Major in Biochemistry, ASBMB Concentration

Program Overview

The ASBMB concentration in Biochemistry offers a comprehensive education in biochemistry, catering to diverse student interests. The program consists of 24 core credits, 9 bioscience electives, and elective credits for minors, double majors, or other pursuits. Graduates are eligible for ASBMB certification, enhancing their credentials in the biochemistry and molecular biology fields.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) concentration in Biochemistry is a program designed to provide a broad background in biochemistry and can be tailored to meet the individual needs of specific students. It is composed of a "core" set of courses comprised of 24 credits of primarily upper division coursework (22/24 credits are 400 level), along with a total of 9 "bioscience elective" credits selected from a list provided by the department. This option gives the student 13 "free elective" credits, which they can use to pursue a minor, a double major, and/or other academic interests. The ASBMB concentration is recommended for students considering teaching and/or research as a career. Students who graduate from this program can state on their resume that they graduated from an "ASBMB program." If desired, students can take a 1-hour ASBMB exam during the spring semester of their senior year. Students who pass the exam will additionally receive degree certification from ASBMB.

Outline:

The program is structured over 8 semesters, with a total of 120 credits required for graduation. The program includes a core set of biochemistry courses, bioscience electives, and general education requirements.

Freshman Year:

• Semester 1:
• BC 192 Biochemistry Freshman Seminar (2 credits)
• CHEM 111 General Chemistry I (GT-SC2) (3 credits)
• CHEM 112 General Chemistry Lab I (GT-SC1) (3 credits)
• LIFE 102 Attributes of Living Systems (GT-SC1) (3 credits)
• Semester 2:
• CHEM 113 General Chemistry II (3 credits)
• CHEM 114 General Chemistry Lab II (1 credit)
• CO 150 College Composition (GT-CO2) (1 credit)
• LIFE 201B Introductory Genetics: Molecular/Immunological/Developmental (GT-SC2) (3 credits)
• LIFE 203 Introductory Genetics Laboratory (2 credits)
• MATH 161 Calculus for Physical Scientists II (GT-MA1) or MATH 255 Calculus for Biological Scientists II (GT-MA1) (1 credit)

Sophomore Year:

• Semester 3:
• CHEM 341 Modern Organic Chemistry I (3 credits)
• LIFE 210 Introductory Eukaryotic Cell Biology (3 credits)
• LIFE 212 Introductory Cell Biology Laboratory (2 credits)
• AUCC Category 3 courses (3 credits)
• Elective (3 credits)
• Semester 4:
• CHEM 343 Modern Organic Chemistry II (3 credits)
• CHEM 344 Modern Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2 credits)
• AUCC Category 3 courses (3 credits)
• Bioscience Elective (3 credits)

Junior Year:

• Semester 5:
• BC 360 Responsible Conduct in Biochemical Research (1 credit)
• BC 401 Comprehensive Biochemistry I (4 credits)
• PH 122 General Physics II (GT-SC1) or PH 142 Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (GT-SC1) (3 credits)
• STAT 301 Introduction to Applied Statistical Methods, STAT 307 Introduction to Biostatistics, or STAT 315 Intro to Theory and Practice of Statistics (3 credits)
• Advanced Writing (2 credits)
• Semester 6:
• BC 403 Comprehensive Biochemistry II (4 credits)
• BC 404 Comprehensive Biochemistry Laboratory (4 credits)
• Bioscience Elective (3 credits)
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (1 credit)
• Elective (3 credits)

Senior Year:

• Semester 7:
• BC 411 Physical Biochemistry (4 credits)
• BC 463 Molecular Genetics (3 credits)
• BC 493 Senior Seminar (4 credits)
• AUCC Category 3 courses (3 credits)
• Electives (4 credits)
• Semester 8:
• BC 465 Molecular Regulation of Cell Function (3 credits)
• BC 499A Thesis: Laboratory Research-Based or BC 499B Thesis: Literature Based (4 credits)
• Bioscience Electives (3 credits)
• AUCC Category 3 courses (3 credits)
• Electives (3 credits)

Careers:

Students who graduate from this program can pursue careers in teaching, research, and other fields related to biochemistry and molecular biology.

Other:

• A minimum grade of C (2.000) must be earned for BC 493 and all biochemistry (BC) and LIFE subject code lecture and laboratory courses at or above the 200-level required in the biochemistry major.
• Students must select a minimum of 9 credits in bioscience electives, with a minimum of 3 credits from Group A, a maximum of 6 credits from Group B, and a maximum of 3 credits from Group C.
• Students must complete 6 credits (two courses) from AUCC Category 3B, one course each from categories 3C and 3D.
• 200 and L
• Students must select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level).