Department of Chemistry
and Biochemistry

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Undergraduate ProgramGraduate ProgramCourse DescriptionsFaculty

 

About the Program

This department supervises the following degree programs:

• Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry
• Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
• Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry
• Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
• Master of Science in Chemistry
• Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry

Those students seeking graduate degrees may specialize in analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, or theoretical chemistry; chemical education; chemical physics; or biochemistry.Back to Top

Undergraduate Program

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers four undergraduate degree programs in chemistry and biochemistry. The Bachelor of Science degree programs are most appropriate for students who plan to pursue a professional, research-based career in chemistry or biochemistry. The Bachelor of Arts options provide a strong undergraduate background in the central sciences of chemistry and biochemistry as preparation for other objectives, such as health-related professional schools, teaching, or sales. The undergraduate advisor provides career counseling and assists students in selecting courses and fulfilling degree requirements. The department offers honors-level courses to qualified students (admitted to the Honors College) in both general and organic chemistry. Highly motivated undergraduate chemistry or biochemistry majors are strongly encouraged to complete an individual research project under the supervision of a faculty member. Undergraduate research students gain a working knowledge of research methods in a specialized area and familiarity with a wide range of instrumentation and techniques. The department has a very active chapter of the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society.

Chemistry Curriculum. The undergraduate student may take courses leading to a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. Either program offers a wide choice of minor subjects in Arts and Sciences or other colleges. Consult the undergraduate advisor prior to registration for a particular minor program. Students who have not completed the prerequisites for a course in which they have enrolled will not be allowed to continue and will be dropped from the course by the department.

Chemistry, B.S. Degree. The Bachelor of Science degree prepares a student for graduate school or a career as a professional chemist. This degree program is technically oriented, requiring greater depth of mathematics, physics, and chemistry than does the Bachelor of Arts degree. With a heavier chemistry requirement in the B.S. degree program, the student has fewer elective courses for other interests. Completion of the B.S. curriculum leads to automatic American Chemical Society certification of a student as the recipient of a professional degree. American Chemical Society certification of a student as the recipient of a professional degree.

Chemistry, B.A. Degree. The Bachelor of Arts in chemistry has a curriculum primarily designed for the student who is interested in using an undergraduate major in chemistry as the background for a career in which extensive training in chemistry is either valuable or essential (e.g., medicine, dentistry, forensics, environmental protection, clinical and pharmacological chemistry, technical sales, and chemical patent law). Though a B.S. is generally preferred by employers, a B.A. may also provide a sufficient background in chemistry for employment as a chemist in a small laboratory or to enter a graduate program leading to the M.S. or Ph.D. degree in chemistry. The minimum number of hours required for baccalaureate degrees is 120.

Semester Hours
CHEM 1307, 1308 (or 1301, 1307, 1308), 1107, 1108, 3301, 3305, 3306, 3105, 3106, 3307, 3107, 3341, 3141, 3310, and 4 hours to be chosen from 3000, 3308, 3108, 4300, 4302, 4309, 4105, 4310, 4314, 4114	34 hours
MATH 1351, 1352	6 hours
PHYS 1403 and 1404 or 1408 and 2401	8 hours
English	12 hours
American History	6 hours
POLS 1301, 2302	6 hours
Social and Behavioral Sciences	6 hours
Humanities	6 hours
Oral Communication	3 hours
Visual and Performing Arts	6 hours
Foreign Language	11-16 hours
Personal Fitness and Wellness	2 hours

Biochemistry Curriculum. Both the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degree programs in biochemistry have a common objective of providing general education and training in the chemical aspects of biological systems through a combination of coursework in biochemistry, chemistry, and biology. Students who have not completed the prerequisites for a course in which they have enrolled will not be allowed to continue and will be dropped from the course by the department.

Biochemistry, B.S. Degree. The B.S. in biochemistry program will prepare an undergraduate student for graduate study in biochemistry and related disciplines, for entry into medical or dental school, or for employment in industrial or governmental laboratories in which graduate training is not required. A biology minor may be earned by completing one biology course in addition to those specifically required for the B.S. biochemistry degree (see the biological sciences undergraduate advisor for specific requirements). This additional biology course may be selected from the advanced electives needed to fulfill the B.S. biochemistry degree.

Biochemistry, B.A. Degree. The Bachelor of Arts program in biochemistry is primarily designed to prepare an undergraduate student for entry into medical school (admission requirements for Texas medical schools are satisfied) or other medically related professional schools. Graduates with a B.A. in biochemistry are also qualified for industrial employment in areas in which a strong biochemistry background is an asset, such as technical sales or management. The B.A. degree provides sufficient background in biochemistry and chemistry for admission to a graduate program in biochemistry or biotechnology.

Semester Hours
CHEM 1307, 1308 (or 1301, 1307, 1308), 1107, 1108, 1100, 3305, 3306, 3105, 3106, 3311, 3312, 3313, 3314, 3341, 3141, 4311, and 4 hours to be chosen from 3000, 4300, 4314, and 4114	40 hours
BIOL 1403, 1404, 3320, 3416	15 hours
MATH 1351, 1352	6 hours
PHYS 1403 and 1404 or 1408 and 2401	8 hours
English	12 hours
American History	6 hours
POLS 1301, 2302	6 hours
Social and Behavioral Sciences	6 hours
Humanities	6 hours
Oral Communication	3 hours
Visual and Performing Arts	6 hours
Foreign Language	11-16 hours
Personal Fitness and Wellness	2 hours

Chemistry Minor. The Chemistry minor consists of CHEM 1307, 1308, 1107, 1108 and 11 credit hours of courses at the 2000 level or higher (excluding the following courses: CHEM 2000, 2100, 2103, 2303, 3000, 4010, 4100, and 4300). At least 6 credit hours must be taken from 3000- or 4000-level chemistry courses. Two hours of laboratory coursework must be included in the 11-hour total. Students who have taken organic chemistry at other institutions below the 3000 level will be required to pass a departmental organic chemistry exit exam to satisfy upper–division credit hour requirements for the minor (equivalency for CHEM 3305 and/or CHEM 3306).

Residency Requirements. The department generally accepts transfer credits from other colleges and universities. However, to receive an undergraduate degree in either chemistry or biochemistry, at least 25 percent of the hours in the major must be taken at Texas Tech. For a chemistry minor, at least one of the junior-senior level courses must be taken at Texas Tech.

Advanced Standing. The department will permit a student to receive credit for any courses in the curriculum if proficiency is demonstrated in that subject by examination. Examinations for CHEM 1305, 1306, 1307, and 1308 are given at Academic Testing Services prior to each semester. Previous registration for these examinations is not required for students entering Texas Tech for the first time. Students who are currently enrolled must apply to the Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office for approval to take the examination. For all other courses, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain approval from the dean’s office and to petition the department chair for such examination(s) well before normal enrollment in the course. There is a fee for the CLEP test.

Teacher Education. Students seeking a teaching certificate in physical science are expected to earn a bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) with a major in either chemistry or biochemistry. College of Education requirements for certification in chemistry and science are described in the Teacher Education section of this catalog.

Chemistry Placement Examination. Students wishing to enroll in either CHEM 1301 or 1307 must first take the Chemistry Placement Examination. Please consult the department Web site at www.depts.ttu.edu/chemistry for additional information. A sample placement exam with key may be found at this site. Previous registration for this examination is not required and there is no fee. Students are strongly encouraged to review high school level chemistry concepts and skills prior to attempting the examination.

Curriculum Tables

• Chemistry, B.A. Curriculum
• Chemistry, B.S. Curriculum
• Biochemistry, B.A. Curriculum
• Biochemistry, B.S. Curriculum

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Graduate Program

Students seeking advanced degrees must take the diagnostic examination in their area of specialization and in two other non-specialty areas after arrival in early spring or fall. These examinations are based on the undergraduate curriculum and are also offered in late spring. Students who fail the diagnostic examination in their specialty area will be given a second and final opportunity to pass this examination. Those students whose academic background emphasizes biochemistry may opt for a series of three biological chemistry examinations rather than taking exams in two non-specialty areas.

Master's Program. A master’s degree program includes a minimum of 19 credit hours of graduate-level coursework, 5 credit hours of research (CHEM 7000), and 6 hours of thesis (CHEM 6000). At least one graduate course must be from outside the area of specialization. A doctoral degree program includes a minimum of 26 credit hours of graduate-level coursework, 34 credit hours of research (CHEM 7000), and 12 credit hours of dissertation (CHEM 8000). At least two graduate courses must be from outside the area of specialization.

Doctoral Program. A cumulative examination system is used as the written part of the qualifying examination for the doctoral degree, with cumulatives offered eight times each year. Passing three cumulative examinations by the end of the second year and an additional three cumulative examinations by the end of the third year is required to satisfy the written part of the qualifying examination. The successful oral defense of an independent research proposal is required after satisfying the written part of the qualifying examination requirement. A successful oral defense of the Ph.D. research plan must be completed before the end of the second year.

Each student fulfilling the doctoral residence requirement in chemistry and biochemistry will normally enroll for 24 hours within a 12-month period. Ordinarily, this would be accomplished by taking 9 hours in two long semesters and 6 hours in the summer.Back to Top

 

Course Descriptions

• Chemistry (CHEM)
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Faculty

Click here to view alphabetical listing of all TTU faculty and their academic credentials.

Dominick J. Casadonte Jr., Ph.D., Chairperson

Horn Professors: Bartsch, Knaff, Nes
Piper Professor: Casadonte
Welch Professor: Hase
Professors: Birney, Gellene, Korzeniewski, Li, Poirier, Quitevis
Associate Professors: Hope-Weeks, Morales, Niwayama, Paré, Shaw, Thompson, Weber, Whittlesey
Assistant Professors: Bradley, Fuertes, Krempner, Mayer, Pappas, Shi
Instructors: Hanna,Jones, Mason, Zhang
Adjunct Faculty: Dasgupta, Liu, Reid
Joint Faculty: Ridley, Smith, WeeksBack to Top