Chemistry is the central bridge between the physical sciences, the life sciences and the applied sciences such as medicine and engineering. Therefore, it serves as a highly valuable complement to your science or engineering major. The chemistry minor can be fruitfully combined with a major in biology, physics, chemical, nuclear or mechanical engineering, mathematics, public health or agricultural sciences to deepen your science education and broaden your job opportunities in industry and research labs. It will also prepare you for graduate school in the physical sciences or engineering. The Chemistry minor requires 27 credits of basic and advanced courses. You will learn not only the basic principles of general chemistry, chemistry laboratory but also acquire deep expertise and knowledge through upper-division electives for advanced study to match your particular interests.

In addition to 12-15 credits of elementary chemistry courses, students can select up to a minimum of four upper-division courses of three or more credits in at least two areas of chemistry (organic, physical, analytical, inorganic, or nuclear chemistry) in addition to one laboratory course.

The chemistry minor will prepare students to integrate and apply key components of chemistry, design and execute experiments, analyze data and communicate scientific concepts effectively.

Students interested in exploring the chemistry minor should contact, chemistry minor advisor, John Terhorst (john.terhorst@oregonstate.edu).

Learning outcomes

1. Core Knowledge: Students will be able to recall, integrate, and apply essential core information about the key components of Chemistry.
2. Laboratory Skills: Students will demonstrate competency in basic laboratory techniques, laboratory safety, chemical synthesis, and measurement of chemical properties and phenomena.
3. Communication Skills: Students will communicate ideas effectively orally and in writing.
4. Synthesis and Analysis Skills: Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze data, access information and integrate information from various sources in order to solve problems.

Apply for a chemistry minor

Adding a Chemistry minor does not require the approval or a signature from the department. Please see your regular academic advisor and they can add the chemistry minor to your program on-line. OSU no longer uses the paper forms. If you have any questions on the chemistry minor, please chemistry minor advisor, John Terhorst (john.terhorst@oregonstate.edu) and include your name, OSU ID (if you have one) and email.

Curricula

The requirements for a minor in chemistry include a minimum of 27 credits of chemistry (CH) courses. These credits must include a complete General Chemistry sequence (CH 201, CH 202, CH 123 or CH 233/263) (CH 121, CH 122, CH 123). In addition, a minimum of 4 upper-division courses of 3 or more credits in at least two areas of chemistry (organic, physical, analytical, inorganic, or nuclear) and one laboratory course are required. CH 401/501/601, CH 403/503/603, CH 407/507/607, CH 410/510, CH 695, and CH 696 cannot be used to fulfill the upper-division credits; CH 130, 140 and CH 374 are terminal courses and do not count toward the minor.

Upper division courses

The following list of suggested courses are probably the most suitable courses to use for the minor, but you may elect to take other upper division courses.

CH 331, 332 Organic chemistry

This 8-credit sequence designed, primarily for majors in biological sciences, starts fall, winter, and summer terms.

CH 337 Organic chemistry laboratory

This 3-credit lab course follows CH 332 above and serves as an upper division lab (organic). This course is taught fall, spring, and summer terms.

CH 324 Quantitative analysis (chemistry)

This 4-credit course is provided primarily for majors in biological sciences, pre-professional health programs, and food science and technology, is normally taught fall and spring terms and will also be taught Winter 2001. CH 324 counts as an upper division lab in analytical chemistry. The prerequisite is one year of general chemistry, although organic chemistry is highly recommended.

CH 334, 335, 336 Organic chemistry

This 9-credit sequence is designed for chemistry and biochemistry majors has a prerequisite of one year of general chemistry and starts in Fall term. Credit is not granted for both the CH 331 and CH 334 sequences.

CH 390 Environmental Chemistry

A 3-credit course which serves as an elementary survey of the basic chemistry involved in sources, reactions, transport, effect, and fate of chemical species in the air, water, soil, and living environments. Also available as an Ecampus class (check schedule of classes). A prerequisite of 1 year of general college chemistry. Counts as an upper division analytical chemistry course.

CH 424 Bioanalytical chemistry

A 3-credit course about analytical methods employed in the study of biologically important molecules. A prerequisite of one year of organic chemistry and one term of organic chemistry laboratory. Not taught every year (not 2000-01). Limited enrollment. Counts as an upper division analytical chemistry course. Although some laboratory experience is involved, this course does not count as a lab course. This course is taught intermittently and has not been taught for several years.

CH 435 Structure Determination by Spectrometric Methods

A 3-credit lecture course with a prerequisite of one year of organic chemistry. Counts as an upper division organic chemistry course.

CH 440 Physical chemistry

First term of the physical chemistry sequence with an emphasis on thermodynamics. The prerequisites of one year of college physics and MTH 254 are critical. Only taught fall term.

CH 411, 412 Inorganic chemistry

These 3- or 4-credit courses can be taken after two years of college chemistry and are recommended for students with a strong quantitative background. CH 412 has CH 411 as a prerequisite. Only taught Fall term (CH 411) and Winter term (CH 412). Ecampus versions taught other terms. Count as upper division inorganic chemistry courses.

Upper division courses from other schools

Often upper division courses form other schools can be used to fulfill the course requirements for the chemistry minor. They will work if they articulate to OSU as one of the courses above or are determined by the chemistry department to be equivalent to one of the above courses.

Equivalent chemistry courses must be clearly identified with one of the primary areas of organic chemistry, physical chemistry, nuclear chemistry, inorganic chemistry, or analytical chemistry (including environmental chemistry) and have one year of general chemistry as a prerequisite. Seminars, research, and special topics courses are not acceptable.

Earning a minor as part of another degree

Students in biochemistry & biophysics and chemical engineering majors are required by their departments to take many chemistry courses. The B.S. curriculum in biochemistry & biophysics as written includes sufficient courses to fulfill all requirements necessary to obtain a chemistry minor. Chemical engineering students need one more upper division lab course in chemistry (e.g., CH 324 or CH 337) to fulfill the requirements for a chemistry minor.