Biochemistry, BA
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.
Combined Bachelor's/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.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| BIOC 101 | Frontiers in Biochemistry | 1 |
| BIOC 307 | Introduction to Biochemistry: From Molecules To Medical Science | 4 |
| BIOC 308 | Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BIOC 373 | Biochemistry Senior Seminar | 3 |
| BIOC 391 | Capstone Research | 3 |
| BIOC 393 | Senior Capstone Communication | 3 |
| or BIOC 393H | Biochemistry Honors Senior Capstone | |
| Choose two of the following: | 6 | |
| Proteins and Enzymes | ||
| Structural and Computational Biology | ||
| Molecular Basis of Cancer | ||
| Two BIOC Technical Electives | 6 | |
| Additional Required Courses: | ||
| BIOL 214 | Genes, Evolution and Ecology | 3 |
| BIOL 215 | Cells and Proteins | 3 |
| Choose two of the following: | 2-3 | |
| Genes, Evolution and Ecology Lab | ||
| Cells and Proteins Laboratory | ||
| Development and Physiology Lab | ||
| Introductory Research Lab in Biology | ||
| 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 233 | Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| CHEM 234 | Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 2 |
| CSDS 132 | Programming in Java | 3 |
| or ENGR 131 | Elementary Computer Programming | |
| 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 | |
| STAT 201 | Basic Statistics for Social and Life Sciences | 3 |
| or STAT 312 | Basic Statistics for Engineering and Science | |
| or STAT 313 | Statistics for Experimenters | |
| Total Credit Hours | 78-81 | |
Departmental Honors
Biochemistry majors who excel in both academics and research may graduate with Biochemistry department honors. The requirements are a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 and co-authorship on a paper describing biochemical research.
Concentration Requirements
Cancer Biology Concentration Requirements:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOC 350 | Molecular Basis of Cancer | 3 |
| BIOC 353 | Biochemical Pathways in Cancer Therapeutics | 3 |
| BIOC 360 | Advanced Technologies for Cancer Research | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 | |
Infectious Disease Concentration Requirements:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOC 310 | Microbial Physiology and Therapeutic Opportunities | 3 |
| BIOC 311 | Antimicrobial Therapies and Resistance | 3 |
| BIOC 334 | Structural and Computational Biology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 | |
Metabolism Concentration Requirements:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOC 312 | Proteins and Enzymes | 3 |
| Choose two of the following: | 6 | |
| Lipids, Membranes, and Membrane Proteins | ||
| Molecular Endocrinology | ||
| Metabolic Regulation, Dysregulation, and Disease | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 9 | |
Computational Health Science Concentration Requirements:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOC 334 | Structural and Computational Biology | 3 |
| PQHS 431 | Statistical Methods I | 3 |
| PQHS 413 | Introduction to Data Structures and Algorithms in Python | 3 |
| or PQHS 414 | Data Management and Statistical Programming | |
| or PQHS 416 | AI in Medicine: Knowledge Representation and Deep Learning | |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 | |
Research Honors Concentration Requirements:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOC 285 | Honors Readings in Biochemistry | 1 |
| BIOC 391 | Capstone Research | 6 |
| BIOC 393H | Biochemistry Honors Senior Capstone | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 10 | |
Sample Plan of Study
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| BIOC 101 | Frontiers in Biochemistry | 1 |
| BIOL 214 | Genes, Evolution and Ecology | 3 |
| BIOL 214L | Genes, Evolution and Ecology Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 105 or CHEM 111 | Principles of Chemistry I or Principles of Chemistry for Engineers | 3 |
| MATH 125 or MATH 121 | Math and Calculus Applications for Life, Managerial, and Social Sci I or Calculus for Science and Engineering I | 4 |
| Academic Inquiry Seminar, Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 215 | Cells and Proteins | 3 |
| BIOL 215L | Cells and Proteins Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 106 or ENGR 145 | Principles of Chemistry II or Chemistry of Materials | 3 |
| CHEM 113 | Principles of Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| Choose one of the following: | 4 | |
| Math and Calculus Applications for Life, Managerial, and Social Sci II | ||
| Calculus for Science and Engineering II | ||
| Calculus II | ||
| Academic Inquiry Seminar, Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 223 or CHEM 323 | Introductory Organic Chemistry I b or Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 233 | Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| Choose one of the following: c | 4 | |
| Introductory Physics I | ||
| General Physics I - Mechanics | ||
| Physics and Frontiers I - Mechanics | ||
| STAT 201 | Basic Statistics for Social and Life Sciences or Basic Statistics for Engineering and Science or Statistics for Experimenters | 3 |
| Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 224 or CHEM 324 | Introductory Organic Chemistry II b or Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 234 | Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 2 |
| Choose one of the following: c | 4 | |
| Introductory Physics II | ||
| General Physics II - Electricity and Magnetism | ||
| Physics and Frontiers II - Electricity and Magnetism | ||
| ENGR 131 or CSDS 132 | Elementary Computer Programming or Programming in Java | 3 |
| Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOC 307 | Introduction to Biochemistry: From Molecules To Medical Science | 4 |
| Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| BIOC technical elective f | 3 | |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOC 308 | Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BIOC 391 | Capstone Research | 3 |
| Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| BIOC core course d,f | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOC 373 | Biochemistry Senior Seminar | 3 |
| BIOC 391 | Capstone Research e | 3 |
| BIOC core course d,f | 3 | |
| Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOC 393 | Senior Capstone Communication | 3 |
| BIOC technical elective f | 3 | |
| Elective courses | 9 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
- a
- 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
Students must take two of the three Biochemistry core courses: BIOC 312, BIOC 334, or BIOC 350. For students who take all three courses, the third 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 required for the Research Honors Concentration. Students should consult their academic advisers about the elective parts of the curriculum.
- f
Each optional concentration is defined by three courses: one of BIOC 312/BIOC 334/BIOC 350 and two technical electives. Students can satisfy the requirements of an optional concentration by choosing their BIOC and technical elective courses appropriately. The exception is the Research Honors concentration, which requires students to apply at the end of their first year.