Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry


 

L. William Poirier, Ph.D., Interim Chairperson

Horn Professors: Hase, Li, Mechref, Nes
Piper Professor: Casadonte
Welch Chair: Hase
Professors: Gellene, Heppert, Hope-Weeks, Korzeniewski, Morales, Pappas, Paré, Poirier, Quitevis
Associate Professors: Cozzolino, Findlater, Gamez, Harned, Krempner, Latham, Mayer, Shi, Thompson, Weber
Assistant Professors: D’Auria, Hutchins, Wylie
Instructors: Mason, Pool, Roberts, Telesford
Adjunct Faculty: Aquino, Liang, Lischka, Perera
Joint Faculty: Horita, Ridley, Weeks

CONTACT INFORMATION: 104 Chemistry Building | 1204 Boston Ave. | Box 41061 | Lubbock, TX 79409-1061 | T 806.742.3067 | F 806.742.1289 | chem.ttu.edu

About the Department

This department supervises the following degree programs:

Students seeking graduate degrees may specialize in analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, or theoretical chemistry; chemical education; chemical physics; or biochemistry.

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 very active chapters of the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).

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 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 & Sciences or other colleges. Consult the undergraduate advisor prior to registration for a particular minor program.

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. Both of the biochemistry degrees are accredited by ASBMB, the primary professional organization for these disciplines.

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 6 hours of 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 , CHEM 1306 , CHEM 1307 , and CHEM 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 & 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 are expected to earn a bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) with a major in either chemistry or biochemistry. Students also may satisfy the requirements for the teaching of high school chemistry by majoring in multidisciplinary science with an emphasis in chemistry. This major is administered by the College of Education. Those students in the College of Arts & Sciences who plan to become high school teachers should minor in secondary education. They will be required to take EDSE 4000  for their student teaching experience. The university has implemented a new teacher education program that includes a full year of student teaching (two semesters of the senior year) for new students. See a College of Education advisor to complete a certification plan.

Chemistry Placement Examination. Students wishing to enroll in either CHEM 1301  or CHEM 1307  must first take the Chemistry Placement Examination. Please consult chem.ttu.edu 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.

Course Prerequisites. All undergraduate CHEM courses require a C or better in all prerequisite courses unless specified otherwise in the course description.

Graduate Program

For information on graduate programs offered by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, visit the Graduate Programs  section.

Undergraduate Program Offerings, Course Descriptions & Curricular Tables

(Click on program for curricular tables.)

Programs

    Bachelor’sUndergraduate Minor

    Courses

      CHEM - Chemistry (Undergraduate Courses)