Mission
To improve the academic readiness and college literacy among Texas high school students who are underrepresented at institutions of higher education. The program works to prepare students for academic success through credit-bearing, college-level, concurrent-enrollment chemistry curriculum.
Program Overview
Established in 2003, ChemBridge students experience the pace, rigor, depth and expectations of a UT Austin chemistry course. The courses are designed for non-science majors, but offer beneficial exposure for high school students considering STEM studies.
Students who successfully complete the year-long program earn six credit hours on UT Austin transcripts. Motivated and experienced high school teachers implement the daily coursework in their classrooms with robust, continuous support from both the Department of Chemistry and Dual Enrollment Initiatives (DEI). The support includes intensive professional development for teachers and arranged interactive campus visits for students.
Program Elements
College Credit: Two semesters of concurrent-enrollment science coursework for high school students with three credit hours offered each semester Chemistry in Context I – CH304K – in the fall and Chemistry in Context II – CH305 – in the spring. These courses generally transfer as CHEM1305 and CHEM1307 in the Texas Common Course Numbering System.
Professional Development: Five-day summer and two-day winter teacher professional development trainings focus on curriculum, pedagogy, learning management technology and program procedures. Continuing professional education certificates are provided for participating teachers.
UT Austin Visits: ChemBridge students visit UT Austin for a full day that includes classroom observations, college literacy activities, guided campus tours and interaction with college students, staff and faculty.
Demographic Information
ChemBridge served 473 students during the 2016-17 academic year. Eighteen high schools participated in the program. Based on survey results, 97% will matriculate to a post-secondary institution immediately following high school graduation.
Program Participants by Ethnicity
Latino/a 78%
African American 9%
Multiple 7%
White 3%
Asian American 2%