Chemistry Minor
Anne G. Glenn, Department of Chemistry
The chemistry minor gives students tools to explore rapidly growing areas of science on the boundaries of traditional scientific disciplines. Students interested in the health professions, biology, geology and physics can gain an understanding of how chemistry is applied in their field and complements their major or career goals. The minor also attracts those interested in law, business, environmental issues and art.
Through a chemistry minor, students can select chemistry courses that best complement their major and career goals and gain an understanding of why chemistry is often called “the central science.” For example, biology, geology and physics majors and students interested in the health professions (pre-med, pre-vet and pre-dental) could deepen their knowledge of how chemistry is applied in their field. The most rapidly growing areas in science are those that appear on the boundaries of traditional scientific disciplines, such as materials science (physics, chemistry and geology), molecular biology (chemistry and biology) and biophysics (chemistry, biology and physics).
The minor is not limited to science majors. Pre-law students interested in patent law would benefit from this minor, as would management or accounting majors seeking to work in the area of pharmaceutical or chemical manufacturing or sales. Language or international studies majors wishing to work for multinational, scientific companies or deal with global environmental issues would find the minor useful, as would art majors seeking a detailed knowledge of the properties and safety hazards of the materials they use.
The minor in chemistry is not available to chemistry majors.
Minor Requirements
The minor requires a minimum of 18 credits (five courses).
- CHEM 111 Chemistry Principles I – 4 credits
- CHEM 112 Chemistry Principles II – 4 credits
- CHEM 400 Seminar or BIOL /CHEM 475 Research Seminar – 2 credits
- Two courses from: 8 credits
- CHEM 231 Organic Chemistry I
- CHEM 232 Organic Chemistry II
- CHEM 331 Physical Chemistry I
- CHEM 341 Instrumental Analysis
- CHEM 342 Inorganic and Materials Chemistry
- CHEM 412 Geochemistry
- CHEM 420 Polymer Chemistry
- CHEM 430 Medicinal Chemistry
- CHEM 434 Biochemistry
Total credit hours required for Chemistry Minor – 18 credits
An internship or independent study approved by the minor coordinator can substitute for the 400 level chemistry course. With approval of the minor coordinator, students may take advanced courses at consortium colleges to fulfill the minor requirements.
