College of Sciences & Mathematics

Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

SFA’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry provides students with transformative experiences through personalized advising, engagement in research and scholarly activities, and marketable skill development. The department will help you find a career path through a unique mentoring program that imparts solid problem-solving within a community of network building based on a foundation of chemical and biochemical concepts.

Areas of Study

Pre-Health Program

Do you want to turn your love of biochemistry or chemistry into a medical profession? 
Design your own pre-med, pre-dentistry,  pre-optometry or other pre-health pathway.

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Lumberjack Spotlight

  • SFA Student Wins Best Undergraduate Poster

    Carmel Tovar received an award for the best undergraduate poster in chemistry and biochemistry at the 2016 College of Science Research Conference for her project titled "Metal Affinity Chromatography and Protein Refolding Techniques.”

    Carmel leveraged her hard work in the SFA Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry research program to beat out competition from universities and colleges across Texas.

    Carmel Tovar, SFA Class of 2018

    Carmel Tovar, Class of 2018

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Transformative Experiences

At SFA, we believe students benefit greatly from hands-on learning in and out of the classroom. Transformative experiences are at the core of our academic philosophy.

Labs & Instrumentation
Student Presentations
Labs & Instrumentation
Student Presentations
Labs & Instrumentation
Student Presentations

  • For its size, the SFA Chemistry & Biochemistry department is one of the best-equipped departments in Texas with approximately $2 million invested in instrumentation. We believe in providing students, even at the undergraduate level, with the opportunity for actual instrumental experience to place on your résumé.

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  • We encourage you to gain valuable experience during your time at SFA by presenting at conferences across the state and nation. You will learn how to present your research results in a concise, efficient and effective manner. These critical skills will serve you well once you graduate.

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  • For its size, the SFA Chemistry & Biochemistry department is one of the best-equipped departments in Texas with approximately $2 million invested in instrumentation. We believe in providing students, even at the undergraduate level, with the opportunity for actual instrumental experience to place on your résumé.

    Learn More

  • We encourage you to gain valuable experience during your time at SFA by presenting at conferences across the state and nation. You will learn how to present your research results in a concise, efficient and effective manner. These critical skills will serve you well once you graduate.

    Learn More

  • For its size, the SFA Chemistry & Biochemistry department is one of the best-equipped departments in Texas with approximately $2 million invested in instrumentation. We believe in providing students, even at the undergraduate level, with the opportunity for actual instrumental experience to place on your résumé.

    Learn More

  • We encourage you to gain valuable experience during your time at SFA by presenting at conferences across the state and nation. You will learn how to present your research results in a concise, efficient and effective manner. These critical skills will serve you well once you graduate.

    Learn More

Meet Our Undergraduate Students

  • Lilly Burton

    Lilly Burton

    "SFA was my first choice when applying to colleges. With the engagement and support of the chemistry department, I can say I made the right choice. I have had the opportunity to work with my SFA professors to help further my education and provide other students with tutoring and supplemental instruction sessions through the Academic Assistance and Resource Center. Through undergraduate research projects, I work closely with professors and my peers to gain more hands-on experiences and skills in the laboratory."

  • Thanh Tien Dao

    Thanh Tien Dao

    "I am deeply grateful for the support from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at SFA. My advisor has been fully dedicated to my success, always willing to adapt and guide me. Over the summer, I had the opportunity to collaborate with several professors on research projects, which fueled my passion for science and medicine. Without the support of the department, I wouldn’t be the proud, accomplished person I am today."

  • Zachary Dennison

    Zachary Dennison

    "As a biochemistry major, the opportunities SFA has provided me — being in the lab conducting undergraduate research, using instrumentation and gaining real-world skills — have been terrific. Everyone in the department has been incredibly helpful and supportive during my time at SFA."

Meet Our Graduate Students

  • John Mullins

    John Mullins

    "As a biochemistry major at SFA, I was able to take part in undergraduate research, which is strongly emphasized by The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. I received training through one-on-one mentoring and access to state-of-the-art instrumentation, which enhanced my overall learning experience. Research helped me think critically and connect theory with hands-on experience. As an overlap student, I was able to take graduate courses and get a head start on my master’s degree. My area of research is protein chemistry, which can incorporate many different techniques and methods. Learning these skills deepened my understanding of biochemical interactions and sharpened my problem-solving abilities."

  • Olabisi Ogunlewe

    Olabisi Ogunlewe

    "Being part of the Master of Science in Natural and Applied Science program, I feel fortunate to be exposed to cutting-edge research techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, ATR-FTIR, high-performance liquid chromatography and ion chromatography. My research focuses on microbial biofilms as probes to assess treated wastewater from wastewater treatment plants in the Deep East Texas area. My studies include exploring phytochemicals and nanomaterials as tools to inhibit biofilm growth. As an international student, the department’s support and access to advanced instrumentation have greatly enriched my academic endeavors and contributed immensely to my development as a researcher and educator."

  • Kaylah Owings

    Kaylah Owings

    "My experience at SFA has been beyond my expectations. The faculty members have been incredibly supportive of my study and understanding of my busy schedule. Being able to meet directly with the professors when I have questions is an asset that was not as available to me at my undergraduate university. My anticipated research focus is in regulation of myosin II folding, assembly, function and degradation by the molecular chaperone, UNC-45B. In the future, I plan to become a biochemistry professor and share my love of science with students."

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