Chemistry-Pre-Health-Minor in Biology, B.S.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Texas A And M University Kingsville

Program Overview

The Chemistry-Pre-Health-Minor in Biology, B.S. combines a rigorous chemistry foundation with biology coursework designed for students preparing for health-professional pathways while also developing strong scientific and laboratory skills. Students progress from general chemistry, biology, mathematics and physics into organic chemistry, microbiology, genetics, biochemistry, physical chemistry and instrumental analysis, with 120 total credit hours required for the degree.

Curriculum Structure

Freshman Year: Students begin with Biology for Science Majors I, General Chemistry I, and their corresponding laboratory experiences, while developing quantitative and communication foundations through College Algebra, Trigonometry, and Rhetoric & Composition. This first year establishes the biology, chemistry, mathematics and academic skills needed for the advanced science sequence.

Sophomore Year: Students advance to Biology for Science Majors II and General Chemistry II, followed by Organic Chemistry I, Organic Chemistry Lab I, and College Physics I. Chemical Literature also introduces students to professional chemistry literature and supports the development of skills needed to engage with scientific information.

Junior Year: The curriculum becomes more specialized through Inorganic Quantitative Analysis, Organic Chemistry II, and Organic Chemistry Lab II, alongside Calculus I. Students then broaden their biological and health-science preparation through Elementary Microbiology, Genetics, Biochemistry I, and Biostatistics.

Senior Year: Students complete advanced chemistry through Physical Chemistry I, Physical Chemistry Measurements I, Biochemistry II, and Modern Methods of Instrumental Analysis. The program also includes Chemical Seminar and either Undergraduate Research or Senior Research, together with advanced biology coursework, giving students an opportunity to apply their scientific knowledge through research and advanced study.

Focus Areas: Pre-health sciences, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physical chemistry, microbiology, genetics, biology, quantitative analysis, instrumental analysis, scientific research.

Learning Outcomes: Chemical principles, laboratory techniques, quantitative analysis, organic synthesis, biological sciences, microbiology, genetics, biochemistry, physical chemistry, instrumental analysis, scientific literature, research methods, scientific communication.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The Chemistry-Pre-Health-Minor in Biology B.S. is not identified as ACS-certified on the official program page. Texas A&M University-Kingsville separately identifies its Chemistry, B.S. and Chemistry-Biochemistry, B.S. with Minor in Biology as ACS-certified, but does not make that certification claim for the Pre-Health program.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Texas A&M University-Kingsville is recognized for its strong employability outcomes, with graduates well-prepared for careers in healthcare and related fields, as reflected in various rankings and reports.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Chemistry–Pre-Health with a Minor in Biology combines substantial chemistry and biology laboratory work with opportunities for faculty-supervised research, giving students practical experience relevant to health-professional and scientific pathways. Chemistry laboratories use modern instrumentation and chemical setups, while the biology side provides research opportunities in areas such as genetics, neuroscience, cancer biology, microbiology, infectious disease, and molecular biology.

Students develop practical experience through:

Chemistry laboratory training: CHEM 1111 General Inorganic Chemistry Lab I develops laboratory techniques, data collection and analysis, while later courses such as CHEM 4111 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Lab use UV, IR and NMR spectroscopy for chemical characterization.
Instrumental analysis: CHEM 4401 Modern Methods of Instrumental Analysis provides practical exposure to UV/Visible spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, NMR, gas chromatography and HPLC, giving students experience with analytical chemistry instrumentation.
Undergraduate chemistry research: CHEM 3385 Undergraduate Research allows students to undertake supervised, journal-quality research using advanced chemical concepts, experimental techniques and instruments; the course can be taken for up to 6 semester credit hours.
Biology laboratory experience: BIOL 1106 Biology for Science Majors Laboratory I develops laboratory techniques, data collection and analysis, while BIOL 1107 Biology for Science Majors Laboratory II uses experimental and observational techniques to study plant and animal life, including morphology, physiology, reproduction and ecology.
Faculty-led biological research: Students can work alongside research-active faculty in areas including genetics, neuroscience, cancer biology, microbiology, infectious disease and ecology. The university specifically encourages undergraduates to join faculty research and offers BIOL 4304 Research Projects in Biology for supervised research experience.
Research facilities and field resources: Biology students can participate in research using department laboratories, field equipment and real datasets, with opportunities to contribute to funded projects and present findings at research symposiums and conferences.
South Texas field experience: The Biology and Biomedical Sciences school highlights access to coastal, prairie and wetland ecosystems in South Texas, supporting field-based learning alongside laboratory study.
Pre-health experiential support: The Pre-Health Professions Advising Office provides one-to-one academic, career and admissions advising, professional-school information, health-profession seminars and access to summer enrichment opportunities, directly supporting students preparing for medical, dental, pharmacy and other health-professional programs.
Small laboratory sections: The Chemistry Department states that its laboratory sections are limited to no more than 24 students, allowing laboratory teaching assistants to provide closer, one-to-one support during practical work.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Chemistry–Pre-Health–Minor in Biology, B.S. combines chemistry with biology coursework designed to support students pursuing health-related professional careers, while also providing a foundation for graduate-level study. Texas A&M University-Kingsville specifically provides pre-health advising for students interested in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy, podiatry, and other health professions.

Typical career pathways: Chemist, Laboratory Researcher, Pharmaceutical Researcher, Clinical Laboratory Professional.

Career development and progression are supported through:

Pre-Health Professions Advising: Students receive one-on-one academic, career and admissions advising, professional-school selection guidance, health-profession seminars, information about summer enrichment programs, and other pre-health support.
Professional-school preparation: Pre-health advisors can help students create an individualized plan covering required coursework, MCAT/DAT timelines, volunteering, shadowing, and research experiences, supporting progression toward professional health programs.
Career Engagement: TAMUK's Javelina Careers powered by Handshake connects students with employment opportunities, while the university's employer program supports recruitment for co-ops, internships, and jobs.
Employment and salary figures: TAMUK's official sources reviewed for this program do not publish a current program-specific graduate employment rate or graduate salary figure. Therefore, a Chemistry–Pre-Health-specific salary or employment statistic is not stated rather than substituting a third-party estimate.
University–industry connections: TAMUK's Port Industries Consortium provides interaction between faculty and South Texas chemical/refining industries and includes companies such as CITGO, Duke Energy, DuPont, Equistar, Flint Hills, Mustang Engineering, Valero, and AMBITECH.
Workforce development: TAMUK collaborates with Workforce Solutions Coastal Bend to provide labor-market information, targeted occupation information, emerging-industry trends, professional development, and workforce training.
Long-term professional value: The university's Chemistry Department has maintained American Chemical Society (ACS) Chemistry Program Accreditation for 50 years, although the specific Chemistry–Pre-Health–Minor in Biology degree is listed separately from the ACS-certified Chemistry B.S.; therefore, ACS certification should not be assumed for this particular pre-health degree.
Graduation outcomes: TAMUK states that graduates from its Biology and Biomedical Sciences programs successfully matriculate into graduate and professional schools in Texas, across the United States, and internationally, providing a pathway toward advanced health and science education.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the Chemistry–Pre-Health–Minor in Biology, B.S., students can progress toward professional health programs such as medical, dental, pharmacy, physical therapy, podiatry, and other allied-health programs, subject to each institution's admission requirements. Students can also pursue graduate study in chemistry, biology, biomedical sciences, or related scientific disciplines, with TAMUK's pre-health advising helping students plan prerequisite coursework and entrance-exam preparation.