Declare a minor in chemistry

Minors in Chemistry

OVERVIEW

The Minor in Chemistry requires a minimum of 24 acceptable units of chemistry, including General Chemistry (CHEM 120A,B-10 units), Quantitative Chemistry (CHEM 315-3 units), plus 11 units of upper-division chemistry courses. These courses must be completed with an overall grade-point average of 2.0. A list of approved upper-division chemistry classes is available from the department office.

The Minor in Chemistry is appropriate for students majoring in Biological Science, Geological Science, or Physics. It is also appropriate for students who have an interest in art restoration, environmental science, forensic science, industrial administration, medical technology, patent or environmental law, or science writing. Students with an interest in these or other areas should consult the chemistry department about courses for the minor which are most appropriate for their interests.

ACCEPTABLE UPPER DIVISION COURSES

Any class not listed here may NOT be used to complete the Minor.
The completion of a Minor will be recorded on your transcript and diploma.

It is the student’s responsibility to make sure all appropriate pre-requisites have been met prior to enrolling in any courses

Required Courses (12 units)

  • 306A
  • 306B
  • 316
  • 325
  • 355
  • 361A
  • 361B
  • 371A
  • 371B
  • 410
  • 411 A-G
  • 421*
  • 422
  • 423A*
  • 423B**
  • 425
  • 429
  • 431
  • 436
  • 438
  • 439
  • 455
  • 467
  • 472A
  • 472B
  • 473
  • 480T
  • 490
  • 492
  • 495
  • 499

* One can use either CHEM 421 or 423A for the minor, not both. Students should not be enrolled in CHEM 421 and CHEM 423A in the same semester.
** CHEM 421 is not an appropriate pre-requisite for CHEM 423B

EMPHASIS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY

This emphasis is appropriate for students majoring in biochemistry and interested in gaining employment in nearly any area of the medical and agricultural biotechnology industries, working in academic research laboratories, or pursuing postgraduate degrees in molecular biology or biochemistry.

Required Courses (12 units)

  • Chemistry 472A,B Advances in Biotechnology Lab (6)
  • Chemistry 477 Advances in Biotechnology (3)
  • Biology 412 Principles of Gene Manipulation (3

EMPHASIS IN ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY

This emphasis provides a concentration in chemistry with respect to the environment. The coursework addresses issues of concern such as EPA analysis protocols and other analytical methods, the interactions of chemicals with the air, water, and soil environments, how chemicals interact with living systems, chemical hazards, safe handling and disposal of chemicals, and an introduction to the regulatory framework. Interested students should consult their academic adviser for specific course requirements. The emphasis provides training for individuals interested in becoming environmental scientists and for those interested in graduate programs in this area.

Requirements Courses (18-19 units)

Three of the following (9 units):
  • Chemistry 435 Chemistry of Hazardous Materials (3)
  • Chemistry 436 Atmospheric Chemistry (3)
  • Chemistry 437 Environmental Water Chemistry (3)
  • Chemistry 438 Environmental Biochemistry (3)
Three of the following one-unit mini-courses (3 units):
  • Chemistry 411A Optical Spectroscopy (1)
  • Chemistry 411C Separations (1)
  • Chemistry 411G Mass Spectrometry (1)
  • Math 338 Statistics Applied to the Natural Sciences (4 units) (This course can be substituted for chemical and biochemical computation courses in meeting requirements for the major.)
Senior Research (Chemistry 495) (2-3 units)

(Topic must be environmentally related.)
The Environmental Chemistry Emphasis may be integrated with the B.S. in Chemistry with no additional required units by using the above courses to meet career breadth and elective requirements. The environmental chemistry courses also can be used to satisfy requirements for the minor in chemistry.

EMPHASIS IN ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY

This emphasis provides a concentration in chemistry with respect to the environment. The coursework addresses issues of concern such as EPA analysis protocols and other analytical methods, the interactions of chemicals with the air, water, and soil environments, how chemicals interact with living systems, chemical hazards, safe handling and disposal of chemicals, and an introduction to the regulatory framework. Interested students should consult their academic adviser for specific course requirements. The emphasis provides training for individuals interested in becoming environmental scientists and for those interested in graduate programs in this area.

REQUIREMENT COURSES (18-19 units)

Three of the following (9 units):

Chemistry 435 Chemistry of Hazardous Materials (3)
Chemistry 436 Atmospheric Chemistry (3)
Chemistry 437 Environmental Water Chemistry (3)
Chemistry 438 Environmental Biochemistry (3)

Three of the following one-unit mini-courses (3 units):

Chemistry 411A Optical Spectroscopy (1)
Chemistry 411C Separations (1)
Chemistry 411G Mass Spectrometry (1)
Math 338 Statistics Applied to the Natural Sciences (4 units) (This course can be substituted for chemical and biochemical computation courses in meeting requirements for the major.)

Senior Research (Chemistry 495) (2-3 units)
(Topic must be environmentally related.)

The Environmental Chemistry Emphasis may be integrated with the B.S. in Chemistry with no additional required units by using the above courses to meet career breadth and elective requirements. The environmental chemistry courses also can be used to satisfy requirements for the minor in chemistry.