Biochemistry, Bachelor of Science

Prospective Biochemistry majors should meet with the Division Chair as soon as possible in order to prepare an appropriate study plan.

Biochemistry Major Requirements

Required Courses (35 credits)

BIO 1001Principles of Biology I

4

BIO 1002Principles of Biology II

4

CHM 1001Principles of Chemistry I

3

CHM 1003Principles of Chemistry Lab I

1

CHM 1002Principles of Chemistry II

3

CHM 1004Principles of Chemistry Lab II

1

CHM 2001Organic Chemistry I

3

CHM 2005Organic Chemistry I Lab

1

CHM 2002Organic Chemistry II

3

CHM 2006Organic Chemistry II Lab

1

 

BIO 3061Biochemistry I

4

OR

BIO 5061BIOCHEMISTRY I

4

 

BIO 3062Biochemistry II

4

OR

BIO 5062Biochemistry II

4

 

CHM 2009Physical Chemistry I

3

Co-requisites (16 credits)

MATH 1030Calculus I

4

MATH 1032Calculus II

4

 

PHY 1101PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS I

3

PHY 1103PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS I LAB

1

PHY 1102PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS II

3

PHY 1104PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS II LAB

1

Electives

Four courses total required (13-15 credits)
CHEMISTRY - Choose 1-3 of the following:

CHM 2010Physical Chemistry II

3

CHM 2015Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry

3

CHM 2018Environmental Chemistry

3

CHM 3003Chemical & Instrumental Analysis

3

 

CHM 3020Medicinal Chemistry

3

OR

CHM 5020Medicinal Chemistry

3

 

BIOLOGY - Choose 1-3 of the following:

BIO 3003Principles of Genetics

4

OR

BIO 5003Principles of Genetics

4

 

BIO 3005Developmental Biology

4

OR

BIO 5005Developmental Biology

4

 

BIO 3007Human Anatomy & Physiology I

4

OR

BIO 5007Human Anatomy & Physiology I

4

 

BIO 3013Microbiology

4

OR

BIO 5013Microbiology

4

 

BIO 3017Human Anatomy & Physiology II

4

OR

BIO 5017Human Anataomy and Physiology II

4

 

BIO 3028Immunology

3

OR

BIO 5028IMMUNOLOGY

3

 

BIO 3030Molecular Cell Biology

3

OR

BIO 5030MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY

3

 

BIO 3057Forensic Biology

4

OR

BIO 5057Forensic Biology

4

 

BIO 3080MOLECULAR BIO TECHNIQUES

4

OR

BIO 5080MOLECULAR BIO TECHNIQUES

4

Capstone Course:

BIO 3400Research Methods in the Life Sciences

3

BIO 1001, BIO 1002: are prerequisites for all biology courses above the 2000 level. Note: If a C - or below is received in either of these foundational classes, it must be retaken and passed with a minimum grade of C before students can progress to 3000-level electives. All upper level major courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C-.

CHM 1001, CHM 1003, CHM 1002, CHM 1004: completed with a minimum grade of C-. Note: these classes are prerequisites for some biology courses above the 2000 level. 

Prospective majors and students interested in enrolling in Principles of Biology I  (BIO 1001),  or Principles of Biology II (BIO 1002) need to complete the Biology Placement Exam. Prospective majors and students interested in enrolling in Principles of Chemistry I with Lab (CHM 1001 and CHM 1003) or Principles of Chemistry II with Lab (CHM 1002 and CHM 1004 need to complete the Chemistry Placement Exam.  Placement exams are located on Blackboard.  If a student does not pass the placement exam(s), they should start with Intro to Biology (BIO 1000) during the fall semester of their first year and/or Intro to Chemistry (CHM 1000) during the fall or spring semester of their first year.

It is strongly recommended that students majoring in Biochemistry take Principles of Biology and Principles of Chemistry in their first year. Students who begin the program as Biochemistry majors and plan to pursue graduate study or a career in the health professions must complete the appropriate co-requisites before applying. Advising sheets are available.

Note: Of the 3000-level courses, up to 4 courses (12 cr.) may be taken at the graduate (5000) level. Similarly, only one research-based course (BIO 3996, BIO 3997, BIO 4495) can count towards the major. To qualify for any 5000-level course, students must have completed a minimum of 2 elective courses with a grade of B+ or better, applicable pre-requisites for the course must have been completed with a B+ or better, minimum science GPA is a 3.2, and overall GPA is a minimum of 3.4, and must demonstrate advanced writing and laboratory skills above that of an undergraduate, along with approval of the Division Chair and the faculty member teaching the course.