Program Offerings
• Bachelor of science degree in Chemistry
• 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 the properties, characteristics and physical and chemical changes of matter. Chemistry is truly a part of all life – everything you see, hear, smell, taste and touch involves chemistry. This degree program covers the major sub-disciplines of chemistry: analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, and physical.
What does a chemist do?
A chemist studies substances at the atomic and molecular level, analyzing how the substances interact. With this knowledge, chemists develop new and improved products. Chemists work in the fields of nanoscience, technology, material science and healthcare. The field of chemistry has played a role in significant improvements to the world, from developing new medications to discovering new sources of energy.
Mines chemistry faculty revolutionized the biopharmaceutical, water treatment, blood products, and air purification industries with their start-up Nanofiber Separations. Under the guidance of these leading minds, students have landed the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship and NASA internships. A majority of our students go on to professional and graduate studies.
Some of the duties a chemist might undertake on the job include:
• Work with law enforcement to analyze a crime scene
• Detect counterfeit drugs
• Preserve art
• Purify water
• Undertake research projects in the development of new products
• Prepare solutions and compounds used by scientists in the lab
• Analyze substances to determine composition and concentration
First-Year Courses
• General chemistry
• Calculus
• Composition
• Physics
Course Curriculum
Link to Catalog
Internships and Co-ops
On average, 79 percent of South Dakota Mines students have applicable work experience when they graduate thanks to internships and co-ops. For these co-ops and internships, students receive an average salary of $19.70/hour. The businesses that employ South Dakota Mines chemical engineering interns include:
• Indian Head Naval Surface Warfare Center
• Cargill
• Dow Chemical
• Stanford University