Biochemistry
The College of Arts and Sciences awards the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in biochemistry. The required courses for the majors and minor are offered by the Department of Biochemistry in the School of Medicine.
Major
The two undergraduate major programs in Biochemistry, BA and BS, are based on the Arts and Sciences General Education Requirements but differ in amount and intensity of the mathematics and physical sciences required. Either degree is excellent for students planning to undertake graduate work in biochemistry or in related areas of the biomedical sciences. Both the BA and the BS programs permit students to follow many options after graduation. Graduates are well prepared for further studies in the biological sciences, for degrees in the health sciences (MD, DO, DDS, PharmD), for employment in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries, or as research assistants in research laboratories. The BA makes a considerable amount of elective time available, which allows students to concentrate on biochemistry more intensively than the curriculum requires, or pursue other subjects in science or liberal arts. The BS degree has additional course requirements in the quantitative and physical sciences; it is intended for students with interests in these areas.
In both programs, undergraduate research is required. As many as nine hours of Research in Biochemistry (BIOC 391 Research Project) may be credited toward the requirements for graduation. At least six credits are highly recommended. Students present their research during their last semester (BIOC 393 Senior Capstone Experience) as a written thesis and a presentation at the Biochemistry Undergraduate Retreat.
Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry
| Required Courses: | ||
| BIOC 307 | Introduction to Biochemistry: From Molecules To Medical Science | 4 |
| BIOC 308 | Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BIOC 373 | Biochemistry SAGES Seminar (SAGES Departmental Seminar) | 3 |
| Biochemistry elective: | 3 | |
| Proteins and Enzymes | ||
or BIOC 334 | Structural Biology | |
| Two approved technical electives in biochemistry | 6 | |
| BIOC 393 | Senior Capstone Experience | 3 |
| Additional Required Courses: | ||
| BIOL 214 & 214L | Genes, Evolution and Ecology and Genes, Evolution and Ecology Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 215 & 215L | Cells and Proteins and Cells and Proteins Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 105 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3-4 |
| or CHEM 111 | Principles of Chemistry for Engineers | |
| CHEM 106 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3-4 |
| or ENGR 145 | Chemistry of Materials | |
| Principles of Chemistry Laboratory | ||
| CHEM 223 | Introductory Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| or CHEM 323 | Organic Chemistry I | |
| CHEM 224 | Introductory Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| or CHEM 324 | Organic Chemistry II | |
| CHEM 233 | Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| CHEM 234 | Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 2 |
| CHEM 301 | Introductory Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| MATH 125 | Math and Calculus Applications for Life, Managerial, and Social Sci I | 4 |
| or MATH 121 | Calculus for Science and Engineering I | |
| MATH 126 | Math and Calculus Applications for Life, Managerial, and Social Sci II | 4 |
| or MATH 122 | Calculus for Science and Engineering II | |
| or MATH 124 | Calculus II | |
| PHYS 115 | Introductory Physics I | 4 |
| or PHYS 121 | General Physics I - Mechanics | |
| or PHYS 123 | Physics and Frontiers I - Mechanics | |
| PHYS 116 | Introductory Physics II | 4 |
| or PHYS 122 | General Physics II - Electricity and Magnetism | |
| or PHYS 124 | Physics and Frontiers II - Electricity and Magnetism | |
| Total Units | 66-68 | |
BA Biochemistry, Sample Plan of Study
| Freshman | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Spring | |
| Math and Calculus Applications for Life, Managerial, and Social Sci I (MATH 125) or Calculus for Science and Engineering I (MATH 121) | 4 | |
| Principles of Chemistry I (CHEM 105) or Principles of Chemistry for Engineers (CHEM 111) | 3 | |
| Independent Activity (PHED 100) | 0 | |
| SAGES First Seminar | 4 | |
| Genes, Evolution and Ecology (BIOL 214) & Genes, Evolution and Ecology Lab (BIOL 214L) | 4 | |
| Math and Calculus Applications for Life, Managerial, and Social Sci II (MATH 126) or Calculus for Science and Engineering I (MATH 121) or Calculus II (MATH 124) | 4 | |
| Principles of Chemistry II (CHEM 106) or Chemistry of Materials (ENGR 145) | 3 | |
| Principles of Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 113) | 2 | |
| SAGES University Seminar I | 3 | |
| Cells and Proteins (BIOL 215) & Cells and Proteins Laboratory (BIOL 215L) | 4 | |
| Independent Activity (PHED 100) | 0 | |
| Year Total: | 15 | 16 |
| Sophomore | Units | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| Introductory Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 223)a or Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 323) | 3 | |
| Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (CHEM 233) | 2 | |
| Introductory Physics I (PHYS 115)b or General Physics I - Mechanics (PHYS 121) or Physics and Frontiers I - Mechanics (PHYS 123) | 4 | |
| GER Course | 3 | |
| SAGES University Seminar II | 3 | |
| Introductory Organic Chemistry II (CHEM 224)a or Organic Chemistry II (CHEM 324) | 3 | |
| Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (CHEM 234) | 2 | |
| Introductory Physics II (PHYS 116)b or General Physics II - Electricity and Magnetism (PHYS 122) or Physics and Frontiers II - Electricity and Magnetism (PHYS 124) | 4 | |
| GER Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Year Total: | 15 | 15 |
| Junior | Units | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| Introductory Physical Chemistry I (CHEM 301) or Physical Chemistry I (CHEM 335) | 3 | |
| Introduction to Biochemistry: From Molecules To Medical Science (BIOC 307) | 4 | |
| GER Course | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Molecular Biology (BIOC 308) | 4 | |
| Approved Technical Elective | 3 | |
| Research Project (BIOC 391) | 3 | |
| Electives or GER Courses | 6 | |
| Year Total: | 16 | 16 |
| Senior | Units | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| Biochemistry SAGES Seminar (BIOC 373) | 3 | |
| Research Project (BIOC 391) | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Proteins and Enzymes (BIOC 312) (or Approved Technical Electives)c | 3 | |
| Senior Capstone Experience (BIOC 393) | 3 | |
| Structural Biology (BIOC 334) (or Approved Biochem or Technical Elective)c | 3 | |
| Electives | 6-9 | |
| Year Total: | 15 | 12-15 |
| Total Units in Sequence: | 120-123 | |
Note: At least 3 credits of undergraduate research, BIOC 391 Research Project, is recommended for the Capstone. An additional 3 credits of BIOC 391 is highly recommended. Students should consult their academic advisers about the elective parts of the curriculum. A course in statistics or quantitative biology is suggested but not required.
| a | Selected students may be invited to take CHEM 323 Organic Chemistry I or CHEM 324 Organic Chemistry II |
| b | Selected students may be invited to take PHYS 123 Physics and Frontiers I - Mechanics and PHYS 124 Physics and Frontiers II - Electricity and Magnetism in place of PHYS 121 General Physics I - Mechanics and PHYS 122 General Physics II - Electricity and Magnetism |
| c | BA students must take either BIOC 312 Proteins and Enzymes or BIOC 334 Structural Biology. For BA students who take both courses, one course will serve as a technical elective. |
Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
| Required Courses: | ||
| BIOC 307 | Introduction to Biochemistry: From Molecules To Medical Science | 4 |
| BIOC 308 | Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BIOC 312 | Proteins and Enzymes | 3 |
| BIOC 334 | Structural Biology | 3 |
| BIOC 373 | Biochemistry SAGES Seminar | 3 |
| Approved Technical Elective in Biochemistry | 3 | |
| BIOC 393 | Senior Capstone Experience | 3 |
| BIOL 214 & 214L | Genes, Evolution and Ecology and Genes, Evolution and Ecology Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 215 & 215L | Cells and Proteins and Cells and Proteins Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 105 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3-4 |
| or CHEM 111 | Principles of Chemistry for Engineers | |
| CHEM 106 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3-4 |
| or ENGR 145 | Chemistry of Materials | |
| CHEM 113 | Principles of Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| CHEM 223 | Introductory Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| or CHEM 323 | Organic Chemistry I | |
| CHEM 224 | Introductory Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| or CHEM 324 | Organic Chemistry II | |
| CHEM 301 | Introductory Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| or CHEM 335 | Physical Chemistry I | |
| CHEM 302 | Introductory Physical Chemistry II | 3 |
| or CHEM 336 | Physical Chemistry II | |
| CHEM 233 | Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| CHEM 234 | Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 2 |
| MATH 121 | Calculus for Science and Engineering I | 4 |
| MATH 122 | Calculus for Science and Engineering II | 4 |
| or MATH 124 | Calculus II | |
| MATH 223 | Calculus for Science and Engineering III | 3 |
| or MATH 227 | Calculus III | |
| MATH 224 | Elementary Differential Equations | 3 |
| or MATH 228 | Differential Equations | |
| PHYS 121 | General Physics I - Mechanics | 4 |
| or PHYS 123 | Physics and Frontiers I - Mechanics | |
| PHYS 122 | General Physics II - Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| or PHYS 124 | Physics and Frontiers II - Electricity and Magnetism | |
| PHYS 221 | Introduction to Modern Physics | 3 |
| STAT 312R | Basic Statistics for Engineering and Science Using R Programming | 3 |
| or STAT 313 | Statistics for Experimenters | |
| Total Units | 83-85 | |
BS Biochemistry, Sample Plan of Study
| Freshman | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Spring | |
| Calculus for Science and Engineering I (MATH 121) | 4 | |
| Principles of Chemistry I (CHEM 105) or Principles of Chemistry for Engineers (CHEM 111) | 3 | |
| Independent Activity (PHED 100) | 0 | |
| SAGES First Semester | 4 | |
| Genes, Evolution and Ecology (BIOL 214) & Genes, Evolution and Ecology Lab (BIOL 214L) | 4 | |
| Calculus for Science and Engineering II (MATH 122) or Calculus II (MATH 124) | 4 | |
| Principles of Chemistry II (CHEM 106) or Chemistry of Materials (ENGR 145) | 3 | |
| Principles of Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 113) | 2 | |
| SAGES University Seminar I | 3 | |
| Cells and Proteins (BIOL 215) & Cells and Proteins Laboratory (BIOL 215L) | 4 | |
| Independent Activity (PHED 100) | 0 | |
| Year Total: | 15 | 16 |
| Sophomore | Units | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| Introductory Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 223)a or Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 323) | 3 | |
| Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (CHEM 233) | 2 | |
| Calculus for Science and Engineering III (MATH 223) or Calculus III (MATH 227) | 3 | |
| General Physics I - Mechanics (PHYS 121)b or Physics and Frontiers I - Mechanics (PHYS 123) | 4 | |
| SAGES University Seminar II | 3 | |
| Introductory Organic Chemistry II (CHEM 224)a or Organic Chemistry II (CHEM 324) | 3 | |
| Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (CHEM 234) | 2 | |
| Elementary Differential Equations (MATH 224) or Differential Equations (MATH 228) | 3 | |
| General Physics II - Electricity and Magnetism (PHYS 122)b or Physics and Frontiers II - Electricity and Magnetism (PHYS 124) | 4 | |
| GER Course | 3 | |
| Year Total: | 15 | 15 |
| Junior | Units | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| Introductory Physical Chemistry I (CHEM 301) or Physical Chemistry I (CHEM 335) | 3 | |
| Introduction to Biochemistry: From Molecules To Medical Science (BIOC 307) | 4 | |
| GER Course | 3 | |
| GER Course or elective | 3 | |
| Basic Statistics for Engineering and Science Using R Programming (STAT 312R) or Statistics for Experimenters (STAT 313) | 3 | |
| Introductory Physical Chemistry II (CHEM 302) or Physical Chemistry II (CHEM 336) | 3 | |
| Molecular Biology (BIOC 308) | 4 | |
| Introduction to Modern Physics (PHYS 221) | 3 | |
| Research Project (BIOC 391) | 3 | |
| GER Course or Elective | 3 | |
| Year Total: | 16 | 16 |
| Senior | Units | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| Proteins and Enzymes (BIOC 312) | 3 | |
| Biochemistry SAGES Seminar (BIOC 373) | 3 | |
| Research Project (BIOC 391) | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Structural Biology (BIOC 334) | 3 | |
| Senior Capstone Experience (BIOC 393) | 3 | |
| Electives | 9 | |
| Year Total: | 15 | 15 |
| Total Units in Sequence: | 123 | |
Note: At least 3 credits of undergraduate research, BIOC 391 Research Project, is recommended for the Capstone. An additional 3 credits of BIOC 391 is highly recommended. Students should consult their academic advisers about the elective parts of the curriculum.
| a | Selected students may be invited to take CHEM 323 Organic Chemistry I or CHEM 324 Organic Chemistry II |
| b | Selected students may be invited to take PHYS 123 Physics and Frontiers I - Mechanics and PHYS 124 Physics and Frontiers II - Electricity and Magnetism in place of PHYS 121 General Physics I - Mechanics and PHYS 122 General Physics II - Electricity and Magnetism. |
Honors Program
Biochemistry majors who have excellent academic records may be admitted to the department’s Undergraduate Honors Program. To graduate with departmental honors in biochemistry, a student must satisfy the following requirements:
1. A combined grade point average of at least 3.600
2. A minimum of 6 credit hours of undergraduate research (BIOC 391) in one laboratory
3. A BIOC 393 capstone report approved by the Undergraduate Education Committee of the department on the basis of the quality of the research, the written report, and an oral presentation. An acceptable report:
a. Should follow a standard journal format
b. Should demonstrate the student’s understanding of the research area, experimental techniques, goals and implications of the project
c. Should show that the student has advanced his/her knowledge of the applicable techniques and the underlying scientific concepts.
4. Using all or part of the capstone report, the student must be a co-author on a manuscript either submitted, in press or published in a peer reviewed journal.
Minor
| Required Courses: | ||
| BIOC 307 | Introduction to Biochemistry: From Molecules To Medical Science | 4 |
| BIOC 308 | Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BIOC 312 | Proteins and Enzymes | 3 |
| or BIOC 334 | Structural Biology | |
| Approved technical elective in biochemistry | 3 | |
| Total Units | 14 | |
Students may obtain credit for a minor in biochemistry by completing one year of freshman chemistry (including laboratory), one year of organic chemistry (including laboratory), two semesters of approved biology courses, and three semesters of didactic courses in biochemistry.