Biochemistry Major, B.S.

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The Biochemistry B.S. degree program offers students a focused, intensive education in the natural sciences and in the field of biochemistry. This degree prepares students for graduate work in biochemistry, for biochemical and biomedical careers in industry/government, and for post-graduate studies in the health sciences.

This degree is an extended major and no minor is required. A grade of “C-” or better is required for each course in this program to count toward the major. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required.

Required Major Courses

CHE 1800 - General Chemistry I Credits: 4
CHE 1801 - General Chemistry I Laboratory Credits: 1
CHE 1810 - General Chemistry II Credits: 4
CHE 1811 - General Chemistry II Laboratory Credits: 1
CHE 3000 - Analytical Chemistry Credits: 3
CHE 3010 - Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Credits: 2
CHE 3100 - Organic Chemistry I Credits: 4
CHE 3110 - Organic Chemistry II Credits: 3
CHE 3120 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1 Credits: 1
CHE 3130 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II Credits: 2
CHE 3190 - Survey of Physical Chemistry Credits: 4
CHE 3200 - Survey of Physical Chemistry Laboratory Credits: 1
CHE 4310 - Biochemistry I Credits: 4
CHE 4320 - Biochemistry II Credits: 4
CHE 4350 - Biochemistry Laboratory Credits: 2
Subtotal: 40 credits

Required Non-Chemistry Courses

Biochemistry is, by nature, an interdisciplinary area of study, and the required coursework reflects that reality, offering a complete education in the biochemical, biomedical, and technical fields. The student must satisfy the non-chemistry course requirements below.

Note: MTH 1410 counts as a Quantitative Literacy General Studies course; the Biology and Physics courses count as Natural and Physical Science General Studies courses.

BIO 1080 - General Biology I Credits: 3
BIO 1081 - General Biology II Credits: 3
BIO 1090 - General Biology Laboratory I Credits: 1
BIO 1091 - General Biology Laboratory II Credits: 1
BIO 3050 - Cell Biology Credits: 4
Select one of the following Genetics courses:
BIO 3600 - General Genetics Credits: 4
OR
BIO 3610 - Genetics: Principles and Analysis Credits: 4
Subtotal: 16 credits
MTH 1410 - Calculus I Credits: 4
MTH 2410 - Calculus II Credits: 4
Subtotal: 8 credits
Select one of these two options:

Option 1

PHY 2010 - College Physics I Credits: 4
PHY 2020 - College Physics II Credits: 4
PHY 2030 - College Physics I Laboratory Credits: 1
PHY 2040 - College Physics II Laboratory Credits: 1

Option 2

PHY 2311 - General Physics I Credits: 4
PHY 2321 - General Physics I Laboratory Credits: 1
PHY 2331 - General Physics II Credits: 4
PHY 2341 - General Physics II Laboratory Credits: 1
Subtotal: 10 credits

Additional Course Requirements

Students must complete a Senior Experience course offered by the Department of Chemistry.

CHE 4300 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Credits: 4
OR
CHE 4950 - Senior Experience in Chemistry Credits: 3
OR
CHE 4960 - Senior Experience in Biochemistry Credits: 3
Subtotal: 3 or 4 credits

Total Credits

Total for Major: 77-78 credits

Minimum for Graduation: 120 credits