Biochemistry Major

The biochemistry sequence places a greater emphasis on biochemistry and the life sciences. Students pursuing this track will be well prepared for professional schools in the life sciences, graduate schools in biochemistry and the more traditional fields of chemistry, as well as employment in chemical, environmental, or health-related fields.

For a major in biochemistry, students complete the following:

BIOL 1171
1171L
General Biology I
and General Biology I Lab
4
BIOL 1172
1172L
General Biology II
and General Biology II Lab
4
BIOL 1173
1173L
General Biology III
and General Biology III Lab
4
CHEM 1171
1171L
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab
4
CHEM 1172
1172L
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Lab
4
CHEM 2271
2271L
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry I Lab
4
CHEM 2272
2272L
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry II Lab
4
CHEM 2282
2282L
Chemical Analysis
and Chemical Analysis Lab
4
CHEM/BIOL 3323LBiochemistry Lab1
CHEM/BIOL 3324Biochemistry I3
CHEM/BIOL 3325Biochemistry II3
CHEM 3361
3361L
Physical Chemistry I
and Physical Chemistry I Lab
4
CHEM 3362
3362L
Physical Chemistry II
and Physical Chemistry II Lab
4
MATH 1141Calculus I for Chemistry, Engineering, and Physics Majors4
or MATH 1171 Calculus I
MATH 1142Calculus II for Chemistry, Engineering, and Physics Majors4
or MATH 1172 Calculus II
MATH 2217Statistics I3-4
or MATH 2243 Calculus III for Chemistry, Engineering, and Physics Majors
or MATH 2273 Multivariable Calculus
PHYS 1171
1171L
General Physics I
and General Physics I Lab
4
PHYS 1172
1172L
General Physics II
and General Physics II Lab
4
Select one biology elective from the list below3-4
Select one chemistry elective from the list below5-6
Total Credits74-77

Biology Electives

BIOL 2261Genetics4
BIOL 3327Cell Biology4
BIOL 3342Developmental Biology4
BIOL 3352Fundamentals of Microbiology4
BIOL 3354Molecular Biology3
BIOL 3356Immunology3
BIOL 3357General Virology3

Chemistry Electives

Note: A student pursuing a biochemistry major who takes both chemistry electives is eligible for ACS certification.

CHEM 3326
3326L
Chemical Instrumentation
and Instrumental-Analytical Chemistry Lab
6
CHEM 3341
3341L
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
and Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Lab (Lab is highly recommended)
5

ACS Certified Curriculum

For a BS in biochemistry certified by the American Chemical Society, a student must take both Chemistry electives (CHEM 3326 and CHEM 3341) with labs.

Due to the additional lab component of the biochemistry major, CHEM 4971 is recommended but not required for the BS with ACS certification.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
BIOL 1171
1171L
General Biology I
and General Biology I Lab
4
CHEM 1171
1171L
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab
4
MATH 1141
Calculus I for Chemistry, Engineering, and Physics Majors
or Calculus I
4
Core Courses 6
 Credits18
Spring
BIOL 1172
1172L
General Biology II
and General Biology II Lab
4
CHEM 1172
1172L
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Lab
4
MATH 1142
Calculus II for Chemistry, Engineering, and Physics Majors
or Calculus II
4
Core Courses 6
 Credits18
Second Year
Fall
BIOL 1173
1173L
General Biology III
and General Biology III Lab
4
CHEM 2271
2271L
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry I Lab
4
PHYS 1171
1171L
General Physics I
and General Physics I Lab
4
Select one of the following: 3-4
Statistics I  
Calculus III for Chemistry, Engineering, and Physics Majors  
Multivariable Calculus  
Core Courses and Electives 3
 Credits18-19
Spring
CHEM 2272
2272L
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry II Lab
4
CHEM 2282
2282L
Chemical Analysis
and Chemical Analysis Lab
4
PHYS 1172
1172L
General Physics II
and General Physics II Lab
4
Core Courses and Electives 6
 Credits18
Third Year
Fall
CHEM 3361
3361L
Physical Chemistry I
and Physical Chemistry I Lab
4
Core Courses and Electives 9
 Credits13
Spring
CHEM 3323L
Biochemistry Lab 1
or Biochemistry Lab
1
CHEM 3324
Biochemistry I
or Biochemistry I
3
CHEM 3362
3362L
Physical Chemistry II
and Physical Chemistry II Lab
4
Biology Elective 3-4
Core Courses and Electives 9
 Credits20-21
Fourth Year
Fall
CHEM 3323L
Biochemistry Lab 1
or Biochemistry Lab
1
CHEM 3325
Biochemistry II
or Biochemistry II
3
Chemistry Elective 3-5
Core Courses and Electives 6-9
 Credits13-18
Spring
Chemistry Elective 3
Core Courses and Electives 9
 Credits12
 Total Credits130-137

Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisors in the Department to discuss variations of the recommended Plan of Study, for example to pursue study abroad and/or research opportunities.