Pictured | Joël Rael | Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry | Cerro, New Mexico (hometown)
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Honors Program
Volunteer Activities | International Journal (Chief Editor); Undergraduate Research Journal (Layout Editor); Biology/Chemistry Club (treasurer); Physics Club (treasurer)

Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

The breadth and multidisciplinary nature of the curriculum allows students to pursue their scientific interests while offering the flexibility to tailor their program to their career aspirations. Graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry are prepared for graduate studies in biochemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, biotechnology, environmental chemistry, polymer chemistry, drug design and delivery, genetic engineering, and a variety of other fields. Many graduates pursue additional studies in medical fields including medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, physician assistant, etc. Other graduates obtain rewarding jobs in industry, including biotechnology, toxicology, environmental testing, food science and nutrition, essential oils, drug and diagnostic test production, etc. 

Students earning a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biochemistry can choose a Pre-Medical Science Track as part of their degree.

Academic Advising

Your academic advisor is a critical partner in fostering your success at IU South Bend and beyond. Your advisor will help you explore academic majors and careers, plan your degree, choose classes, learn about internships and study abroad, and much more. To see who is assigned as your advisor, visit your Student Online Advising Record in one.iu.edu. For more information about advising at IU South Bend, visit the website for the Undergraduate Advising Center.

Final responsibility for meeting degree requirements rests with the student.

Questions about advising? Email sbadvise@iu.edu or call (574) 520-4550.

Degree Requirements (120 cr.)

Degree Map >>

Students receiving the Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry must complete 120 total credit hours including:

• IU South Bend Campuswide General Education Curriculum (33 cr.)

• Math courses required for the BS in Biochemistry fulfill the 3-credit Fundamental Literacies Quantitative Reasoning Requirement within the General Education curriculum.

• Core Requirements (53 cr.)

• Biology (8 cr.)
• Chemistry (33 cr.)
• Electives (12 cr.)

• Supporting Requirements (23-29 cr.)

• STEM Cognates (20 cr.)

• Mathematics (10 cr.)
• Physics (10 cr.)

• World Language (3-9 cr.)

• Free Electives (balance of credits needed to equal 120 credit requirement)

• Minimum of 30 credit hours at the 300– or 400–level.
• Core Requirements must be completed with a grade of C– or higher.
• At least 30 credit hours must be taken in residence at IU South Bend, of which at least 12 credits must be in the major at the 300– or 400–level.
• A minimum CGPA of 2.0 is required.
• All courses are 3 credit hours, unless otherwise designated.

Core Requirements (53 cr.)

Biology (8 cr.)

• BIOL-L 102 Introduction to Biological Sciences 2 (5 cr.)
• BIOL-L 211 Molecular Biology

Chemistry (33 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 (4 cr.); OR
  CHEM-C 362 Physical Chemistry of Molecules (4 cr.)
• CHEM-C 484 Biomolecules and Catabolism
• CHEM-C 485 Biosynthetic Pathways and Control of Metabolism
• CHEM-C 486 Biological Chemistry Laboratory (2 cr.)

Electives (12 cr.)

Biology

Select (at least) 6 credits from the following:

• BIOL-L 280 Introduction to Bioinformatics
• BIOL-L 311 Genetics
• BIOL-L 312 Cell Biology
• BIOL-L 313 Cell Biology Laboratory
• BIOL-L 317 Developmental Biology
• BIOL-L 321 Principles of Immunology
• BIOL-L 323 Molecular Biology Laboratory
• BIOL-L 335 Introduction to Nanomedicine
• BIOL-L 337 Introduction to Biostatistics
• BIOL-L 338 Introduction to Genomics
• BIOL-L 391 Special Topic in Biology
  VT: The Biology of Cancer
  VT: Genomics
• BIOL-L 490 Individual Study (1-3 cr.)
  Permission required from program director
• BIOL-M 430 Virology Lecture
• MICR-M 310 Microbiology
• MICR-M 315 Microbiology Laboratory (2 cr.)

Chemistry

Select (at least) 4 credits from the following:

• CHEM-C 310 Analytical Chemistry (4 cr.)
• CHEM-C 335 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (1 cr.)
• CHEM-C 361 Physical Chemistry of Bulk Matter (4 cr.); OR
  CHEM-C 362 Physical Chemistry of Molecules (4 cr.) (whichever not taken to meet Chemistry requirement above)
• CHEM-C 409 Chemical Research (1-3 cr.)
  Permission required from program director
• CHEM-C 410 Principles of Chemical Instrumentation (4 cr.)
• CHEM-C 430 Inorganic Chemistry

Supporting Requirements (23-29 cr.)

STEM Cognates (20 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.)

World Language (3-9 cr.)

• At least one course at the 200–level or higher, or formal training, as evidenced by secondary or university diplomas, in a language other than English. The Department of World Language Studies (W.L.S.) offers a placement examination to determine which semester a student should enroll and/or to quality students for credit by examination.

Optional Track

Pre-Medical Sciences Track

• BIOL-L 311 Genetics

Select a minimum of six additional credits from the following:

• BIOL-L 312 Cell Biology
• BIOL-L 313 Cell Biology Laboratory
• BIOL-L 317 Developmental Biology
• BIOL-L 335 Introduction to Nanomedicine
• BIOL-L 391 Special Topics in Biology
• BIOL-M 310 Microbiology
• BIOL-M 315 Microbiology Laboratory (2 cr.)
• BIOL-M 430 Virology Lecture