Chemistry Minor FAQs

• What constitutes a CHEM minor?

  • 20 units of CHEM including CHEM 103a, 104a, 103b, 104b. Beyond these 8 units, you need 12 additional units from two different chemical areas including 2 units of lab course work (CHEM392/492, CHEM493, CHEM498, and CHEM299/399/499 may be applied to the CHEM minor but do not apply to these lab units) See http://aprr.web.arizona.edu/data-minors/interface/DPUxMINxCHEMxxx.html for the CHEM APRRs. Be sure to choose your catalog year.
• Who do I contact for declaring the chemistry minor?
  • Your major advisor may add the CHEM minor to your degree plan; it's not necessary to see a CHEM minor advisor to do this unless you have questions about requirements. But if you do, please contact Robin Rarick to schedule a time to meet.
  • Only those who have an established degree plan (BA. BS. BSC. etc.) should add a minor.
• Can I double use chemistry courses required for my major to satisfy CHEM minor requirements?
  • Chemistry does not restrict "double dipping" between your major and the CHEM minor; however, your major Department may have a policy preventing you from doing this. Consult your major Department first. http://advising.arizona.edu/ad_policy_double.php
  • Please note: If the CHEM minor is a direct sub-set of the requirements for your major, and you are not planning to take anything unique to the minor, then it is not necessary to see a CHEM minor advisor unless you plan to take unique classes for the CHEM minor and you need help with planning.
• Can I use independent research credits (CHEM x92, x99, x99H) or internship (CHEM 493) toward the CHEM minor?
  • Yes, research and internship units may satisfy minor credit requirements; however, they do not replace the 2 required lab units beyond the gen-chem level.
  • Please note that faculty are picky about the students who work in their labs and only have room for those who are inherently interested in their research and are dedicated to the projects. If you only plan to work for one term to complete the CHEM minor, you may struggle to find faculty willing to commit time and resources in your case. You are free to ask, but just be aware that you may have to look elsewhere depending on the situation.
• How do I enroll for independent research?
  • In all cases, to enroll for credit, you must first find a faculty member and a project, then fill out an independent study proposal form, and submit it to OC 225. Here is the guide to getting started in research.
• My transfer school gave me 10 units for the general chemistry (and/or organic chemistry) sequence. Are all those units applicable to the CHEM minor?
  • No, the Chemistry Department will accept 4 units to satisfy gen-chem I (CHEM 103a/104a or CHEM 151) & 4 units to satisfy gen-chem II (CHEM 103b/104b or CHEM 152), 3 units each for organic chemistry lectures (241a&b), and 1 unit each for organic chemistry labs ( 243a&b). The additional units are elective credit and will not be pulled into the CHEM minor.
  • Chemistry courses other than general chemistry as 103/104, 151/152, or 105/106 that are considered to be at the gen-chem level or below (ie. CHEM 101/102 and many other introductory courses) are not applicable toward the CHEM minor.
• Can I do a preceptorship (CHEM x91) for the CHEM minor?
  • No, as stated in the APRR, CHEM 391/491 are excluded from the CHEM minor.
• Who do I see to have my CHEM minor approved for degree check?
  • If your SAPR is clean for the chemistry minor, and shows all requirements satisfied, your major advisor can approve the CHEM minor at degree check time. If you need adjustments to your SAPR, approval for course substitutions, transfer credit evaluation, or are below the 2.0 GPA required for the CHEM minor, you must make an appointment with Robin Rarick