Chemistry and Biochemistry
The department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Baylor University offers a variety of degree options and programs to suit the needs of students with a wide range of career goals. Fully accredited by the American Chemical Society, the department offers a certified bachelor's degree in chemistry as well as several others. We have research programs in the core areas of chemistry (analytical, inorganic, physical, organic, and biochemistry) along with more interdisciplinary programs in chemical biology and biomedical research
Freshmen who wish to be chemistry or biochemistry majors are strongly advised to enroll in CHE 1301 Basic Principles of Modern Chemistry I in the freshman year in order to keep as many options open as possible. Current Baylor students must have a minimum 3.5 GPA and 12 hours in residence to request to change to BA or BS majors in chemistry or biochemistry. Transfer students desiring to enter Baylor and major in chemistry or biochemistry (BA or BS) must have a minimum 3.5 GPA.
- Chemistry, B.A.
- Chemistry (American Chemical Society Certified), B.S.
- Chemistry, B.S.
- Chemistry - Secondary Major
- Chemistry Minor
- Biochemistry, B.A.
- Biochemistry, B.S.
- Biochemistry - Secondary Major
- Biochemistry Minor
- Joint Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts in Teaching
- Joint Bachelor of Science/Master of Arts in Teaching
Chemistry (CHE)
Laboratory investigations of chemical reactions and properties of common, everyday materials.
An introductory laboratory course that illustrates topics covered in CHE 1301, including chemical reactions, the mole concept, properties of gases and solutions, thermochemistry, and molecular bonding.
An introductory laboratory course that illustrates topics covered in CHE 1302, including properties of solutions, kinetics, equilibrium, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, and chemical analysis.
Laboratory experiments illustrating principles of organic chemistry and biochemistry.
No previous knowledge of chemistry required. A one-semester course in general inorganic chemistry, covering atomic structure, bonding, nomenclature, chemical equations, and a problem-solving approach to stoichiometry, gases, solutions, acids and bases, chemical equilibrium and oxidation-reduction. Note: Students may apply either CHE 1300-1100, 1405, 1341-1146, or 1301 and 1100 in fulfillment of a science requirement for a (non-chemistry) B.A. degree. However, CHE 1405 is strongly advised for the meeting of this requirement.
Completion of high school chemistry highly recommended. An introduction to chemical reactions; the mole concept; properties of gases, solids, liquids, and solutions; atomic structure; periodic properties; chemical bonding, and molecular structure.
A continuation of CHE 1301 with emphasis on chemical equilibrium, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, kinetics, and radiochemistry.
A one-semester introduction to organic chemistry and biochemistry. The structure and properties of different classes of organic compounds, enzymes, bioenergetics, intermediary metabolism, body fluids, and nutrition will be covered.
The influence of chemistry on everyday life, including energy sources, agricultural chemicals, food and food additives, medicines, drugs, water, air, and pollution. Laboratory exercises involve the chemistry and physical properties of common materials.
A research project conducted under the supervision of a Baylor Chemistry/Biochemistry Department faculty member. A minimum of three clock hours of work per week in the laboratory will be required for each semester hour of credit. This course may be repeated once if research continues. Departmental clearance is required before a grade can be assigned.
Undergraduate research undertaken under the supervision of a faculty member. May be taken for a maximum of 6 hours.
An introductory laboratory course in quantitative analysis, including volumetric and gravimetric procedures with emphasis on developing the requisite laboratory technique for making high-quality analytical determinations.
A research project conducted under the supervision of a Baylor Chemistry/Biochemistry Department faculty member. A minimum of three clock hours of work per week in the laboratory will be required for each semester hour of credit. This course may be repeated once if research continues. Departmental clearance is required before a grade can be assigned.
Undergraduate research undertaken under the supervision of a faculty member. May be taken for a maximum of 6 hours.
A laboratory course in organic chemistry including synthesis, purification, and analysis of organic compounds using a variety of techniques.
Chemistry of organic compounds which primarily contain the less polar functional groups. Topics include reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry and organic spectroscopy.
The chemistry of dietary components, digestion, and biosynthesis, with emphasis on molecular structures, chemical properties, and metabolic relationships relevant to health. (This course does not count as an advanced course for chemistry majors.)
Introduction to the theory and techniques of analytical chemistry as applied to forensic science.
Undergraduate research undertaken under the supervision of a faculty member. May be taken for a maximum of 6 hours.
The only requirement for this course is completion of a comprehensive chemistry exit examination designated by the department. This examination may be written by the department's faculty or may be chosen from the GRE, ETS, or another similar examination.
Experiments illustrating isolation and identification of biomolecules with emphasis on chromatographic separations, centrifugation, electrophoresis, spectroscopic methods, kinetics, and analysis of experimental data.
Experiments illustrating characterization of biomolecules with emphasis on advanced techniques in liquid chromatography, electrophoretic methods, ultracentrifugation, spectroscopic analysis, and molecular graphics and modeling.
Presentation of a seminar derived from the recent literature in an area of chemistry designated by the instructor.
A final report in the form of a B.S. thesis and a public presentation on a research project conducted under the supervision of a Baylor Chemistry/Biochemistry Department faculty member. A copy of the thesis must be submitted to the advisor for B.S. chemistry majors before a grade can be assigned.
A wide range of experimental techniques currently used in preparative inorganic chemistry research. Such techniques include dry bag, inert atmosphere, ion-exchange, and vacuum line manipulations; electrolytic, non-aqueous solvent, and tube furnace preparations. Emphasis will be given to both the preparation and characterization of compounds prepared in the laboratory.
Laboratory work in instrumental analysis with an emphasis on spectroscopy, separations, and electrochemical methods.
Introduction to basic biophysical laboratory techniques. Emphasis is placed on the spectroscopy and calorimetry of macromolecules/ligand interactions. Instruction in effective report writing.
Techniques of physical property measurement, data analysis, and interpretation, with emphasis on thermodynamics, electrochemistry, surface chemistry, solutions, and kinetics. Instruction in effective report writing.
Advanced work in measurement and data analysis techniques, with emphasis on lasers, molecular spectroscopy, and photochemistry. Instruction in effective report writing.
Advanced organic synthesis, purification and analysis techniques, including the use of instrumental methods, such as inert atmosphere techniques and modern analytical and preparative chromatography.
Modern inorganic chemistry, including principles of structure, bonding, and chemical reactivity with application to compounds of the main group and transition elements, with organometallic chemistry.
Advanced topics in inorganic chemistry; molecular symmetry with applications to electronic structure and spectroscopy; reaction kinetics and mechanisms; inorganic synthesis and catalysis; bioinorganic chemistry.
Introduction to instrumental methods of analysis including spectroscopy, separations, and electrochemical methods.
Gases, liquids and solids, phase changes, electrochemistry, and the principles of kinetics and thermodynamics. (Not applicable to a major in biochemistry.)
Postulates of quantum mechanics. Application of quantum theory to simple models: particle in a box, rigid rotor, and harmonic oscillator. Electronic, rotational, and vibrational motion in molecules. Molecular energy levels and spectra. Electronic structure of atoms and molecules. Basic concepts of statistical thermodynamics.
Chemical thermodynamics, kinetics, and the basic principles of spectroscopy with applications to systems of biochemical interest. (Not applicable to a major in chemistry.)
Advanced aspects of organic chemistry, including synthetic strategies and techniques, reaction mechanisms, and an introduction to bio-organic chemistry.
The most common spectroscopic methods including infrared, ultraviolet-visible, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopies, with emphasis on the practical use of NMR and MS in structure determination problems.
Topics in chemistry not covered in other chemistry courses. May be repeated once for credit if topic is different.
A research project conducted under the supervision of a Baylor Chemistry/Biochemistry Department faculty member. A minimum of three clock hours of work per week in the laboratory will be required for each semester hour of credit. A written progress report will be submitted to the instructor at the end of each semester. This course may be repeated for a maximum of 6 total hours if research continues. Departmental clearance is required before a grade can be assigned.
Undergraduate research undertaken under the supervision of a faculty member. May be taken for a maximum of 6 hours.