Biochemistry Major
Biology, B.S.
Biochemistry is the study of the chemistry of life. This major is intended for those interested in the more chemical and molecular aspects of the life sciences and the reactions that underpin living systems, such as those that provide cells with energy to perform myriad activities and functions and the biosynthetic reactions that enable cells to repair, grow, and divide. The major provides a mechanism to study the chemistry of molecules found in living organisms—in particular proteins, DNA and RNA, lipids and carbohydrates— all within state-of-the-art labs equipped with the very latest in technology and instrumentation. As a field, biochemistry has a wide range of applications as it is applied to medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine, food science, toxicology, biotechnology, forensics, and agriculture. In addition, biochemists engage in work in physiology, pharmacology, virology, microbiology, and clinical chemistry to investigate the mechanisms of a drug’s action, or to conduct research related to organ function or to study the diagnosis and treatment of disease as well as the assessment of health. Biochemistry majors are strongly positioned to go on to study medicine in medical, dental, veterinary, and nursing schools or to explore graduate programs in numerous and exciting research areas.
Students must maintain a grade of C or better in the following courses to progress to the sophomore year within the Biochemistry Program: BIO 110 Biology I for Science Majors, BIO 112 Biology II for Science Majors, CHE 120 Chemistry I, and CHE 121 Chemistry II. Additional requirements for continuing within the program beyond the sophomore year are indicated within the individual course descriptions.
Major in Biochemistry
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Core | ||
| Behavioral/Social Science Electives | 9 | |
| BIO 110 | Biology I for Science Majors | 3 |
| BIO 110L | Biology I for Science Majors Lab | 1 |
| BUS 204 | Financial Wellness | 1 |
| ENG 114 | Critical Reading and Response | 3 |
| ENG 134 | Literary Genres | 3 |
| Humanities Electives | 9 | |
| MAT 120 | Statistics | 3 |
| Science Elective | 3 | |
| WEL 100 | Empowered as Learners and Leaders | 3 |
| or WEL 220 | Empowered as Learners and Leaders | |
| WEL 350 | Strategies for Career and Personal Growth | 2 |
| Major Requirements | ||
| BIO 112 | Biology II for Science Majors | 3 |
| BIO 112L | Biology II for Science Majors Lab | 1 |
| BIO 210 | Genetics | 3 |
| BIO 210L | Genetics Lab | 1 |
| BIO 260 | Microbiology | 3 |
| BIO 260L | Microbiology Lab | 1 |
| BIO 300 | Biochemistry | 3 |
| BIO 300L | Biochemistry Lab | 1 |
| BIO 320 | Cell and Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIO 320L | Cell and Molecular Biology Lab | 1 |
| BIO 410 | Evolution | 3 |
| BIO 445 | Advanced Biochemistry | 3 |
| BIO 498 | Research Project in Biology | 3 |
| or BIO 499 | Internship in Biology | |
| CHE 120 | Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHE 120L | Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CHE 121 | Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHE 121L | Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| CHE 220 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHE 220L | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CHE 221 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHE 221L | Organic Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| CHE 300 | Analytical Chemistry | 3 |
| CHE 300L | Analytical Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| CHE 310 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| ENG 124 | Research and Writing in the Disciplines | 3 |
| MAT 221 | Calculus I | 3 |
| MAT 222 | Calculus II | 3 |
| PHS 201 | University Physics I for Science Majors | 3 |
| PHS 201L | University Physics I for Science Majors Lab | 1 |
| PHS 202 | University Physics for Science Majors | 3 |
| PHS 202L | University Physics for Science Majors II Lab | 1 |
| General Electives | ||
| General Electives | 11 | |
| Total Credits Required | 120 | |