Chemistry Minor

The minor consists of a minimum of 4 full courses (or the equivalent). Many students are required to complete 5 full courses to satisfy the general chemistry course requirement.

Note: Students must earn minimum grades of C- or P for all courses that apply toward the minor.

View the catalog page for the chemistry and biochemistry department.

A formal chemistry minor may be helpful to non-chemistry and non-biochemistry majors seeking entry-level jobs in chemical industry, secondary-school teaching, or science journalism, as well as those students who plan further education in technological aspects of law, art, or other disciplines.

Students majoring in biochemistry may not also minor in chemistry.

Summary of Requirements

Two Full General Chemistry Courses
Three Full Chemistry Minor Elective Courses

Note(s) on Requirements

Students placing into and beginning the chemistry minor with CHEM 102 do not need to take an additional course in place of CHEM 101 .
Students placing into and beginning the chemistry minor with CHEM 205 who do not have credit for either CHEM 101 or CHEM 102 will need to take one additional full chemistry minor elective course in place of general chemistry.
Neither CHEM 304 nor CHEM 374 count toward the minor; foundational biochemistry concepts are covered in CHEM 254 .

Transfer of Credit Toward the Minor

Transferred credit for CHEM 101 or CHEM 102 counts toward the minor.

Study Away and Other Outside Coursework

Prior approval is required for chemistry coursework taken away from Oberlin to be applied to the chemistry minor.

Note: Except for coursework transferred in at the time of entry by transfer students, the department cannot approve transfer of credit for courses taken at community colleges.

At least two elective courses required for the minor must be completed while in residence at Oberlin or enrolled in Oberlin programs. Students desiring an exception to this policy must obtain the explicit approval of the department chair.

Normally, transfer credit for chemistry courses numbered 300 and above will not count toward the requirements of the chemistry minor.

View the detailed procedure and required forms for the department’s transfer of credit process.

Course of Study

Entry-Level Course Sequence Options

The normal general chemistry sequence is CHEM 101 and CHEM 102 . All students are eligible to enroll in CHEM 101 , regardless of prior study in chemistry.

Students with no high school preparation may benefit from taking a 000-level course (i.e., courses designed for non-majors) prior to enrolling in CHEM 101 .
Students with strong high school preparation may be able to begin with CHEM 102 .
Students with exceptional preparation can petition the department chair to enter at CHEM 205 .

See the Initial and Advanced Placement section of the department catalog page for details.

Detailed Minor Requirements

Chemistry Minor Course Lists

General Chemistry Courses

Return to the summary of requirements.

Note: Students placing into and beginning the chemistry minor with CHEM 102 do not need to take an additional course in place of CHEM 101 .

Chemistry Minor Elective Courses

Return to the summary of requirements.