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 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

¹The 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

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

Biochemistry, BS

Biochemistry ACS Certification Track Curriculum

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

Fourth Year

Total: 126 Credits

Biochemistry Pre-professional Track Curriculum

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

Fourth Year

Total: 122 Credits