L. Paul Rosenberg, Department Head
(585) 475-6159, lprsch@rit.edu
Program overview
Biochemistry is an exciting variation of the BS chemistry program and may be completed in four or five years, depending on the amount of cooperative education. Co-op may begin as early as the summer of the first year. Students who enroll in the program 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 first two or three years. During the upper-level years, students in the biochemistry program take a substantial core of courses in biochemistry, physical chemistry, chemical literature, and the liberal arts as well as elective courses in biology, biotechnology, and clinical science. 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.
Curriculum
The biochemistry program offers two tracks, one that follows the guidelines of the American Society of Biochemists and Molecular Biologists (ASBMB) and one that is certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS). The ASBMB program allows more science and university-wide electives in such fields as biology, while the ACS program is for students interested in a graduate chemistry program such as that offered by RIT.
Biochemistry, BS degree, typical course sequence (follows ASBMB guidelines) (quarters)
| Course | Qtr. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| 1010-200 | Chemical Safety | 1 |
| 1010-230 | Freshman Symposium | 1 |
| 1010-251, 252 | General Chemistry I, II | 7 |
| 1010-255 | General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| 1008-261, 262 | Quantitative Analysis I, II | 7 |
| 1008-265, 266 | Quantitative Analysis Lab I, II | 3 |
| 1016-281, 282, 283 | Calculus I, II, III | 12 |
| 1001-201, 202, 203 | General Biology | 9 |
| 1001-205, 206, 207 | General Biology Lab | 3 |
| Liberal Arts* | 4 | |
| 1105-051, 052 | First-Year Enrichment | 2 |
| Wellness Education‡ | 0 | |
| 1010-499 | Cooperative Education (optional, summer) | Co-op |
| Second Year | ||
| 1010-401 | Chemical Literature | 2 |
| 1016-305 | Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| 1013-431, 432, 433 | Organic Chemistry I, II, III | 9 |
| 1013-435, 436 | Preparative Organic Chemistry Lab I, II | 2 |
| 1013-437 | Systematic Identification of Organic Compounds III Lab | 2 |
| 1001-322 | Cell Biology | 4 |
| 1001-350 | Molecular Biology | 4 |
| 1009-502 | Biochemistry: Conformation and Dynamics | 3 |
| Biology Elective | 4 | |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| University-wide Electives§ | ||
| 1010-499 | Cooperative Education (optional) | Co-op |
| Third Year | ||
| 1008-311 | Instrumental Analysis | 3 |
| 1008-318 | Instrumental Analysis Lab | 1 |
| 1009-503 | Biochemistry: Metabolism | 3 |
| 1009-504 | Biochemistry: Nucleic Acids | 3 |
| 1009-505 | Biochemistry: Experimental Techniques Lab | 2 |
| Choose one of the following physics sequences: | 12 | |
| 1017-311, 312, 313 | University Physics I, II, III | |
| 1017-211, 212, 213 | College Physics I, II, III | |
| Biology Elective | 4 | |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| University-wide Electives§ | ||
| 1010-499 | Cooperative Education (optional) | Co-op |
| Fourth Year | ||
| 1014-441 | Chemical Thermodynamics | 4 |
| 1014-445 | Chemical Thermodynamics Lab | 1 |
| 1014-443 | Chemical Kinetics | 4 |
| 1014-447 | Chemical Kinetics Lab | 1 |
| Liberal Arts* | 8 | |
| University-wide Electives§ | ||
| 1010-499 | Cooperative Education (optional) | Co-op |
| Total Quarter Credit Hours | 183 | |
* Please see Liberal Arts General Education Requirements for more information.
‡ Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.
§ Biochemistry Research (1009-541, 542, 543) may be used as a science elective and is highly recommended. Two electives must be upper-division biology courses (300 or higher) that include laboratory, for a minimum of eight credit hours. Electives are necessary to bring the total quarter credit hours to 183 for graduation.
Biochemistry, BS degree, typical course sequence (ACS certified) (quarters)
| Course | Qtr. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| 1010-200 | Chemical Safety | 1 |
| 1010-230 | Freshman Symposium | 1 |
| 1010-251, 252 | General Chemistry I, II | 7 |
| 1010-255 | General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| 1008-261, 262 | Quantitative Analysis I, II | 7 |
| 1008-265, 266 | Quantitative Analysis Lab I, II | 3 |
| 1016-281, 282, 283 | Calculus I, II, III | 12 |
| 1001-201, 202, 203 | General Biology I, II, III | 9 |
| 1001-205, 206, 207 | General Biology Lab | 3 |
| Liberal Arts* | 4 | |
| 1105-051, 052 | First-Year Enrichment | 2 |
| Wellness Education‡ | 0 | |
| 1010-499 | Cooperative Education (optional, summer) | Co-op |
| Second Year | ||
| 1010-401 | Chemical Literature | 2 |
| 1016-305 | Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| 1016-306 | Differential Equations | 4 |
| 1013-431, 432, 433 | Organic Chemistry I, II, III | 9 |
| 1013-435, 436 | Preparative Organic Chemistry Lab I, II | 2 |
| 1013-437 | Systematic Identification of Organic Compounds III Lab | 2 |
| 1001-322 | Cell Biology | 4 |
| 1001-350 | Molecular Biology | 4 |
| 1009-502 | Biochemistry: Conformation and Dynamics | 3 |
| Biology Elective | 4 | |
| Liberal Arts* | 8 | |
| University-wide Electives§ | ||
| 1010-499 | Cooperative Education (optional) | Co-op |
| Third Year | ||
| 1008-311 | Instrumental Analysis | 3 |
| 1008-318 | Instrumental Analysis Lab | 1 |
| 1009-503 | Biochemistry: Metabolism | 3 |
| 1009-504 | Biochemistry: Nucleic Acids | 3 |
| 1009-505 | Biochemistry: Experimental Techniques Lab | 2 |
| Choose one of the following physics sequences: | 12 | |
| 1017-311, 312,313 | University Physics I, II, III | |
| 1017-211, 212, 213 | College Physics I, II, III | |
| Biology Elective | 4 | |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| 1010-499 | Cooperative Education (optional) | Co-op |
| Fourth Year | ||
| 1014-441 | Chemical Thermodynamics | 4 |
| 1014-445 | Chemical Thermodynamics Lab | 1 |
| 1014-442 | Quantum Chemistry | 4 |
| 1014-446 | Quantum Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| 1014-443 | Chemical Kinetics | 4 |
| 1014-447 | Chemical Kinetics Lab | 1 |
| 1012-562 | Inorganic Chemistry I | 4 |
| 1011-565 | Preparative Inorganic Chemistry Lab | 3 |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| 1010-499 | Cooperative Education (optional) | Co-op |
| Total Quarter Credit Hours | 183 | |
* Please See Liberal Arts General Education Requirements for more information. ACS certification recommends a foreign language (preferably German).
‡ Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.
§ Biochemistry Research (1009-541, 542, 543) may be used as a science elective and is highly recommended. Two electives must be upper-division biology courses (300 or higher) that include laboratory, for a minimum of eight credit hours. Electives are necessary to bring the total quarter credit hours to 183 for graduation.
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 | Project-based Calculus I LAS-7a | 4 |
| First-Year Seminar | 3 | |
| BIOL-121 | Introductory Biology I | 4 |
| CHMO-331 | Comp. Organic Chem. I | 3 |
| CHMO-335 | Comp. Organic Chem. Lab I | 1 |
| MATH-182 | Project-based Calculus II LAS -7b | 4 |
| Writing Seminar | 3 | |
| BIOL-122 | Introductory Biology II | 4 |
| Second Year | ||
| CHMO-332 | Comp. Organic Chem. II | 3 |
| CHMO-336 | Comp. Organic Chem Lab II | 2 |
| CHMA-161 | Quantitative Analysis | 3 |
| CHMA-165 | Analytical Methods Lab | 2 |
| MATH-219 | Multivariable Calculus or Data Analysis I | 3 |
| LAS Perspectives 1 | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| CHMA-221 | Instrumental Analysis | |
| CHMA-222 | Chemical Separations | |
| CHMB-402 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
| PHYS-211 | University Physics I LAS-5 | 4 |
| LAS Perspectives 2 | 3 | |
| BIOL-201 | Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| Third Year | ||
| CHMB-403 | Biochemistry 2 | 3 |
| CHMB-405 | Biochemistry Lab (Writing Intensive) | 3 |
| PHYS-212 | University Physics II LAS-6 | 4 |
| LAS Perspectives 3 | 3 | |
| LAS Immersion 1 | 3 | |
| CHMP-441 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| LAS Immersion 2 | 3 | |
| LAS Perspectives 4 | 3 | |
| Advanced Biology Elective (C) | 3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| CHMI-351 | Inorganic Chemistry I | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Advanced Biology Elective (C) | 3 | |
| LAS Elective | 3 | |
| LAS Immersion 3 | 3 | |
| Advanced Chemistry Lab Elective or Biochemistry Research (B) | 3 | |
| Advanced Biochemistry Elective (A) | 3 | |
| LAS Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 126 | |
Accelerated dual degree option
Either of the BS chemistry programs may be combined with the MS chemistry program, allowing students to acquire both degrees in a total of five years.
Biochemistry, combined BS/MS degree, typical course sequence (quarters)
| Course | Qtr. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| 1010-200 | Chemical Safety | 1 |
| 1010-230 | Freshman Symposium | 1 |
| 1010-251, 252 | General Chemistry I, II | 7 |
| 1010-255 | General Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| 1008-261, 262 | Quantitative Analysis I, II | 7 |
| 1008-265, 266 | Quantitative Analysis Lab I, II | 3 |
| 1016-281, 282, 283 | Calculus I, II, III | 12 |
| 1001-201, 202, 203 | General Biology I, II, III | 9 |
| 1001-205, 206, 207 | General Biology Lab | 3 |
| Liberal Arts* | 4 | |
| 1105-051, 052 | First-Year Enrichment | 2 |
| Wellness Education† | 0 | |
| 1010-499 | Cooperative Education (optional, summer) | Co-op |
| Second Year | ||
| 1008-311 | Instrumental Analysis | 3 |
| 1008-318 | Instrumental Analysis Lab | 1 |
| 1016-305 | Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| 1016-306 | Differential Equations | 4 |
| 1013-431, 432, 433 | Organic Chemistry I, II, III | 9 |
| 1013-435, 436 | Preparative Organic Chemistry Lab I, II | 2 |
| 1013-437 | Systematic ID of Organic Compounds III Lab | 2 |
| 1017-311, 312, 313 | University Physics I, II, III | 12 |
| Liberal Arts* | 16 | |
| 1010-499 | Cooperative Education (optional, summer) | Co-op |
| Third Year | ||
| 1014-441 | Chemical Thermodynamics | 4 |
| 1014-445 | Chemical Thermodynamics Lab | 1 |
| 1010-401 | Chemical Literature | 2 |
| 1014-442 | Quantum Chemistry | 4 |
| 1014-446 | Quantum Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| 1014-443 | Chemical Kinetics | 4 |
| 1014-447 | Chemical Kinetics Lab | 1 |
| Liberal Arts* | 16 | |
| 1010-499 | Cooperative Education (optional, summer) | Co-op |
| Fourth Year | ||
| 1009-702 | Biochemistry | 3 |
| 1012-562 | Inorganic Chemistry I | 4 |
| 1008-711 | Advanced Instrumental Analysis | 3 |
| 1011-765 | Preparative Inorganic Chemistry Lab | 3 |
| 1009-703 | Biochemistry: Metabolism | 3 |
| 1009-704 | Biochemistry: Nucleic Acids | 3 |
| 1009-705 | Biochemistry: Experimental Techniques Lab | 3 |
| Biology Electives** | ||
| Chemistry Electives§ | ||
| 1010-879 | Research and Thesis Guidance# | |
| Fifth Year | ||
| 1010-870 | Chemistry Seminar | 2 |
| 1008-621 | Advanced Instrumental Analysis Lab | 2 |
| 1013-737 | Advanced Organic Chemistry | 4 |
| 1014-741 or 1014-743 | Advanced Physical Chemistry | 4 |
| Chemistry Electives§ | ||
| 1010-879 | Research and Thesis Guidance†† | |
| Total Quarter Credit Hours | 225 | |
* Please see Liberal Arts General Education Requirements for more information. ACS certification recommends a foreign language (preferably German).
† Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.
§ A minimum of 36 hours of 700-level or higher chemistry courses is required to graduate with a BS and MS degree.
** Two upper-division biology electives with laboratory. Biology electives may be Cell Biology (1001-311), Molecular Biology (1001-350), Genetics (1001-421), or Genetic Engineering (1001-450).
†† A student will be required to have 9 to 16 hours of Research and Thesis Guidance (1010-879).