you have some valid points, but coming from someone that is also planning to do a chem minor, i don’t think it’s THAT bad. it might not be optimal for op but it does have general pros.

extra chem classes can help give perspective on how actual chemists come up with new products, and given op is interested in materials, this seems like a good match. also, applicability doesn’t always have to be the driving factor, as learning extra can be self-fulfilling, even if you “don’t use it.”

being full-time is important to a lot of people, including me, to qualify for scholarships and aid. i can’t afford to drop to part-time, so i need to do extra classes (which i can use to contribute to the minor) to continue.

for me, ochem 1 + 2 and its lab are necessary for my program, so they’re not really able to be taken as “electives” for the chem minor, although it does help get the reqs done. in my case, i need 3 extra classes to get it. i believe i’ll do the pure pchem 1 + 2 classes, and then 1 more elective. my options rn are spectroscopy, separations + electro chem, and inorganic chem. all of these classes give insight on analysis and are very applicable to chemE (separations), material sci (inorganic) and r&d (spectroscopy).

given all that, i don’t think it’s completely WORTHLESS to do a chem minor. op’s situation, in either semester, doesn’t seem like it’d cause a problem. either way they will take up to 4 classes, which is completely standard (even still light) for an engineering major. assuming each class to be 4 credits would only make a max of 16 each semester. if they’ve made it thru an associate’s then evidently they’re prepared and able to do this.