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 provide a platform for understanding life, from the study of individual proteins and nucleic acids to control of gene expression in entire tissues. This research contributes directly to the development of therapies for health issues such as metabolic disorders, cancer, and infectious diseases.
The Biochemistry Department 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).
Research in faculty laboratories is required and is a strength of the major. Both majors require BIOC 391 and students present their research during their last semester in BIOC 393
as a written thesis 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.
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.
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
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 SAGES Seminar | 3 |
BIOC 391 | Research Project | 3 |
BIOC 393 | Senior Capstone Experience | 3 |
or BIOC 393H | Biochemistry Honors Senior Capstone |
| Proteins and Enzymes | |
| Structural and Computational Biology | |
| Molecular Basis of Cancer | |
| 6 |
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 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 312R | Basic Statistics for Engineering and Science Using R Programming |
or STAT 313 | Statistics for Experimenters |
Total Hours | 78-80 |
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:
- A grade point average of at least 3.6
- A minimum of 6 credit hours of undergraduate research (BIOC 391) in one laboratory
- 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:
- Should follow a standard journal format
- Should demonstrate the student’s understanding of the research area, experimental techniques, goals and implications of the project
- Should show that the student has advanced their knowledge of the applicable techniques and the underlying scientific concepts.
- 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.
Concentrations
Cancer Biology Concentration Requirements:
Course List Code | Title | 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 Hours | 9 |
Infectious Disease Concentration Requirements:
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
BIOC 310 | Microbial Physiology and Therapeutic Opportunities | 3 |
BIOC 311 | Antimicrobial Therapies and Resistance | 3 |
BIOC 334 | Structural and Computational Biology | 3 |
Total Hours | 9 |
Metabolism Concentration Requirements:
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
BIOC 312 | Proteins and Enzymes | 3 |
| 6 |
| Biological Membranes and Their Proteins | |
| Molecular Endocrinology | |
| Metabolic Dysregulation and Human Disease | |
Total Hours | 9 |
Computational Health Science Concentration Requirements:
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
BIOC 334 | Structural and Computational Biology | 3 |
PQHS 431 | Statistical Methods I | 3 |
PQHS 457 | Current Issues in Genetic Epidemiology: Design and Analysis of Sequencing Studies | 3 |
Total Hours | 9 |
Honors Research Concentration Requirements:
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
BIOC 285 | Honors Readings in Biochemistry | 1 |
BIOC 391 | Research Project | 6 |
BIOC 393H | Biochemistry Honors Senior Capstone | 3 |
Total Hours | 10 |