Biochemistry B.S.
The Biochemistry Program is a joint program between the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Division of Biological Sciences. Biochemistry is an interdisciplinary science that integrates chemistry and biology to understand the molecular basis of life. The program offers a B.S. in Biochemistry, a B.S. in Computational Biochemistry, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Biochemistry & Biophysics. The Biochemistry Program is accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).
Undergraduate majors receive a solid foundation in both chemistry and biology. Biochemistry courses are usually taken in the junior year allowing majors to become involved in research with faculty and to take electives in their senior year. The major also introduces students to computer science, an essential tool in modern biochemistry. The B.S. in Biochemistry prepares students for advanced degrees in biochemistry or biophysics, for medical, dental or veterinary schools and for careers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry
General Education Requirements
Information regarding these requirements can be found in the General Education Section of the catalog.
Summary
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Lower-Division Core | ||
| Biochemistry | 1 | |
| Biology | 12 | |
| General and Organic Chemistry | 20 | |
| Physics | 10 | |
| Mathematics | 8 | |
| Computer Science | 3 | |
| Upper-Division Core | ||
| Biochemistry | 9 | |
| Biology | 3 | |
| Analytical Chemistry | 8 | |
| Inorganic Chemistry | 3 | |
| Physical Chemistry | 4 | |
| Advanced Electives | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 93 | |
Degree Specific Credits: 93
Required Cumulative GPA: 2.0
Lower-Division Core
Rule: Must complete the following subcategories. 54 total credits required.
Biochemistry
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete the following course: | ||
| BCH 294 | Seminar/Workshop | 1 |
| Total Hours | 1 | |
Minimum Required Grade: C-
Biology
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete all of the following courses: | ||
| BIOB 160N | Principles of Living Systems | 3 |
| BIOB 161N | Principles of Living Systems Lab | 1 |
| BIOB 260 | Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BIOB 272 | Genetics and Evolution | 4 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Minimum Required Grade: C-
General and Organic Chemistry
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete all of the following courses: | ||
| CHMY 141N & CHMY 142N | College Chemistry I and College Chemistry I Lab | 5 |
| CHMY 143N & CHMY 144N | College Chemistry II and College Chemistry II Lab | 5 |
| CHMY 221 & CHMY 222 | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Lab | 5 |
| CHMY 223 & CHMY 224 | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Lab | 5 |
| Total Hours | 20 | |
Minimum Required Grade: C-
Physics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete all of the following courses: | ||
| PHSX 215N & PHSX 216N | Fundamentals of Physics with Calculus I and Physics Laboratory I with Calculus | 5 |
| PHSX 217N & PHSX 218N | Fundamentals of Physics with Calculus II and Physics Laboratory II with Calculus | 5 |
| Total Hours | 10 | |
Minimum Required Grade: C-
Mathematics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete all of the following courses: | ||
| M 171 | Calculus I | 4 |
| M 172 | Calculus II | 4 |
| Total Hours | 8 | |
Minimum Required Grade: C-
Computer Science
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete the following course: | ||
| CSCI 150 | Introduction to Computer Science | 3 |
| Total Hours | 3 | |
Minimum Required Grade: C-
Upper Division Core
Rule: Must complete the following subcategories. 27 total credits required.
Biochemistry
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete all of the following courses: | ||
| BCH 480 | Advanced Biochemistry I | 3 |
| BCH 482 | Advanced Biochemistry II | 3 |
| BCH 486 | Biochemistry Research Lab | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Minimum Required Grade: C-
Biology
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete the following course: | ||
| BIOB 425 | Advanced Cellular & Molecular Biology | 3 |
| Total Hours | 3 | |
Minimum Required Grade: C-
Analytical Chemistry
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete all of the following courses: | ||
| CHMY 311 | Analytical Chemistry-Quantitative Analysis | 4 |
| CHMY 421 | Advanced Instrument Analysis | 4 |
| Total Hours | 8 | |
Minimum Required Grade: C-
Inorganic Chemistry
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete the following course: | ||
| CHMY 401 | Advanced Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| Total Hours | 3 | |
Minimum Required Grade: C-
Physical Chemistry
Note: Students planning to attend graduate school in biochemistry or biophysics are strongly advised to take the CHMY 373-CHMY 371 sequence
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete the following course: | 4 | |
| Physical Chemistry-Kinetics & Thermodynamics | ||
| Total Hours | 4 | |
Minimum Required Grade: C-
Advanced Electives
Note: No more than 3 credits combined of BIOB 490, CHMY 490, CHMY 498 and BCH 490. No more than 3 credits combined of CHMY 397 and CHMY 494.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete 12 credits from the following courses: | 12 | |
| Undergraduate Research | ||
| Developmental Biology | ||
| General Genetics | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Immunology Laboratory | ||
| Genomics | ||
| Advanced Undergraduate Research | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology for Health Professions I | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology for Health Professions II | ||
| Hematology | ||
| Principles of Medical Physiology | ||
| General Microbiology | ||
| General Microbiology Lab | ||
| Microbial Genetics | ||
| Experimental Microbial Genetics Lab | ||
| General Parasitology | ||
| General Parasitology Lab | ||
| Virology | ||
| Physical Chemistry-Quantum Chemistry & Spectroscopy | ||
| Teaching Chemistry | ||
| Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Lab | ||
| Aquatic Chemistry | ||
| Organic Spectroscopy | ||
| FT-NMR Option for Undergraduate Research | ||
| Laboratory Safety | ||
| Undergraduate Research | ||
| Seminar/Workshop | ||
| Internship/Cooperative Education | ||
| Computational Biology | ||
| Medicinal Chemistry I | ||
| Medicinal Chemistry II | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Minimum Required Grade: C-
Advanced College Writing Requirement
Rule: To complete the Advanced College Writing Requirement, Biochemistry students may take the following courses or any other stand-alone advanced writing course.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BCH 482 | Advanced Biochemistry II | 3 |
| BCH 486 | Biochemistry Research Lab | 3 |