Chemistry & Biochemistry
The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at Baylor University offers a unique combination of direct faculty-student training and mentoring, graduate student-operated instrumentation, and growth-focused education leading to impactful science. Our department operates in a close-knit and friendly community. We have research programs in the core areas of chemistry along with more interdisciplinary programs in chemical biology, bioinorganic chemistry, biomedical science and imaging, bioanalytical chemistry, and astrochemistry.
Areas of Study
Be Part of Cutting-Edge Research
Baylor's chemists and biochemists work across the entire array of molecular science: pioneering routes to synthesize the most complex organic molecules; designing pharmacons to improve health; synthesizing novel inorganic-organic hybrids; engineering new devices for nano-scale cellular imaging.
Learn Beside Incredible Faculty
By recruiting faculty from the best universities in the world, Baylor's department of chemistry and biochemistry is undergoing rapid expansion. The large faculty to student ratio, and medium-size research groups fosters close apprenticeship, where faculty work alongside graduate students.
Work in State-of-the-Art Facilities
The department is located in one of the largest, well-designed, and integrated science buildings in the world (see video above)! The department consists of well-laid out laboratories with separate office/lab areas, modern fume hoods, and extensive modern instrumentation. This includes all traditional instruments (NMR, MS, X-ray, LC-MS, microscopies for nano-scale science; all student-operated) in addition to more modern instruments including TLC-MS (Thin-Layer Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry), in situ IR reaction monitoring, and robotics for reaction optimization.
News
More NewsWhat kind of impact are Baylor researchers making on the world? The burgeoning number of honors and grants awarded to BU faculty and students indicates that Baylor’s impact as a Christian research university is growing.
Here are just a few recent examples:
The 2025 Annual Meeting of the Texas Academy of Science will be in Waco! This is a great opportunity for undergrads (and grads!) to make presentations – posters and orals in ALL disciplines.
Baylor researchers have expertise in a wide variety of areas. Students at three area public schools got to learn that firsthand last week, when BU faculty and students visited with elementary, middle and high school-aged scientists to highlight National STEM Day through hands-on learning activities.
In recent years, Baylor has brought some of its outstanding faculty and their students to local schools for National STEM Day to make science come alive and encourage kids to think about college and careers in the STEM fields. It’s a mission that aligns with the day itself, which celebrates discovery and innovation that sparks interest in future science careers.
Meet this year’s Outstanding Graduate Student Award honorees for excellence in research, teaching and dissertation.
Having Fun in the Heart of Texas
Baylor is Texas' oldest university and is located at its heart, nestled on the Brazos River in the city of Waco. In the past few years Waco has experienced an unprecedented boom in economic development and is now home to some of the best restaurants, coffee shops, and venues for sports and entertainment in all of Texas. And its still an inexpensive and friendly place to live!
Alumni Profiles
Postdoctoral Researcher at MIT
My time at Baylor during my Ph.D. studies gave me insight into expanding a research program. Baylor's burgeoning Chemistry Department had grown tremendously during my time as a graduate student....
Senior Lecturer, Univ. of Yaounde, Cameroon
During my stay as a Fulbright Scholar in the CPRIT Synthesis & Drug Lead Discovery Laboratory in 2016, I met committed graduate students and faculty working tirelessly to keep up with research and teaching activities....
Interim Chair & Professor, KUMC
My time as a Baylor Undergraduate Chemistry major prepared me well for graduate school and a career in academic research. I particularly remember the Honors General Chemistry courses taught by Dr. Pennington and....
Vice Pres Medicinal Chemistry, Aquinnah Pharmaceuticals
The Chemistry/Biochemistry Department is growing in all the best ways. The new labs and facilities available for research and teaching are first class, and the faculty are of the highest caliber....