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Biochemistry, BS

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The department offers two tracks of study for Biochemistry majors. The tracks are similar for the first three semesters, allowing students the option to change between the two tracks within that time frame, should their career goals change. The research track prepares students for graduate study in biochemistry or for a career in which independent research experience would be beneficial. The pre-professional track is more flexible and allows students a greater selection of elective courses in chemistry and biology in order to tailor their course of study to meet their individual career goals. The pre-professional track provides a strong background for students pursuing further studies in law or medicine or career paths not emphasizing research.

Please click here for information on the Accelerated Master’s Degree and Combined Baccalaureate/Master’s Degree Programs .

For more information about the Chemistry department, visit its website.

 

Biochemistry Research Track Curriculum

  Department and Number - Descriptive Title of Course Fall
Cr.		 Spr.
Cr.

First Year

    
MAJOR (GE NSCI) CHEM 112-113 (E) General and Analytical Chemistry /CHEM 112L-113L  4.5 4.5
COGNATE (GE QUAN) MATH 114 - (Q) Calculus I  4  
COGNATE BIOL 141 - (E) General Biology –BIOL 142 - (E) General Biology  4.5 4.5
GE WRTG–SPCH WRTG 107 - Composition –COMM 100 - Public Speaking  3 3
GE C/IL C/IL 102 - Computing and Information Literacy    3
GE FSEM First Year Seminars 3    
    16 15

Second Year

    
MAJOR CHEM 232 - (E) Organic Chemistry /CHEM 232L  –CHEM 233 - (E) Organic Chemistry /CHEM 233L  4.5 4.5
MAJOR CHEM 240 - Inorganic Chemistry    3
COGNATE PHYS 120 - (E) General Physics –PHYS 121 - (E) General Physics 2 4 4
GE ELECT CMPS 134 - Computer Science I  3  
GE T/RS T/RS 121 - (P) Theology I: Introduction to the Bible  3  
GE PHIL PHIL 120 - Introduction to Philosophy    3
GE HUMN HUMN ELECT - Humanities Electives 3 3
    17.5 17.5

Third Year

    
MAJOR CHEM 330 - Organic Chemistry III /CHEM 330L  3.5  
MAJOR CHEM 370 - Instrumental Analysis /CHEM 370L    5
MAJOR CHEM 360 - Biophysical Chemistry I /CHEM 360L  –CHEM 361 - Biophysical Chemistry II /CHEM 361L  4.5 4.5
MAJOR CHEM 390 - Chemical Literature and Writing –CHEM 391 - Seminar  1 1
COGNATE COGNATE ELECT - Cognate Electives (210 level or above)1,2 3  
GE T/RS T/RS 122 - (P) Theology II: Introduction to Christian Theology  3  
GE PHIL PHIL 210 - Ethics    3
GE S/BH S/BH ELECT - Social/Behavioral Electives 3 3
    18 16.5

Fourth Year

    
MAJOR CHEM 450 - Biochemistry I –CHEM 451 - Biochemistry II  3 3
MAJOR CHEM 450L - (W) Biochemistry Laboratory  1.5  
MAJOR CHEM 493 - (W) Undergraduate Research –CHEM 494 - (W) Undergraduate Research  1.5 1.5
GE PHIL-T/RS PHIL- Philosophy or T/RS ELECT - T/RS Elective 3  
GE HUMN HUMN ELECT - Humanities Electives 3 3
GE ELECT COGNATE ELECT - Cognate Elective (210 level or above)1,2   3
GE ELECT FREE ELECT - Free Elective   3
    12 13.5
 

Total: 126 Credits

1 Cognate electives for the Biochemistry major may be taken in any of the following disciplines: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Mathematics or Physics and certain Psychology courses (PSYC 210 , PSYC 231  and PSYC 339  /NEUR 339 )

2 For ACS certification, Biochemistry majors must take MATH 114 , MATH 221 , MATH 222 , MATH 341 ; PHYS 140 -PHYS 141  in place of PHYS 120 -PHYS 121 ; and CHEM 440  and CHEM 440L ; and one course from the following: BIOL 250 , BIOL 260 , BIOL 350 , BIOL 361 , or another Biology course approved by the Chemistry Department. BCMB 464  may be used toward the 3- to 5-credit requirement.

3 The selection of a First Year Seminar is likely to fulfill requirements both for the First Year Seminar and a General Education Requirement.  Thus, the First Year Seminar will not add to the total credits for the semester.  Talk with your advisor if you have any questions.

*An approved 3-credit EP Foundation Course may be substituted for COMM 100  and C/IL 102 -C/IL 104 .  In this case, the total needed for graduation in this major may be reduced.  Consult with your advisor if you have questions.

 

Biochemistry Pre-professional Track Curriculum

  Department and Number - Descriptive Title of Course Fall
Cr.		 Spr.
Cr.

First Year

    
MAJOR (GE NSCI) CHEM 112-113 (E) General and Analytical Chemistry /CHEM 112L-113L  4.5 4.5
COGNATE BIOL 141 - (E) General Biology –BIOL 142 - (E) General Biology  4.5 4.5
COGNATE (GE QUAN) MATH 103 - (Q) Pre-Calculus Mathematics /MATH 114 - (Q) Calculus I  4 4
GE WRTG WRTG 107 - Composition  3  
GE C/IL C/IL 102 - Computing and Information Literacy    3
GE FSEM First Year Seminars 3 3  
    19 16

Second Year

    
MAJOR CHEM 232 - (E) Organic Chemistry /CHEM 232L  –CHEM 233 - (E) Organic Chemistry /CHEM 233L  4.5 4.5
COGNATE PHYS 120 - (E) General Physics –PHYS 121 - (E) General Physics  4 4
GE SPCH COMM 100 - Public Speaking    3
GE T/RS T/RS 121 - (P) Theology I: Introduction to the Bible  3  
GE PHIL PHIL 120 - Introduction to Philosophy    3
GE HUMN HUMN ELECT - Humanities Electives 3 3
GE S/BH S/BH ELECT - Social/Behavioral Electives 3  
    17.5 17.5

Third Year

    
MAJOR CHEM 360 - Biophysical Chemistry I /CHEM 360L  4.5  
MAJOR CHEM 370 - Instrumental Analysis /CHEM 370L    5
MAJOR CHEM 450 - Biochemistry I /CHEM 450L  –CHEM 451 - Biochemistry II  4.5 3
MAJOR CHEM 390 - Chemical Literature and Writing  1  
GE T/RS T/RS 122 - (P) Theology II: Introduction to Christian Theology  3  
GE PHIL PHIL 210 - Ethics    3
GE S/BH S/BH ELECT - Social/Behavioral Electives   3
GE ELECT FREE ELECT - Free Elective 3  
    15 15

Fourth Year1

    
MAJOR CHEM 490 - Advanced Topics in Biochemistry Capstone    3
MAJOR/COGNATE CHEM/BIO ELECT - Chem or Bio Elective2 3-5  
COGNATE COGNATE ELECT - Biology Elective2 3-5 3-5
GE PHIL or T/RS PHIL- Philosophy or T/RS ELECT - T/RS Elective 3  
GE HUMN HUMN ELECT - Humanities Electives 3 3
GE ELECT FREE ELECT - Free Elective 3 6
    15-19 15-17
 

Total: 130-136 Credits

1 Senior year must contain at least 2 credits of laboratory or research.

2 Advanced biology courses are those courses which the Biology Department designates in the cellular, molecular or genetics areas. BCMB 464  may be used toward the 3- to 5-credit requirement.

3 The selection of a First Year Seminar is likely to fulfill requirements both for the First Year Seminar and a General Education Requirement.  Thus, the First Year Seminar will not add to the total credits for the semester.  Talk with your advisor if you have any questions.

*An approved 3-credit EP Foundation Course may be substituted for COMM 100  and C/IL 102 -C/IL 104 .  In this case, the total needed for graduation in this major may be reduced.  Consult with your advisor if you have questions.

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