Chemistry - Biochemistry - Minor in Biology - B.S.

The Chemistry–Biochemistry B.S. with a Minor in Biology at Texas A&M University–Kingsville combines chemistry, biochemistry, and biology laboratory work throughout the degree, giving students repeated opportunities to develop practical experimental and analytical skills. The Department of Chemistry provides fully equipped laboratories with modern instrumentation, while the curriculum culminates in CHEM 3385 Undergraduate Research or CHEM 4385 Senior Research, allowing students to undertake supervised, journal-quality research using advanced chemical concepts, experimental techniques, and instruments.

Key experiential opportunities include:

• General Chemistry Laboratories: CHEM 1111 Gen Inorganic Chem Lab I and CHEM 1112 Gen Inorganic Chem Lab II provide practical training in laboratory techniques, data collection and analysis, stoichiometry, gases, liquids, solutions, and energy.
• Organic Chemistry Laboratories: CHEM 3123 Organic Chemistry Lab I and CHEM 3125 Organic Chemistry Lab II give students hands-on experience alongside the organic chemistry sequence.
• Biochemistry experience: Students progress into CHEM 4341 Biochemistry I and CHEM 4342 Biochemistry II, connecting chemical principles with biological systems as part of the biochemistry specialization.
• Instrumental analysis: CHEM 4401 Modern Methods of Instrumental Analysis introduces the theory and practice of UV/Visible spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, NMR, gas chromatography, and HPLC, providing direct exposure to important analytical techniques.
• Advanced chemical synthesis: CHEM 4421 Advanced Chemical Synthesis includes laboratory work involving multi-step synthesis, stereochemical problems, and literature-searching techniques, extending students' practical chemistry skills into more sophisticated chemical and biochemical compounds.
• Undergraduate research: Students can undertake CHEM 3385 Undergraduate Research or CHEM 4385 Senior Research, involving supervised individual research with advanced chemical concepts and a variety of experimental techniques and instruments.
• Small laboratory sections: The Chemistry Department states that its laboratory sections have no more than 24 students, allowing laboratory teaching assistants to provide students with more direct, one-to-one support during practical work.
• Biology-based practical learning: The Biology minor incorporates BIOL 1306/1106 Biology for Science Majors I and its laboratory, BIOL 1307/1107 Biology for Science Majors II and its laboratory, BIOL 2421 Elementary Microbiology, and BIOL 3402 Genetics, complementing the chemistry and biochemistry laboratory experience.
• Research-focused facilities: The Chemistry Department reports complete laboratory facilities, state-of-the-art instrumentation and chemical setups, supporting both teaching and research across areas including analytical, environmental, organic, inorganic, physical, and biochemistry. 

The Chemistry–Biochemistry B.S. with a Minor in Biology combines professional chemistry preparation with biological sciences, creating pathways into laboratory-based careers, industry, research, and further professional or graduate education. Texas A&M University-Kingsville specifically states that its Chemistry Department prepares students for careers as professional chemists and industrial chemists as well as for graduate study.

Typical career roles: Chemist, Industrial Chemist, Laboratory Scientist, Biochemistry Researcher

Career development and progression are supported through:

• Career Engagement: Texas A&M University-Kingsville provides Javelina Careers powered by Handshake, where students and employers connect for co-ops, internships, and jobs; the university's Career Engagement office also operates an employer-partner program.
• Pre-health advising: Students considering health-related professions can use the university's Pre-Health Professions Advising Office, which provides one-on-one academic, career and admissions advising, professional-school selection guidance, health-profession seminars, and access to summer enrichment programs.
• Employment statistics and salary: A current Chemistry–Biochemistry-specific employment rate or salary figure is not stated on the official program sources reviewed, so no program-specific figure is provided.
• Industry connections: The university's Port Industries Consortium connects Texas A&M-Kingsville with South Texas's refining and chemical industry and includes companies such as CITGO, DuPont, Equistar, Flint Hills, Valero, and Mustang Engineering, providing an established university–industry environment relevant to chemical sciences.
• Long-term professional value: The degree is certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and qualifies graduates for ACS certification as chemists meeting the organization's professional standards. The Chemistry Department also states that it has provided ACS Chemistry Program Accreditation for 50 years.
• Research and laboratory preparation: The Chemistry Department integrates laboratory science across organic, inorganic, analytical, medicinal/pharmacology, and biochemistry, with state-of-the-art instrumentation and small laboratory sections designed to support close interaction with teaching assistants.
• Graduation outcomes: The program provides preparation for professional chemistry and industrial chemistry careers, while the university also identifies graduate education as a pathway supported by its Chemistry Department.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the Chemistry–Biochemistry B.S. with a Minor in Biology, students can progress to graduate study in chemistry or related biological and health-science disciplines. Texas A&M University-Kingsville offers an M.S. in Chemistry, and its Chemistry Department specifically describes graduate study as a progression for students completing its chemistry programs; students pursuing health professions can also use the university's pre-health advising resources when preparing for professional-school applications.