B.S. Degree Requirements

Graduation with a major in biochemistry requires that the cumulative GPA in biochemistry course work (exclusive of courses numbered BC X75 - X98) be 2.0 or better. This GPA includes the original grade for any repeated courses.

Freshman Year
BC 192 Biochemistry Freshman Seminar, 2cr
LIFE 102 Attributes of Living Systems, 4cr
LIFE 201B Introductory Genetics, 3cr
LIFE 202B Introductory Genetics Recitation, 1cr
LIFE 203 Introductory Genetics Lab, 1cr
CHEM 111, 113 General Chemistry I, II, 7cr
CHEM 112, 114 General Chemistry Laboratory I, II, 2cr
CO 150 College Composition, 3cr
MATH 155, 255 Calculus for Biological Scientists I, II, 8cr
OR
MATH 160, 161 Calculus for Physical Scientists I, II, 8cr
Total credits Freshman year 31

Sophomore Year
CHEM 341 Modern Organic Chemistry I, 3cr
CHEM 343 Modern Organic Chemistry II, 3cr
CHEM 344 Modern Organic Chemistry Lab, 2cr
LIFE 210 Eukaryotic Cell Biology, 3cr
LIFE 211 Eukaryotic Cell Biology Recitation, 1cr
LIFE 212 Eukaryotic Cell Biology Lab, 1cr
PH 121 General Physics I, 5cr
OR
PH 141 Physics for Scientists and Engineers I, 5cr
Communications elective (AUCC Cat. 2) 3cr
Electives from AUCC cat. 3B-E 5cr
Free electives, 3cr
Total credits Sophomore year 29

Junior Year
STAT 301 Introduction to Statistical Methods, 3cr
OR
STAT 307 Introduction to Biostatistics, 3cr
PH 122 General Physics II, 5cr
OR
PH 142 Physics for Scientists and Engineers II, 5cr
BC 401, 403 Comprehensive Biochemistry I, II (AUCC Category 4A&B, resp.) 6cr
BC 404 Comprehensive Biochemistry Laboratory (AUCC Category 4B) 2cr
CHEM 331, 334 Quantitative Analysis Laboratory, 4cr
Bioscience elective, 3-4cr
Electives from AUCC cat. 3B-E 6cr
Free electives, 3cr
Total credits Junior year 32-33

Senior Year
Senior Thesis:
BC 499A Laboratory Research-based Thesis, 3cr
OR
BC499B Literature-based Thesis, 3cr
BC 463 Molecular Genetics (AUCC Category 4C) 3cr
BC 465 Molecular Regulation of Cell Function, 3cr
BC 493 Seminar (AUCC Category 4C) 1cr
CHEM 471 Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry, 4cr
Bioscience elective, 3-4cr
Electives from AUCC cat. 3B-E 6cr
Free electives, 5cr
Total credits Senior year 28-29cr

Please note:

MATH 117, MATH 118, MATH 124, MATH 125, and MATH 126 are considered review courses by the Department of Biochemistry. All entering freshmen should take the Mathematics Placement Examination prior to registration. As a result of that exam some students may need to take one or more of the review courses before registering in MATH 155 or MATH 160, while others may be exempted from some or all of the review courses. Credits earned in the review courses, either by placement examination or completion of the course(s), may not be used toward a degree in biochemistry.

Bioscience electives are to be selected by the student in consultation with his/her advisor using a list approved by the department.

Communications elective is selected from the All-University Core Curriculum Category 2 list.

A minimum of 15 credits must be earned in Category 3 of the All-University Core Curriculum. Credits in each category must be taken in at least two departments. Foreign language cannot count toward more than one-half of these credits. These requirements are met by completing the AUCC requirements from categories 3B, 3C, 3D, and 3E.

A minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 must be earned for all required biochemistry and LIFE lecture and laboratory courses. This minimum average includes the original grade for any repeated course.

Free electives are chosen in consultation with the student's advisor.

No more than 10 total credits earned in the following courses can be applied toward graduation: BC 475, BC 484, BC 487A, BC 487B, BC 495, BC 498.