Mar 28, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog 2022-2023 
    
Undergraduate Catalog 2022-2023 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biochemistry, BS


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 ACS Certification 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  — MATH 221 - Calculus II   4 4
 COGNATE  BIOL 141 - (E) (FYOC, FYDT Lab only) General Biology  — BIOL 142 - (E) (FYOC, FYDT Lab only) General Biology   4.5 4.5
 GE ELECT  FREE ELECT - Free Elective (FYW recommended) 3  
 GE T/RS  T/RS 121 - (P) Theology I: Introduction to the Bible     3
 GE FSEM  First Year Seminar 1    
                                                                                                                                                                              16 16

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/PHYS 120L - (E) General Physics I  — PHYS 121/PHYS 121L - (E) General Physics II   4 4
 GE ELECT  GE ELECT - Free Elective 3  
 GE PHIL  PHIL 120 - Introduction to Philosophy   3  
 GE PHIL  PHIL 210 - Ethics     3
 GE HUMN  HUMN ELECT - Humanities Elective   3
                                                                                                                                                                           14.5 17.5

Third Year

   
 MAJOR  CHEM 450 - Biochemistry I  — CHEM 451 - Biochemistry II   3 3
 MAJOR  CHEM 370 - Instrumental Analysis /CHEM 370L   3 3
 MAJOR  CHEM 360 - Biophysical Chemistry I /CHEM 360L  — CHEM 361 - Biophysical Chemistry II /CHEM 361L   4.5 4.5
 MAJOR  CHEM 390 - (EPW) Chemical Literature and Writing  — CHEM 391 - Seminar   1 1
 GE T/RS  T/RS 122 - (P) Theology II: Introduction to Christian Theology     3
 GE S/BH  S/BH ELECT - Social/Behavioral Electives 3 3
 GE ELECT  GE ELECT - Free 3  
    17.5 17.5

Fourth Year

   
 MAJOR  CHEM 440 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry  — CHEM 440L - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory    3 1.5
 MAJOR  CHEM 493 - Undergraduate Research  — CHEM 494 - Undergraduate Research   1.5 1.5
 COGNATE  COGNATE ELECT - CHEM, BCMB, BIO, PSIO or MATH 3  
 GE PHIL-T/RS  PHIL ELEC - Philosophy or T/RS ELECT - T/RS Elective 3  
 GE HUMN  HUMN ELECT - Humanities Electives 3 6
 MAJOR  CHEM ELECT - Chemistry Elective, 300 Level or above   3
 MAJOR  CHEM 450L - (EPW) Biochemistry Laboratory   1.5  
                                                                                                                                                                                15 12
 

Total: 126 Credits

1 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.

2Major level course.

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) (FYOC, FYDT Lab only) General Biology  — BIOL 142 - (E) (FYOC, FYDT Lab only) General Biology   4.5 4.5
 COGNATE (GE QUAN)  MATH 109 - (Q) Pre-Calculus Mathematics  — MATH 114 - (Q) Calculus I   4 4
 GE ELECT  FREE ELECT - Free Elective - FYW recommended   3
 GE FSEM  First Year Seminar 1    
                                                                                                                                                                           13 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/PHYS 120L - (E) General Physics I  — PHYS 121/PHYS 121L - (E) General Physics II   4 4
 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 14.5

Third Year

   
 MAJOR  CHEM 360 - Biophysical Chemistry I /CHEM 360L   4.5  
 MAJOR  CHEM 370 - Instrumental Analysis /CHEM 370L   3 3
 MAJOR  CHEM 450 - Biochemistry I  — CHEM 451 - Biochemistry II   3 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 3
    17.5 15

Fourth Year

   
 MAJOR  CHEM 490 - Advanced Topics in Biochemistry Capstone     3
 MAJOR/COGNATE  CHEM/BIO ELECT – CHEM, BCMB, BIO, PSIO 3 3
 COGNATE  COGNATE ELECT – Biology Elective/BCMB Elective2 3 3
 GE PHIL or T/RS  PHIL ELECT - Philosophy or T/RS ELECT – T/RS Elective 3  
 GE HUMN  HUMN ELECT – Humanities Electives 3 3
 MAJOR  CHEM 450L - (EPW) Biochemistry Laboratory   1.5  
 GE ELECT  FREE ELECT – Free Elective   3
    13.5 15
 

Total: 122 Credits

1 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.

2Biology course classified as Molecular & Cellular (MC) and Biostatistics.