Biochemistry Major
The Biochemistry major is a good choice for students interested in a wide variety of careers, from laboratory work (industry, hospital, university, or government) to medicine/dentistry to forensic science, and even law. As its name implies, biochemistry is the study of the chemical basis of processes that occur in living systems. Over the past thirty or so years, our understanding of biochemistry and the tools available for its study have advanced at an amazing pace, and biochemistry has grown into one of the dominant sub-disciplines of chemistry. The curriculum exposes students to the rapidly growing field of biochemistry with three required courses, including one in Protein Structure and Function and another in Intermediary Metabolism. While the focus of Biochemistry major is on chemistry, our majors also develop a strong background in biology by taking courses such as Genetics and Cell Biology.
In addition to meeting the general education requirements of the University and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Biochemistry majors must successfully complete the following courses:
| Dept | Course | Title | Credit Hrs. |
| Chemistry | 110/111 | General Chemistry I with lab | 4 |
| 116/117 | General Chemistry II with lab | 5 | |
| 252/253 | Organic Chemistry I with lab | 5 | |
| 256/257 | Organic Chemistry II with lab | 4 | |
| 292 | Chemical Informatics | 1 | |
| 326 | Analytical Chemistry with lab | 4 | |
| 360/361 | Biochemistry with lab | 4 | |
| 380 | Junior Seminar (2 semesters) | 0 | |
| 420 | Instrumental Analysis | 4 | |
| 465 | Protein Structure and Function | 3 | |
| 466 | Intermediary Metabolism | 3 | |
| 470/471 | Physical Chemistry I with lab | 4 | |
| 480 | Senior Seminar | 1 | |
| Biology | 151 | From Molecules to Cells with lab | 4 |
| 310 | Genetics with lab | 4 | |
| 464 | Cell Biology with lab | 4 | |
| Math | Calculus (2 semesters) | 7 or 8 | |
| Physics | Physics I & II with labs | 8 | |
| Total credits | 69-70 |
Four Year Plan
A biochemistry major might complete the required science courses according to the following schedule. Students need not exceed a full load (16 credits) in any semester to graduate in four years. Note that required general education courses would be distributed among the eight semesters.
Fall Semester |
Spring Semester |
|
| Freshman | General Chemistry I with lab Calculus I |
General Chemistry II with lab Calculus II From Molecules to Cells with lab |
| Sophomore | Organic Chemistry I with lab Genetics with lab Physics I with lab |
Organic Chemistry II with lab Analytical Chemistry Chemical Informatics Physics II with lab |
| Junior | Biochemistry with lab Physical Chemistry I with lab Junior Seminar |
Protein Structure and Function Cell Biology with lab Junior Seminar |
| Senior | Instrumental Analysis Senior Seminar |
Intermediary Metabolism |
