Explore fundamentals and advances in biochemistry

As a Biochemistry major, you’ll learn the fundamentals of chemical and biochemical theory and practice through scientific investigation, laboratory experience and research.

You’ll take courses that cover all aspects of chemistry, including analytical, biochemical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, as well as courses in biology, physics and mathematics.

• Through coursework, biochemistry majors develop skills in
• Conducting experiments safely and ethically
• Recording and analyzing data
• Presenting and publishing scientific findings
• Problem-solving, critical thinking and analytical reasoning as they relate to experimentation and drawing conclusions

You’ll gain hands-on research experience by working with professors on cutting-edge research projects.

Classes

Coursework

• Analytical Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Calculus
• Computational Chemistry
• General Chemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Instrumental Analysis
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry
• Physics

Resources

• Major Requirements
• Schedule of Classes
• Department Website

• Combined bachelor's + master's degree offered

Career Options

Common Career Areas

• Biochemical analysis and testing
• Education
• Environmental remediation
• Industrial health and safety administration
• Medical school
• Pharmaceutical sales
• Research??

Major Requirements

Course Requirements

Common Core

All students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry must complete a common core of courses in the department. These courses are consistent with the requirements of all degree programs accredited by the American Chemical Society. The courses in the common core consist of:

Introductory Courses

Course List

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
Select one of the following:		4-6
CHE 130 & CHE 131	GENERAL CHEMISTRY I and GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY
CHE 120 & CHE 131	GENERAL CHEMISTRY IP and GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY
Select one of the following:		4-6
CHE 132 & CHE 133	GENERAL CHEMISTRY II and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II
CHE 122 & CHE 133	GENERAL CHEMISTRY IIP and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II
CHE 134 & CHE 135	GENERAL CHEMISTRY III and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY III	4

The department offers General Chemistry each summer. In this case, the combination of CHE 136/CHE 137 and CHE 138/CHE 139 may substitute for the three-quarter sequences above.

Foundation Courses

Course List

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
CHE 204 & CHE 205	ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY and ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY	4
CHE 230 & CHE 231	ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I and ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I	4
CHE 232 & CHE 233	ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II and ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II	4
CHE 234 & CHE 235	ORGANIC CHEMISTRY III and ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY III	4
CHE 261	INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS (lecture and lab)	4
CHE 308 & CHE 309	PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY FOR BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE and PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY FOR BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES LAB	4
CHE 320 & CHE 321	INTERMEDIATE INORGANIC CHEMISTRY and INTERMEDIATE INORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY	4
CHE 340 & CHE 341	BIOCHEMISTRY I and EXPERIMENTAL BIOCHEMISTRY I	4

In-Depth Courses1

Course List

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
CHE 342 & CHE 343	BIOCHEMISTRY II and EXPERIMENTAL BIOCHEMISTRY II	4
CHE 344 & CHE 345	BIOCHEMISTRY III and EXPERIMENTAL BIOCHEMISTRY III	4
Select 12 Credit Hours from the following:		12
CHE 318	BIOPHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
CHE 348	CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
CHE 360	MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
CHE 362	DRUGS AND TOXICOLOGY
CHE 376	COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY

1	One 300-level biology course may replace an In-depth Chemistry course in consultation with a student’s academic advisor. Suggested options: BIO 370 BIO 375 HLTH 320

Biology

One year of General Biology and a course in Cell Biology, all offered by the Department of Biological Sciences, are required to earn a baccalaureate degree in biochemistry:

Course List

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
BIO 191	GENERAL BIOLOGY I FOR SCIENCE MAJORS	4
BIO 192	GENERAL BIOLOGY II FOR SCIENCE MAJORS	4
BIO 193	GENERAL BIOLOGY III FOR SCIENCE MAJORS	4
BIO 250	CELL BIOLOGY	4
One 300-level biology course may replace an In-depth Chemistry course 1		4

1	In consultation with a student’s academic advisor. Suggested options: BIO 339 BIO 370 BIO 375 HLTH 320

Calculus

One year of calculus is required to earn a baccalaureate degree in biochemistry. This may be accomplished by completing any one of the following five course sequences offered by the Department of Mathematical Sciences:

Course List

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
Sequence One
MAT 147	CALCULUS WITH INTEGRATED PRECALCULUS I	6
MAT 148	CALCULUS WITH INTEGRATED PRECALCULUS II	6
MAT 149	CALCULUS WITH INTEGRATED PRECALCULUS III	6
Sequence Two
MAT 150	CALCULUS I	4
MAT 151	CALCULUS II	4
MAT 152	CALCULUS III	4
Sequence Three
MAT 160	CALCULUS FOR MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE MAJORS I	5
MAT 161	CALCULUS FOR MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE MAJORS II	5
MAT 162	CALCULUS FOR MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE MAJORS III	5
Sequence Four
MAT 170	CALCULUS FOR LIFE SCIENCES I	5
MAT 171	CALCULUS FOR LIFE SCIENCES II	5
MAT 172	CALCULUS III WITH DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS	5
Sequence Five
MAT 155	SUMMER CALCULUS I	6
MAT 156	SUMMER CALCULUS II	6

Students interested in earning credit for multi-variable calculus should not take the MAT 170/ MAT 171/MAT 172 sequence. Business calculus cannot be substituted for any of the sequences above.

Physics

One year of general physics is required to earn a baccalaureate in biochemistry. This may be accomplished by completing one of the following three-course sequences offered by the Department of Physics:

Course List

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
Sequence One
PHY 170	UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I	4
PHY 171	UNIVERSITY PHYSICS II	4
PHY 172	UNIVERSITY PHYSICS III	4
Sequence Two
PHY 150	GENERAL PHYSICS I	4
PHY 151	GENERAL PHYSICS II	4
PHY 152	GENERAL PHYSICS III	4

Open Electives

Open elective credit also is required to meet the minimum graduation requirement of 192 hours.

Departmental Program Requirements

The following enrollment-related policies are fully enforced by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

1. All students enrolling in the first course of a General Chemistry sequence must independently meet a minimum mathematics requirement and successfully complete the General Chemistry placement examination. See the course descriptions for General Chemistry for up-to-date information.
2. All prerequisite chemistry courses must be completed with a C- or better. Students not meeting this requirement may be removed from course rosters before the start of an academic session. This requirement may be waived only with departmental consent.
3. The department offers lower-level sequences several times each academic year. Due to potentially small class sizes, upper-level courses are typically scheduled every other year. Students should consult with their faculty academic advisor to develop a program they can complete in a timely fashion.

Sequencing and Prerequisites

Students should begin their General Chemistry and General Biology sequences in their freshman year provided they have an adequate mathematics background. Students not yet prepared for calculus should take the prerequisite courses in their first year. The Calculus and Physics sequences should be taken no later than their sophomore and junior year, respectively. The Organic Chemistry sequence, Analytical Chemistry and Instrumental Analysis should be taken in the sophomore year. The Biochemistry sequence should be taken in their junior year. Advanced courses in Chemistry and courses in biology may be taken as soon as students have met the appropriate prerequisites.?

Students are advised to talk with their advisor before double majoring, because some major combinations are prohibited. No more than 50% of the credits that apply to one major may be drawn from another major.