School of Arts and Sciences

Chemistry

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Majors & Minors
With a chemistry major or minor, your possibilities are limitless.

Programs of Study

Whether you want to study the field at the graduate level, work in the chemical or pharmaceutical industries, or gain a firm foundation for a career in the health professions, our chemistry department is the gateway to your best future.

Major or Minor in Chemistry

Chemistry majors will understand the core principles of chemistry and be able to communicate their knowledge in the field through both writing and speaking.

ACS Chemistry Major

Students may choose to concentrate in traditional chemistry, biochemistry or neurochemistry. Having a degree in ACS Chemistry is valuable to those hoping to pursue advanced degrees.

Major in Chemistry Education

Students seeking to teach chemistry must also fulfill requirements for a major in education.

Science (K-6) | Optional add-on endorsement for chemistry education majors

General Science (5-8) | Recommended add-on endorsement for chemistry education majors

Major or Minor in Neuroscience

Neuroscience studies how the brain and nervous system acquire, process and integrate information from the environment and how this information brings about behavior of an organism. 

Biochemistry

Biochemistry surveys the chemistry and biology of the fundamental molecules of life: carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, amino acids, proteins, enzymes, vitamins and cofactors. 

Neurochemistry

Neurochemistry studies the chemical and biochemical aspect of neuroscience including ligand binding, pharmacokinetics and second messenger cascades. 

Degree Requirements and Courses

Required Courses

Additional Requirements

  • CHEM 127 and CHEM 128 – General Chemistry I and II

OR 

  • CHEM 137 and CHEM 138 – Honors General Chemistry I and II

Concentrations

Traditional Concentration

In-depth Training

4 credits from the following:

Biochemistry Concentration

4 additional credits from Biology.

4 credits from the following:

Neurochemistry

4 credits from the following:

Required Courses

Additional Requirements

  • CHEM 127-CHEM 128 – General Chemistry I and II

OR 

  • CHEM 137-138 – Honors General Chemistry I and II

4 credits from the following:

Additional Supporting Courses:

  • PHYSICS 111 and 112 – General College Physics I and II, 4 credits each

OR

  • PHYSICS 128 and 211 – Physics for Scientists and Engineers I and II, 4 credits each

Required Courses

Additional Requirements

Students seeking licensure to teach chemistry must also fulfill the requirements for a major in education. See the education section for requirements. For additional information about teaching chemistry, see the chemistry department chair or the education department chair.

Required Courses

Additional Requirements

  • CHEM 127 and CHEM 128 – General Chemistry I and II

OR 

  • CHEM 137 and 138 – Honors General Chemistry I and II
  • 12 credits from courses numbered 200 or higher with the exception of CHEM 304, 390, 403, 404, 475 and 480

CHEM 304 – Pharmacology, CHEM 403 – Senior Seminar I, CHEM 404 – Senior Seminar II, and CHEM 487 – Directed Research do not count toward the minor.

Required Courses

Additional Requirements

Experiential Learning – 2 credits taken as NEU 390, NEU 480, or NEU 487.

4 credits from the following neuroscience electives

8 credits from the following electives (at least 4 credits must be in a lab science):

The following courses are recommended but not required:

The neuroscience major can be completed in 40 credits; however, BIOL 222, BIOL 306, BIOL 352, BIOL 406, BIOL 411, BIOL 412, BIOL 416, BIOL 497, CHEM 128, CHEM 330, CHEM 373, CHEM 374, CHEM 431, MATH 315, MATH 316, DATA 316 and PHYS 112 have prerequisites offered in complementary majors.

PSYC 111 or equivalent is a prerequisite for PSYC 319, PSYC 318, PSYC 361, PSYC 325, and PSYC 327.

NEU 109 and junior or senior standing may be used as the prerequisite for BIOL 336, BIOL 350, and BIOL 402.

Required Courses

Additional Requirements

4 additional credits from the following:

4 additional credits; at least one course from the following:

Recommended course (but not required):

The neuroscience minor can be completed in 24 credits; however, BIOL 306, BIOL 352, BIOL 406, BIOL 411, BIOL 412, BIOL 416, BIOL 497, CHEM 330, CHEM 373, CHEM 374, MATH 315, MATH 316, and PHYS 112 have prerequisites offered in complementary majors.

PSYC 111 or equivalent is a prerequisite for PSYC 318, PSYC 361, and PSYC 325.

NEU 109 and junior or senior standing may be used as the prerequisite for BIOL 336, BIOL 350, and BIOL 402.

"The openness of the Integrated Science Center means that everywhere you go, you see activity – whether it’s in the classrooms, labs, study spaces, or the commons. In designing the building, we said we wanted to emphasize ‘learning science by doing science’ and I think we've definitely accomplished that."
Dr. Mark Jensen, Professor

Science Academy

Run by faculty and students, this outreach organization is dedicated to creating excitement about STEM disciplines in children and teens throughout the region.

State of the Art

Modern Science

Designed for "learning science by doing science," the Integrated Science Center opened in fall 2017.

Program Benefits

Instrument Lab

The Chemistry department is home to a selection of state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation. These instruments are incorporated into a number of laboratory courses as well as seeing extensive use in faculty research programs.

Laser Facility

The laser facility is available for both research and coursework by Concordia's undergraduate students. Research areas include noisy light spectroscopy and halogen bonding investigation.

Gaining Experience

Students earn academic credit for doing internships at medical facilities, laboratories and businesses. The American Chemical Society selected Concordia’s program a national model for combining learning and work experience.

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Contact

Dr. Mark B. Jensen
Chair/Professor Chemistry
P 218.299.3571
E jensen@cord.edu