B.S. in Biochemistry
The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry degree prepares students for graduate school or direct employment in the chemical, biotechnological, or pharmaceutical industries. Biochemistry majors apply basic principles of chemistry and physics to the study of living cells and their components to explain biology at molecular, genetic, and cellular levels. Students develop a strong foundation in quantitative and analytical biological sciences, including molecular biology, biochemistry, enzymology, metabolism, cell biology, and molecular genetics.
Upper-level coursework include courses on biomolecules structure and function, biophysical & biochemical characterization of macromolecules, structural proteomics and protein-nucleic acid interactions, polymers, advanced organic chemistry and instrumental analysis. Laboratory courses give students the tools needed as biochemists to pursue research. All students are encouraged to pursue independent research with a professor, and to present their work at our undergraduate research symposium and at national meetings.
See the suggested course sequence below.
Program Information
This program involves training in organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry as well as in biology, genetics, and biochemistry. Elective coursework is also available to pursue interests in a variety of advanced topics involving the chemistry of biological systems.
Program Type
Major
Degree
Bachelor's
Duration
4-year
Required Credit Hours
121
Suggested Course Sequence
Various courses are offered each semester to satisfy University BRDG requirements. BRDG courses can be taken in any sequence throughout the undergraduate curriculum. All prerequisites must be met with a C or higher.
- CHEM 151 Atomic & Molec Principles (4 credits)
- CHEM 151L Intro to Chemistry Lab (1 credit)
- BIOL 111 / 111L Biology I / Lab (4 credits)
- BRDG 101 Writing and Analysis (3 credits)
- MATH 115 Calculus I (4 credits)
- CHEM 153 Career Op in Chem and Biochem I (1 credit)
- CHEM 152 Quantitative Analysis (4 credits)
- CHEM 152L Quantitative Analysis Lab (1 credit)
- BIOL 112 / 112L Biology II / Lab (4 credits)
- BRDG 102 Writing and Literature (3 credits)
- MATH 116 Calculus II (4 credits)
- BRDG 100 Research & Info Skills (1 credit)
- CHEM 228 Structure, Mech & React (4 credits)
- CHEM 228L Org Struct & Properties Lab (1 credit)
- PHYS 211/R Gen Analy Phys I/Rec (3 credits)
- PHYS 211L GAP I Lab (1 credit)
- BIOL 212 Cell Molec Biol
- EQ xxx Essential Questions Seminar (3 credits)
Spring Semester
- CHEM 229 Reacts, Synths & Spectroscopy (4 credits)
- CHEM 229L Organic Synthesis Lab (1 credit)
- PHYS 212/R Gen Analy Phys II/Rec (3 credits)
- PHYS 212L GAP II Lab (1 credit)
- ENGL 302W Scientific Writing (3 credits)
- CHEM 154 Career Op in Chem and Biochem II (1 credit)
- Biochem/Chem/Math/Biol Elective (3 credits)
- CHEM 340 Instrumental Analysis (3 credits)
- CHEM 419 Adv Biochemistry I (3 credits)
- CHEM 305L/R Adv Lab Skills/R (1 credit)
- MATH 225 Intro to Biostatistics(3 credits)
- Biochem/Chem/Math/Biol Elective (3 credits)
Spring Semester
- CHEM 329 Thermodynamics (3 credits)
- CHEM 436 Adv Biochemistry II 3 credits
- Biochem/Chem Elective (3 credits)
- SPRG 108 Service Learning in Science (0-1 credits)
- General Elective (Theology) (3 credits)
- CHEM 155 Career Op in Chem and Biochem III (1 credit)
- CHEM 426L/R Adv Exp Tech/Applct (4 credits)
- Biochemistry Elective (3 credits)
- General Elective (3 credits)
- Bridges Course - Social & Hist Reasoning (3 credits)
Spring Semester
- Bridges Course - Ethical Reasoning (3 credits)
- Bridges Course - Critical Think & Prob Solv (3 credits)
- General Elective (Philosophy) (3 credits)
- Bridges Course - Cultural Fluency (3 credits)
- CHEM _______ Capstone (CHEM 488 or 499/499H) (1 credit)
Please note: CHEM 490W Undergraduate Research is highly recommended.
Elective Offerings
Students must take four advanced electives. One elective must be a biochemistry elective. The second department elective may be a biochemistry or chemistry elective. The remaining two electives may be chemistry, biochemistry, biology or math electives from the approved lists.
- CHEM 508 Biomolecular Structure and Function
- CHEM 527 Biophysical & Biochem Char of Macro
- CHEM 529 Enzyme Kinetics and Mechanisms
- CHEM 541 Structural Proteomics
- CHEM 543 Protein Nucleic Acid Interactions
- BIOL 315 Human Physiology
- BIOL 319 General Microbiology
- BIOL 332 Virology
- BIOL 424 Immunology
- BIOL 460 Endocrinology
- BIOL 468 Human Genetics
- BIOL 475 Neurobiology
- CHEM 312 Inorganic Chemistry l
- CHEM 412 Inorganic Chemistry ll
- CHEM 452 Environmental Chemistry
- CHEM 503 Advanced Organic Chemistry
- CHEM 547 Reaction Mechanisms
- CHEM 549 Single Crystal X-ray Crystallography
- CHEM 565 Advanced Instrumental Analysis
- CHEM 566 Mass Spectrometry Instrumental Analysis
- CHEM 567 Statistical Thermodynamics
- CHEM 590 Green Chemistry
- CHEM 598 Special Topics
- MATH 215 Calculus lll
- MATH 310 Linear Algebra
- MATH 314 Differential Equations
- MATH 335 Biostatistics Il