The BS program in biochemistry provides a strong foundation in both molecular biology and chemistry and is based on faculty, facilities, and research resources in both the Department of Biomolecular Sciences and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. In addition to in-class laboratory instruction, this interdepartmental program emphasizes independent student research carried out under the guidance of a faculty member from either department. This program is designed to prepare students for careers or advanced study in molecular biology, biochemistry, or health-related fields.
BS in Biochemistry (American Chemical Society Certified)
Biochemistry Core Requirements
| BMS 102 | Introduction to Biomolecular Science | 3 |
| BMS 103 | Introduction to Biomolecular Science Laboratory | 1 |
| BMS 190 | Introduction to Research I | .5 |
| BMS 201 | Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BMS 290 | Introduction to Research II | .5 |
| CHEM 161 | General Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 162 | General Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 200 | Foundations of Analytical Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 201 | Foundations of Analytical Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 210 | Foundations of Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 211 | Foundations of Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 212 | Organic Synthesis | 3 |
| CHEM 213 | Organic Synthesis Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 260 | Foundations of Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 316 | Spectrometric Identification of Organic Compounds | 3 |
| CHEM 320 | Biophysical Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 332 | Chemical Literature | 1 |
| CHEM 432 | Chemistry Seminar | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 36 |
Biochemistry Core plus an additional 8 credits in Chemistry
| CHEM 322 | Physical Chemistry of Quantum & Statistical Mechanics | 3 |
| CHEM 323 | Physical Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 402 | Instrumental Methods in Analytical Chemistry | 4 |
Directed Electives
One course chosen from:
Research Requirements
| CHEM 238 | Introduction to Research | 1-6 |
| CHEM 438 | Undergraduate Research | 1-6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 2 |
Capstone Courses
| CHEM 354 | Foundations of Biochemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 458 | Advanced Biochemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 455 | Biochemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 7 |
Related Requirements
Students must also maintain a student portfolio (see below). These related requirement courses may also be counted to fulfill appropriate portions of the student's general education program.
No minor is required for this major.
Portfolio Requirement
The portfolio requirement will be formally introduced to students during the BMS 190 and 290 introductory courses. Minimally, the student portfolio must include a current resume, a current Student Graduation Evaluation or trancript, a planned program of academic study, a narrative describing the student's goals for undergraduate education and graduate educational or career plans, abstracts of all completed independent study projects, and writing samples from CHEM 432. To fulfill the portfolio requirement, the student portfolio must be reviewed with one or more faculty members:
As a course requirement in BMS 190 and BMS 290;
As a required component of independent student research projects; and
Prior to graduation, as evidenced by submission of a Portfolio Requirement Completed form to the chair of the Department of Chemistry.
500-Level Course Options
Undergraduate students who use the form, Enrollment in 500 Level Courses by Undergraduates, and who have at least 90 credits and a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher may (with the approval of the advisor, instructor, appropriate department chair and dean, School of Graduate Studies, and with appropriate prerequisites) substitute either of the following 500-level BMS courses for BMS courses listed in the directed elective portion of the major program, and the following CHEM course in place of one of the 400-level CHEM courses listed in the directed elective portion of the major program:
Total Credit Hours: 57
Major in Biochemistry, BS (Non-teaching)
Biochemistry Core Requirements
| BMS 102 | Introduction to Biomolecular Science | 3 |
| BMS 103 | Introduction to Biomolecular Science Laboratory | 1 |
| BMS 190 | Introduction to Research I | .5 |
| BMS 201 | Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BMS 290 | Introduction to Research II | .5 |
| CHEM 161 | General Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 162 | General Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 200 | Foundations of Analytical Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 201 | Foundations of Analytical Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 210 | Foundations of Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 211 | Foundations of Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 212 | Organic Synthesis | 3 |
| CHEM 213 | Organic Synthesis Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 260 | Foundations of Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 316 | Spectrometric Identification of Organic Compounds | 3 |
| CHEM 320 | Biophysical Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 332 | Chemical Literature | 1 |
| CHEM 432 | Chemistry Seminar | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 36 |
Directed Electives
One course chosen from:
and 6-8 additional credits chosen from the 300-level BMS courses listed above or from the following:
| BMS 415 | Advanced Exploration in Cell, Molecular, and Physiological Biology | 3 |
| BMS 490 | Topics in Biomolecular Sciences | 1 to 4 |
| BMS 495 | Capstone in Molecular Biology | 4 |
| CHEM 456 | Toxicology | 3 |
Research Requirements
Two credits of research chosen from any of BMS 390, BMS 491, CHEM 238, or CHEM 438 (although a two-semester sequence of BMS 390 and BMS 491, or CHEM 238 and CHEM 438 is strongly encouraged). BMS 391 (Internship in biomolecular sciences, 1-3 credits) may be used as a substitution for part or all of the independent research requirement.
Capstone Courses
| CHEM 458 | Advanced Biochemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 455 | Biochemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 7 |
and one of the following courses:
| BMS 496 | Capstone in Cellular Metabolism and Energetics | 3 |
| or | |
| CHEM 354 | Foundations of Biochemistry | 3 |
Related Requirements
Students must also maintain a student portfolio (see below). These related requirement courses may also be counted to fulfill appropriate portions of the student's general education program. No minor is required for this major.
Portfolio Requirement
The portfolio requirement will be formally introduced to students during the BMS 190 and 290 introductory courses. Minimally, the student portfolio must include a current resume, a current Student Graduation Evaluation or trancript, a planned program of academic study, a narrative describing the student's goals for undergraduate education and graduate educational or career plans, abstracts of all completed independent study projects, and writing samples from CHEM 432. To fulfill the portfolio requirement, the student portfolio must be reviewed with one or more faculty members:
As a course requirement in BMS 190 and BMS 290;
As a required component of independent student research projects; and
Prior to graduation, as evidenced by submission of a Portfolio Requirement Completed form to the chair of the Department of Biomolecular Sciences or Chemistry.
500-Level Course Options
Undergraduate students who use the form, Enrollment in 500 Level Courses by Undergraduates, and who have at least 90 credits and a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher may (with the approval of the advisor, instructor, appropriate department chair and dean, School of Graduate Studies, and with appropriate prerequisites) substitute either of the following 500-level BMS courses for BMS courses listed in the directed elective portion of the major program, and the following CHEM course in place of one of the 400-level CHEM courses listed in the directed elective portion of the major program:
Total Credit Hours: 55-57