Chemistry/Biochemistry
Minor
Department of Chemistry
EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Career Opportunities
A minor in Chemistry
provides a foundation of
basic chemical knowledge
on which to build. It can
support a career track in
another science (biology,
physics, geology), a preprofessional program (for
medical, dental, or
pharmacy school), or fields such as technical
writing, patent law, or industrial health and
safety. Although not the ideal preparation, it
can be used to acquire a position as a
technician within chemical (or related)
industries such as polymers, electronics,
biotechnology, consumer products,
pharmaceuticals, paints, soaps, and fragrances
or in a government or academic research lab.
Which Organic Should I Take?
If you are planning on going to graduate
school in science or professional school
(medicine, dentistry or pharmacy), it is usually
recommended that you take the 300-level
sequence. It is a good idea to discuss this with
an adviser in your major department. The
300-level sequence is also the one normally
required for a Chemistry major. So, while it
may require extra credits (and extra work), it
keeps your options open.
Major or Minor?
Departmental Points of Interest
This is seldom an easy question to answer
without knowing the specifics of your interests
and career objectives. The best thing to do is
to sit down one-on-one with a faculty adviser.
The contact information for our advising
coordinator is on the back of this pamphlet.
Chemistry majors and minors have most of
their lower-level courses in common. So you
may not need to make a decision until after
your second year. Chemistry majors will take
more advanced courses, including those
having greater math and physics prerequisites.
It is not uncommon for a Biology major (or
other science major) to decide to upgrade from
a Chemistry minor to a Chemistry major (and
have a double major). However, it can be very
difficult to double major in Biology and
Biochemistry due to the number of courses
they have in common and the University’s
rules about double counting courses. It is best
to speak with an adviser if you want to pursue
this combination.
Similarly, it is virtually impossible to
double major in Chemistry and Biochemistry
(or to major in one and minor in the other).
• Research. Chemistry
minors, particularly those
majoring in related fields,
may work with chemistry
faculty members on research
projects. There are research
courses for which you can
sign up, and projects can extend for more than
one semester. You may even co-author an
article to be published in a scientific journal or
be a presenter at an international conference.
• Facilities. Between 2009 and 2012, the
Mark Jefferson building was expanded and
completely renovated. The finished Science
Complex features interactive, technologicallymodern classrooms, state-of-the-art teaching
and research labs, and dedicated student
study/interaction areas. The completed
Science Complex received LEED® Gold
certification. Pictures of our facilities are
available on our department website:
www.emich.edu/chemistry/facilities.
• Honors Courses. Every year, the
department offers Honors sections of General
Chemistry I and II, Organic Chemistry I,
Organic Chemistry Lab, and Introduction to
Analytical Chemistry.
• Chemistry Club. You may join this club
which is the oldest student organization on
campus. In the past, the group has organized
field trips, assisted at the Ann Arbor HandsOn Museum, organized picnics, and raised
money for undergraduate research projects.
• Speakers. The department’s seminar
program gives students a chance to listen to
professionals discuss the latest research in
chemistry. Most of the speakers reserve time
to talk to students before or after these events.
Faculty
All department faculty have earned
doctoral degrees and are considered experts in
the field, some have industrial experience. All
have published articles and been speakers at
professional conferences.
Faculty members are approachable: We all
took our jobs because we enjoy helping
students, and an open door usually means we
can be interrupted. These same approachable
faculty members—not teaching assistants—
will teach all your chemistry courses.
Scholarships
Each year, the Chemistry Department
awards a number of scholarships to chemistry
students at every academic level. Our website
www.emich.edu/chemistry/scholarships
contains additional information and links to
other College and University scholarships.
Recommended Course Sequence:
Year
Chemistry Minor (with 200-level Organic)*:
*The Chemistry minor requirements were changed
effective Fall 2015. If you are graduating using an earlier
catalog, refer to that catalog for the specific requirements.
General Chemistry:
This major prepares students for entry level
technical positions in the chemical industry
and related careers in business, patent law,
technical writing, or industrial health and
safety. It may also be selected by students for
careers in secondary education or health fields
such as medicine, dentistry and pharmacy.
Professional Chemistry:
This program, which satisfies American
Chemical Society guidelines, prepares
students for careers as professional chemists.
Graduates are prepared to enter technical
positions in industry and research, or to
undertake graduate study in chemistry.
General Biochemistry:
This major prepares students for entry level
technical positions in biochemistry,
particularly in the pharmaceutical industry. It
is often selected by students in pre-medical,
pre-dental and pre-pharmacy programs.
Professional Biochemistry:
This program prepares students for
graduate study or a research career in
biochemistry, particularly the pharmaceutical
industry. It is often selected by students in premedical and pre-dental programs.
1
2
Term Courses
Fall
CHEM 121/122 (General Chemistry I)
Winter CHEM 123/124 (General Chemistry II)
Fall
CHEM 270 (Organic Chemistry)
CHEM 271 (Organic Chemistry Lab)
Winter CHEM 281 (Intro Analytical Chem)
Year Term Courses
Departmental Major Programs:
Biochemistry Minor:
1
2
Fall
CHEM 121/122 (General Chemistry I)
Winter CHEM 123/124 (General Chemistry II)
Fall
CHEM 270 (Organic Chemistry)
CHEM 271 (Organic Chemistry Lab)
Winter CHEM electivea
3
Fall
3
Fall
CHEM 351 or 451a (Biochemistry)
Winter CHEM 453 (Biochemistry Lab)
a. If CHEM 451 is selected, then 1 additional hour of
300- or 400-level chemistry elective (excluding CHEM
312, 315, 325, 406, and 407) must be taken to satisfy
the University requirement of at least 6 hours of 300and 400-level courses in a minor.
CHEM electivea
Winter CHEM electivea
a. Choose 9 credits of elective from 200-, 300- and
400-level chemistry courses, excluding CHEM 312,
315, 325, 406, and 407. At least 6 credits must be
from 300- and 400-level courses. A course cannot
be counted as an elective if it is required as part of
your major program.
Biochemistry Minor (with 300-level Organic):
Year Term Courses
1
Fall
Fall
CHEM 281 (Intro Analytical Chem)
CHEM 371 (Organic Chemistry I)
Winter
CHEM 372 (Organic Chemistry II)
CHEM 373 (Organic Chemistry lab)
Fall
CHEM 351 or 451 (Biochemistry)
2
Chemistry Minor (with 300-level Organic)*:
*The Chemistry minor requirements were changed
effective Fall 2015. If you are graduating using an earlier
catalog, refer to that catalog for the specific requirements.
3
CHEM 121/122 (General Chemistry I)
Winter CHEM 123/124 (General Chemistry II)
Winter CHEM 453 (Biochemistry Lab)
Year Term Courses
1
2
3
Fall
CHEM 121/122 (General Chemistry I)
Winter CHEM 123/124 (General Chemistry II)
Fall
CHEM 371 (Organic Chemistry I)
Winter
CHEM 372 (Organic Chemistry II)
CHEM 373 (Organic Chemistry lab)
Fall
CHEM electivea
Winter CHEM electivea
a. Choose 6 credits of elective from 200-, 300- and
400-level chemistry courses, excluding CHEM 312,
315, 325, 406, and 407. A course cannot be counted
as an elective if it is required as part of your major
program.
Want to learn more?
For more information contact: 734.487.0106
E-mail:
chem_ug_advising@emich
.edu
Visit us on the Web:
www.emich.edu/chemistry
01-26-16