BIOCHEMISTRY

Bachelor of Science

Biochemistry is the study of the molecular basis of life. To comprehend current biochemical information and make future contributions to our molecular understanding of life processes, students must obtain a broad background in biology and a firm foundation in chemistry, mathematics, and physics. This is the basis of the biochemistry curriculum.

The program provides an excellent educational background for professional school (medicine, dentistry, or veterinary medicine) and graduate school in biochemistry, molecular biology, or another biological science discipline. Graduates will find employment opportunities in the research and service programs of universities, medical schools, hospitals, research institutes, and industrial and government laboratories.

Freshman Year

First Semester
5 - BIOL 110 Principles of Biology I
4 - CH 101 General Chemistry
3 - ENGL 101 Composition I
4 - MTHSC 106 Calculus of One Variable I
16

Second Semester
5 - BIOL 111 Principles of Biology II
4 - CH 102 General Chemistry
3 - ENGL 102 Composition II
4 - MTHSC 108 Calculus of One Variable II
16

Sophomore Year

First Semester
3 - CH 223 Organic Chemistry
1 - CH 227 Organic Chemistry Lab.¹
4 - MICRO 305 General Microbiology
4 - MTHSC 206 Calculus of Several Variables
3 - PHYS 122 Physics with Calculus I
1 - PHYS 124 Physics Lab. I
16

Second Semester
3 - BIOCH 301 General Biochemistry
3 - CH 224 Organic Chemistry
1 - CH 228 Organic Chemistry Lab.¹
3 - PHYS 221 Physics with Calculus II
1 - PHYS 223 Physics Lab. II
3 - Literature Requirement²
3 - Social Science Requirement³
17

Junior Year

First Semester
3 - BIOCH 431 Physical Approach to Biochem.
2 - BIOCH 433 General Biochemistry Lab. I
3 - CH 330 Introduction to Physical Chemistry⁴
3 - CP SC 120 Intro. to Information Technology
3 - Science Requirement⁵
3 - Elective
17

Second Semester
3 - BIOCH 432 Biochemistry of Metabolism
2 - BIOCH 434 General Biochemistry Lab. II
2 - BIOCH 436 Nucleic Acid and Protein Biosyn.
3 - Literature Requirement²
4 - Science Requirement⁵
3 - Social Science Requirement³
17

Senior Year

First Semester
3 - BIOCH 491 Special Problems in Biochemistry
3 - CH 313 Quantitative Analysis
1 - CH 317 Quantitative Analysis Lab.
3 - SPCH 250 Public Speaking
3 - Approved Requirement⁶
3 - Elective
16

Second Semester
2 - BIOSC 493 Senior Seminar
3 - ENGL 314 Technical Writing
6 - Approved Requirement⁶
4 - Elective
15

130 Total Semester Hours

¹CH 225 may substitute for CH 227, and CH 226 may substitute for CH 228. In both cases, the additional hour of credit counts toward a science requirement.

²ENGL 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, or H210.

³See General Education Requirements.

⁴CH 331 may be substituted.

⁵Select from courses in BIOSC, CH, CP SC, GEN, MTHSC, MICRO, PHYS, PL PA, or as approved by advisor in consultation with the biochemistry faculty.

⁶A one-year sequence in a foreign language (strongly recommended) or any humanities or social science courses listed in section E.2 or F of the General Education Requirements.