Chemistry Degree

Program Offerings

• Bachelor of science degree in Chemistry
• Bachelor of science degree in Chemistry: Biochemistry Specialization
• Minors: Chemistry, Biology, and Environmental Science

*The BS in Chemistry is approved by the American Chemical Society.

What is Chemistry?

Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes that matter undergoes when subjected to changing conditions or environments. It truly is a part of all life – everything you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch involves chemistry.

What does a chemist do?

A chemist investigates the properties of matter at the atomic and molecular level. They analyze compounds, refine substances, and do testing on chemical products with the goal of improving the quality of products.

With a degree in chemistry from South Dakota Mines, you can work in research and development, quality control, manufacturing, consulting, law, and even environmental fields.

First-Year Courses

• General chemistry
• Calculus
• Composition
• Physics

Course Curriculum

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Internships and Co-ops

As a chemistry major at South Dakota Mines, you will have the opportunity to intern with such companies as:

• POET
• Indian Head Naval Surface Warfare Center
• Cargill
• Dow Chemical
• Stanford University

On average, 77% of our students land internships or co-ops earning an average hourly salary of $20.00.

Career Outlook

The average starting salary of South Dakota Mines chemistry grads is $67,250. Many of our graduates use this degree as a launching pad for graduate school, including medical school or other professional healthcare programs. The job placement rate for 2019-2020 Mines chemistry graduates was 91%.

Careers

Types of careers that chemists might pursue include:

• Forensics
• Medical Chemistry or pharmaceuticals
• Environmental testing
• Patent or environmental law
• Healthcare
• NanoChemistry or chemical research
• Energy production
• Food supplies
• Lab management

Employers

South Dakota Mines chemistry graduates have gone on to work for such companies as:

• Black Hills Energy
• Cargill
• CSL Plasma
• HB Fuller
• Inter-Mountain Labs
• LabCorp
• Mayo Clinic
• Midwest Laboratories
• Southern Minnesota Beet Cooperative
• VaporTech

Chemistry Research

You won’t have to wait for grad school to do research as a chemistry major at South Dakota Mines.

Faculty in the Department of Chemistry, Biology, and Health Sciences conduct basic and applied research in diverse areas of chemistry and biology, and undergrads have the opportunity to participate.