Program Overview

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University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Academic Catalog

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

College of Letters and Science

The College of Letters and Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA in all credits in the major attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all major credits attempted, including any transfer work.

Biochemistry Major

The biochemistry major differs from the standard chemistry major with a biochemical option in a number of ways intended to provide for students a more intensive education in biochemistry so that they are prepared for work in the biochemical industry upon completing their baccalaureate degree.

Requirements

Students must complete the courses listed below, including at least 15 upper-division (numbered 300 and above) credits in the major in residence at UWM.

• CHEM 102 & CHEM 104: General Chemistry and General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis (10 credits)
• CHEM 221: Elementary Quantitative Analysis (4 credits)
• CHEM 343: Organic Chemistry (3 credits)
• CHEM 344: Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2 credits)
• CHEM 345: Organic Chemistry (3 credits)
• CHEM 560: Biophysical Chemistry (3 credits)
• CHEM 501: Introduction to Biochemistry (3 credits)
• Select two of the following:
  • CHEM 601: Biochemistry: Protein Structure and Function
  • CHEM 602: Biochemistry: Cellular Processes
  • CHEM 604: Biochemistry: Metabolism
• CHEM 603: Introduction to Biochemistry Laboratory (2 credits)
• Select two credits total from the following options in research (satisfies L&S research requirement):
  • CHEM 691: Senior Research
  • CHEM 692: Senior Thesis
• BIO SCI 150: Foundations of Biological Sciences I (4 credits)
• BIO SCI 152: Foundations of Biological Sciences II (4 credits)
• BIO SCI 325: Genetics (4 credits)
• PHYSICS 120 & PHYSICS 121: General Physics I (Non-Calculus Treatment) and General Physics Laboratory I (Non-Calculus Treatment) (5 credits)
• PHYSICS 122 & PHYSICS 123: General Physics II (Non-Calculus Treatment) and General Physics Laboratory II (Non-Calculus Treatment) (5 credits)
• MATH 205: Introductory Finite Mathematics (3 credits)
• MATH 211: Survey in Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (4 credits)
• MTHSTAT 215: Elementary Statistical Analysis (3 credits)
• Biological Science Electives: Select 3 credits

Biological Science Electives

• BIO SCI 315: Cell Biology (3 credits)
• BIO SCI 316: Laboratory in Genetics and Cell Biology (2 credits)
• BIO SCI 356: Developmental Biology (3 credits)
• BIO SCI 383: General Microbiology (4 credits)
• BIO SCI 401: Immunology (3 credits)
• BIO SCI 405: General Virology (3 credits)
• BIO SCI 490: Molecular Genetics (3 credits)
• BIO SCI 529: Molecular Biology of Microorganisms (3 credits)
• BIO SCI 539: Laboratory Techniques in Molecular Biology (4 credits)
• BIO SCI 540: Microbial Diversity and Physiology (3 credits)
• BIO SCI 564: Endocrinology (3 credits)
• BIO SCI 572: Functional Genomics (3 credits)
• BIO SCI 580: Experimental Microbiology (4 credits)

Suggested Timetable for the Biochemistry Major

Year 1

• Semester 1:
  • CHEM 102: General Chemistry (5 credits)
  • MATH 211: Survey in Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (4 credits)
  • BIO SCI 150: Foundations of Biological Sciences I (4 credits)
• Semester 2:
  • CHEM 104: General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis (5 credits)
  • MATH 205: Introductory Finite Mathematics (3 credits)
  • BIO SCI 152: Foundations of Biological Sciences II (4 credits)

Year 2

• Semester 1:
  • CHEM 221: Elementary Quantitative Analysis (4 credits)
  • CHEM 343: Organic Chemistry (3 credits)
  • PHYSICS 120 & PHYSICS 121: General Physics I (Non-Calculus Treatment) and General Physics Laboratory I (Non-Calculus Treatment) (5 credits)
  • MTHSTAT 215: Elementary Statistical Analysis (3 credits)
• Semester 2:
  • CHEM 344: Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2 credits)
  • CHEM 345: Organic Chemistry (3 credits)
  • PHYSICS 122 & PHYSICS 123: General Physics II (Non-Calculus Treatment) and General Physics Laboratory II (Non-Calculus Treatment) (5 credits)
  • BIO SCI 325: Genetics (4 credits)
  • CHEM 399: Special Chemical Problems (2 credits)

Year 3

• Semester 1:
  • CHEM 560: Biophysical Chemistry (3 credits)
  • CHEM 501: Introduction to Biochemistry (3 credits)
• Semester 2:
  • BIO SCI Elective (4 credits)
  • CHEM 602 or CHEM 604: Biochemistry: Cellular Processes or Biochemistry: Metabolism (3 credits)
  • CHEM 603: Introduction to Biochemistry Laboratory (2 credits)

Year 4

• Semester 1:
  • CHEM 601: Biochemistry: Protein Structure and Function (3 credits)
  • CHEM 691 or CHEM 692: Senior Research or Senior Thesis (2 credits)

Biochemistry BA/BS Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Biochemistry BA or BS programs will be able to:

• Perform mathematical analysis of problems, including those with biochemistry and chemistry content.
• Carry out logical and analytic approaches to chemical problems, both when mathematics is involved and in more conceptual areas.
• Demonstrate an understanding of chemical reactions, including the ability to predict products, mechanisms, and rates.
• Demonstrate an understanding of chemical compounds in biological systems, in organic systems, and organic systems.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles of chemical bonding.
• Apply physical laws to molecular scale systems.
• Carry out chemical synthesis and other reactions in the laboratory.
• Utilize laboratory equipment to make meaningful measurements on molecular scale systems.
• Demonstrate competence in error analysis.
• Interpret experimental data, including obtaining fits to appropriate mathematical expressions.
• Demonstrate the ability to keep a well-organized laboratory notebook.
• Demonstrate competence in experimental design.
• Conduct undergraduate research to the satisfaction of the research advisor.

Letters & Science Advising

During your time at UWM, you may have multiple members of your success team, including advisors, peer mentors, and success coaches. Letters & Science students typically work with at least two different types of advisors as they pursue their degrees: professional college advisors and faculty advisors.

College Advisors

College advisors are located in Holton Hall and serve as your primary advisor. They are your point person for your questions about navigating college and completing your degree. College advisors will:

• Assist you in defining your academic and life goals.
• Help you create an educational plan that is consistent with those goals.
• Assist you in understanding curriculum, major, and degree requirements for graduation, as well as university policies and procedures.
• Provide you with information about campus and community resources and refer you to those resources as appropriate.
• Monitor your progress toward graduation and completion of requirements.

Faculty Advisors

Faculty advisors mentor students in the major and assist them in maximizing their development in the program. You will begin working with a faculty advisor when you declare your major. Faculty advisors are an important partner and will:

• Help you understand major requirements and course offerings in the department.
• Explain opportunities for internships and undergraduate research and guide you in obtaining those experiences.
• Serve as an excellent resource as you consider potential graduate programs and career paths in your field.

Honors in the Major

Students in any of the chemistry or biochemistry options who meet all of the following criteria are awarded honors in the major upon graduation:

• 3.500 cumulative GPA in all UWM graded credits
• 3.750 GPA in all UWM chemistry credits
• 3.500 GPA in all advanced credits in chemistry (numbered above 300)
• Six credits of senior thesis with an average grade of B or better

College of Letters and Science Dean's Honor List

GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.

Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction

Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements.

Commencement Honors

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors.

Final Honors

Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits:

• Cum Laude - 3.500 or above
• Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above
• Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above