I’m currently uncertain about what I want to do, but I want to keep my options open in case I decide to go to grad school. How much math should I take in undergrad for a Ph.D. in chemistry? My school’s chemistry degree requires Calculus I-III, and I took diff eq this semester (was planning on getting a math minor but dropped that). Do I need to take linear algebra? Theory of Probability? Discrete Math (proofs)? Technically I don’t need anymore math to graduate, and I have gotten an A- (3.67 gpa) both semesters, so I’d rather not take extra math since my other career interest is medicine. I am definitely not taking any math next semester; I have already registered for classes and it won’t fit. I’ll ask my chemistry advisor too, but he did not mention needing to take more math classes.
Take something in computation, math methods or data analytics, which might be useful in either medicine or chemistry. If you want to study QM or Stat Mech, I would recommend linear algebra.
One semester of introduction to probability and statistics to me makes sense for a rather wide range of majors.
On the one hand some students find probability theory to be somewhat difficult. Some students on the other hand seem to take to it (I was in the latter group).
However, in terms of things like evaluating experimental results, to me this seems like something that could potentially be quite useful.
I would be very surprised if this were required to graduate as a chemistry major. To me it just seems like something that is useful to know a bit about.
I agree with the other posters. You’ve taken enough math in general, but would likely find it helpful to learn more about stats / data analysis / computation since you’ll use that stuff for the research you do during your PhD. If you go the medicine route, it will still be beneficial.
It won’t be required, but will likely be useful to you. Don’t overload yourself doing it. If you have the opportunity I think it’s worth the effort, but it’s no big deal if you can’t squeeze it in.
For example, my chem professor spouse did the same math classes as you, but uses a ton of computation in research (modeling, supercomputers, programming), despite never taking any official classes.
I’m a bio PhD and I proactively took a non-required stats class in undergrad which has been enormously helpful in my research. I took non-required programming classes in grad school, also super useful.
Okay! I’m thinking I’ll take another prob and stats class (already took AP stats) and an intro computer science class if I have time. I can also likely just learn how to code myself one summer. I guess my main question now is about linear algebra, but it may become apparent through my coursework if that’s a knowledge gap I should try to fill.
I wondered about this also. I do not know how useful it is to a graduate student studying chemistry or an employee working as a chemist. This is something that you might want to ask your chemistry professors or your academic advisor.
I do know that linear algebra is very useful in physics, economics, and acoustics.
I know someone who was working in biology research with chemists and/or biochemists. Basically the biologist I know was doing research on cells using organic chemicals (potential medicines) that were designed by the chemists. The chemists apparently used 3D models of the organic chemicals. I have heard that linear algebra is used in 3D imaging.
On the other hand, chemists can ask when they run into math that they do not know. As an analogy, I was a math major and my first job was at physics research facility. Some of the physicists were a bit weaker in math than they might have wanted to be, but that is why I got hired. When the physicists ran into math that they couldn’t handle, they came to me. They had to help me with the physics formulae, so we worked together to solve problems. I would expect that in a similar way it might be useful for a chemist to understand some math, but it is essential that you understand chemistry if you are going to be a chemist. I would expect that having some exposure to any math that you need to use can be helpful, even if someone else is actually doing the hardest part of the math.
I agree that linear algebra might be useful for chem PhD work. But I think that could be a “wait and see” course.
If you need to fill credits? Sure. Will it hamper you to start a chem PhD without having already taken it? No: it’s not required in many chem undergrad programs. Diff eq is helpful for pchem but it seems that a lot of places don’t require linear algebra.
If you’re considering medicine you don’t need to load up on unnecessary challenging classes. If you’re inspired, you could certainly go for it but I wouldn’t worry about it holding you back if you don’t go for it.
This should cover most of the math your need for an upper level undergrad/beginning graduate physical chemistry course, which is the most mathematical of the standard chemistry courses.
What kind of chemistry are you interested in? If you are interested in organic and/or medicinal chemistry, then the required undergrad math will be more than enough. If you are thinking or going into p chem or analytical, then taking more math would make sense.
It would be more pchem or analytical. I’m keeping my options and mind open since I’m only a freshman who just finished the gen chem sequence, but so far some of my favorite topics have been Crystal and molecular structures, band theory, conductors/semiconductors, electron orbitals, and stuff like that. I’m currently on track to get a minor in physics, which I might not finish if I decide on medicine.
Linear algebra and group theory (abstract algebra) may be helpful with quantum mechanics.
My spouse who has a pchem PhD and teaches college pchem didn’t take linear algebra as an undergrad, so fret not.
I think the courses that will serve you best considering the directions you may take after graduation are stats/data analysis > computational > linear algebra
If you end up heading more in the physics direction you can always take linear algebra at that point.
If you are a freshman, then you have plenty of time to figure out what interests you and plenty of time to take more math if you’d like. For ACS certified degrees, after the gen chem series first year, second year is usually organic, followed by p chem, inorganic, and analytical. This will give you a sampling of the main branches of chem and help you decide what area you’d like to focus on for your phd.
definitely linear algebra if you want to do pchem. quantum is basically entirely matrix mathematics.
Yes to this. My daughter was a chem e and linear algebra was a pre req for p chem.