Degree: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Field of Study: Biochemistry

Program Overview

The field of biochemistry encompasses an extremely broad and ever-growing variety of topics focused on studying biomedically-relevant problems from a molecular point of view.  Biochemists make fundamental discoveries that enhance understanding of human health and disease, and contribute to the development of therapeutics. 

The Department of Biochemistry in the School of Medicine offers majors leading to BA and BS degrees, as well as a minor.  Biochemical studies prepare students well:  for medical or other professional schools; for top graduate programs; for research or technical positions in industry (e.g. biotechnology, pharmaceutical) or academia; and for a variety of careers in which biomedical knowledge is crucial (e.g. finance, consulting, media, intellectual property, education).

Biochemistry courses are taught from a biomedical point of view.  Research in faculty laboratories is a strength of the major.  Students are expected to be engaged in biochemical research multiple semesters and required to complete  BIOC 391 in at least one semester.  Graduating seniors present their research during their last semester in BIOC 393 as a written paper and a presentation at the Biochemistry Capstone Retreat. 

Both the BA and BS programs offer five optional concentrations which are defined by their required courses:  Cancer Biology, Infectious Disease, Metabolism, Computational Health Science, and Research Honors.

The primary differences between the Biochemistry BA and BS curricula are that the BA accepts the less rigorous MATH, PHYS, and STAT courses, and requires completion of two technical electives compared to three for the BS.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will understand the central biochemical mechanisms that are important in human biology and medicine.
• Students will learn biochemical approaches that align with the understanding of normal physiology and disease.
• Students will understand that macromolecular structure determines function and regulation.
• Students will learn that energy is required by and transformed in biological systems.
• Students will understand the molecular basis of information storage and flow within and between cells.
• Students will learn that scientific discovery requires objective measurement, quantitative analysis and clear communication.
• Students will learn the value and application of experiential learning to the practice of research.

Undergraduate Policies

For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.

Accelerated Master's Programs

Undergraduate students may participate in accelerated programs toward graduate or professional degrees. For more information and details of the policies and procedures related to accelerated studies, please visit the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.

Program Requirements

Students seeking to complete this major and degree program must meet the general requirements for bachelor's degrees and the Unified General Education Requirements. Students completing this program as a secondary major while completing another undergraduate degree program do not need to satisfy the school-specific requirements associated with this major.

Departmental Honors

Biochemistry majors who have excellent academic records may be awarded Biochemistry Undergraduate Honors. To graduate with departmental honors in biochemistry, a student must satisfy the following requirements:

1. A grade point average of at least 3.6
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:
   1. Should follow a standard journal format
   2. Should demonstrate the student’s understanding of the research area, experimental techniques, goals and implications of the project
   3. Should show that the student has advanced their knowledge of the applicable techniques and the underlying scientific concepts.
4. Using all or part of the capstone research, the student must be a co-author on a manuscript either submitted, in press, or published in a peer reviewed journal.

Concentration Requirements

Concentrations

Cancer Biology Concentration Requirements:

Infectious Disease Concentration Requirements:

Metabolism Concentration Requirements:

Computational Health Science Concentration Requirements:

Research Honors Concentration Requirements:

Sample Plan of Study 

a

Unified General Education Requirement.

b

Selected students may be invited to take CHEM 323 or CHEM 324

c

Selected students may be invited to take PHYS 123 and PHYS 124 in place of PHYS 121 and PHYS 122

d

BA students must take 2 of the 3 Biochemistry core courses:  BIOC 312,  BIOC 334, or BIOC 350.  For BA students who take all 3 courses, one course can serve as a technical elective.

e

3 credit hours of BIOC 391 are required; an additional 3 credit hours of BIOC 391 are highly recommended and are required for the Research Honors Concentration. Students should consult their academic advisers about the elective parts of the curriculum.