Email Program Coordinator
Degree: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Major: Biochemistry
Program Overview
Biochemistry is a central discipline in the biomedical sciences. It provides the molecular approach that is one of the foundations of modern biology. The Biochemistry Department offers majors leading to BA and BS degrees. Both majors permit students to follow many options after graduation. Graduates are well prepared for further studies in the biomedical 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.
Both the BA and BS programs require courses in biochemistry, math, chemistry, biology, and physics. The BS in Biochemistry major emphasizes quantitative sciences, with additional courses in math, chemistry, physics.
Research in faculty laboratories is required and is a strength of the major. 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. 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.
Undergraduate Policies
For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Office of Undergraduate Studies 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 Office of Undergraduate Studies 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 general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences. Students completing this program as a secondary major while completing another undergraduate degree program do not need to satisfy the latter set of requirements.
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 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 |
| 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 Hours | 83 |
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 his/her 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.
Sample Plan of Study
Plan of Study Grid | First Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| MATH 121 | Calculus for Science and Engineering I | 4 |
CHEM 105
| Principles of Chemistry I
or Principles of Chemistry for Engineers | 3 |
| PHED 100 | Independent Activity | 0 |
| 4 |
BIOL 214
& 214L | Genes, Evolution and Ecology
and Genes, Evolution and Ecology Lab | 4 |
| | Hours | 15 |
| Spring |
|---|
MATH 122
| Calculus for Science and Engineering II
or Calculus II | 4 |
CHEM 106
| Principles of Chemistry II
or Chemistry of Materials | 3 |
| CHEM 113 | Principles of Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| 3 |
BIOL 215
& 215L | Cells and Proteins
and Cells and Proteins Laboratory | 4 |
| PHED 100 | Independent Activity | 0 |
| | Hours | 16 |
| Second Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
CHEM 223
| Introductory Organic Chemistry I a
or Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 233 | Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
MATH 223
| Calculus for Science and Engineering III
or Calculus III | 3 |
PHYS 121
| General Physics I - Mechanics b
or Physics and Frontiers I - Mechanics | 4 |
| 3 |
| | Hours | 15 |
| Spring |
|---|
CHEM 224
| Introductory Organic Chemistry II a
or Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 234 | Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 2 |
MATH 224
| Elementary Differential Equations
or Differential Equations | 3 |
PHYS 122
| General Physics II - Electricity and Magnetism b
or Physics and Frontiers II - Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| 3 |
| | Hours | 15 |
| Third Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
CHEM 301
| Introductory Physical Chemistry I
or Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| BIOC 307 | Introduction to Biochemistry: From Molecules To Medical Science | 4 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
STAT 312R
| Basic Statistics for Engineering and Science Using R Programming
or Statistics for Experimenters | 3 |
| | Hours | 16 |
| Spring |
|---|
CHEM 302
| Introductory Physical Chemistry II
or Physical Chemistry II | 3 |
| BIOC 308 | Molecular Biology | 4 |
| PHYS 221 | Introduction to Modern Physics | 3 |
| BIOC 391 | Research Project | 3 |
| 3 |
| | Hours | 16 |
| Fourth Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| BIOC 312 | Proteins and Enzymes | 3 |
| BIOC 373 | Biochemistry SAGES Seminar | 3 |
| BIOC 391 | Research Project | 3 |
| 6 |
| | Hours | 15 |
| Spring |
|---|
| BIOC 334 | Structural Biology | 3 |
| BIOC 393 | Senior Capstone Experience | 3 |
| 9 |
| | Hours | 15 |
| | Total Hours | 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.
