2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog *As of 06/01/2024 
    
    Oct 03, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog *As of 06/01/2024

Biochemistry, B.S.


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Departmental Requirements

Students majoring in Biochemistry are required to complete a total of 120 credit hours of university courses. This requirement includes a minimum of 40 credit hours of General Education Requirements, 48 credit hours of Core Requirement courses, 14 credit hours of Program Elective courses, 15 credit hours of Supportive courses, and 3 credit hours of Free Electives courses.

 

Objectives

The goal of the Biochemistry Program is to prepare students to enter graduate and professional schools with the intention of obtaining terminal degrees (such as PhD, MD, PharmD, DVM, DOM, DDS). This goal is supported by the following objectives to:

  • train students through demonstration, mentoring and personal experience to gain knowledge and develop skills necessary to conduct scientific research;
  • impart students with contemporary laboratory techniques and skills required to conduct scientific investigations; and
  • provide students with the academic curricula necessary to develop a strong understanding and knowledge of chemical theory and practice.

Career Opportunities

Students graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biochemistry will be employable in chemical, biological, or biomedical fields. They may opt to apply for admission to medical or other health professional schools such as Pharmacy, Physician Assistant, or Physical Therapy School. These students are also eligible to apply for admission to graduate school. Students who choose not to pursue a terminal degree can work in industry as chemists for biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or environmental management companies. Graduates can also work for government agencies such as the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Central Intelligence Agency. Websites which describe careers in chemistry include: the ACS website, Chemical Careers page, and Chemistry Guide: Job for Chemists. Students are encouraged to explore these agencies and websites.

Required Courses


General Education Requirements


All biochemistry majors are expected to complete a common body of academic course work. The General Education Requirements are designed to promote the development of a comprehensive educational base that will effectively support a student’s choice of a major concentration.

Students in the Honors program should take honors courses designated by the word ‘Honors’. All students are encouraged to take a couple of courses online or during summer and winter sessions to develop skills that will support lifelong learning. Discuss with your advisor for details. General Education Requirements are distributed as follows:

Curriculum Area I - Arts and Humanities: Credits 9


Select two courses from any of the courses within Disciplines A - D, and ENGL 203 from Discipline E:

Curriculum Area II - Social and Behavioral Sciences: Credits 6


Select two courses from any of the courses within Social and Behavioral Sciences:

Curriculum Area III - Biological and Physical Sciences: Credits 8


Two semesters of physics and lab are required. Students are strongly encouraged to complete a calculus-based physics sequence.

Select one of the series:

Area IV: Mathematics: Credits 7


Curriculum Area V - English Composition: Credits 9


Curriculum Area VI - Emerging Issues: Credits 4


Total General Education Requirement: Credits 43


1 Students must pass ENGL 101  and ENGL 102  with grade of “C” or above before taking ENGL 203 .

2HIST 101 , HIST 102  and PHIL 201  can be used to satisfy only 1 of the Curriculum Area I and II course requirements.

3Honors students should take honors courses.

Program Requirements


Supportive Courses: Credits 18


1 CSDP 220  may be substituted for CSDP 121  or BUED 212 .

A grade point average of “C” or better is required in supportive courses.

Program Electives: Credits 7


Choose any two courses from the following electives; one must have a laboratory component.
A grade of “C” or better is required in each of the Program Elective courses.

Free Electives: Credits 3


MATH 210  or MATH 211  is strongly recommended as free elective.

Total Program Requirements: Credits 120


*Please visit the Graduate Catalog to view course description.

Curriculum Guide for Biochemistry


 

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