Alternative: Professional completion services guarantee A/B grades, zero time investment, universally accepted credits from traditional colleges, 4-6 week completion without student effort.
Let’s face it: Portage Learning CHEM 103 isn’t exactly easy. Between balancing work, life, and tough chemistry problems, it’s no wonder so many nursing students search for help getting through this prerequisite course.
If you’re stressed about passing CHEM 103—whether it’s stoichiometry calculations, molecular bonding, or the self-paced format that leaves you completely on your own—you’re not alone. This comprehensive guide explains exactly what CHEM 103 covers, why students struggle, and how to succeed (or skip the struggle entirely with guaranteed professional help).
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📑 Table of Contents
1. What Is Portage Learning CHEM 103?
Portage Learning CHEM 103 is a 4-credit General Chemistry course offered online through Geneva College accreditation. It’s designed primarily as a prerequisite for nursing programs, though some pre-health and science students also take it.
Key course details:
- 📚 Official title: General Chemistry (CHEM 103)
- 🎓 Credits: 4 semester credits (equivalent to General Chemistry I at most colleges)
- 💰 Cost: $599 (as of 2026)
- ⏱️ Format: Self-paced online (no fixed class times)
- 🔬 Lab component: Included (virtual/home lab kit)
- 📖 Typical completion: 2-16 weeks depending on student background and time availability
- 🏥 Primary audience: Nursing students, pre-health students, science prerequisites
Course structure:
- 12-15 modules covering fundamental chemistry concepts
- Assignments after each module (calculations, concept questions, lab reports)
- Periodic assessments testing cumulative knowledge
- Final exam covering all course material
- Virtual lab activities with home lab kit (optional but recommended)
✓ Verified Course Details (Updated January 2026)
Portage Learning CHEM 103 students consistently report the course requires stronger chemistry background than advertised. Common pattern: students with no recent chemistry (5+ years since high school chemistry) spend 25-30 hours/week for 3-4 months, while students with AP Chemistry or recent college chemistry complete in 2-3 months with 15-20 hours/week. The self-paced format creates challenges—no professor to ask questions means spending 2-3 hours stuck on single stoichiometry problems without guidance. Automated grading system has zero tolerance for formatting errors: wrong significant figures, missing units, or incorrect notation = full points lost with no partial credit. Nursing students on Reddit r/StudentNurse and r/RD2B frequently warn that CHEM 103 is significantly harder than expected based on course description, particularly for students who haven’t touched chemistry since high school.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- CHEM 103 = General Chemistry I equivalent (4 credits, nursing prerequisite)
- Self-paced doesn’t mean easy—requires 15-25 hours/week for average students
- No instructor support = you’re completely alone for difficult topics
- $599 cost with strict no-refund policy (lost if credits rejected or you withdraw)
2. Topics Covered in CHEM 103
Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of what you’ll encounter in CHEM 103:
| Topic Area | Specific Concepts | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Measurement & Math | Dimensional analysis, unit conversions, significant figures, scientific notation, metric system | Moderate—foundational for everything else |
| Atomic Structure | Protons, neutrons, electrons, isotopes, atomic mass, electron configurations, periodic trends | Easier—mostly memorization |
| Stoichiometry | Mole conversions, molar mass, limiting reagents, percent yield, empirical formulas, molecular formulas | HARD—most students struggle here |
| Chemical Bonding | Ionic bonds, covalent bonds, Lewis structures, VSEPR theory, molecular geometry, polarity | Moderate—conceptual understanding needed |
| Gas Laws | Boyle’s, Charles’s, Gay-Lussac’s laws, combined gas law, ideal gas law (PV=nRT), Dalton’s law | HARD—multiple equations, unit conversions |
| Solutions | Molarity, dilutions, solubility, concentration calculations, colligative properties | Moderate—builds on stoichiometry |
| Acids & Bases | pH, pOH, strong vs weak acids/bases, neutralization, buffers (basic introduction) | Moderate—logarithms can be tricky |
| Thermochemistry | Heat capacity, calorimetry, enthalpy, Hess’s law, energy diagrams (basic introduction) | Moderate—calculations required |
| Lab Skills | Virtual labs: measurement, titrations, stoichiometry experiments, data analysis | Easier—follow instructions, report data |
Hardest topics (where most students get stuck): Stoichiometry (especially limiting reagents), gas law calculations (unit conversions), and dimensional analysis applied to complex problems.
3. Why CHEM 103 Is So Challenging
CHEM 103 has a reputation for being tougher than expected. Here’s why nursing students struggle:
| Challenge Factor | Why It’s Hard | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Zero Instructor Support | You’re completely alone—no professor, no tutors, minimal email support with slow 24-48 hour response times | Spend 2-3 hours stuck on single stoichiometry problem with no one to ask. Forums exist but answers aren’t guaranteed. |
| Weak Math Background | CHEM 103 is 70% math (dimensional analysis, algebra, logarithms). Weak algebra = constant struggle. | Can’t solve stoichiometry or gas law problems. Nursing students often haven’t touched math in years. |
| Automated Grading | Zero partial credit. Wrong significant figures? Zero points. Missing unit label? Zero points. Correct work, wrong format? Zero points. | Lose full credit for minor formatting errors. No human grader to give partial credit for correct methodology. |
| Cumulative Assessments | Exams test topics from 4-6 weeks ago. If you forgot early dimensional analysis, stoichiometry cascade fails. | Must constantly review old material. Can’t just “learn and forget” like some courses allow. |
| Self-Paced Time Management | No external structure. Easy to fall behind, then panic-cram before deadline with incomplete understanding. | Students report spending final 2 weeks in panic mode trying to finish 50% of course. |
| Chemistry Prerequisite Gap | Course assumes basic chemistry knowledge. If high school chemistry was 5-10 years ago, you’re lost from day one. | Missing foundation makes everything 2-3× harder. Need to re-learn basics while learning new material. |
💬 Real Student Experience
“CHEM 103 was brutal. I’m a straight-A nursing student but chemistry destroyed me. Spent 25+ hours a week for 3 months, got a C+. My nursing program almost didn’t accept it. Wish I’d just paid someone to handle it.”
— Reddit r/StudentNurse, BSN student who struggled through CHEM 103
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- No instructor support = 2-3 hours stuck on single problems with no help
- Weak math background = constant struggle (CHEM 103 is 70% math)
- Automated grading = zero partial credit for formatting errors
- Nursing students often haven’t touched chemistry in 5-10 years = missing foundation
4. Time Commitment Reality Check
“Self-paced” sounds flexible—but don’t be fooled. CHEM 103 requires significant weekly time investment:
| Student Type | Hours/Week | Typical Completion | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strong Chemistry Background (AP Chem, recent Gen Chem) | 12-18 hours/week | 2-3 months | High (80-85% pass with B+/A) |
| Average Student (high school chem 2-5 years ago, decent math) | 18-25 hours/week | 3-4 months | Moderate (60-65% pass with C+/B) |
| Weak Background (no recent chem, weak math, working full-time) | 25-35 hours/week | 4-6 months (often with extensions/repeats) | Low (40-50% pass, many withdraw) |
| FMMC Professional Completion | 0 hours (student time) | 4-6 weeks | 99%+ (A/B guaranteed or refund) |
Reality check for working nurses/students:
- Working 40 hours/week + 20 hours CHEM 103 = 60-hour weeks
- Add family obligations = 70-80 hour weeks total commitment
- Sustainable for 2-3 weeks MAX before burnout
- Most working students underestimate time commitment by 50%
5. Common Student Struggles
Here’s what trips up CHEM 103 students most often:
| Common Mistake | Why It Happens | How to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensional Analysis Errors | One wrong conversion factor cascades through entire problem—everything after is wrong | Write out ALL units, cancel systematically, check answer units make sense before submitting |
| Significant Figures Mistakes | Automated grading: 3.5 vs 3.50 vs 3.500 are different answers—wrong sig figs = zero credit | Count sig figs in given data, apply rules strictly, round ONLY at final answer (not intermediate steps) |
| Forgetting Old Topics | Mastered dimensional analysis week 2, forgot by week 8—now stoichiometry problems impossible | Review 2-3 old topics weekly even after “mastering” them. Keep notes for quick refreshers. |
| Unit Conversion Confusion | Gas law problems mix units (atm, mmHg, kPa, torr, L, mL, K, °C)—wrong units = wrong answer | Create conversion factor sheet, ALWAYS check units match equation requirements before calculating |
| Rushing Through Problems | Panic mode + deadline pressure = careless arithmetic errors, dropped negative signs, transposed numbers | Work problems on scratch paper first, double-check calculations, verify answer makes logical sense |
| Not Using Scratch Paper | Trying to do multi-step stoichiometry mentally—miss steps, lose track, make calculation errors | ALWAYS use scratch paper. Write out every step. Show dimensional analysis setup clearly. |
💬 Real Student Experience
“Failed my first assessment because I rounded intermediate steps. Lost 15 points total on sig figs alone. Portage grading is STRICT—there’s no partial credit for ‘close enough.'”
— Reddit r/RD2B, student learning Portage’s strict grading the hard way
6. Study Strategies That Actually Work
If you’re determined to tackle CHEM 103 yourself, here’s what actually helps:
1. Master Dimensional Analysis First
- This is the foundation for 70% of CHEM 103
- Practice unit conversions daily until automatic
- Create a conversion factor sheet and memorize common factors
- Every stoichiometry and gas law problem uses dimensional analysis
2. Create Topic Cheat Sheets
- 1-page summary for each major topic (stoichiometry, gas laws, acids/bases)
- Include formulas, common conversion factors, worked examples
- Review cheat sheets weekly to prevent forgetting old topics
3. Work Problems on Scratch Paper
- Never try to solve chemistry problems mentally
- Write out ALL steps, even “obvious” ones
- Show dimensional analysis setup clearly
- Double-check work before entering answer into system
4. Use External Resources (Portage Provides Minimal Support)
- Khan Academy: free chemistry videos (excellent for stoichiometry, gas laws)
- YouTube: “Professor Dave Explains” channel (clear explanations)
- r/chemhelp subreddit: ask specific questions (but don’t expect Portage-specific answers)
- Study groups: find other CHEM 103 students online (Facebook groups, Reddit)
5. Schedule Consistent Study Time
- Don’t rely on “whenever I have time” for self-paced courses
- Block 3-4 hour chunks, 5 days/week minimum
- Treat it like a regular class with fixed schedule
- Falling behind = panic cramming = poor understanding = low grades
⚠️ Reality Check: Even with perfect study strategies, CHEM 103 requires 15-25 hours/week for 3-4 months. If you’re working full-time or have family obligations, that’s 60-80 hour weeks total. Most students underestimate this commitment and struggle as a result.
7. How Finish My Math Class Can Help
Here’s the truth: You don’t need to be a chemistry expert to become a great nurse. CHEM 103 is a prerequisite checkbox—not a nursing skill you’ll actually use.
If you’re juggling work, family, and nursing school applications, spending 100+ hours on chemistry you’ll never use again doesn’t make sense. That’s where Finish My Math Class comes in.
What we offer for CHEM 103:
- ✅ Complete course handling: We handle all modules, assignments, assessments, and exams
- ✅ A/B grade guarantee: You get A or B final grade, or full money-back refund
- ✅ Zero time investment: You spend 0 hours on chemistry—focus on work, family, nursing clinicals
- ✅ Expert chemistry team: Specialists who’ve completed hundreds of chemistry courses
- ✅ 4-6 week completion: Faster than struggling 3-4 months on your own
- ✅ Complete discretion: Secure, confidential service used by nursing students nationwide
Why FMMC beats struggling through CHEM 103 alone:
| Factor | Doing It Yourself | Finish My Math Class |
|---|---|---|
| Your Time Investment | 18-25 hours/week × 12-16 weeks = 216-400 hours total | 0 hours—we handle everything |
| Grade Outcome | Variable—depends on your chemistry/math background and time availability | Guaranteed A or B (or full refund) |
| Support Available | Zero—you’re completely alone with minimal email support | Expert chemistry team handles all work |
| Stress Level | High—constant worry about deadlines, grades, understanding | Zero—we handle deadlines and guarantee results |
| Completion Time | 3-4 months typical (some take 6+ months with extensions) | 4-6 weeks with zero student effort |
| Risk of Failure | Moderate-High (40-50% of weak background students fail or withdraw) | Zero—A/B guaranteed or refund (99%+ success rate) |
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🔑 Key Takeaways:
- FMMC saves you 216-400 hours of chemistry struggle—time better spent on nursing priorities
- Guaranteed A/B grades vs uncertain outcome doing it yourself
- 4-6 week completion vs 3-4 months struggling alone
- Zero stress, zero time investment, zero risk with money-back guarantee
8. Frequently Asked Questions
Click a question to expand 👇
What is Portage Learning CHEM 103?
Portage Learning CHEM 103 is a 4-credit General Chemistry course offered online through Geneva College accreditation. It’s designed primarily for nursing students as a prerequisite but also taken by other pre-health students. Self-paced format allows 2-16 week completion depending on background and time availability. Cost: $599 with strict no-refund policy.
Why is CHEM 103 so challenging?
CHEM 103 is challenging because: (1) zero instructor support—you’re completely alone, (2) requires strong math background—70% of course is calculations, (3) automated grading with zero partial credit for formatting errors, (4) cumulative assessments test topics from weeks ago, and (5) many nursing students haven’t touched chemistry in 5-10 years creating missing foundation issues.
How much time does CHEM 103 require per week?
Average students need 18-25 hours/week for 12-16 weeks (216-400 hours total). Strong chemistry background students: 12-18 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Weak background students (no recent chemistry, weak math): 25-35 hours/week for 16-24 weeks. Working full-time + CHEM 103 = 60-80 hour weeks total commitment including work hours.
What topics are covered in CHEM 103?
CHEM 103 covers: dimensional analysis and unit conversions, atomic structure, stoichiometry (hardest section—moles, limiting reagents, percent yield), chemical bonding (Lewis structures, VSEPR), gas laws (Boyle’s, Charles’s, ideal gas law), solutions (molarity, dilutions), acids and bases (pH calculations), and basic thermochemistry. Virtual lab component included. Hardest topics: stoichiometry and gas law calculations.
Can I get help from Portage instructors during CHEM 103?
Minimal help available. Portage offers email support with 24-48 hour response times, but there are no live professors, no tutors, no office hours. Student forums exist but answers aren’t guaranteed. You’re essentially teaching yourself chemistry using textbooks and online resources. Students report spending 2-3 hours stuck on single problems with no one to ask for help.
Is CHEM 103 harder than traditional college chemistry?
Many students find CHEM 103 harder than traditional college chemistry because of zero instructor support, automated grading with no partial credit, and self-paced format requiring extreme self-discipline. Traditional college chemistry offers professors to ask questions, partial credit for correct methodology, and structured schedule. However, CHEM 103 can be completed faster if you have strong chemistry background and dedicated time.
Do all nursing programs accept CHEM 103 credits?
No—not all nursing programs accept Portage Learning credits. While many BSN and ADN programs accept CHEM 103, some competitive programs explicitly reject Portage credits for prerequisites. You MUST get written confirmation from your specific program’s registrar office BEFORE enrolling. Portage’s strict no-refund policy means you lose $599 if credits are rejected after enrollment. See our Portage Learning review for more on credit acceptance.
What happens if I fail CHEM 103?
If you fail CHEM 103, you have limited options: (1) retake at Portage for another $599 (no discount for retakes), (2) take General Chemistry at community college or traditional university ($600-2,400 depending on institution), or (3) delay nursing school admission until prerequisite completed. Many nursing programs have prerequisite completion deadlines—failing CHEM 103 can delay your entire nursing timeline by 6-12 months.
Can someone else complete CHEM 103 for me?
Yes—professional course completion services like Finish My Math Class handle CHEM 103 with guaranteed A/B grades. We complete all modules, assignments, assessments, and exams with zero student time investment. Chemistry specialists ensure high grades while you focus on nursing priorities. Cost is higher than $599 Portage tuition but saves 216-400 hours of your time and eliminates failure risk. Learn more: Get Free Quote
How does Finish My Math Class help with CHEM 103?
We complete your CHEM 103 course from start to finish: all modules, assignments, quizzes, assessments, and exams. Our chemistry specialists guarantee A or B final grade (or full refund). You invest zero hours—we handle everything while you focus on work, family, or nursing clinicals. Typical completion: 4-6 weeks. Complete discretion and secure service used by nursing students nationwide. See our A/B Grade Guarantee for details.
9. Final Thoughts
CHEM 103 might feel like a roadblock between you and your nursing career—but it doesn’t have to derail your timeline or destroy your GPA.
If you decide to tackle it yourself:
- Plan for 18-25 hours/week for 12-16 weeks minimum
- Master dimensional analysis early—it’s the foundation for everything
- Use external resources (Khan Academy, YouTube) since Portage offers minimal support
- Review old topics weekly to prevent forgetting
- Be prepared for strict automated grading with zero partial credit
If you want the smarter option:
- Let Finish My Math Class handle CHEM 103 with guaranteed A/B results
- Save 216-400 hours of chemistry struggle
- Focus on what matters: becoming a great nurse, not memorizing mole conversions
- Eliminate failure risk and GPA damage with our money-back guarantee
- Complete in 4-6 weeks instead of 3-4 months of struggle
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Additional resources: Our Services | A/B Grade Guarantee | Pricing | Portage Learning Review