Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What degrees do you offer?
Our Department offers four degrees: the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Arts in both Chemistry and Biochemistry. The course requirements and degree plans for each degree are available in the Degree Information section of this website.
Q: What is the difference between a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts?
The BS degree has a larger major area concentration and requires fewer non-technical electives. The BA requires more non-technical electives and thus fewer courses in the major area. Traditionally, the BS is the degree commonly chosen by students wishing to pursue a professional career in the sciences; whereas, the BA is the degree recommended of students interested in a career in the health professions. The course requirements and degree plans for each degree are available in the Degree Information section of this website.
Q: How many hours are required for each degree?
The Bachelor of Arts (Chemistry and Biochemistry) requires 120 total hours, while the Bachelor of Science (Chemistry and Biochemistry) requires 132 total hours, or 127 hours for the 2000-2002, 2002-2004 and 2004-2006 catalogs. The course requirements and degree plans for each degree are available in the Degree Information section of this website.
Q: My advisor always asks me what my "catalog" is. What does this mean, and how do I know the answer?
The catalog literally refers to the UT Undergraduate catalog, which contains the degree requirements you need for graduation. The catalog comes out every two years. In most cases, students will use the catalog that is current at the time they enter UT. For example, a freshman who entered in the Fall of 2002, will use the 2002-2004 catalog. You will need this information for ordering degree audits and when you apply to graduate. Uncertain about your catalog eligibility? See an advisor. We can help you figure this out.
Q: Can you concentrate in specific areas of study?

Beginning in the Fall 2000 semester, the Bachelor of Science degrees in both chemistry and biochemistry offers concentrations in specific areas that will better prepare students with unique interests.

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry offers three options:

  • Option I — Chemistry: intended to prepare students for professional careers as chemists.
  • Option II — Computation: intended to prepare students for the workplace by giving them opportunities to develop hands-on computation skills.
  • Option III — Teaching: intended to prepare students to enter the secondary teaching profession.

The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry offers two options.

  • Option I — Biochemistry: intended to prepare students for professional careers as biochemists.
  • Option II — Computation: intended to prepare students for the workplace by giving them opportunities to develop hands-on computation skills.

The course requirements and degree plans for each degree are available in the Degree Information section of this website.

Q: How many hours are required for a minor?

The BS in Chemistry and the BS in Biochemistry requires no minor.

The BA in Chemistry requires twelve hours in a specific field. either:

  • biology, geology, math, or physics, or, with written consent of the department chairman and approval of the dean, a field of study outside of the College of Natural Sciences; or
  • computer sciences, CS 303E, 313E, and six hours chosen from CS 323, 324E, 326E, and 327E.

The BA in Biochemistry requires twelve hours in biology, chosen from the following three areas (with at least three hours completed from each of these areas): Genetics, Cellular and Developmental Biology, and Physiology.

Q: Where should I go if I want to speak to an advisor about majoring in Chemistry or Biochemistry?
Come to the Chemistry Undergraduate Course Office (WEL 2.212), or phone (512) 471-3097, to arrange to speak to an advisor. More detailed contact information is available on the Advising Office homepage.
Q: What do I do if I want to change my major?
To initiate a change of major, you should contact the Dean’s office of the college to which you wish to transfer. To transfer to a chemistry or biochemistry major, you should contact the office of the Dean of Natural Sciences, Student Division, WCH 1.106, 471-4536, or one of the Chemistry & Biochemistry advisors can assist you.
Q: Do I need to be advised before I register for classes?
All Biochemistry and Chemistry majors have advising bars, so contact with an advisor is required before you may register. To help you prepare for your visit with one of the advisors, use the College of Natural Sciences web-based advising worksheet. To log onto the worksheet, you must have a UT EID. The worksheet is available a few weeks prior to the pre-registration period in October and April of each year. You will be sent an email reminder.
Q: Which classes may I take on a pass/fail basis?

Classes that are taken to satisfy "elective" hours (i.e. to count toward the overall degree) that do not fulfill any other degree requirements. For example, CMS 306M does not fulfill any specific degree requirement, but may be used as 3 elective hours that could count toward the total hours requirement for either the BS in Chemistry or BS in Biochemistry.

If you have a specific question about whether or not a course can be taken on a pass/fail basis, please contact an advisor before you decide to change the status of a class.

Q: I'm interested in going to medical school. What classes are required for pre-med?

Students who are interested in any allied health profession (pharmacy, medical, dental, physical therapy, occupational therapy, veterinary, osteopathic, optometry schools or other related health profession programs) are encouraged to make an appointment with a counselor in UT's Health Professions Office to go over prerequisites for these programs and to discuss their goals and plans.

For more info about the Health Professions Office, you can view the Health Professions web site or call 471-3172. The Health Professions office is located in the Geography Building, Room 234.

Q: What is UTeach Outreach?

Through the UTeach Outreach program, our Department offers students an opportunity to teach hands-on science labs in local elementary schools. Students in this program develop and implement an original hands-on experiment, and attend a weekly seminar.

To be involved in this program, you must register at the Undergraduate Course Office (Welch 2.212) for either CH207K: Introductory Science Outreach in Elementary Schools or CH371K: Science Outreach in Elementary Schools. You are encouraged to talk to an advisor in the Department Advising Office about this program and how it may be applied to your degree requirements. More information can be found on the UTeach Outreach website.

Note: Please be aware that this is NOT the same program as the College of Natural Science's UTEACH program. This program also provides a hands-on approach to secondary teacher preparation for math, science, and computer science majors. For more information about this program, go to the College of Natural Sciences UTEACH website [link to http://www.uteach.utexas.edu/].

Q: Can I participate in undergraduate research? If so can I receive credit for it?
Students pursuing a Chemistry or Biochemistry degree are strongly encouraged to participate in undergraduate research, especially if they are considering continuing on to graduate school. This allows a student practical laboratory training under the tutelage of a faculty member. Students pursuing the BS degree in chemistry or biochemistry may use research as part of their upper-division chemistry elective requirement. Although students pursuing the BA cannot apply research credit toward their degree, they are still encouraged to take advantage of this research opportunity. More detailed information is available on the Undergraduate research section of this website.
Q: Where do I go if my class is in WEL? In WCH?
A common source of confusion for students; the building denoted by the acronym WEL, is Robert A. WELCH Hall, located at the corner of 24th St and Speedway and home to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The building denoted by the acronym WCH is the W.C. Hogg building, located between the Main building and Welch Hall and home to the Dean's Office of the College of Natural Sciences. You can see both WEL and WCH on this part of the UT campus map.
Q: What chemistry/biochemistry organizations does UT have?

Links to student groups within the department are available on the Student Involvement page. A good place to begin is with ACS, the American Chemical Society - Student Affiliate Chapter for UT.

The goals of ACS are:

  • Provide a network for Chemistry and Biochemistry majors.
  • Offer information about the utility of the Chemistry and Biochemistry degrees and available career options.
  • Especially, to bring together the Welch student community.

More detailed information is available on the ACS website.