Major in Biochemistry, Data Science Concentration

Program Overview

The Data Science concentration in Biochemistry provides a comprehensive foundation in biochemistry, molecular genetics, and cell biology, coupled with computer science, mathematics, and statistics. Graduates acquire analytical and communication skills to interpret and communicate scientific data, preparing them for careers in life science data analysis as bioinformaticians, data scientists, research scientists, or biostatisticians. The program emphasizes collaboration with biology, chemistry, computer science, and mathematics faculty, fostering a multidisciplinary approach to scientific inquiry.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Data Science concentration in Biochemistry is a program designed to provide a solid background in biochemistry, molecular genetics, and cell biology, augmented with computer science, mathematics, and statistics. This concentration is recommended for students interested in a career in life science data analysis. Students who graduate with this concentration obtain the skills necessary for organizing, analyzing, and communicating the meaning of massive data sets.

Outline:

The program requires a total of 120 credits, with a minimum of 42 credits being upper-division (300- to 400-level). The program is structured across four years, with a detailed course schedule outlined below:

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)
• Total Credits:
15
• Semester 2:
• CHEM 113 General Chemistry II (3 credits)
• CHEM 114 General Chemistry Lab II (1 credit)
• CO 150 College Composition (GT-CO2) (3 credits)
• LIFE 201B Introductory Genetics: Molecular/Immunological/Developmental (GT-SC2) (3 credits)
• LIFE 203 Introductory Genetics Laboratory (2 credits)
• MATH 255 Calculus for Biological Scientists II (4 credits)
• Total Credits:
16

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 (6 credits)
• Elective (2 credits)
• Total Credits:
16
• Semester 4:
• CHEM 343 Modern Organic Chemistry II (3 credits)
• CHEM 344 Modern Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2 credits)
• CS 152 Python for STEM (2 credits)
• CS 162 CS1--Introduction to Java Programming (2 credits)
• STAT 158 Introduction to R Programming (1 credit)
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (3 credits)
• Total Credits:
13

Junior Year:

• Semester 5:
• BC 401 Comprehensive Biochemistry I (4 credits)
• BC 404 Comprehensive Biochemistry Laboratory (2 credits)
• BZ 360 Bioinformatics and Genomics (4 credits)
• CS 220 Discrete Structures and their Applications (4 credits)
• STAT 315 Intro to Theory and Practice of Statistics (3 credits)
• Total Credits:
17
• Semester 6:
• BC 403 Comprehensive Biochemistry II (4 credits)
• DSCI 235 Data Wrangling (2 credits)
• Select one course from the following (3 credits):
• CO 300 Writing Arguments (GT-CO3)
• CO 301B Writing in the Disciplines: Sciences (GT-CO3)
• CO 302 Writing in Digital Environments (GT-CO3)
• JTC 300 Strategic Writing and Communication (GT-CO3)
• Select one course from the following (2-3 credits):
• BC 406A Investigative Biochemistry: Protein Biochemistry
• BC 475 Mentored Research
• BC 487A Internship
• BC 495 Independent Study
• BC 496 Group Study
• Select one course from the following (5 credits):
• Total Credits:
15-16

Senior Year:

• Semester 7:
• BC 411 Physical Biochemistry (4 credits)
• BC 463 Molecular Genetics (3 credits)
• BC 493 Senior Seminar (4 credits)
• STAT 341 Statistical Data Analysis I (3 credits)
• AUCC Category 3 courses (3 credits)
• Total Credits:
17
• Semester 8:
• BC 465 Molecular Regulation of Cell Function (3 credits)
• DSCI 335 Inferential Reasoning in Data Analysis (3 credits)
• Select one course from the following (3 credits):
• BC 499A Thesis: Laboratory Research-Based
• BC 499B Thesis: Literature Based
• AUCC Category 3 courses (3 credits)
• Electives (2-3 credits)
• Total Credits:
14-15

Data Science Electives List:

• CS 345 Machine Learning Foundations and Practice (3 credits)
• DSCI 369 Linear Algebra for Data Science (4 credits)
• STAT 342 Statistical Data Analysis II (3 credits)

Biosciences Electives List:

• BC 467 Biochemistry of Disease (3 credits)
• BIOM 306/BTEC 306 Bioprocess Engineering (4 credits)
• BIOM 504/CBE 504 Fundamentals of Biochemical Engineering (3 credits)
• BMS 300 Principles of Human Physiology (4 credits)
• BMS 301 Human Gross Anatomy (5 credits)
• BMS 305 Domestic Animal Gross Anatomy (4 credits)
• BMS 325 Cellular Neurobiology (3 credits)
• BMS 330 Microscopic Anatomy (4 credits)
• BMS 345 Functional Neuroanatomy (4 credits)
• BMS 360 Fundamentals of Physiology (4 credits)
• BMS 405 Nerve and Muscle-Toxins, Trauma and Disease (3 credits)
• BMS 420 Cardiopulmonary Physiology (3 credits)
• BMS 430 Endocrinology (3 credits)
• BMS 450 Pharmacology (3 credits)
• BMS 500 Mammalian Physiology I (4 credits)
• BSPM 462/BZ 462/MIP 462 Parasitology and Vector Biology (5 credits)
• BZ 220 Introduction to Evolution (3 credits)
• BZ 311 Developmental Biology (4 credits)
• BZ 401 Comparative Animal Physiology (3 credits)
• BZ 440 Plant Physiology (3 credits)
• BZ 455 Human Heredity and Birth Defects (3 credits)
• BZ 476/BZ 576 Genetics of Model Organisms (3 credits)
• CHEM 334 Quantitative Analysis Laboratory (1 credit)
• CHEM 335 Introduction to Analytical Chemistry (3 credits)
• CHEM 433 Clinical Chemistry (3 credits)
• ERHS 332 Principles of Epidemiology (3 credits)
• ERHS 450 Introduction to Radiation Biology (3 credits)
• FSHN 350 Human Nutrition (3 credits)
• FSHN 470 Integrative Nutrition and Metabolism (3 credits)
• FTEC 350 Fermentation Microbiology (2 credits)
• FTEC 360 Brewing Processes (4 credits)
• FTEC 460 Brewing Science II (4 credits)
• HES 319 Neuromuscular Aspects of Human Movement (4 credits)
• HES 403 Physiology of Exercise (3 credits)
• MIP 300 General Microbiology (3 credits)
• MIP 302 General Microbiology Laboratory (2 credits)
• MIP 342 Immunology (4 credits)
• MIP 343 Immunology Laboratory (2 credits)
• MIP 351 Medical Bacteriology (3 credits)
• MIP 352 Medical Bacteriology Laboratory (3 credits)
• MIP 420 Medical and Molecular Virology (4 credits)
• MIP 425 Virology and Cell Culture Laboratory (2 credits)
• MIP 443 Microbial Physiology (4 credits)
• MIP 450 Microbial Genetics (3 credits)
• NB 501 Cellular and Molecular Neurophysiology (2 credits)
• VS 331 Histology (4 credits)

Careers:

Students who graduate with this concentration are prepared for careers in life science data analysis, including:

• Research Scientist: Conduct research using data analysis techniques to understand biological processes.
• Biostatistician: Analyze data from clinical trials and other biological studies.

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 are encouraged to fulfill their free elective credits with research credits, additional Data Science electives, Bioscience electives, PH 122/PH 142, or apply them to a minor.