2023-2024 Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog

Biochemistry, B.S.

A minor is not required with this major.

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 102Introduction to Biomolecular Science

3

BMS 103Introduction to Biomolecular Science Laboratory

1

BMS 190Friday Seminar in Biomolecular Sciences I

.5

BMS 201Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology

4

BMS 290Friday Seminar in Biomolecular Sciences II

.5

CHEM 161General Chemistry

3

CHEM 162General Chemistry Laboratory

1

CHEM 200Foundations of Analytical Chemistry

3

CHEM 201Foundations of Analytical Chemistry Laboratory

1

CHEM 210Organic Chemistry I - Foundations

3

CHEM 211Organic Chemistry I Laboratory - Foundations

1

CHEM 212Organic Synthesis

3

CHEM 213Organic Chemistry II Laboratory - Synthesis

1

CHEM 260Foundations of Inorganic Chemistry

3

CHEM 316Spectrometric Identification of Organic Compounds

3

CHEM 320Biophysical Chemistry

3

CHEM 332Chemical Literature

1

CHEM 432Chemistry Seminar

1

Total Credit Hours:36

Biochemistry Core plus an additional 8 credits in Chemistry

CHEM 322Physical Chemistry of Quantum & Statistical Mechanics

3

CHEM 323Physical Chemistry Laboratory

1

CHEM 402Instrumental Methods in Analytical Chemistry

4

Directed Electives

One course chosen from:

BMS 306Genetics

3

BMS 307Genomics

4

BMS 311Cell Biology

4

BMS 316Microbiology

4

Total Credit Hours:4

Research Requirements

CHEM 238Introduction to Research

1-6

CHEM 438Undergraduate Research

1-6

Total Credit Hours:2

CHEM 238: BMS 390 may be substituted

CHEM 438: BMS 491 may be substituted

Capstone Courses

CHEM 354Foundations of Biochemistry

3

CHEM 458Advanced Biochemistry

3

CHEM 455Biochemistry Laboratory

1

Total Credit Hours:7

Related Requirements

MATH 152Calculus I

4

MATH 221Calculus II

4

PHYS 125University Physics I

4

PHYS 126University Physics II

4

Total Credit Hours:16

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 BMS 290 introductory courses. Minimally, the student portfolio must include a current resume, a current Student Graduation Evaluation or transcript, 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:

BMS 562Advanced Developmental Biology

3

BMS 570Advanced Genetics

3

CHEM 590Topics in Advanced Chemistry

3

Total Credit Hours: 57

Major in Biochemistry, BS (Non-teaching)

Biochemistry Core Requirements

BMS 102Introduction to Biomolecular Science

3

BMS 103Introduction to Biomolecular Science Laboratory

1

BMS 190Friday Seminar in Biomolecular Sciences I

.5

BMS 201Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology

4

BMS 290Friday Seminar in Biomolecular Sciences II

.5

CHEM 161General Chemistry

3

CHEM 162General Chemistry Laboratory

1

CHEM 200Foundations of Analytical Chemistry

3

CHEM 201Foundations of Analytical Chemistry Laboratory

1

CHEM 210Organic Chemistry I - Foundations

3

CHEM 211Organic Chemistry I Laboratory - Foundations

1

CHEM 212Organic Synthesis

3

CHEM 213Organic Chemistry II Laboratory - Synthesis

1

CHEM 260Foundations of Inorganic Chemistry

3

CHEM 316Spectrometric Identification of Organic Compounds

3

CHEM 320Biophysical Chemistry

3

CHEM 332Chemical Literature

1

CHEM 432Chemistry Seminar

1

Total Credit Hours:36

Directed Electives

One course chosen from:

BMS 306Genetics

3

BMS 307Genomics

4

BMS 311Cell Biology

4

BMS 316Microbiology

4

Total Credit Hours:10-12

and 6-8 additional credits chosen from the 300-level BMS courses listed above or from the following:

BMS 490Topics in Biomolecular Sciences

1 to 4

BMS 495Capstone in Molecular Biology

4

CHEM 456Toxicology

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.

Total Credit Hours:2

Capstone Courses

CHEM 458Advanced Biochemistry

3

CHEM 455Biochemistry Laboratory

1

Total Credit Hours:7

and one of the following courses:

BMS 496Capstone in Cellular Metabolism and Energetics

3

or

CHEM 354Foundations of Biochemistry

3

Related Requirements

MATH 152Calculus I

4

 

PHYS 121General Physics I

4

or

PHYS 125University Physics I

4

 

PHYS 122General Physics II

4

or

PHYS 126University Physics II

4

Total Credit Hours:12

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:

BMS 562Advanced Developmental Biology

3

BMS 570Advanced Genetics

3

CHEM 590Topics in Advanced Chemistry

3

Total Credit Hours: 55-57