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Welcome

Greetings from the McMurry University Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Our faculty and staff are dedicated to helping you acquire the knowledge and skills to pursue a wide range of options upon graduation: research and development in private industry or government, teaching secondary school students, or continuing to graduate or professional studies en route to a career as a pharmacist, physician, dentist, professor, attorney, engineer, healthcare administrator, executive or entrepreneur.

Explore all the department has to offer. Then join us as we explore the science of energy and matter and contribute to scientific discoveries that improve quality of life for people around the world.

Chem 1

Areas of Study

The study of chemistry and biochemistry touches upon all aspects of matter and energy and the places where those concepts intersect. We offer two degree programs, a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts, and two minors.

Biochemistry B.S.

Biochemistry explores life at the molecular and chemical levels. This includes understanding the matter that makes up all things and the processes that sustain life. You’ll learn to explore proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates and the other components of living cells, as well as the biosynthetic and metabolic processes that link them together. A Bachelor of Science in biochemistry can lead to a career in healthcare, life sciences, business, government or law. In addition, McMurry has ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS with several prominent Texas colleges and universities to facilitate a seamless transition to a graduate school of pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, chiropractic and more. Biochemistry

Chemistry B.A.

The Bachelor of Arts curriculum offers a broader view of chemistry with a foundation in the math and science of matter. Pair this bachelor’s degree with a minor of your choosing for career opportunities in healthcare administration, industrial sales, patent law, science journalism or policy advising. To pursue education, choose a minor in curriculum and instruction to teach chemistry to students in grades 7-12; this minor will also prepare you to sit for teaching certification exams. Chemistry

Chemistry B.S.

The Bachelor of Science in chemistry is primarily a laboratory-based discipline. You’ll study the building blocks of matter and how they combine to form everything in the physical world and learn applications of what you study in the lab and in the field. Choose the Bachelor of Science in chemistry if you’re interested in a career in industrial process chemistry, pollution control and remediation, laboratory work, or commercial or governmental research. Your degree will also prepare you to continue your studies in a graduate or professional program. McMurry also has an ARTICULATION AGREEMENT with the University of North Dakota that enables you to graduate with dual degrees in chemistry and chemical engineering. Chemistry

Student Opportunities

Pre-Professional Programs

The mission of the McMurry University Pre-Professional Program is to provide the curricular advising and career guidance needed by our students as they prepare themselves for application to and successful completion of a professional school program. Pre-Professional Programs

Chemistry Club

McMurry has an active chapter of the American Chemical Society, known locally as the Chemistry Club. Students are involved in tutoring, chemistry shows, student preview days, field trips and guest speakers. ACS

Brady Cox Endowment

The Brady Cox endowment, honoring the late Dr. Brady Cox, funds a scholarship to support students by broadening their experiences to improve their preparation for successful futures as health professionals.  Students may apply for a maximum of $250 to defray travel expenses associated with conference attendance or group trips with a health professions theme.  Contact Erica Medina, your faculty advisor, or your academic coach for more information! More Information

Honors Program

If you are driven to aim high and achieve more, consider pursuing departmental honors in chemistry or biochemistry by completing an honors research project and writing an honors thesis. Honors Program

Research

The department of chemistry and biochemistry’s undergraduate research program is funded by a generous grant from the Welch Foundation. Typically, a summer stipend is provided for three to five students involved in research with McMurry faculty. The department also offers multiple work-study opportunities in which students work as teaching or laboratory assistants.

Advanced Lab Technology

Students gain proficiency in theory and technique with hands-on experience using laboratory instrumentation — which often begins in the first lab class. Instruments you’ll work with include:

Global Learning Endorsement

The Global Learning Endorsement provides an opportunity for students to highlight academic achievement in global/international studies on their transcript. This endorsement will provide helpful documentation of the student’s expertise for employment in an increasingly globalized world. Learn More

Beyond McMurry

Careers

An undergraduate education in chemistry or biochemistry can open the door to a career in:
  • Bioinformatics
  • Commercial Lab Work
  • Engineering
  • Forensic Science
  • Industrial Chemical Research
  • Pharmacy
  • Pollution Control and Remediation
  • Post-secondary Education
  • Quality Assurance Inspection
  • Science Journalism
  • Secondary Education
  • Toxicology
  • Veterinary Medicine

Join the Ranks of Accomplished Alumni

You’ll find McMurry chemistry and biochemistry graduates leading the way in a range of fields:
  • Computational Biology and Bioinformatics
  • Dentistry and Medicine
  • Forensic Chemistry
  • Nuclear Energy
  • Oil and Gas
  • Pharmacy
  • Research Science
  • Science Education, Secondary and Collegiate
  • Semiconductors
  • Control and Remediation of Environmental Pollution
  • Allied Health, including Chiropractic, Optometry, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Podiatry, Prosthetics

Faculty

Dr.
Edward Donnay Department Chair / Professor of Inorganic Chemistry
Dr.
Paul Pyenta Professor of Biochemistry
Dr.
Hyunshun Shin Professor of Organic Chemistry
Dr.
Pamela Veltkamp Professor of Analytical Chemistry

Resources

The McMurry Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is led by faculty who are researchers in fields like organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, chemical education and biochemistry. The faculty seeks opportunities to get undergraduate students involved in both the academic and laboratory aspects of chemical and biochemical research.

The McMurry Science and Mathematics Advisory Board offers advice, sponsors educational projects, helps recruits students, and funds activities that benefit McMurry, its faculty and students.

The advisory board works to:

  • Promote McMurry and improve the quality of education received by students through programs and projects that enhance science and mathematics
  • Increase the flow of innovative ideas to the administration and faculty by scientists, mathematicians and the community
  • Involve supporters of the science and mathematics departments in shaping the future of McMurry’s science and mathematics programs
  • Promote and coordinate recognition of science and mathematics alumni who have demonstrated outstanding success and leadership in their professions
  • Participate in revenue generation for specific projects/needs for the science and math departments

 

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