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:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 3323L | Biochemistry Lab | 1 |
| CHEM/BIOL 3324 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM/BIOL 3325 | Biochemistry II | 3 |
| 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 1141 | Calculus I for Chemistry, Engineering, and Physics Majors | 4 |
| or MATH 1171 | Calculus I | |
| MATH 1142 | Calculus II for Chemistry, Engineering, and Physics Majors | 4 |
| or MATH 1172 | Calculus II | |
| MATH 2217 | Statistics I | 3-4 |
| 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 below | 3-4 | |
| Select one chemistry elective from the list below | 5-6 | |
| Total Credits | 74-77 | |
Biology Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 2261 | Genetics | 4 |
| BIOL 3327 | Cell Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 3342 | Developmental Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 3352 | Fundamentals of Microbiology | 4 |
| BIOL 3354 | Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 3356 | Immunology | 3 |
| BIOL 3357 | General Virology | 3 |
Chemistry Electives
Note: A student pursuing a biochemistry major who takes both chemistry electives is eligible for ACS certification.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| 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 or MATH 1171 |
Calculus I for Chemistry, Engineering, and Physics Majors or Calculus I |
4 |
| Core Courses | 6 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| 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 or MATH 1172 |
Calculus II for Chemistry, Engineering, and Physics Majors or Calculus II |
4 |
| Core Courses | 6 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| 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 | |
| Credits | 18-19 | |
| 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 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 3361 & 3361L |
Physical Chemistry I and Physical Chemistry I Lab |
4 |
| Core Courses and Electives | 9 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 3323L or BIOL 3323L |
Biochemistry Lab 1 or Biochemistry Lab |
1 |
| CHEM 3324 or BIOL 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 | |
| Credits | 20-21 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 3323L or BIOL 3323L |
Biochemistry Lab 1 or Biochemistry Lab |
1 |
| CHEM 3325 or BIOL 3325 |
Biochemistry II or Biochemistry II |
3 |
| Chemistry Elective | 3-5 | |
| Core Courses and Electives | 6-9 | |
| Credits | 13-18 | |
| Spring | ||
| Chemistry Elective | 3 | |
| Core Courses and Electives | 9 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 130-137 | |
- 1
Biochemistry Lab is taken only once, concurrently with CHEM 3324 / BIOL 3324 or CHEM 3325 / BIOL 3325.
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.