Minor Introductions: Chemistry
Chemistry is a fundamental study encompassing the knowledge of structural and functional diversity of our material world at the atomic and molecular level. The achievements of chemistry span from synthesizing pharmaceuticals and agricultural products to inventing new materials and improving solar cells, superconductors, and clean fuels. Chemistry impacts many disciplines in the fields of engineering, technology, biology, physics, and medicine and plays a central role in the solution of important problems related to health and environment.
The new minor program in chemistry is designed for undergraduate students from the Science and Engineering Faculties who intend to pursue a professional career in interdisciplinary fields in which a sound knowledge of chemistry is important. In order enroll in the minor program in chemistry, the student must have first successfully completed Chemistry 101 and 102, Physics 101 and 102, and Mathematics 101 and 102. The program consists of major sub-disciplines of chemistry (Organic Chemistry I, Analytical Chemistry II, and Inorganic Chemistry I) and three elective courses. Organic Chemistry I introduces the principal classes of organic compounds and synthesis and characteristic reactions of various functional groups. Analytical Chemistry II covers modern instrumental methods of chemical analysis based on electrochemical and spectroscopic methods. Inorganic Chemistry I discusses the nature of the chemical bond and shapes and symmetry properties of molecules and chemical forces. As chemistry is an experimental science, laboratory work designed for the three must courses is obligatory. Three electives are selected from any of the regularly offered courses at the 200 level or above and allow students to extend their knowledge in areas of special interest.
Taken as a minor, chemistry gives students the opportunity to complement their education, which opens better perspectives for successful career development in fields requiring combined expertise in engineering and natural science.