A certified American Chemical Society (ACS) chemistry major at Luther is great preparation for a career in chemical engineering. This is the normal major for students pursuing chemical engineering, although a second major in physics or at least a minor would also be very helpful preparation.

In specific, the Luther courses that would help you most for a career in chemical engineering are:

Physical chemistry courses:

CHEM 351, Chemical kinetics-- An introduction to what determines the rate of reactions, through the study of molecular dynamics and reaction mechanisms. 

CHEM 361, Quantum chemistry and spectroscopy--  A introduction to how small systems have only discrete values of energy. This course applies the concepts of quantum mechanics as a means to further understand the structure and properties of atoms and molecules. 

CHEM 362, Thermodynamics-- A study about the relationship between thermal energy and other forms of energy, and how this relates to physical and chemical changes of materials.

CHEM 366, Thermodynamics and Kinetics Laboratory-- A laboratory introduction to the study of the energetics and the rates of chemical reactions. Laboratory work emphasizes experimental design, problem solving, and data analysis while utilizing a wide-range of instrumentation to monitor changes in chemical properties.

Analytical/instrumental chemistry courses:

CHEM 202, Analytical chemistry-- An introduction to quantitative analysis with laboratory.

CHEM 344, Instrumental methods: Spectroscopic techniques-- A detailed look at the instrumentation and applications of optical spectroscopy associated with chemical analyses.

CHEM 345, Instrumental methods: Separations and Electrochemistry-- A detailed look at methods of separation and electroanalytical techniques.

CHEM 365, Spectroscopy and Separations Laboratory-- A laboratory introduction to the instrumental techniques used to characterize molecules by their interaction with light and to separate chemical mixtures. 

Applied mathematics courses:

MATH 240, Linear algebra -- Many physical systems are linear. Linear algebra gives you tools to deal with multiple linear equations at the same time and fine solutions in efficient ways.

MATH 253, Multivariable Calculus -- Sometimes called Calculus 3, Multivariable calculus helps us understand how more complex functions can depend on more than one variable.

MATH 351, Ordinary Differential Equations -- Differential equations is an area of theoretical and applied mathematics with a large number of important problems associated with the physical, biological, and social sciences. Analytic (separation, integration factors, and Laplace transforms), qualitative (phase and bifurcation diagrams), and numerical (Runge-Kutta) methods are developed for linear and nonlinear first- and higher-order single equations as well as linear and nonlinear systems of first-order equations. Emphasis is given to applications and extensive use of a computer algebra system.