Biochemistry Major

College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) – Department of Chemistry and Food Science

 

The Department of Chemistry and Food Science is unique in that it offers strong majors in Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Food Science. The programs complement one another, producing Food Science majors with an exceptionally strong background in chemistry and providing Chemistry and Biochemistry majors with the opportunity to take electives in more applied areas such as food chemistry and food analysis. Undergraduate research opportunities are also enhanced by the combination of these program areas. An excellent undergraduate education is provided by the structured curricula for the Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Food Science majors coupled with a strong general education component. The strength of these programs is clearly indicated by the excellent graduate school placement, achievement records, and employment opportunities enjoyed by graduates.

The Biochemistry major has two concentrations: an ACS-approved concentration and a general biochemistry concentration. Both concentrations in Biochemistry allow students to select courses covering a wide range of topics in chemistry and biology.


Pre-Health Program

A pre-health curriculum for pre-medical, pre-dental, and pre-veterinary studies is also offered in cooperation with the Biology Department.

 

The General Education Requirement

All students must satisfy a general education requirement consisting of ten (10) courses outside of the major department. The General Education Domain II-B (Natural Sciences) and laboratory requirement are satisfied through the completion of the Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Food Science majors.

 

Course Prerequisites

Courses may have specified conditions for enrollment, such as prior completion of less advanced courses, permission of the instructor, or appropriate placement test scores. Students should refer to course descriptions in the department listings for prerequisite requirements.

 

Requirements for the Major in Biochemistry (U_BC)

Major Core Requirements (15)

The following fifteen (15) core requirements are required of Biochemistry majors in all concentrations:

  • BIOL 130 Principles of Biology with Lab or
    • BIOL 161 Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology with Lab
  • Choose two (2) courses from the following:
    • BIOL 208/208L Genetics with Lab
    • BIOL 260/260L Cell Biology with Lab
    • BIOL 262/262L Molecular Biology with Lab
  • CHEM 107 Principles of Chemistry with Lab
  • CHEM 108 Principles of Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis with Lab
  • CHEM 207 Organic Chemistry I with Lab
  • CHEM 208 Organic Chemistry II with Lab
  • CHEM 301 Biochemistry I with Lab
  • CHEM 303 Physical Chemistry I with Lab
  • CHEM 321 Instrumental Analysis with Lab
  • CHEM 332 Biochemistry II with Lab
  • MATH 219 Calculus I
  • MATH 220 Calculus II
  • PHYS 211 Principles of Physics I with Lab
  • PHYS 212 Principles of Physics II with Lab

CONCENTRATIONS

All students majoring in Biochemistry must choose one (1) of the two (2) concentrations: ACS-Approved Program or General Biochemistry.

 

 American Chemical Society Approved Biochemistry Concentration (UBCA)

Concentration Requirements (4):

  • CHEM 401 Inorganic Chemistry with Lab
  • CHEM 480 Chemical Research I
  • CHEM 481 Chemical Research II
  • Choose one (1) elective course from:
    • BIOL 208/208L Genetics with Lab or
      • BIOL 260/260L Cell Biology with Lab or
        • BIOL 262/262L Molecular Biology with Lab
    • CHEM 304 Physical Chemistry II with Lab
    • CHEM 390 Special Topics in Chemistry
    • FDSC 405 Food Analysis with Lab
    • FDSC 408 Food Chemistry with Lab

 *Note: BIOL 208/208L Genetics with Lab, BIOL 260/260L Cell Biology with Lab, and BIOL 262/262L Molecular Biology with Lab cannot be used as both a major core requirement and concentration elective.

General Biochemistry Concentration (UBCG)

Concentration Requirements (4):

Choose four (4) elective courses from:

  • BIOL 208/208L Genetics with Lab * or
    • BIOL 260/260L Cell Biology with Lab * or
      • BIOL 262/262L Molecular Biology with Lab *
  • BIOL 228/228L Microbiology with Lab
  • BIOL 400 Trends in Biotechnology
  • BIOL 432 Vertebrate Development
  • CHEM 304/304L Physical Chemistry II with Lab
  • CHEM 390 Special Topics in Chemistry
  • CHEM 401/401L Inorganic Chemistry with Lab
  • CHEM 480 Chemical Research I
  • CHEM 481 Chemical Research II
  • FDSC 405/405L Food Analysis with Lab
  • FDSC 408/408L Food Chemistry with Lab

  *Note: BIOL 208/208L Genetics with Lab, BIOL 260/260L Cell Biology with Lab, and BIOL 262/262L Molecular Biology with Lab cannot be used as both a major core requirement and concentration elective.

Effective as of the 2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog