Chemistry Minor

Coordinator:
Anne Glenn

Department of Chemistry

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, however. 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).

    1.  CHEM 111 Chemistry Principles I                                                                   4 credits

    2.  CHEM 112 Chemistry Principles II                                                                  4 credits

    3.  CHEM 400 Seminar                                                                                       2 credits

4.-5.  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.