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Information for Chemistry Majors

General Information | Degrees Offered | Implement Degree Plan | Tracks & Minors | Declaration of Minor in Chemistry | Undergraduate Research | Stay Bonded | FAQ's

Welcome to the Undergraduate Chemistry Program at Texas A&M University. Chemistry is an exciting and dynamic field with unlimited opportunities. This document will provide you with an overview of our program and answer many of the questions you may have as you begin your studies at Texas A&M.

You should definitely look at www.chem.tamu.edu/ugrad for very specific information about the undergraduate chemistry program at Texas A&M University. Included here is information about:

For more information about the above go to www.chem.tamu.edu/ugrad

UNDERGRADUATE ADVISING CONTACTS
Dr. John Hogg, Thaman Professor of Undergraduate Teaching Excellence
Chief Undergraduate Advisor and Professor of Chemistry
Office: Room 104, Chemistry
Phone: 979-845-0520
hogg@mail.chem.tamu.edu
Dr. Tammy Tiner, Senior Lecturer
Associate Undergraduate Advisor
Office: Room 108, Chemistry
Phone: 979-845-0520
tiner@tamu.edu		 Ms. Marylin Warren
Office Associate
Office: Room 104, Chemistry
Phone: 979-845-0520
warren@mail.chem.tamu.edu

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General Information
We have one of the largest chemistry departments in the United States in some ways but still offer many of the advantages you might expect to find only at smaller schools. We offer small class sections of most chemistry courses for chemistry majors, special laboratories with outstanding state of the art instrumentation, personal advising, and genuine concern for your welfare.

The excitement and opportunities associated with a large, nationally ranked chemistry program are yours. How large is the department? We typically have about 45 tenure track faculty members, about 15 lecturers and senior lecturers, about 200 graduate students, 100 postdoctoral fellows, and 60 support staff. We also brought in nearly $12 million dollars in research grant money in the chemistry department last year and teach over 7,000 students in chemistry lecture and laboratory courses each year. Each fall semester we enroll over 3000 students in various general chemistry courses.

We typically average around 175-200 undergraduate chemistry majors. Most of these students are taught in special small lecture and laboratory sections for chemistry majors during their freshman and sophomore years when chemistry classes could otherwise be quite large. Thus, chemistry majors at A&M receive the special attention normally associated with very small colleges.

Dr. Hogg, Dr. Tiner and Ms. Warren are here to assist you. You should contact them anytime you have a question or problem, need some advice, or just want to tell someone about your recent accomplishments or good news. You will probably find it helpful to call and schedule an appointment but this is not absolutely necessary. Don't hesitate to let us know when something good happens to you because we like to publicize these things in the monthly undergraduate chemistry newsletter, Orbitals: What's Happening in Chemistry Circles. Past issues are available on our website. We are all here to help you but can do that only if you communicate with us.

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Degrees Offered
The Department of Chemistry offers course work programs leading to two undergraduate degrees, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.). Both degrees provide a sound and broadly based program of study in chemistry and related disciplines and are suitable for a wide variety of career objectives.

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Implementing Your Degree Plan and Beginning Your Course work
The B.S. and B.A. degree plans are very similar for about the first year and a half, which makes it unnecessary to choose one over the other when you first enter the program. You will want to make a decision around the middle of your sophomore year, however. The B.S. is the more rigorous degree plan, in terms of chemistry and math, while the B.A. plan allows a more individualized course of study. We will be glad to discuss the pros/cons of each with you.

By answering the questions below, you will be prepared to register for your first semester as a chemistry major at Texas A&M University.

HOW DO I DETERMINE WHICH COURSES I SHOULD REGISTER FOR AND HOW MANY HOURS I SHOULD TAKE?

The simple answer is that most chemistry majors register for the courses listed in the first semester of the B.S. or the B.A. degree plan. This is 16 credit hours and is a "normal" load. It includes the following courses: CHEM 100, CHEM 101 or CHEM 103 and CHEM 113, ENGL 104, MATH 171 or 151, KINE 198 and HIST 105.

However, your course choice may vary depending on your background, AP credit, credit by exam (CBE), or previous college level work. A brief description of the various courses offered, and how to decide which ones to take, follows.

CHEM 100 HORIZONS IN CHEMISTRY (1-CREDIT) is designed for freshman chemistry majors. The course focuses on broad-based chemical topics that reflect the excitement that initially motivates individuals to pursue further study in chemistry. Through readings, discussions, videos, chemical demonstrations and guest lectures, students in the course are introduced to the many ways in which chemistry influences our lives. There will be opportunities for structured study groups involving chemistry majors registered for the same classes. Drs. Tiner and Hogg will coordinate the course.

CHEM 101, 101H, 103/113, or 227/231 - Which course or course combination is right for me?

There are several possible chemistry courses in which you could begin. It is more important to get you into the correct course, based on your background, than it is to dogmatically place everyone into a single course. We feel there are advantages to registering for the smaller class especially designed for chemistry majors (i.e. CHEM 103/113) or honors students (CHEM 101H), although we realize that some of the best and brightest chemistry majors who've ever graduated from A&M did not take these courses or the subsequent 104/114 or CHEM 102H. We will try to give you the perspective of both faculty and students in our advising discussions.

Use the table below to guide you in your initial selection of your chemistry course.

Yrs HS Chem AP Credit for CHEM 101/102 SAT Recommendation
1 (Soph) No Any Chem 101
1 (Jr/Sr) No <1250 Chem 101
1 (Jr/Sr) No > 1250 Chem 103/113 or 101H
1 or 2 101 only Any Chem 102 or 103/113
2 No > 1250 Chem 103/113 or 101H
2 Yes < 1250 Chem 103/113 or 227/231
2 Yes > 1250 Chem 227/231 or 227H/231

In the past 3 years, 65 of 167 freshmen registered for 101 or 101H, 17 for 102, 51 for 103, 34 for 227 or 227H.

CHEM 103 and 101H will be smaller classes (typically no more than 50 students) in which the material is covered at a slightly more rapid pace, in which a higher-level text is used, and which involve more traditional style exams. Students who are very serious about chemistry take these courses and a strong effort is required in order to do well in the courses. CHEM 101 classes will be significantly larger (up to 300 students per section) and, in general, have a broader spectrum of students with a wider range of abilities.

The sophomore organic chemistry class for majors (i.e. CHEM 227 [503]) normally is less than half the size of the other undergraduate organic classes. Typically about 90% of the students in this class are chemistry majors with a smattering of biochemistry and chemical engineering students enrolled in the course. The 2-credit CHEM 231 laboratory associated with this lecture for chemistry majors prepares these students to enter into the 3-credit CHEM 234 laboratory in the following semester.

ENGL 104 COMPOSITION AND RHETORIC (3-credit)
You must take ENGL 104 and at least one of the nine other Communications courses required by the Core Curriculum. Only ENGL 104 should be taken this semester, unless you have credit for it already. Do not postpone this course beyond the sophomore year or you will not be allowed to take it at A&M. If you already have credit for English 104, you should replace this course in your schedule with one of the courses discussed in the last paragraph on the discussion of electives in this handout.

MATH 150, 151 OR 171 - WHICH COURSE IS RIGHT FOR ME?

We will have to consider your placement in mathematics very carefully. If you've had a calculus or a very good pre-calculus course, then you may register for MATH 171 or MATH 151. The mathematics advisors have said that people should not place out of MATH 151 unless they made a 5 on the Calculus A/B exam. They recommend that even students with a 5 on the Calculus B/C exam should still take MATH 172 or 152 and not enter directly into calculus III (i.e. MATH 221).

MATH 151 and 171 are both first semester calculus classes, which are taught, in slightly different formats but cover the same material. MATH 171 is a slightly more theoretical course with three lectures and one computer lab per week while MATH 151 has three lectures and two labs hours (one with computer) per week. Either course is acceptable for chemistry majors and many students choose on the basis of time, instructor, emphasis on theory, etc. In general, MATH 171 is a smaller course, which utilizes “traditional style” examinations prepared by the specific course instructor. MATH 151 is a larger class, which utilizes common examinations administered at night for all sections of the course at once. Note the common night examination periods for MATH 151/152 listed in the directory of classes when planning your schedule.

If you feel you're not ready for a university level calculus course, then you may choose to register for MATH 150 (Functions, Trigonometry, and Linear Systems). This is the science and engineering "pre-calculus" course and it is taken by a large number of students. MATH 150 may be necessary to strengthen your background but it will not count toward the credits required for graduation. Since the fall of 1993, about 30-35% of the entering freshman chemistry majors have taken Math 150 as their first math course, while about 65-70% have taken Math 171 or 151 with more students registering for 171.

HIST 105 or an Elective (3 CREDITS)?
Although HIST 105 is listed in the first semester, you should understand that the exact placement of courses such as history, political science, and your core curriculum electives and other electives in your program is quite flexible. These courses may be "moved around" without creating problems.

Chemistry majors who wish to keep open the option of attending MEDICAL school, DENTAL school or PHARMACY school may wish to register for BIOL 113 and the laboratory, BIOL 123, during the first semester in place of history, political science or other core course. Admission to medical or dental school normally requires 16 credit hours of biology courses as well as other science courses. Many, but not all, chemistry majors planning to attend medical school will obtain the B.A. degree and choose either a traditional minor in biology or the newly approved biological chemistry track. Don't be misled into thinking that medical or other professional school requirements take priority over the requirements for the chemistry degree. They do not. You should automatically meet the course requirements, with the exception of biology, for medical school if you obtain a degree in chemistry. We will continue to add the biology requirements to your course of study if you continue to maintain an interest in medical school, dental school or pharmacy school. You should acquaint yourself with the services offered by the Office of Professional School Advising in Room 203 Academic Building if you are interested in one of these career options.

If you choose to select an elective, we suggest that you look closely at the courses applicable to the various categories of the required core curriculum. Some courses frequently taken by chemistry majors in the first semester are: PSYC 107 (Intro to Psychology), SOCI 205 (Intro to Sociology), ECON 202 (Principles of Economics) and many others too numerous to list. You may also choose to take HIST 105 or 106 or POLS 206 or 207 at this time and delay your electives until later in your degree program. Any of these may be added to your first semester curriculum as an elective or as a replacement in your schedule for a course for which you already have college credit.

KINE 198 AND 199. (1 CREDIT)
You must take one credit of Health and Fitness (KINE 198) and one of KINE 199, before you graduate. You do not have to take it your first semester if you don't want to. KINE 198 may be taken on a satisfactory or unsatisfactory (S/U) or, in local terminology, pass/fail basis. A grade of C or better must be achieved in courses taken S/U in order to receive a "grade" of S. S-Grades do not influence your GPR but U-grades will count just the same as an F in your GPR calculation. You should indicate your preference when you register for the course but this may be changed (for KINE 198/199 only) through the 10th week of the semester. These courses are not automatic A's. You will also be required to take 1-credit of KINE 199 before you graduate and this must be taken on an S/U basis if it is being used to satisfy the core curriculum requirement in Kinesiology.

In summary, most chemistry majors will register for 13-16 hours in their first semester at Texas A&M University by choosing from the courses described above.

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Chemistry Tracks and Minors
In addition to the traditional B.S. degree (which allows for optional minors) and the traditional B.A. degree (minor required), the Department of Chemistry offers five additional Tracks to guide students in their selection of electives for particular career paths in biological chemistry, environmental chemistry and chemical education. A traditional minor requires that all minor courses must be taken from the same department and approved by the department granting the minor. However, the Tracks provide electives in an area of emphasis which includes courses from several departments. Students completing all the requirements for a Track would not be required to have a traditional minor. Students should carefully check prerequisites in planning these courses. The approved Tracks are:

Biological Chemistry Track for the B.S. Degree
This Track provides a rigorous program of study and is designed for students interested in pursuing graduate study in biological chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology or related fields or a career in the pharmaceutical industry. Students who wish to enter an MD/PhD program or medical, dental or pharmacy school will, in most cases, need to take an additional advanced biology course and should check the admission requirements for these schools. This is an American Chemical Society approved degree. Electives in the B.S. program must be utilized in the following manner to complete the 20 credits required for this option. Note that 6 credits of biochemistry may count as advanced chemistry electives in the degree plan.

Biology: BIOL 113/114/123/124 (8 cr)
Biochemistry: BICH 410/411 (6 cr) - to be used as advanced chemistry
Genetics: GENE 301 (4 cr) or 320 (3 cr)
Statistics: STAT 211 (3 cr) or 302 (3 cr)

Biological Chemistry Track for the B.A. Degree
Completion of the requirements in this Track prepares one to enter medical, dental, and pharmaceutical school. Electives in the B.A. program must be utilized in the following manner to complete the 31 credits required for this Track. Note that 6 credits of biochemistry count as advanced chemistry electives in the degree plan. This Track retains an additional 19 credits (beyond core requirements) which may be used to tailor a program of study which suits individual needs and interests.

Biology: BIOL 113/114/123/124 (8 cr)
Biochemistry: BICH 410/411 (6 cr) - to be used as advanced chemistry
Genetics: GENE 301 (4 cr) or 320 (3 cr)
Anatomy: ZOOL 318 (4 cr) or 319 (4 cr) or VAPH 305 (4 cr)
Microbiology: VTPB 405 (5 cr)
Physiology: ZOOL 320 (4 cr) or 388 (4 cr) or VTTP 423 (4 cr)

Environmental Chemistry Track for the B.S. Degree. This Track is for students desiring the most rigorous chemistry program coupled with electives focused in subjects suitable for pursuit of careers with an environmental focus. This is an American Chemical Society approved degree. Electives in the program must be selected as directed.

Group I (choose at least 6 cr)
Biology: BIOL 113/114/123/124 (8 cr)
Geology: GEOL 104 (4 cr)
Meteorology: METR 363 (3 cr)a
Oceanography: OCNG 401 (3 cr); OCNG 410 (3 cr)

Group II (choose at least 6 cr)
Biology: BIOL 214 (3 cr)
Microbiology: MICR 360 (3 cr)
Oceanography: OCNG 420 (3 cr)
Geology: GEOL 420 (3 cr); GEOL 451 (3 cr)
Bioenvironmental Science: BESC 403 (3 cr)
Geography: GEOG 324 (3 cr); GEOG 330 (3 cr); GEOG 370 (3 cr)

a =Strongly recommended for all students in the Environmental track

Environmental Chemistry Track for the B.A. Degree. This Track is for students interested in careers with an environmental focus but who desire more flexibility than that provided by the B.S. degree with an Environmental Chemistry Track emphasis. An additional 23 hours of electives (beyond the Track and core electives) remain in this highly flexible program. Electives in the program must be selected as directed.

Group I (choose at least 12 cr)
Biology: BIOL 113/114/123/12 (8 cr)
Geology: GEOL 104 (4 cr)
Meteorology: METR 363 (3 cr)a
Oceanography: OCNG 401 (3 cr); OCNG 410 (3 cr)

Group II (choose at least 9 cr)
Biology: BIOL 214 (3 cr)
Microbiology: MICR 360 (3 cr)
Oceanography: OCNG 420 (3 cr)
Geology: GEOL 420 (3 cr); GEOL 451 (3 cr)
Bioenvironmental Science: BESC 403 (3 cr)
Geography: GEOG 324 (3 cr); GEOG 330 (3 cr); GEOG 370 (3 cr)
Geosciences: GEOS 410 (3 cr)

a = Strongly recommended for all students in the Environmental track

Chemical Education Track for the B.A. Degree Only
Students who complete all the requirements for secondary teacher certification as defined by the College of Education (consultation with the College of Education is required) will have the requirement for a minor in the B.A. degree waived. This includes, but is not limited to, the following courses:

TEFB 201 (1 cr)
TEFB 322 (2 cr)
INST 210 (3 cr)
TEFB 323 (3 cr)
TEFB 324 (3 cr)
TEFB 406 (3 cr)
TEFB 429 (9 cr)

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Some Practical Advice Before Registering for Classes
A. In general, you should feel free to seek advising from either Dr. Tiner or Hogg. You will not be "assigned" to one or the other of us. Although Dr. Hogg will be available to work with any undergraduate chemistry major, it is expected that he will concentrate his efforts on junior and senior majors (i.e. students who will be graduating within 1-2 years). Dr. Tiner will concentrate her advising efforts on freshman and sophomore chemistry majors. We will jointly take responsibility for advising you. However, we hope that students will, for the most part, follow the guideline above when seeking advising.

B. Carefully consider the possible consequences before you register for three classes back-to-back (e.g. don't register for an 8, 9:10 and 10:20 class) on the same day. You may have an exam in all three on the same day and, if you get off to a poor start, you can really mess up in a hurry.

C. Try to avoid registering for sections of classes located on the West Campus back-to-back with one on the East Campus. It is difficult, but not impossible, to move between such classes in the allotted time. The rooms in which West Campus courses are listed are followed by an asterisk (*) in the class schedule booklet.

D. You may obtain additional information about the Chemistry Program and Faculty at Texas A&M University by accessing our web address at www.chem.tamu.edu

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Join the ACS Student Affiliate Chapter and Stay Bonded
Become an active member of the Student Affiliate Chapter of the American Chemical Society if you really want to get to know your fellow chemistry majors and get involved in your professional society. This is the student run organization for chemistry majors and it is really a great organization, which provides lots of interesting information and exciting opportunities for those involved. During the past several, the Texas A&M University student ACS chapter has been recognized as one of 25-30 outstanding chapters out of 900 chapters in the United States. Each year a group of students has taken a trip to the National American Chemical Society Conference. Members (including several freshmen) went to New Orleans for the convention this spring for next to nothing since the club members raised around money to pay for travel and accommodations. Several social events are planned for the 2003-2004 academic year so don't miss out. Dr. Tiner is the faculty advisor so you can always get more information from her.

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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. WHAT CAN I DO WITH A DEGREE IN CHEMISTRY?
A degree in chemistry is excellent preparation for a variety of careers. Copies of several career aids are available in our office and in the undergraduate chemistry major student lounge in room 2106. You may borrow this information any time. Some of these aids are: Careers for Chemists: A World Outside the Lab, Chemical Careers in Brief, Careers for Chemists: An Inside Look on video and CD, and Jobs in the Drug Industry. There is also a terrific web site with information about careers in a variety of disciplines, including chemistry, What Can I Do with a Major In ......? found at www.uncwil.edu/stuaff/career/majors. It has lots of links to related sites within each discipline addressed.

Career paths chosen by some of our recent graduates include: Medical, Dental, Vet or Pharmacy School, Law School, Forensic Chemistry, Graduate School, Teaching, Industrial Positions, and Military/Government Careers.

Cooperative education programs are an excellent way to explore industrial and government employment. Opportunities are plentiful for undergraduate chemistry majors wishing to get involved in the coop program. Summer internships in industry are often available to outstanding students. We can explore the opportunities available to you through these programs as you progress in your study of chemistry.

Q. WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES IN THE B.S. AND B.A. DEGREE PLANS AND WHEN MUST I CHOOSE BETWEEN THEM?
The set of prescribed courses is referred to as a degree plan. This is a suggested outline of when you should take the courses. You should try to adhere to this schedule as closely as possible although the timing of some courses is more critical than others.

The B.S. and B.A. degree plans both require completion of 128 credit hours of course work under catalog #126 (i.e. the 2003-04 catalog). The major points of difference are compared below.

Requirements B.S. B.A.
Hours of chemistry required 55 credit hours 39 credit hours
Hours of mathematics required 15 credit hours 8 credit hours
Hours of Physics required 8 credit hours (calc-based) 8 credit hours
Hours of totally free electives 21 credit hours 44 credit hours
Minor or Track (required or optional) optional required
Elective hours for Minor/Track varies varies
Research (required or optional) required optional

Q. WHAT IS THE CORE CURRICULUM AND HOW DOES IT APPLY TO ME?
The Core Curriculum is a common set of requirements that must be satisfied by all Texas A&M graduates. The requirements are outlined in your undergraduate catalog. The footnotes at the bottom of your degree plan in the catalog and the discussion of Minors and Tracks on page 7 of this handout will also guide you in the choice of courses to fulfill both chemistry degree requirements and core requirements. The core curriculum requirements do not add extra hours to your chemistry degree plan. They just dictate, to some extent, your freedom to choose electives so they are frequently referred to as Directed Electives.