Biochemistry (B.S.)
Biochemistry is the study of biological molecules and chemical processes that make up all living systems, which in turn relates to the study and understanding of whole organisms. To fully interact with known biochemical information and make future contributions to our molecular understanding of life, students must obtain a broad background in biology and a firm foundation in chemistry, mathematics, and physics.
The program prepares students 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 university research programs or industrial and government laboratories.
Upon successful completion of the biochemistry program, students will be able to
- independently conduct and evaluate scientific research;
- demonstrate effective oral and written scientific communication skills;
- understand the moral and ethical impact of science on their communities, both local and global;
- integrate a range of scientific concepts and ideas; and
- demonstrate an understanding of fundamental biochemistry principles.
Minimum Grade Requirements: A minimum grade of C- is required in any course within the major courses (biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics) that serves as a prerequisite for a higher-numbered course. Courses in which the minimum grade is not achieved may not be repeated more than once without permission of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics director.
Degree Requirements — Biochemistry
This degree requires a total of 123 credits.
Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements
See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details. Biochemistry majors will satisfy the three-course university Writing Intensive (WI) requirement in the following way: BIO 300 Writing for Science, BIO 368 Advanced Research Methods, and one additional WI course from the Liberal Arts Core or as a university elective. Students should fulfill the third WI course and the GP requirement with a general elective or a Liberal Arts Core course.
Major Requirements
To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with an advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements.
Major Required Courses
Major Elective Courses
Six (6) credits from the following (a minimum of 3 credits must be at the 300 level or higher):
Sample Degree Plan — Biochemistry
Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.
Year One — Fall
Year One — Spring
| BIO 152 | General Biology II * | 3 |
| BIO 152L | General Biology II Lab | 1 |
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| MA 218 | Probability and Statistics * | 3 |
| TRS 100 | Theological Inquiry * | 3 |
| HI | Introductory History (HI-1) core course * | 3 |
Year Two — Fall
| BIO 260 | Microbiology | 3 |
| BIO 260L | Microbiology Lab | 1 |
| BIO 300 | Writing for Science * | 3 |
| CHM 151 | Principles of Chemistry I * | 3 |
| CHM 151L | Principles of Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| EN | Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course * | 3 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course (GP course recommended if not already completed) * | 3 |
Year Two — Spring
| BIO 262 | Genetics for Majors * | 3 |
| BIO 262L | Genetics for Majors Lab | 1 |
| CHM 152 | Principles of Chemistry II * | 3 |
| CHM 152L | Principles of Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| PH 100 | Introduction to Philosophy * | 3 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course in a second discipline * | 3 |
Year Three — Fall
Year Three — Spring
| BIO 441 | Biochemistry | 3 |
| BIO 441L | Biochemistry Lab | 1 |
| CHM 222 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHM 222L | Organic Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| PHYS 272 | General Physics II * | 3 |
| PHYS 272L | General Physics II Lab | 1 |
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2), or Advanced History (HI-2) core course * | 3 |
Year Four — Fall
| BIO 442 | Nucleic Acids and Metabolism | 3 |
| BIO 423 | Pathways in STEM - 4th Year Seminar | 3 |
| | One (1) biology elective course | |
| PH | Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course * | 3 |
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2), or Advanced History (HI-2) core course - 3rd WI recommended * | 3 |
Biology elective course: See Major Requirements above for course selections.
Year Four — Spring
| BIO 400 | Internship * | 3 |
| BIO 449 | Advanced Molecular Biology | 4 |
| CHM 441 | Physical Biochemistry | 3 |
| | One (1) biology elective course | |
| | Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course * | 3 |
Biology elective course: See Major Requirements above for course selections.
* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and the Course Descriptions for further information.