Degree: Bachelor of Science (BS)
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 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.
The primary differences between the Biochemistry BA and BS curricula are that the BS requires the more rigorous MATH, PHYS, and STAT courses, and completion of three technical electives compared to two for the BA.
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 | Credit 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 Senior Seminar | 3 |
BIOC 391 | Capstone Research | 3 |
BIOC 393 | Senior Capstone Communication | 3 |
or BIOC 393H | Biochemistry Honors Senior Capstone |
| Proteins and Enzymes | |
| Structural and Computational Biology | |
| Molecular Basis of Cancer | |
| 9 |
BIOL 214 | Genes, Evolution and Ecology | 3 |
BIOL 215 | Cells and Proteins | 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 |
MATH 121 | Calculus for Science and Engineering I | 4 |
MATH 122 | Calculus for Science and Engineering II | 4 |
or MATH 124 | Calculus II |
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 |
STAT 312R | Basic Statistics for Engineering and Science Using R Programming | 3 |
or STAT 312 | Basic Statistics for Engineering and Science |
or STAT 313 | Statistics for Experimenters |
ENGR 131 | Elementary Computer Programming | 3 |
or CSDS 132 | Programming in Java |
Total Credit Hours | 81-82 |
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:
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 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.
Concentrations
Cancer Biology Concentration Requirements:
Course List 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:
Course List 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:
Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours |
BIOC 312 | Proteins and Enzymes | 3 |
| Lipids, Membranes, and Membrane Proteins | |
| Molecular Endocrinology | |
| Metabolic Regulation, Dysregulation, and Disease | |
Total Credit Hours | 9 |
Computational Health Science Concentration Requirements:
Course List Code | Title | Credit 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 Credit Hours | 9 |
Research Honors Concentration Requirements:
Course List 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 |