Program Overview

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Biochemistry, BS (CALS)

Biochemistry is a broad science that studies the molecules and chemistry of life. It focuses on the structure, properties, and interactions of molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, sugars, and lipids. The aim of biochemistry is to understand how these molecules participate in the processes that support the various functions of the living cell. These studies are essential for understanding disease and finding cures, improving agriculture and the production of food and biofuels, and producing innovation in biotechnology.

How to Get in

• No application is required for students who meet the requirements.
• Courses required to get in: None
• GPA requirements to get in: None
• Credits required to get in: Must have fewer than 86 credits.
• Other: Students who do not meet the requirements or are not in good academic standing should schedule a meeting with the CALS Dean on Call to discuss exceptions.

University General Education Requirements

All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. The requirements include:

• BreadthHumanities/Literature/Arts: 6 credits
• BreadthNatural Science: 4 to 6 credits
• BreadthSocial Studies: 3 credits
• Communication Part A & Part B
• Ethnic Studies
• Quantitative Reasoning Part A & Part B

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Requirements

In addition to the University General Education Requirements, all undergraduate students in CALS must satisfy a set of college and major requirements. Courses may not double count within university requirements or within college requirements, but courses counted toward university requirements may also be used to satisfy a college and/or a major requirement.

College Requirements for all CALS BS Degree Programs

• Quality of Work: Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.000 to remain in good standing and be eligible for graduation.
• Residency: Students must complete 30 degree credits in residence at UWMadison after earning 86 credits toward their undergraduate degree.
• First-year seminar: 1 credit
• International studies: 3 credits
• Physical science fundamentals: 4-5 credits
• Biological science: 5 credits
• Additional science (biological, physical, or natural): 3 credits
• Science breadth (biological, physical, natural, or social): 3 credits
• CALS Capstone Learning Experience: included in the requirements for each CALS major

Requirements for the Major

Mathematics

Complete one of the following options:

• MATH 221 & MATH 222: Calculus and Analytic Geometry 1 and 2 (9 credits)
• MATH 171 & MATH 217 & MATH 222: Calculus with Algebra and Trigonometry I, Calculus with Algebra and Trigonometry II, and Calculus and Analytic Geometry 2 (14 credits)

Chemistry

General Chemistry

Complete one of the following options:

• CHEM 103 & CHEM 104: General Chemistry I and II (9 credits)
• CHEM 109: Advanced General Chemistry (5 credits)
• CHEM 115 & CHEM 116: Chemical Principles I and II (10 credits)

Organic Chemistry

Complete all of the following courses:

• CHEM 343: Organic Chemistry I (3 credits)
• CHEM 345: Organic Chemistry II (3 credits)
• CHEM 344: Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2 credits)

Analytical Chemistry

Complete one of the following options:

• CHEM 327: Fundamentals of Analytical Science (4 credits)
• CHEM 329: Fundamentals of Analytical Science (4 credits)
• CHEM 115 & CHEM 116: Chemical Principles I and II (10 credits)

Physical Chemistry

Complete one of the following options:

• CHEM 665: Biophysical Chemistry (3 credits)
• CHEM 561: Physical Chemistry I (3 credits)

Biology

Students must complete either Option A (introductory + upper-level biology) or Option B (biocore) for 16 total credits of biological science coursework.

Option A (Introductory and Upper-Level Biology)

Option A Introductory Biology

Complete one of the following introductory biology options:

• BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 151 & BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 152: Introductory Biology and Introductory Biology (10 credits)
• BIOLOGY/ZOOLOGY 101 & BIOLOGY/ZOOLOGY 102 & BOTANY/BIOLOGY 130: Animal Biology, Animal Biology Laboratory, and General Botany (10 credits)

And Option A Upper-Level Biology

At least 6 credits of upper-level biological science coursework are required. Select from the course list provided.

Option B (Biocore)

Biocore is an honors-level, integrated sequence of lecture and lab courses that covers introductory and intermediate biology topics. Students must apply and be accepted to the program to take BIOCORE classes.

• Complete these lecture courses:
  • BIOCORE 381: Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics (3 credits)
  • BIOCORE 383: Cellular Biology (3 credits)
  • BIOCORE 485: Principles of Physiology (3 credits)
  • BIOCORE 587: Biological Interactions (3 credits)
• Complete two of these lab classes:
  • BIOCORE 382: Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics Laboratory
  • BIOCORE 384: Cellular Biology Laboratory
  • BIOCORE 486: Principles of Physiology Laboratory
• Total Credits: 16

Physics (Calculus-Based)

Complete one of the following options:

• PHYSICS 207 & PHYSICS 208: General Physics and General Physics (10 credits)
• PHYSICS 201 & PHYSICS 202: General Physics and General Physics (10 credits)

Biochemistry

One set of introductory coursework and the capstone course are required, for a total of three BIOCHEM courses.

Introductory Courses

Complete one of the following options:

• BIOCHEM 507 & BIOCHEM 508: General Biochemistry I and II (6 credits)
• OR
• BIOCHEM 501: Introduction to Biochemistry (3 credits)
  • AND one of the following advanced biochemistry electives:
    • BIOCHEM/NUTR SCI 510: Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism
    • BIOCHEM/NUTR SCI 560: Principles of Human Disease and Biotechnology
    • BIOCHEM/M M & I 575: Biology of Viruses
    • BIOCHEM 601: Protein and Enzyme Structure and Function
    • BIOCHEM/B M I/BMOLCHEM/MATH 609: Mathematical Methods for Systems Biology
    • BIOCHEM/GENETICS/MICROBIO 612: Prokaryotic Molecular Biology
    • BIOCHEM/GENETICS/MD GENET 620: Eukaryotic Molecular Biology
    • BIOCHEM/BOTANY 621: Plant Biochemistry
    • BIOCHEM 625: Mechanisms of Action of Vitamins and Minerals
    • BIOCHEM/GENETICS 631: Plant Genetics and Development
    • BIOCHEM/NUTR SCI 645: Molecular Control of Metabolism and Metabolic Disease

Capstone Course (required)

• BIOCHEM 551: Biochemical Methods (4 credits)

Honors in the Major

Students admitted to the university and to the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences are invited to apply to be considered for admission to the CALS Honors Program.

Admission Criteria

• New First-Year Students: Complete program application including essay questions
• Transfer and Continuing UW-Madison Students: UW-Madison cumulative GPA of at least 3.25, complete program application including essay questions

How to Apply

The application is available on the CALS Honors Program website. Applications are accepted at any time.

Requirements

All CALS Honors programs have the following requirements:

• Earn at least a cumulative 3.25 GPA at UW-Madison
• Complete the program-specific requirements listed below
• Submit completed thesis documentation to CALS Academic Affairs

Honors in the Major in Biochemistry: Requirements

To earn honors in the major in biochemistry, students must satisfy the requirements for the major as well as the following requirements.

• Earn a 3.300 overall university GPA
• Earn a 3.300 GPA for all BIOCHEM courses, and all courses accepted in the major
• Complete BIOCHEM 507 and BIOCHEM 508 for Honors
• Complete a two-semester Senior Honors Thesis for 6 credits total, present research in a public forum, and submit documentation to CALS Academic Affairs.
• Complete at least 14 credits of any combination of the following coursework:
  • Honors courses that would fulfill the biological science requirement in the major
  • Statistics coursework: STAT 301, STAT 371, or STAT/B M I 541
  • Biochemistry elective coursework beyond the major requirements
  • Honors coursework in MATH, CHEM, or PHYSICS

University Degree Requirements

To receive a bachelor's degree from UWMadison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify the fundamental biochemical principles that underlie all biological processes.
2. Communicate biochemical knowledge in both written reports and oral presentations to scientists and non-scientists.
3. Evaluate how biochemistry relates to other scientific disciplines and to contemporary issues in our society.
4. Demonstrate professional and ethical responsibility in scientific research.
5. Design and conduct quantitative experiments and/or interpret data to address a scientific question.

Four-Year Plan

A sample four-year plan for the Biochemistry major is provided, outlining the courses to be taken each semester to complete the degree requirements.

Advising and Careers

The department offers advising services to help students plan their course of study and achieve their career goals. Career examples for biochemistry majors include positions in product development, quality control, hospitals, biotechnology, university labs, pharmaceuticals, forensics, and more.

Wisconsin Experience

The University of Wisconsin-Madison provides various opportunities for students to connect with other students interested in biochemistry, build relationships with faculty and staff, and contribute to out-of-classroom learning. These include the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) UWMadison Student Chapter, experiential study abroad programs, and research opportunities.