College Schools, Departments & Programs

Chemistry

Major in Biochemistry—B.S.
Purpose

The B.S. Degree in Biochemistry is designed for students preparing for graduate work or other research work in industry or government laboratories, as well as for medical, dental, and other professional schools. Although B.S. degree programs are challenging, they provide serious and talented students with the depth and breadth in biochemistry, as well as in other sciences needed for careers in scientific research. The B.S. degree provides preparation for a wide range of career choices, including research. Biochemistry studies the chemical processes of living organisms, bringing together biology and chemistry to understand and solve biological problems.

Requirements

Students must complete General Education requirements and the following Foundations, Intensive Writing, Foreign Language, Breadth of Inquiry, Critical Approaches, and Public Oral Communication requirements:

  1. Writing, same as B.A. degree (Intensive Writing, English Composition).
  2. Foreign language, 3 credit hours of any foreign language at the second-year level.
  3. Arts and humanities, two courses.
  4. Social and historical studies, two courses.
  5. Natural and mathematical sciences, fulfilled by major.
  6. One Critical Approaches to the Arts and Sciences course.
  7. One Public Oral Communication course.
Major Requirements

Students must complete all of the following coursework with a grade of C– or higher in each course:

  1. 42 credit hours of Chemistry coursework which must include: C117-C127 (or C105-C125), A314, A316, C341, C342, S343, C361-C362 or C361-C481, C484, C485, B486, and C487 or B487.
  2. The following courses may not be counted in the 42 credit hours required for the major: C103, C107, X170, G203, G207, G209, C240, C243, G307, X371 and G407.
  3. At least 3 of the remaining credit hours must be in lecture courses at the 300–400 level or above.
  4. At least 4 of the remaining credit hours must be in laboratory courses.
  5. Mathematics M211 and M212.
  6. Physics P221 and P222.
  7. Biology L112, L211, and at least one of the following: L311, L312, M250-M255, M430.

Students must also complete the degree requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Recommendations

Chemistry C481 is recommended over Chemistry C362.