Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Odutayo O. Odunuga, interim chair
Bush Mathematical Sciences Building, Room 104
Phone: (936) 468-3606
Fax: (936) 468-7634
P.O. Box 13006, SFA Station
Nacogdoches, TX 75962
Email: odunugaoo@sfasu.edu
Web: sfasu.edu/chemistry

Faculty

Professors
Alyx S. Frantzen, Michele R. Harris, Michael A. Janusa, Odutayo O. Odunuga, Kefa K. Onchoke

Associate Professors
Brian M. Barngrover, Darrell R. Fry, Bidisha Sengupta, Matibur R. Zamadar

Assistant Professors
Russell J. Franks, John B. Gary, Rashid Mia

Lecturer
Catherine Kwiatkowski

Objectives

The objectives of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry are:

• to prepare students for graduate and/or professional schools (e.g., medical)
• to prepare students for positions in industry, government and education
• to equip science, technology, engineering and mathematics students with nonchemistry majors to relate chemistry to their majors
• and to acquaint nonscience students with the methods, concepts and applications of the science of chemistry.

The chemistry curriculum is accredited by the American Chemical Society and the biochemistry curriculum is accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Accreditation means students are receiving a world-class, quality education from exceptionally skilled educators in the field.

• Biochemistry - curriculum designed for students interested in careers in medical and allied health sciences (premedical and other pre-professional students), pharmaceutical/chemical industry, clinical/biomedical research and academia. Biochemistry combines the fundamentals of chemistry with advanced courses in biochemistry and life sciences. Biochemistry students can minor in any discipline, but most choose to minor in biology.
• Fermentation Science - curriculum designed for students interested in entering the food, wine, beer, product development and/or production management industries after graduation. The program’s multidisciplinary curriculum provides students with a broad fundamental level of knowledge in the chemical, biochemical and microbiological principles and concepts integral to the fermentation process. Students in the program also learn the basic principles of food handling, hygiene, safety and regulatory practices in the industry, along with the basic principles of management and administration in the hospitality industry. Internships with local fermentation-oriented businesses provide students with hands-on, real-world experience in laboratory procedures and methods used for product quality control and quality assurance in the fermentation industry.
• Interdisciplinary - curriculum designed for students interested in learning chemical sciences; however, other options may be designed with approval of the department. Although chemistry is a distinct subject or discipline of inquiry, chemistry contributes to all the other science disciplines and is interdisciplinary by nature. It is for this reason this concentration allows students the flexibility to supplement a core study of chemistry with courses in other science fields. The curriculum provides students the intellectual tools to integrate their concentration areas, engage in interdisciplinary problem-solving, and prepares them for careers and/or graduate programs that increasingly cross disciplinary boundaries. Graduates are prepared for entry into the job market or graduate study in the sciences or an interdisciplinary area, or in medical, law and business schools. Interdisciplinary concentration students are required to have 25 hours of approved minor/concentration courses.
• Professional Chemist - curriculum designed for students who wish to pursue graduate education for a career in research in chemistry or in a chemical industry. The curriculum specifically includes advanced coursework in all five sub-disciplines of chemistry (analytical, biochemical, organic, inorganic and physical). Students selecting the professional chemist concentration are free to choose any minor; however, the combined science minor is highly recommended.
• JacksTeach - curriculum designed for students whose career goals are in the secondary education field. Students are required take the JacksTeach concentration (27 hours).
• Research Intensive - designed to develop the skills (critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, communication, etc.) needed for students to obtain a complete education and apply their knowledge to real-world problems after graduation. This concentration requires a minimum of four hours of research in addition to the two hours required in the curriculum.

Mission

We prepare our students to succeed. SFA’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry prepares students for success in their professional career by providing a dynamic, learner-centered education. We use proven strategies in the classroom and laboratory that provide students with the opportunity to learn fundamental knowledge and become a lifelong learner. We engage students in research using a unique mentoring program designed to impart sound problem-solving and marketable skills. We engage students in service within the university community, the broader scientific community and beyond. 

Student Organizations

American Chemical Society Student Chapter, American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Student Chapter, Chemistry Club

Definition of Major and Minor

A minimum of 120 semester hours of coursework is required for a Bachelor of Science degree. The department offers a Bachelor of Science that requires all students to complete a major track and minor, take the appropriate core curriculum requirements and have the required semester hours for graduation.

The biochemistry major consists of 19 core chemistry hours and selected chemistry courses. The chemistry major consists of 19 core chemistry hours and one area of concentration from: biochemical/premedical, fermentation science, interdisciplinary, professional chemist and chemistry teaching.

A maximum of four hours of CHEM 4175 /CHEM 4176  may be counted toward the major.

The Research Intensive concentration is not a major concentration but may be added to any chemistry department degree for a research intensive emphasis. 

The chemistry minor consists of a minimum of 18 hours of chemistry coursework.

The following courses may not be used in either the chemistry major or chemistry minor: CHEM 1305 , CHEM 1307 , CHEM 3402  and CHEM 3320 .

Co-Requisite Courses

Courses that are co-requisites must be taken together during the same semester. Separate grades will be awarded for these courses. Withdrawal from one co-requisite course requires the dropping of the other course. A student is not required to repeat a co-requisite course for which the student has received a passing grade of C.

Course Credit

A minimum grade of C is required in all courses that are prerequisites to a chemistry course. Unless otherwise indicated, courses are three semester hours credit, three hours of lecture per week.

Certification for Chemistry or Physical Science Teaching (Grades 8-12)

Students who wish to qualify for teaching certificates should consult the Teacher Certification section of this bulletin.

MCAT/DAT Pre-requisites

Students are advised to complete the following courses prior to taking the MCAT/DAT test, which is typically taken in the spring of junior year:

Programs

• American Chemical Society-Certified
• Biochemistry, BS
• Chemistry, BS

• Chemistry Minor