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Biochemistry BS
Program overview
Students who enroll in the biochemistry major often have an interest in combining the life and health sciences with a chemistry degree. Students take a year of general biology, in addition to a typical chemistry curriculum. During the upper-level years, students take a substantial core of courses in biochemistry, physical chemistry, chemical literature, and the liberal arts as well as elective courses in life sciences. Students must take a minimum of two upper-division biology electives.
Employment opportunities for biochemistry graduates exist in the chemical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, forensic, and rapidly expanding biotechnological fields. Graduates also are well-prepared to enter advanced degree programs in biochemistry, medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine.
Cooperative education
The biochemistry program may be completed in four or five years, depending on the amount of cooperative education a student decides to complete. Co-op may begin as early as the summer after the first year.
Curriculum
Biochemistry, BS degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| CHEM-130 | Chemical Connections | 3 |
| CHEM-151 | General Chemistry | 3 |
| MATH-181 | LAS Perspective 7A: Project-based Calculus I | 4 |
| LAS Foundation 1: First Year Seminar† | 3 | |
| BIOL-121 | Introductory Biology I | 4 |
| CHMO-331 | Comprehensive Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHMO-335 | Comprehensive Organic Chemistry Lab I | 1 |
| MATH-182 | LAS Perspective 7B: Project-based Calculus II | 4 |
| ENGL-150 | LAS Foundation 2: First Year Writing | 3 |
| BIOL-122 | Introductory Biology II | 4 |
| Wellness Education* | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| CHMO-332 | Comprehensive Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHMO-336 | Comprehensive Organic Chemistry Lab II | 2 |
| CHMA-161 | Quantitative Analysis | 3 |
| CHMA-165 | Analytical Methods Lab | 2 |
| MATH-219 | Multivariable Calculus or Data Analysis I | 3 |
| LAS Perspective 1, 2 | 6 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| CHMA-221 | Instrumental Analysis | |
| CHMA-222 | Chemical Separations | |
| CHMB-402 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
| PHYS-211 | LAS Perspective 5: University Physics I | 4 |
| BIOL-201 | Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| Third Year | ||
| CHMB-403 | Biochemistry 2 | 3 |
| CHMB-405 | Biochemistry Lab (WI) | 3 |
| PHYS-212 | LAS Perspective 6: University Physics II | 4 |
| LAS Perspective 3, 4 | 6 | |
| LAS Immersion 1, 2 | 6 | |
| CHMP-441 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Advanced Biology Elective† | 3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| CHMI-351 | Inorganic Chemistry I | 3 |
| Advanced Biology Elective† | 3 | |
| LAS Elective | 6 | |
| LAS Immersion 3 | 3 | |
| Advanced Chemistry Lab Elective or Biochemistry Research‡ | 3 | |
| Advanced Biochemistry Elective† | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 9 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 126 | |
Please see New General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) for more information.
(WI) Refers to a writing intensive course within the major.
* Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.
† The First Year Seminar requirement is replaced by an LAS Elective for the 2013-14 academic year.
‡ Please consult an adviser for course options.