Tracks and Minors for Chemistry Majors

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)

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