Bachelor of Science in Physical Sciences, Biochemistry

New! Starting Spring 2026

Program Description

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

Current students can view their degree pathway in Stellic >>

Students receiving the Bachelor of Science in Physical Sciences degree must complete 120 credits including the following.

• IU South Bend General Education Curriculum (33 cr.) to include:

• MATH-M 215 | Fulfills Fundamental Literacies Quantitative Reasoning
• PHYS-P 303 | Fulfills Extended Literacies
• PSCI-S 106 (pending approval)| Fulfills Information Literacy

• Core Requirements (67 cr.)

• Foundation (26 cr.)
• Major Coursework (41 cr.)

• Supporting Requirements (10-16 cr.)

• Mathematics (10 cr.)
• World Languages (0-6 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.
• Must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 for Core Requirements.
• 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.
• All courses are 3 credit hours, unless otherwise noted.

Core Requirements (67 cr.)

Foundation (26 cr.)

• CHEM-C 105 Principles of Chemisty I
• CHEM-C 106 Principles of Chemistry II
• CHEM-C 125 Experimental Chemistry I (2 cr.) 
• CHEM-C 126 Experimental Chemistry II (2 cr.)
• PHYS-P 221 Physics 1 (5 cr.)
• PHYS-P 222 Physics 2 (5 cr.)
• PHYS-P 303 Digital Electronics (4 cr.)
• PSCI-S 106 Freshman Seminar (1 cr.)
  Pending final approval
• PSCI-S 490 Senior Seminar (1 cr.)
  Pending final approval

Major Coursework (41 cr.)

• BIOL-L 102 Introduction to Biological Sciences 2 (5 cr.) 
• BIOL-L 211 Molecular Biology 
• CHEM-C 310 Analytical Chemistry (4 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 360 Introductory Physical Chemistry 
• CHEM-C 3XX Physical Chemistry Laboratory (1 cr.)
  Pending final approval
• CHEM-C 484 Biomolecules and Catabolism 
• CHEM-C 485 Biosynthetic Pathways and Control of Metabolism 
• CHEM-C 486 Biological Chemistry Laboratory (2 cr.) 

Major Electives | Select 9-11 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 
• CHEM-C 344 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 2 (2 cr.) 
• 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 
• MICR-M 310 Microbiology 
• MICR-M 315 Microbiology Laboratory (2 cr.) 

Supporting Requirements (10-16 cr.)

Mathematics (10 cr.)

• MATH-M 215 Calculus (5 cr.)
• MATH-M 216 Calculus II (5 cr.)

World Language (0-6 cr.)

Successful completion of a second-semester language class (102), placement into/beyond the third-semester language class (203), or formal training, as evidenced by secondary or university diplomas or transcripts, in a language other than English. The Department of World Language Studies (WLS) offers a placement examination to determine into which semester a student should enroll and/or to qualify students for credit by examination.