Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biochemistry
4-Year Degree Plan (Sample)
About the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
The 120 credit hour Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biochemistry is designed to meet the criteria of the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and should prepare students well for a variety of careers. The breadth and multidisciplinary nature of the curriculum ensures students will have many exciting and challenging career options available to them.
The degree consists of general-education and world language requirements and required and elective courses in chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics.
Degree Requirements (120 cr.)
General Education Curriculum
For a more detailed description of the IU South Bend general-education curriculum, including lists of approved courses, see the General Education website.
All courses certified as meeting the campuswide general-education requirements are designated in the Schedule of Classes.
Campuswide Curriculum (33-39 cr.)
All courses are 3 credit hours, unless otherwise designated.
Fundamental Literacies (13-19 cr.)
- Writing | ENG-W 131 Elementary Composition 1
- Critical Thinking | Select from approved course list
- Oral Communication | SPCH-S 121 Public Speaking
- Visual Literacy | Select from approved course list
- Quantitative Reasoning | Requirement fulfilled by major
- Information Literacy | COAS-Q 110 Introduction to Information Literacy (1 cr.)
- Computer Literacy | Select from approved course list
Common Core Courses (12 cr.)
- Complete one course from each of the following four areas, as designated in the Schedule of Classes. At least one of the areas must be completed at the 300-level.
- The Natural World | Select from approved course list
- Human Behavior and Social Institutions | Select from approved course list
- Literary and Intellectual Traditions | Select from approved course list
- Art, Aesthetics, and Creativity | Select from approved course list
Contemporary Social Values (8 cr.)
- Non-Western Cultures | Select from approved course list
- Diversity in United States Society | Select from approved course list
- Health and Wellness (2 cr.) | Select from approved course list
World Languages (9 cr.)
- At least one course at the 200-level or higher
Concentration Requirements (72-75 cr.)
Biology (11 cr.)
- BIOL-L 102 Introduction to Biological Sciences 2 (5 cr.)
- BIOL-L 211 Molecular Biology
- BIOL-L 312 Cell Biology
Chemistry (32 cr.)
- CHEM-C 105 Principles of Chemistry I
- CHEM-C 106 Principles of Chemistry II
- CHEM-C 125 Experimental Chemistry I (2 cr.)
- CHEM-C 126 Experimental Chemistry II (2 cr.)
- CHEM-C 301 Chemistry Seminar 1 (1 cr.)
- CHEM-C 341 Organic Chemistry Lectures 1
- CHEM-C 342 Organic Chemistry Lectures 2
- CHEM-C 343 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1 (2 cr.)
- CHEM-C 344 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 2 (2 cr.)
- CHEM-C 361 Physical Chemistry of Bulk Matter; or
- CHEM-C 362 Physical Chemistry of Molecules
- CHEM-C 484 Biomolecules and Catabolism
- CHEM-C 485 Biosynthetic Pathways and Control of Metabolism
- CHEM-C 486 Biological Chemistry Laboratory (2 cr.)
Mathematics (10 cr.)
- MATH-M 215 Calculus (5 cr.)
- MATH-M 216 Calculus II (5 cr.)
Physics (10 cr.)
- PHYS-P 221 Physics 1 (5 cr.)
- PHYS-P 222 Physics 2 (5 cr.)
Electives (9 cr.; 3 cr. from Biology)
Biology
- BIOL-L 280 Introduction to Bioinformatics
- BIOL-L 311 Genetics
- BIOL-L 313 Cell Biology Laboratory
- BIOL-L 317 Developmental Biology
- BIOL-L 321 Principles of Immunology
- BIOL-L 323 Molecular Biology Laboratory
- BIOL-M 430 Virology Lecture
- MICR-M 310 Microbiology
- MICR-M 315 Microbiology Laboratory (2 cr.)
Chemistry
- CHEM-C 310 Analytical Chemistry (4 cr.)
- CHEM-C 362 Physical Chemistry of Molecules (3-4 cr.)
- CHEM-C 410 Principles of Chemical Instrumentation (4 cr.)
- CHEM-C 430 Inorganic Chemistry
Mathematics
- MATH-M 301 Linear Algebra and Applications
- MATH-M 311 Calculus 3 (5 cr.)
Research (Permission required from program director)
- CHEM-C 409 Chemical Research (1-3 cr.)
- BIOL-L 490 Individual Study (1-3 cr.)