A darkroom, an electronic workshop and glass-blowing facilities also are available for student use. The department continues to maintain and upgrade modern chemical instrumentation. In 1997, the department obtained a 300 MHz NMR spectrometer through the support of the National Science Foundation, and in 1999 a new FT-infrared spectrometer was purchased through the support of alumni. These instruments are available for use by our students. The chemistry department at Texas Lutheran offers the chemistry major a number of special opportunities.
Students can, and regularly do, get help directly from the professor teaching the class.
Chemistry majors are encouraged to work in the department as lab assistants, graders, and stockroom assistants. Students also are encouraged to work with faculty members on research projects in a variety of areas in chemistry. There is opportunity to do research during the summer at Texas Lutheran. Students who are selected for research may receive scholarships through the support of the Welch Foundation, and often report on their research at meetings of the American Chemical Society. In recent years students have traveled with faculty members to New Orleans, San Francisco, Denver, and San Diego to present papers.