Point of Contacts

The Department of Chemistry offers the following support staff and faculty available to our students. Please refer to the following Point of Contacts below when needing assistance:

Administrative Support Staff
Undergraduate Students Jean-Luk Rueda Undergraduate
Graduate Students Ed Johns MS & Ph.D

 

Chemistry Advisors
Undergraduate Advisor of Record Dr. Susan Thomas Biochemistry
  Victoria Dougherty Chemistry
Graduate Advisor of Record Dr. Ghezai Musie MS
  Dr. Zachary Tonzetich Ph.D

Undergraduate Student Resources

  • The Independent Study program is an opportunity to earn course credit by working on a research project with a faculty member in Chemistry. This experience offers the chance to sharpen your research skills, gain hands-on research experience, and offers valuable faculty mentorship.
  • Students interested in independent study should view the research areas for Chemistry faculty to decide which faculty members they would like to work with, then contact each faculty member directly. If you need any assistance with this process, reach out to our Chemistry UGAR's Susan Thomas and Victoria Dougherty.
  • Students will need to complete and submit and Independent Study Course Form prior to registration.
  • Independent Study Course Form (For Student)
  • Independent Study Course Syllabus (For Instructor)

In order for Chemistry and Biochemistry degrees to be accredited and certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ABSMS), Independent Study is required.

Students can meet with their Academic Advisor or the Chemistry Undergraduate Advisors of Record (UGAR’s) to determine if Independent Study is required for them and how it can be applied towards their degree requirements.

The following steps need to be completed in the order below for the Independent Study Course Form:

  • Student should contact each faculty member directly they wish to work with to obtain approval.
  • Student will need to fill out and sign the Independent Study Course Form (Please note the CRN and Section # will be completed by the department.)
  • Email chemistry@utsa.edu with the Independent Study Course Form Page 1 completed by the student also with their signature on Page 2.
  • The Senior Program Manager will work on obtaining the remaining signatures from the Instructor, Department Chair, and Dean’s Office.
  • Once the form is returned to the student with all completed signatures, the Independent Study Course Form will need to submitted through the Document Uploader.
  • You will be notified from the UTSA Registrar’s Office once approval in completed and when you can register for the course.

*Please do not reach out to the Department Chair or Dean’s Office in regards to signatures for the Independent Study Course Form. Please begin with the Senior Program Manager (Jean-Luk Rueda) in the Department of Chemistry first.

  • The Permission for Enrolling in Graduate Courses While an Undergraduate form is completed when an exceptional undergraduate student wishes to enroll in a graduate course and wants to apply the credit to be earned towards their undergraduate degree.
  • An undergraduate student lacking no more than 30 hours for graduation may enroll in a graduate course and earn graduate credit under the following conditions:
    • In order to earn graduate credit, the student must graduate at the end of that term; otherwise, the course is regarded as undergraduate credit. If graduate credit is earned, the semester hours are not considered a part of the baccalaureate degree program.
    • Permission must be obtained from the Student’s Advisor, Instructor, the Department Chair and the Dean of the College in which the course to be taken for graduate credit is offered.
  • Student must have a 3.0 UTSA grade point average to enroll in a graduate course as an undergraduate student.
  • Permission for Enrolling in Graduate Courses While an Undergraduate Form

The following steps need to be completed in the order below for the Permission for Enrolling in Graduate Courses While an Undergraduate Form:

  • Student will need to fill out and sign the form (Please note the CRN and Section # will be completed by the department.)
  • Please note the form should be emailed to the department after your advisor has completed their section.
  • Email chemistry@utsa.edu with the Permission for Enrolling in Graduate Courses While an Undergraduate form Page 1 completed by the student also with their signature and the advisor signature on Page 2.
  • The Senior Program Manager will work on obtaining the remaining signatures from the Instructor and Department Chair.
  • Once the form is returned to the student with all completed signatures, the Permission for Enrolling in Graduate Courses While an Undergraduate form will need to submitted through the Document Uploader.
  • You will be notified from the UTSA Registrar’s Office once approval in completed and when you can register for the course.

*Please do not reach out to the Department Chair in regards to signatures for the Permission for Enrolling in Graduate Courses While an Undergraduate Form. Please begin with the Senior Program Manager (Jean-Luk Rueda) in the Department of Chemistry first.

Department of Chemistry Tutoring

The Department of Chemistry is dedicated to helping students succeed. Free Chemistry tutoring is offered in the Fall and Spring semester and is available to all UTSA students. Tutors are chemistry graduate students. Tutoring is available for particular courses in Chemistry: Basic Chemistry, General Chemistry I & II, Organic Chemistry I & II.

Our in-person chemistry tutoring is located in the Science and Engineering Building (SEB 3.158).

Monday - Thursday (8:00 AM – 7:00 PM)
Friday (8:00 AM - 2:00 PM)

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Roadrunner Peer Tutoring

One-on-one tutoring is available through appointment or drop-ins. Tutoring is available for particular courses in Chemistry: Basic Chemistry, General Chemistry I & II, Organic Chemistry I & II. Located in the Tomas Rivera Center for Academic Excellence (MS 2.02.18) Learn more about their hours of operation and how to make an appointment.

 

STARS

Roadrunners enrolled in Basic Chemistry, General Chemistry I & II and Organic Chemistry I & II, can attend Synergistic Targeted Academic Review Sessions (STARS), peer-led, interactive, and group focused sessions which cover traditionally difficult topics. Find out more about STARS session times and locations.

 

Brainfuse

Brainfuse is a free online tutoring service accessed through Canvas with live academic support. Supported courses for Chemistry include Basic Chemistry, General Chemistry I & II and Organic Chemistry I & II. Click here to learn more about how to access Brainfuse and which courses are supported.

 

Supplemental Instruction

Supplemental Instruction (SI) provides weekly study sessions to students enrolled in core and gateway courses at UTSA. In these sessions, guided by trained students who have successfully completed the course work, students work together to improve learning strategies by reviewing course material and preparing for tests. Students who attend SI sessions regularly tend to average one half to one full letter grade higher than their classmates who do not attend SI.

The following sessions are supported by SI: Chemistry for Allied Health Sciences, Basic Chemistry, General Chemistry I & II and Organic Chemistry I & II. Find out more about when and where SI sessions are held.

Chemistry Undergraduate Scholarships

The Department of Chemistry offers the following scholarships to Chemistry undergraduate Students.

  • Janice and Michael Doyle Endowed Research Award in Chemistry

Visit the UTSA Scholarship Hub, the place where students can find various scholarship opportunities (as well as additional scholarships from the College of Science) available to apply to, including the Scholarship Hub’s General Application.

 

Featured Awards for Freshman, Sophomores, and Juniors

The Honors College has listed Featured Awards for Freshman, Sophomores, and Juniors (available for all students) that represent excellent opportunities to fund your undergraduate journey, whether that be at UTSA, in the United States, or abroad. Opportunities with an asterisk (*) are featured awards that align well with UTSA's strength as a research institution, the academic disciplines and courses that UTSA offers, and the backgrounds of UTSA's student population.

 

Department of Chemistry Undergraduate Awards

The following awards are granted to our undergraduate chemistry students who display a significant aptitude in their recognized specific field of chemistry and are recognized at the end of the semester graduation ceremonies.

  • Undergraduate Award in General Chemistry
  • Chemistry Department Award for Excellence in Chemical Sciences

 

American Chemical Society (ACS) Undergraduate Awards

The following awards are granted to our undergraduate chemistry students who display a significant aptitude in their recognized specific field of chemistry and are recognized at the end of the semester graduation ceremonies.

  • Undergraduate Award in Biochemistry
  • Undergraduate Award in Analytical Chemistry
  • Undergraduate Award in Physical Chemistry
  • Undergraduate Award in Organic Chemistry
  • Undergraduate Award in Inorganic Chemistry

ALEKS Chemistry Exam

Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) is a Web-based, artificially intelligent assessment and learning system. ALEKS uses adaptive questioning to quickly and accurately determine exactly what a student knows and doesn’t know in a course. ALEKS then instructs the student on the topics they are most ready to learn. As a student works through a course, ALEKS periodically reassesses the student to ensure that topics learned are also retained. ALEKS courses are very complete in their topic coverage and avoids multiple-choice questions. A student who shows a high level of mastery of an ALEKS course will be successful in the actual course they are taking.

Students need to achieve a 70% or higher on the learning modules in order to meet the readiness standards that are required by the UTSA Chemistry department for success in General Chemistry, CHEM 1103.  Students who meet one of the following criteria below also meet the established criteria for success in General Chemistry, CHEM 1103:

  • A grade of C- or higher in Basic Chemistry, CHEM 1073
  • AP Chemistry score of 3 or higher

The ALEKS Chemistry Course is open for 18 weeks from the first day of use for learning and achieving their recommended readiness passing score of 70% in the course.

Students may take the ALEKS Chemistry Exam in order to bypass CHEM 1073: Basic Chemistry.

The UTSA Chemistry department has access to all ALEKS Chemistry rosters and student progress measures. Progress completed within the ALEKS system may take up to 48 hours to appear in the Banner student system due to processing times. So plan to complete well ahead of any registration deadlines to allow for transfer of data.

The length of each student subscription is 18 weeks in ALEKS Chemistry from the time of their initial assessment date. If a student takes longer than 18 weeks from the initial assessment date to finalize their mastered content, they will have to reenroll and pay for the new subscription. If you have been in the system past your allowed 18 weeks and encounter difficulty re-enrolling, please contact Testing Services at testinfo@utsa.edu.

Please note that using the ALEKS system, you will be charged a $60 NON-REFUNDABLE fee, which will be added to your UTSA Tuition and Fees bill. Each student may use the ALEKS Chemistry system (which is separate from the ALEKS Math system) for 18 weeks before resubscription and payment is required to access the system

ALEKS Math Exam

In order for students to excel in our Chemistry courses, it is recommended to start in Calculus I (MAT 1213). Students who meet one of the following criteria below also meet the established criteria for success in Calculus I (MAT 1213):

  • Dual Credit from HS equivalent to complete of Precalculus
  • AP Math score of 3 or higher

The ALEKS Math Course is open until satisfactory in all required modules for learning and achieving their recommended readiness passing score of 95% in the course.

Students may take the ALEKS Math Exam in order to bypass MAT 1093: Precalculus.

Old Biochemistry Courses New Biochem Course Requirements Description

BIO 3513

(Two Options BCH 2903 or BCH 3303)

 BCH 2903 Requires CHE 2603 - Organic Chemistry I One semester course - Designed for majors in Nutrition & Dietetics and for Biology and Neuroscience majors not planning to pursue further exposure to Biochemistry and Chemistry content.
BIO 3513 BIO 3303 Requires CHE 2603 - Organic Chemistry I and CHE 3643 - Organic Chemistry II One semester course - Designed for majors in Chemistry and Microbiology & Immunology and all students planning to pursue health-profession graduate programs that require exposure to specific Biochemistry and Chemistry content, including those Biology and Neuroscience majors on a pre-health track.
CHE 3303 BCH 3303 Requires CHE 2603 - Organic Chemistry I and CHE 3643 - Organic Chemistry II One semester course - Designed for majors in Chemistry and Microbiology & Immunology and all students planning to pursue health-profession graduate programs that require exposure to specific Biochemistry and Chemistry content, including those Biology and Neuroscience majors on a pre-health track.
CHE 3313 BCH 3313 - Need to take both semesters Requires CHE 2603 - Organic Chemistry I and CHE 3643 - Organic Chemistry II The first of a two-semester sequence designed for Biochemistry majors.
CHE 4313 BCH 4313 - Need to take both semesters Requires CHE 2603 - Organic Chemistry I and CHE 3643 - Organic Chemistry II The second of a two-semester sequence designed for Biochemistry majors.
Labs
BCH 3312 Requires BIO 2362, CHE 2612, and MAT 1093 This is a one-semester lab course designed for all students majoring in Nutrition & Dietetics, Biology, Chemistry, and Neuroscience majors and those planning to pursue health-profession graduate programs. Microbiology and Immunology majors may choose this 1 course lab.
BCH 3332 Requires CHE 3652 Intended as the first of a two-semester sequence designed for Biochemistry majors.  Microbiology and Immunology majors may choose this 2 course lab sequence.
BCH 4332 Requires PHY 1971, BCH 3332, BIO 3362 or NDRB 3362, and concurrent enrollment or completion of BCH 4313 (Previously CHE 4313). Intended as the second of a two-semester sequence designed for Biochemistry majors.  Microbiology and Immunology majors may choose this 2 course lab sequence.

The following links are resources for Travel Funding Opportunities for Undergraduates. Applications are open various times throughout the year. Visit their website for more information on the application process and deadlines.

ACS DOC Undergraduate Travel Award

ACS Bridge Travel & Professional Development Award

ACS Chemists with Disabilities Travel Award

ACS Women Chemists Travel Award

DIC Student Travel Award Program

Green Chemistry Travel Awards

Undergraduate Diversity Program Student Travel Award

Graduate Student Resources

The M.S. degree in Chemistry is offered by the Department of Chemistry at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) as either a Thesis or Non-Thesis option. The primary objective of the M.S. degree is to introduce students to recent advances in the chemistry sub-disciplines, complete a research project in one or two specialized areas, and prepare graduates to participate in and contribute to the chemistry profession in all of its various forms. The Thesis option is recommended for students who are planning a career in research or who contemplate pursuing a doctorate in their program of study. The Non-Thesis option should be discussed with students whose primary goals are those other than research.

See the M.S. Program Handbook for the Fall 2024 and forthcoming semesters. Any questions regarding the masters program handbook should be directed to Dr. Ghezai Musie.

The Ph.D. degree in Chemistry is offered by the Department of Chemistry at The University of Texas at San Antonio . The primary objective of the program is to provide students with a rigorous, research-based education in chemistry with a focus on the sub-disciplines most relevant to the thesis work. This training will ensure that graduates are well prepared to participate and contribute to the chemistry profession in all its facets.

The curriculum is designed to provide an overview of contemporary chemistry through the Core and Elective courses, participation in research seminars and colloquia, teaching opportunities, and interactions with faculty. All students are required to take 3 out of 5 core courses in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Inorganic or Organic Chemistry, and Physical Chemistry, as well as two additional developmental courses (Research and Teaching Practice and Ethics, and Proposal Development). Additional required elective courses are normally taken in fields close to the student’s area of specialization. Students will have access to laboratories located on the Main Campus in the Biotechnology, Sciences and Engineering (BSE) Building and the Center for Innovative Drug Discovery (CIDD). Students are required to take chemical safety training modules administered by the Lab Safety Department on BioRaft.

See the Ph.D Program Handbook for the Fall 2024 and forthcoming semesters. Any questions regarding the doctoral program handbook should be directed to Dr. Zachary Tonzeitch.

Graduate Course Selection Form

Please use this form to submit your course selections for each semester for the PhD and MS programs. Your submitted form will be automatically be sent to your Advisor and GAR for review and approval. Once approved, the Senior Program Coordinator (Ed Johns) will email the student that final approval has been completed.

 

Gradaute Teaching Assistant Application

Please use this form to complete your application to be a teaching assistant in the Chemistry Department. Your submitted application will be sent to the Senior Program Coordinator (Ed Johns), who is responsible for GTA assignments.

 

Doctoral Research Proposal (DRP) Forms

Below is the rubric/evaluation forms used for the Doctoral Research Proposal (DRP):

Written and Oral Communication Rubric

 

Doctoral Dissertation Forms

Below is the rubric/evaluation forms used for the Doctoral Disseration:

Written and Oral Communication Rubric

COS Student Success Center

The College of Science Student Success Center (COS SSC) is a comprehensive resource hub supporting students from all departments throughout the college. The COS SSC is dedicated to helping future scientists develop their science identity through personalized mentoring for all COS undergraduate students.

They offer mentoring, study spaces, and host events throughout the semester. The workshops and activities offered focus on academic success, career development, and overall wellbeing including professional development. Be sure to stop by the COS SCC located in the Flawn Building (FLN 2.03.02)

 

Student Success Coaching

Doing well in college takes more than good study habits. True academic success requires the development and alignment of your academic, social, and emotional selves—the whole you. That is why UTSA created Student Success Coaching, a free service that academically supports students by supporting the whole student. Success Coaches work one-on-one with students to learn their goals, understand their obstacles, and light their way toward academic and personal growth for a richer, more fulfilling college experience.

 

Najim Center

The Najim Center offers personal and professional development for students as they navigate college life and make that transition from college to career. Their development is 3 dimensional and empowers students to innovate who they are through discovery, development, and design principles. They welcome roadrunners of all classifications, backgrounds, and experience levels to start where you are and innovate yourself in 3D.

 

Graduate School Professional Development

The Graduate School is committed to advancing academic excellence in graduate and postdoctoral education and training. They have several departments that can assist you with questions regarding professional development activities, administrative processes, and graduate student success initiatives.

 

University Career Center

The University Career Center assists all Roadrunners in discovering, pursuing, and achieving their unique career goals. Their vision is to improve career and professional outcomes and community engagement by designing an ecosystem that connects academic, business, and civic communities. For additional resources, visit the university’s career center to learn more about the services and resources available to all students.  

Graduate School Travel Fund Application

Graduate School Professional Development (GSPD) Awards provide supplemental support for students to attend major professional meetings at which they make a presentation (paper, poster, other appropriate form of presentation) based on their research or scholarly work. The Graduate School provides these awards in order to assist academic units in fully funding student travel for the purpose of presenting research unique to UTSA.

Application Process:

    • PI Acknowledgement signature form (upload to application)
    • Personal statement (500-750 words) describing (upload to application):
    • Why is it important for you to present at this meeting?
    • How does it relate to your degree program and professional development?

Applications must be complete and submitted to the Graduate School through the online application portal. Please direct any questions to john.shaffer@utsa.edu.

The awarding process takes place twice in the fall semester, twice in the spring semester, and once during the summer. Students should submit their application:

  • Fall semester submission: September 1; November 1
  • Spring semester submission: February 1; April 1
  • Summer semester submission: July 1

Allow 30 days past the semester deadline(s) for application review and award disbursement.

 

ACS Student Travel Award

The American Chemical Society Division of Organic Chemistry (ACS DOC) makes travel awards of $600 each to aid undergraduate and graduate students in presenting papers or posters at ACS Meetings. Scientific merit of the paper to be presented will be considered.

Application deadlines for National Meetings will typically be December 1st for the Spring meeting and May 15th for the Fall Meeting. Please allow 8 weeks after the deadline for review (awards are typically announced around January 1st or June 10th).

Visit the ACSDOC website for additional information on the general requirements, travel application process, and submittal process.

 

DIC Student Travel Award Program

The American Chemical Society Division of Inorganic Chemistry (ACS DIC) is accepting applications for student travel awards for graduate and undergraduate students presenting research talks or posters at ACS National Meetings.

The amount of the award is $450.00. The deadline for receipt of applications is February 1 for the Spring ACS National Meeting, and June 1 for the Fall ACS National Meeting. Winners will be notified by March 1 and July 15, respectively, for the Spring and Fall meetings.

Visit the ACSDIC website for information on the application procedure, selection process, and additional details.

Chemistry Graduate Scholarships

The Department of Chemistry offers the following scholarships to Chemistry Graduate Students.

  • Janice and Michael Doyle Endowed Research Award in Chemistry
  • Jesse, Kenneth, and Edna Abrams Endowed Graduate Fellowship in Chemistry
  • Judith A. Walmsley Endowed Graduate Program Fund in Chemistry

Visit the UTSA Scholarship Hub, the place where students can find various scholarship opportunities  (as well as additional scholarships from the College of Science) available to apply to, including the Scholarship Hub’s General Application.

 

Department of Chemistry Graduate Awards

The following awards are granted to our undergraduate chemistry students who display a significant aptitude in their recognized specific field of chemistry and are recognized at the end of the semester graduation ceremonies.

  • Meritorious Dissertation Award
Outstanding Graduate Student Award

The Graduate School has a series of Graduate Student Awards. Up to 24 awards across three categories (Outstanding PhD Dissertation Award, Outstanding Thesis Award and Outstanding Non-Thesis/Capstone/Project Award, and Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award) will be made annually. Each award includes a $2,000 honorarium and a citation presented during Graduate Student Appreciation Week.

 

Postdoctoral Awards

The Graduate School has the following awards for postdoctoral students. The first award is the Postdoctoral Research Fellow of the Year Award. The award will be presented annually to two to three (postdoctoral fellows at UTSA) who demonstrate excellence in research, communication, and leadership. Each award includes a certificate and cash reward to the recipient. The awardees will be announced during Postdoctoral Appreciation Week (third week of September).

The second award is the Postdoctoral Fellowship Travel Award provides supplemental support for postdoctoral fellows to attend major professional meetings at which they make a presentation (paper, poster, other appropriate form of presentation) based on their research or scholarly work. The Graduate School Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and Office of Research provide these awards in order to assist academic units to more fully fund postdoc travel for the purpose of presenting research unique to UTSA.

 

Featured Awards for Graduate Study

The Honors College has listed featured awards for graduate study (available for all students) that represent excellent opportunities to fund graduate school, whether that be at UTSA, in the United States, or abroad. Opportunities with an asterisk (*) are featured awards that align well with UTSA's strength as a research institution, the academic disciplines and courses that UTSA offers, and the backgrounds of UTSA's student population.

As UTSA strives to maintain Carnegie R-1 designation, our commitment to excellence in graduate research training is crucial to the institution's success. One measure of graduate research training success is the number of external federal fellowships awarded to UTSA graduate students. Several agencies have excellent opportunities for students to gain recognition for outstanding research activity.

AbbVie Pharmaceuticals Student Programs

American Chemical Society (ACS) Grants & Fellowships

UTSA Graduate School Fellowship Incentive Program

UTSA Postdoctoral Fellowships and Funding

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP)

Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (NIH F31)

Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowships

Fulbright Programs

Graduate Fellowships for STEM Diversity

NRC Fellowship Programs

Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans

Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART)