Skip to main content
Undergraduate Bulletin College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Chemistry

Minor in Chemistry

Students on Summer 2025, Fall 2025, or Spring 2026 requirements CHEMMIN

The Minor in Chemistry provides a broad and general exposure to the foundational areas of the chemical sciences. The Chemistry minor is an excellent credential in the eyes of future employers and enhances opportunities for students interested in the health professions. Students majoring in biology, biotechnology, geology, human biology, physics, and environmental sciences typically pursue the chemistry minor. (The Chemistry Minor is not open to students majoring in chemistry or biochemistry.)

Requirements

The minor requires at least 17 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
  1. Core.
    1. Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I. One (1) course:
      • Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I, Honors
      • Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry for Science Majors
      • CHEM-C 105 Principles of Chemistry I
      • CHEM-C 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I
    2. Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I Laboratory. One (1) course:
      • Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I Laboratory, Honors
      • ASURE Chemistry Research Lab I
      • CHEM-C 125 Experimental Chemistry I
      • CHEM-C 127 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I Laboratory
    3. Organic Chemistry I. One (1) course:
      • Principles of Organic Chemistry I
      • CHEM-C 341 Organic Chemistry I Lectures
      • CHEM-S 341 Organic Chemistry I Lectures, Honors
  2. Electives. Nine (9) credit hours:
    • Principles of Organic Chemistry II
    • Introduction to Hard Materials
    • ASURE Chemistry Research Lab II
    • Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
    • Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry
    • CHEM-A 314 Biological and Environmental Chemical Analysis
    • CHEM-B 486 Gene Expression and Physiology
    • CHEM-C 317 Equilibria and Electrochemistry
    • CHEM-C 318 Spectrochemistry and Separations
    • CHEM-C 342 Organic Chemistry II Lectures
    • CHEM-C 360 Introductory Physical Chemistry
    • CHEM-C 361 Physical Chemistry of Bulk Matter
    • CHEM-C 362 Physical Chemistry of Molecules
    • CHEM-C 372 Chemistry with Molecular Modeling
    • CHEM-C 416 Surface Analysis and Surface Chemistry
    • CHEM-C 420 Advanced and Nanoscale Materials
    • CHEM-C 430 Inorganic Chemistry
    • CHEM-C 432 Spectroscopic Methods in Inorganic Chemistry
    • CHEM-C 443 Organic Spectroscopy
    • CHEM-C 446 Organic Chemistry III
    • CHEM-C 460 Nuclear Chemistry
    • CHEM-C 481 Physical Biochemistry
    • CHEM-C 483 Biological Chemistry
    • CHEM-C 484 Biomolecules and Catabolism
    • CHEM-C 485 Biosynthetic Pathways and Control of Metabolism
    • CHEM-M 402 Introduction to Soft Materials
    • CHEM-S 342 Organic Chemistry II Lectures, Honors
  3. Minor GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
    1. Minor GPA. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the minor—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
    2. Minor Minimum Grade. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the minor.
    3. Minor Upper Division Credit Hours. At least 9 credit hours in the minor must be completed at the 300–499 level.
    4. Minor Residency. At least 12 credit hours in the minor must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.

Minor Area Courses

  • Unless otherwise noted below, the following courses are considered in the academic program and will count toward academic program requirements as appropriate:

    • Any course at the 100–499 level with the CHEM subject area prefix—as well as any other subject areas that are deemed functionally equivalent
    • Any course contained on the course lists for the academic program requirements at the time the course is taken—as well as any other courses that are deemed functionally equivalent—except for those listed only under Addenda Requirements
    • Any course directed to a non-Addenda requirement through an approved exception
Exclusions

The following courses cannot be applied toward minor requirements:

  • CHEM-C 240 Problem Solving in Organic Chemistry
  • CHEM-C 243 Supplemental General Chemistry
  • CHEM-C 383 Human Biochemistry
  • CHEM-X 499 Chemical Research Capstone

This program of study cannot be combined with the following:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry (BIOCBA)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry (CHEMBA)
  • Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry (BIOCBS)
  • Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (CHEMBS)
  • [Name unavailable] (CHEMTSBA)
  • [Name unavailable] (CHEMTSBS)

Exceptions to and substitutions for minor requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.