Our competitive undergraduate programs are recognized by the American Chemical Society and meet their extensive academic requirements. Explore numerous independent research opportunities at the undergraduate and graduate levels and discover a wide range of career options in the advancing field of chemical sciences. Our programs prepare you for work in the STEM industry, academia, government, non-profit and entrepreneurship.

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Thomas West headshot

Welcome from the Department Head

Greetings,

I'm Tom West and I would like to welcome you to the Department of Chemistry at A&M-Commerce. Our diverse and flexible programs prepare students for a wide variety of careers in industry, teaching and research. Both undergraduate and graduate students have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty members in rigorous research projects in analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry and biochemistry. If you are interested in the research of one of our faculty members, feel free to contact them.

Thomas West, Ph.D.
Department Head and Professor
Chemistry

Explore Our Programs

Chemistry (BS)

Whether your interest is in the structure and chemical reactions in living systems, properties and reactions of organic or inorganic minerals and compounds, or how matter behaves on a molecular level, a degree in chemistry will prepare you for industry career or graduate studies. A wide variety of careers are available to chemists in industry, the government or academia. Options include, but are not limited to, chemical health and safety, toxicology, oil and petroleum, forensics, textiles, agriculture and food, polymers, environmental protection, and research.

Chemistry (BS) Teaching Emphasis

There is a growing need for STEM educators. A degree in chemistry with a teacher certification will allow you to combine your passion for chemistry and the classroom. You’ll take courses in general and organic chemistry, physics, and biology. Our program offers specialized teaching courses for chemistry teachers including roles and responsibilities for STEM educators, technology-infused curriculum, and project-based learning in STEM. You’ll be required to complete a teaching residency senior year. After graduating, you’ll be certified to teach science at the secondary level (grades 7-12).

Chemistry (MS)

You can select a thesis study and a professional master degree. If you are interested in furthering your studies in chemistry, this program will enable you to work closely with faculty members with similar research interests. Faculty research interests within the department include metal binding, surface chemistry for industrially-important catalysts, ionic liquids as catalysts in organic reactions, porphyrin-based anion receptors, bacterial nucleic acid metabolism and green chemistry approaches. The non-thesis options include a professional master degree in chemistry, professional chemical business degree, or professional chemical education degree.

Our Facilities

Two students in a chemistry lab

Waters ES-IM-TOF Mass Spectrometer

Characterize the structure of chemical compounds with our mass spectrometer. You’ll have access to this instrument in research courses such as CHEM 418. The mass spectrometer is housed in McFarland Science Building Room 309.

Machinery

Varian AS400 NMR

Our nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer characterizes the structure of primarily organic chemicals. You’ll have the opportunity to use this instrument in research courses such as CHEM 418.rn

Image of a computer.

Thermo Fisher Gas Chromatograph

You’ll use the gas chromatograph in research courses such as CHEM 418 to characterize the structure of oils and fatty acids. This instrument is housed in McFarland Science Building Room 305. rn

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Anasazi 90 MHz NMR

Characterize the structure of synthesized organic compounds with our Anasazi spectrometer. You’ll use this instrument in your organic chemistry laboratories (CHEM 2123/CHEM 2125). This instrument is housed in McFarland Science Building Room 309. rn

chemistry ICP-OES system

Thermo Fisher ICP-OES System

Our new Thermo Fisher Inductive Coupled Plasma- Optical Emission Spectroscopy system is used to perform trace metal analysis with high precision. You'll have the opportunity to use this system in research courses such as CHEM 418.

ACS Accredited

Our programs are approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and are designed to provide industry readiness. The ACS promotes excellence in chemistry education and research at institutions across the United States. ACS approved programs must meet rigorous chemistry standards and education requirements. Employers often prefer hiring students who graduated from ACS accredited programs.

News Spotlights

Student Organizations

Student Affiliates of the ACS

The Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society brings together students interested in chemical sciences and enriches their academic experience. You do not have to be a chemistry major to join. The Student Affiliates sponsor guest speakers, social events, field trips, tutoring services, revenue-generating events and various other activities throughout the academic year.

A student in a lab coat in front of a white board filled with chemistry codes.

Student Support

Research Experience for Undergraduate Students (REU)

REU is a unique research opportunity for Northeast Texas community college students interested in chemistry. Offered at A&M-Commerce, this summer-long program provides a rewarding research experience.

Scholarships

As a chemistry student, you’ll have access to a wide range of scholarships specific to your degree.

Our Research

Our chemistry faculty are excited to develop your knowledge and skills through research. Opportunities are available for both undergraduate and graduate students. We encourage you to discuss any research interests with your professors.

Computational Analysis of the Factors that Affect the Outcomes of Hetero Diels Alder Reactions

In the pharmaceutical industry, computation chemistry is often used to simulate how a drug couples with its target protein in the body and predict important interactions. Our research involves using computational methods to analyze the factors that influence the outcomes of the hetero Diels Alder reaction and predict the outcomes of these reactions.
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Meet our Department

Department of Chemistry :: Contact

Contact Us

  • P.O. Box 3011
  • Commerce, TX 75429-3011
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