Chemistry and Biochemistry

🧭 Compass Roadmap

ACU’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has carefully curated this roadmap which features unique opportunities for you as a student in their major. Take a look below and visit with your faculty mentor and academic advisor so you can explore the best path for you as you progress through your department. For more information about Compass and ACU Roadmaps, be sure to check out acu.edu/compass, or reach out to your Compass team at compass@acu.edu.

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

ACU’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has carefully curated this roadmap which features unique opportunities for you as a student in their major. Take a look below and visit with your faculty mentor and academic advisor so you can explore the best path for you as you progress through your department. For more information about Compass and ACU Roadmaps, be sure to check out acu.edu/compass, or reach out to your Compass team at compass@acu.edu.

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Main Content

Compass Roadmap | Chemistry & Biochemistry


Begin Your Journey
First Year
Pursue Community
Second Year
Pursue Hospitality
Third Year
Pursue Calling
Fourth Year
Pursue Wisdom
Grow Intellectually
  • Meet the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty during Wildcat Week
  • Develop research skills in Cornerstone (CORE 110)
  • Explore the life of Jesus and the New Testament church in BIBL 101 and 102
  • Attend faculty office hours
  • Start strong by attending chemistry tutoring


  • Support your peers by attending ACU's URCI Festival
  • Explore the message of the Old Testament in BIBL 211

  • Engage in a faculty-mentored research or creative project
  • Participate in information literacy workshop
  • Participate in Chemistry Circus
  • Prepare for post-graduation by taking the MCAT, PCAT, DAT, GRE, etc

  • Present at URCI Festival or other conference
  • CFinish strong by completing your Capstone course CHEM: 423 Chemistry and Biochemistry Seminar
  • Participate in Chemistry Circus
Grow Spiritually
  • Participate in Chem Club Chapel
  • Experience Candlelight Devo during Wildcat Week
  • Join a local Church
  • Engage in practices of meal fellowship, testimony and breath prayer

  • Participate in Chem Club Chapel
  • Commit to volunteering in the Abilene community
  • Participate in the life of a local church
  • Learn about service opportunities at the Local Missions Fair
  • Engage in practices of intercessory prayer, pilgrimage and journaling
  • Participate in Chem Club Chapel
  • Participate in the life of a local church
  • Gain hands-on ministry experience on a Global Service Trip
  • Engage in practices of silence, spiritual listening and examen
  • Participate in Chem Club Chapel
  • Engage in a local church
  • Experience Candlelight Sendoff
  • Engage in practices of friendship, relinquishment and developing a rule of life
  • Discuss faith and science in CHEM: 423 Chemistry and Biochemistry Seminar
  • Engage in practices of friendship, relinquishment, and developing a rule of Iife
Grow Personally
  • Take StrengthsFinder assessment
  • Become involved in the ACU community by joining a student organization
  • Identify a potential faculty, staff, or older student mentor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
  • Grow relationships within your department by attending departmental dinners and activities
  • Grow as a leader through ACU LEADS: Emerging Leaders

  • Care for your whole person by taking advantage of recreation opportunities on campus (SRWC, intramurals, etc)
  • Actively engage in a student organization
  • Continue to meet with your faculty or staff mentor
  • Grow relationships within your department by attending departmental dinners and activities

  • Develop your leadership skills while serving in a leadership role on campus
  • Lead in a church ministry or local service organization
  • Continue to meet with your faculty or staff mentor
  • Grow relationships within your department by attending departmental dinners and activities

  • Develop your leadership skills through ACU LEADS: Elected Leaders
  • Lead a student club or organization
  • Continue to meet with your faculty or staff mentor
  • Grow relationships within your department by attending departmental dinners and activities
  • Attend senior lunch
  • Celebrate reaching the end by attending graduation breakfast
  • Mentor a younger student in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Grow Culturally
  • Attend Events Hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA)
  • Explore the opportunities to study abroad at a Study Abroad interest meeting
  • Participate in a World Wide Witness summer internship
  • Attend Events Hosted by the International Students Association (ISA)
  • Study Abroad for a semester in Oxford, Leipzig, or Montevideo as a part of Global Health Care
  • Attend Events Hosted by the Carl Spain Center on Race Studies and Spiritual Action
  • Lead an OMA, ISA, or Carl Spain Center event
  • Apply to be a Fulbright Scholar, AmeriCorps, PeaceCorps, or other international service opportunities
Grow Professionally
  • Explore career possibilities by completing PathwayU
  • Begin connecting with potential employers by activating your Handshake profile
  • Learn new creative possibilities through Creative U
  • Develop a résumé and participate in a mock interview
  • Get a summer job or internship--preferably something related to your field of interest
  • Give back to your department by serving as a teachers assistant (TA)
  • Begin gaining hands on experience by shadowing a health professional

  • Research graduate schools that interest you
  • Identify faculty members who could write recommendations
  • Create a LinkedIn profile
  • Look to the future by applying for health professions school
  • Continue giving back by serving as a TA or tutor
  • Participate in a research internship
  • Continue gaining hands on experience by shadowing a health professional
  • Secure letters of recommendation
  • Finalize a résumé
  • Apply for jobs and/or graduate school
  • Continue giving back by serving as a TA or tutor
  • Participate in a research internship

Exploring Areas of Growth

Five Areas of Growth

  • Grow Intellectually – Sharpen your mind through critical thinking, problem solving and engaging in original research or creative projects. Build knowledge in your field and develop relevant skills through innovative and experiential assignments and activities.
  • Grow SpirituallyGrow in likeness of Christ, as the Spirit leads both individuals and communities into deeper love of God and others. Cultivate Christian community, hospitality, vocation and wisdom through reflective participation in community practices such as worship, study and service. 
  • Grow Personally – Mature as a whole person through mentorship, peer-to-peer relationships and cultivating habits that produce wellness. Discover your strengths, become a productive team member and grow as a leader.
  • Grow Culturally – Deepen intercultural knowledge and the ability to communicate with and relate to people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and geographic areas. Foster a greater respect and empathy for all peoples through building dynamic and mutually rewarding relationships in local and global contexts. 
  • Grow Professionally – Prepare for a meaningful career by exploring options, participating in career development activities, gaining relevant experiences and making purposeful connections that launch your professional life.

Integrated Spiritual Formation Themes

 

NOTE: Transfer students and those that surpass traditional semester cadences can progress to the next phase when appropriate for their needs.

Year 1 – Pursue Community

Connecting students to cruciform relationships with peers and adults on campus and in Abilene through compelling opportunities to invest in a variety of Christian organizations, both discovering and experiencing the distinctive nature of Christian community.

Year 2 – Pursue Hospitality

Engaging students in encounters with diverse peoples, ideas, and cultures through both local and global opportunities to extend and receive hospitality and to serve others in Christ’s name.

Year 3 – Pursue Calling

Advancing students’ understanding of vocation in a manner that integrates each student’s particular identity, career goals and vision for life with the broad calling for Christians to participate in the ongoing mission of God revealed in the pattern of Christ’s life and death.

Year 4 – Pursue Wisdom

Launching students into cruciform and purposeful living beyond the university by equipping them with tools for and experiences seeking Christian wisdom as they prepare to transition into a new season of life and career.