Biochemistry, BS
Program Director: Xiao-Ning Zhang, Ph.D.
Biochemistry is an interdisciplinary science that enables the understanding of a simple biological question with perspectives from both biology and chemistry. Biological systems are built with inorganic and organic compounds, yet biomolecules have evolved to be much more complex than the chemistry on its own. Biochemistry studies the structure and functions of biomolecules by interrogating their chemical properties. A deep appreciation on the interactive nature of the molecular world ultimately uncovers the beauty of life.
The biochemistry program is accredited by American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and provides students with a basic understanding of living systems that emphasizes the molecular and cellular aspects of biology.
A fully equipped biotechnology lab affords cutting-edge research opportunities for students to make discoveries at DNA, RNA and protein levels. Equipment includes environmentally controlled growth chambers, Real-time and End Point ThermoCyclers, electrophoresis equipment, gel imaging system, cell culture hoods, confocal fluorescent microscope and various microscopes, etc. It provides the technical component for the program. The first-year Rotations give students first-hand exposure to all available research projects. The junior-senior year of study features independent laboratory research and student presenting their own research as the senior capstone.
Advances in the area of molecular biology and biochemistry have led to the expansion of job opportunities in the general field of biotechnology and bioengineering. The biochemistry program will be of special interest to students with a strong science and mathematics background who are preparing for graduate school, medical, pharmacy or dental school as well as pharmaceutical or biotechnology positions. Plenty of hands-on experience in the biochemistry program give students a strongly competitive edge after graduation.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | 24 | |
| BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE I and BIOLOGICAL SCI. I LAB | ||
| BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE II and BIOLOGICAL SCI. II LAB | ||
| GENETICS | ||
| BIOCHEMISTRY and BIOCHEMISTRY LAB | ||
| RES. PARTICIPATION III | ||
| RES. PARTICIPATION IV | ||
| BIOCHEMISTRY SEMINAR | ||
| MOLECULAR BIOLOGY and MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LAB | ||
| Chemistry | 23 | |
| GENERAL CHEMISTRY I | ||
| GEN CHEM I LAB | ||
| GENERAL CHEMISTRY II | ||
| GEN CHEM II LAB | ||
| ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I | ||
| ORGANIC CHEM I LAB | ||
| ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II | ||
| ORGANIC CHEM II LAB | ||
| PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY I | ||
| PHYSICAL CHEM I LAB | ||
| MECHANISMS IN BIOLOGICAL SYSTM | ||
| Mathematics | 8 | |
| CALCULUS I | ||
| CALCULUS II | ||
| Physics | 8 | |
| GENERAL PHYSICS I | ||
| GENERAL PHYSICS I LAB | ||
| GENERAL PHYSICS II | ||
| GENERAL PHYSICS LAB II | ||
| Foreign Language 1 | 3 | |
| Mathematics & Natural Science Electives 2 | 16 | |
| General Education Requirements | 37 | |
| General Electives (enough to reach 120) 3 | 1 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
The foreign language must be at the level of 202 or higher. Students not prepared to begin at this level will need to take additional courses in language.
- 2
The Math & Natural Science electives (a total of 16 credits) must be chosen from among the following:
- One Biology with lab from: BIO-292, BIO-321/BIOL-321, BIO-331/BIOL-331, BIO-362/BIOL-362, BIO-406/BIOL-406, BIO-472/BIOL-472, BIO-494/BIOL-494;
- One Chemistry with lab from: CHEM-201/CHML-201, CHEM-402/CHML-402, CHEM-431/CHML-431;
- One Math course from: MATH-117, MATH-207, MATH-241, MATH-251, MATH-252, MATH-322, MATH-323; and
- Minimum of two courses from: Biology, Chemistry or Mathematics electives in the listed courses above plus BIOL-293, BIO-318, BIO-319, BIO-350, BIO-390 and CHEM-441
- 3
General electives are needed when a major course is also fulfilling one of the General Education Distributions.
The comprehensive requirement for Biochemistry majors is the successful completion of BIO-460.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIO-105 & BIOL-105 | 4 | BIO-106 & BIOL-106 | 4 |
| CHEM-101 & CHML-101 | 4 | CHEM-102 & CHML-102 | 4 |
| MATH-151 | 4 | MATH-152 | 4 |
| BONA-101 | 3 | ENG-101 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIO-291 | 3 | CHEM-302 & CHML-302 | 4 |
| CHEM-301 & CHML-301 | 4 | PHYS-104 & PHYL-104 | 4 |
| PHYS-103 & PHYL-103 | 4 | Math & Natural Science Electives1 | 3 |
| ENG-102 | 3 | Foreign Language 2022 | 3 |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIO-371 & BIOL-371 | 4 | BIO-419 | 2 |
| CHEM-401 & CHML-401 | 4 | BIO-466 & BIOL-466 | 4 |
| Math & Natural Science Elective1 | 1 | CHEM-470 | 3 |
| THFS-101 | 3 | General Education Requirements | 6 |
| General Education Requirement | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIO-418 | 2 | BIO-460 | 1 |
| Math & Natural Science Elective1 | 6-7 | Math & Natural Science Elective1 | 6 |
| General Education Requirement | 6 | General Education Requirement | 9 |
| General Elective | 1 | ||
| 15-16 | 16 | ||
| Total Credits 119-120 | |||
- 1
The Math & Natural Science electives (a total of 16 credits) must be chosen from among the following:
- One Biology with lab from: BIO-292, BIO-321/BIOL-321, BIO-331/BIOL-331, BIO-362/BIOL-362, BIO-406/BIOL-406, BIO-472/BIOL-472, BIO-494/BIOL-494;
- One Chemistry with lab from: CHEM-201/CHML-201, CHEM-402/CHML-402, CHEM-431/CHML-431;
- One Math course from: MATH-117, MATH-207, MATH-241, MATH-251, MATH-252, MATH-322, MATH-323; and
- Minimum of two courses from: Biology, Chemistry or Mathematics electives in the listed courses above plus BIOL-293, BIO-318, BIO-319, BIO-350, BIO-390, and CHEM-441
- 2
The foreign language must be at the level of 202 or higher. Students not prepared to begin at this level will need to take additional courses in language.
Changes in the sequence of the program listed above may be desirable. These must be made in consultation with the student’s academic adviser.
The comprehensive requirement for Biochemistry majors is the successful completion of BIO-460.