Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry

Return to: Degree Programs by College

Tim Schroeder, PhD, Chair

The Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry offers majors in chemistry with a traditional focus option in science as well as focus options in pre-health professional biochemistry, forensic science, and medical laboratory science. The pre-health professional biochemistry option is especially designed for pre-medical, pre-pharmacy, and can be used as an alternative pathway to medical laboratory science and other related fields. An associate degree in chemistry is also available. The associate degree in chemistry is intended for students that wish to pursue careers chemical industry or related fields at the entry position level or for those seeking an additional chemistry credential.

Chemistry The chemistry program offers an up-to-date curriculum which leads to the Associate of Science degree (AS) as well as the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree for those students wishing to major in chemistry as well as students interested in pre-health fields such as pharmacy, medicine, dentistry or medical laboratory science. Students planning to pursue graduate work in chemistry or closely related fields are advised to choose the science focus option and to take as many mathematics, physics, and computer science classes as their curricula will allow. Students interested in graduate work in biochemistry, molecular biology, or similar fields are encouraged to consider the pre-health professional biochemistry focus option and enrich their degree by taking as many biology classes as their curricula will allow. Pre-health professional biochemistry is the recommended focus option for students interested in pursuing professional careers in the health sciences such as pharmacy, medicine, optometry, dentistry, and paramedical fields. Students choosing this pathway should take as many biology classes as their curricula permits.

Undergraduate research is an integral part of the chemistry degree curriculum. The department offers numerous opportunities for students to participate in undergraduate research projects, both those that are designed by their mentor as well as projects that are self-designed to meet the needs and desires of the student. Degrees in chemistry have a required research component and students can choose from a variety of different research areas as they work with their faculty mentors. In tandem with the Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, the Natural Resources Research Center (NRRC) is a dedicated research space serving both the University as well as the community. The NRRC is equipped with instrumentation that meets or exceeds the current industry standards. Once trained, students take ownership of their own research projects and use the equipment, collect and process their data, and present their findings.

Note: Students are required to wear, at all times and with no exceptions, safety glasses and aprons or coats when in the laboratory.

Pre-Medical Program

Candidates for early admission to the School of Medicine of the University of Arkansas are required to present a minimum of three academic years (90 semester hours) of undergraduate work, exclusive of military science and physical education courses.

No specific courses are required. However, the student will find these courses listed in the next paragraph helpful for the study of medicine and for achieving adequate scores on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), which is required of all applicants and must be taken no later than the fall prior to the year in which admission to medical school is desired.

The School of Medicine of the University of Arkansas recommends courses in chemistry (including physical chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry), biology (including molecular biology), computer science, statistics, logic, speech, physics, world literature, psychology, foreign language, etc.

Students are encouraged to pattern their courses closely enough to the general education requirements so that they can complete a degree program at SAU if they choose. Most pre-medical students obtain degrees with a major in chemistry with a minor in biology or a major in biology with a minor in chemistry.

Return to: Degree Programs by College