;

Biochemistry—Bachelor of Science

Degree: Bachelor of Science

Website: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

College/School: School of Mathematics, Science and Engineering

Apply to UIW: Application for the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

Concentrations: Pre-Medicine

Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry is designed to give students a strong foundation in the chemical and biological sciences, providing for employment or future study in a variety of specialized areas. Students can expect an exciting and challenging program with courses that span a broad array of study, including, among others, organic and physical chemistry, research methods, cell biology, enzymology, and molecular biochemistry.

This degree is recommended for students pursuing a career in biotechnology, medical research, pharmaceutical chemistry or the health professions. The pre-medicine concentration is designed for students planning to pursue a medical degree after completion of their biochemistry degree.

As part of their studies, students will have the opportunity to work with high-tech instruments and in the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) facility. Biochemistry and chemistry majors are also encouraged to enrich their studies by participating in research under the direction of faculty as part of their courses, independently or via the Welch Summer Research Series. They may also pursue advanced work as part of the Cardinal Chemistry Scholars, a National Science Foundation-funded scholarship program, that offers professional development and support for research endeavors.

120 credit hours are required to complete the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry degree program.

Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry degree program includes two options for students, the foundational Biochemistry concentration requiring a minimum of 120 credit hours, or the Pre-Medicine concentration requiring a minimum of 126 credit hours.  

UIW Undergraduate Core Curriculum

UIW core coursework is required. Review the Undergraduate Core Curriculum Here and review the degree plans for each concentration for scheduling of the core curriculum classwork. In addition, 45 Community Service hours are part of all bachelor's degree programs. See Community Service.

 

UIW Core Curriculum 
 Composition and Rhetoric  6 credit hours 
 Literature and Art 6 credit hours 
 Science and Mathematics 7 credit hours 
 History and Behavioral Science 6 credit hours 
 Philosophy and Religion  9 credit hours 
 Second Language  6 credit hours 
 Wellness and Physical Education  3 credit hours
  43 total core credit hours
   
 Community Service  45 clock hours (non-credit) 

Program Support Coursework

BIOL 1402General Biology I for Majors and Laboratory

4

BIOL 3311Cell Biology

3

BIOL 3361Genetics

3

MATH 2312Calculus I

3

MATH 2313Calculus II

3

PHYS 2305Physics I

3

PHYS 2105Physics I Lab

1

PHYS 2306Physics II

3

PHYS 2106Physics II Laboratory

1

And

CHEM 33xx
Advanced Chemistry Elective--Any 3000 level or higher chemistry course not already required; advisor's approval required

3

Or

BIOL 3202Research Methods in Cell and Molecular Genetics

2

Or

BIOL 3471General Microbiology

4

Total Credit Hours:26-28

Biochemistry Coursework

CHEM 1301Chemical Principles I

3

CHEM 1101Chemical Principles I Lab

1

CHEM 1302Chemical Principles II

3

CHEM 1102Chemical Principles II Lab

1

CHEM 2311Organic Chemistry I

3

CHEM 2111Organic Chemistry I Lab

1

CHEM 2312Organic Chemistry II

3

CHEM 2112Organic Chemistry II Lab

1

CHEM 3321Quantitative Analysis

3

CHEM 3221Quantitative Analysis Lab

2

CHEM 4351/BIOL 4351Biochemistry I

3

CHEM 4251Biochemistry I Laboratory

2

CHEM 4331Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics

3

CHEM 4231Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics Laboratory

2

CHEM 3160Introduction to Chemistry Research and Careers

1

CHEM 4352Biochemistry II

3

CHEM 4252/BIOL 4252Biochemistry II Laboratory

2

CHEM 4260Advanced Chemical Research

2

And

CHEM 4353Molecular Biochemistry

3

Or

CHEM 4354Enzymology

3

Total Credit Hours:42

Note: CHEM 1203L, General Chemistry laboratory, is equivalent to the combination of CHEM 1101, Chemical Principles I laboratory and CHEM 1102 Chemical Principles II laboratory.

Elective Coursework

Elective coursework is needed to fulfill the 120 credit hour program requirement.

Total Credit Hours:7-11

Program Support Coursework

BIOL 1402General Biology I for Majors and Laboratory

4

MATH 2312Calculus I

3

MATH 2313Calculus II

3

PHYS 2305Physics I

3

PHYS 2105Physics I Lab

1

PHYS 2306Physics II

3

PHYS 2106Physics II Laboratory

1

Total Credit Hours:18

Biochemistry Coursework

CHEM 1301Chemical Principles I

3

CHEM 1101Chemical Principles I Lab

1

CHEM 1302Chemical Principles II

3

CHEM 1102Chemical Principles II Lab

1

CHEM 2311Organic Chemistry I

3

CHEM 2111Organic Chemistry I Lab

1

CHEM 2312Organic Chemistry II

3

CHEM 2112Organic Chemistry II Lab

1

CHEM 3321Quantitative Analysis

3

CHEM 3221Quantitative Analysis Lab

2

CHEM 4351/BIOL 4351Biochemistry I

3

CHEM 4251Biochemistry I Laboratory

2

CHEM 4331Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics

3

CHEM 3160Introduction to Chemistry Research and Careers

1

CHEM 4352Biochemistry II

3

CHEM 4252/BIOL 4252Biochemistry II Laboratory

2

CHEM 4260Advanced Chemical Research

2

And

CHEM 4353Molecular Biochemistry

3

Or

CHEM 4354Enzymology

3

Total Credit Hours:40

Note: CHEM 1203L, General Chemistry laboratory, is equivalent to the combination of CHEM 1101, Chemical Principles I laboratory and CHEM 1102 Chemical Principles II laboratory.

Pre-Medicine Concentration Coursework

Either MATH 2303 OR MATH 3331 can be completed for the statistics requirement.

PHIL 4350/BIOL 4350Bioethics

3

SOCI 1311Introduction to Sociology

3

PSYC 1301Introduction to Psychology

3

BIOL 3311Cell Biology

3

BIOL 3471General Microbiology

4

BIOL 4199Selected Topics

1

And

MATH 2303Introduction to Probability and Statistics

3

Or

MATH 3331Foundations of Probability and Statistics

3

Total Credit Hours:20

Pre-Medicine Elective Coursework

Select at least 3 credit hours from this list of courses. 

BIOL 3361Genetics

3

BIOL 3430Animal Physiology

4

BIOL 4320Neurobiology

3

BIOL 4399Selected Topics in Biology

3

BIOL 3202Research Methods in Cell and Molecular Genetics

2

Total Credit Hours:3-7