Program Overview

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Biochemistry, BS

The Biochemistry Undergraduate Major Program provides a challenging and exciting introduction to the chemical basis of biological phenomena.

Degree Requirements

All courses offered for the major must be taken for a letter grade. A minimum grade of C must be obtained in fulfilling all biochemistry major requirements in: Foundational Courses in Related Fields, Foundational Courses in Biology, Advanced Courses in Biology, and Advanced Biology/Chemistry electives. Completion of the major requires approximately 69 to 74 credits.

Foundational Courses in Related Fields

• General Chemistry Lecture Options
  • CHE 129 - General Chemistry IA (4 credits)
  • CHE 130 - Problem Solving in General Chemistry (1 credit)
  • CHE 132 - General Chemistry II (4 credits)
  • OR
  • CHE 131 - General Chemistry IB (4 credits)
  • CHE 132 - General Chemistry II (4 credits)
  • OR
  • CHE 152 - Molecular Science I (4 credits)
• General Chemistry Laboratory Options
  • CHE 133 - General Chemistry Laboratory I (1 credit)
  • CHE 134 - General Chemistry Laboratory II (1 credit)
  • OR
  • CHE 154 - Molecular Science Laboratory I (2 credits)
• Organic Chemistry Lecture Options
  • CHE 321 - Organic Chemistry I (4 credits)
  • CHE 322 - Organic Chemistry IIA (4 credits)
  • OR
  • CHE 331 - Molecular Science II (4 credits) (See Note 1)
  • CHE 332 - Molecular Science III (4 credits) (See Note 1)
• Organic Chemistry Laboratory Options
  • CHE 327 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2 credits)
  • OR
  • CHE 383 - Introductory Synthetic and Spectroscopic Laboratory Techniques (2 credits)
• Physical Chemistry Options
  • CHE 312 - Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences (3 credits)
  • OR
  • CHE 301 - Physical Chemistry I (4 credits)
• Calculus Course Options
  • MAT 125 - Calculus A (3 credits)
  • MAT 126 - Calculus B (3 credits)
  • MAT 127 - Calculus C (3 credits)
  • OR
  • MAT 131 - Calculus I (4 credits)
  • MAT 132 - Calculus II (4 credits)
  • OR
  • AMS 151 - Applied Calculus I (3 credits)
  • AMS 161 - Applied Calculus II (3 credits)
  • OR
  • level 9 on mathematics placement examination. If students do not place into MAT 125 or MAT 131 on the basis of the math placement examination, MAT 123 (or MAT 119/MAT 123) is a required course for the major.
• Physics Sequence Options
  • PHY 121 - Physics for the Life Sciences I (4 credits)
  • PHY 122 - Physics for the Life Sciences II (4 credits)
  • OR
  • PHY 125 - Classical Physics A (3 credits)
  • PHY 126 - Classical Physics B (3 credits)
  • PHY 133 - Classical Physics Laboratory I (1 credit)
  • PHY 127 - Classical Physics C (3 credits)
  • PHY 134 - Classical Physics Laboratory II (1 credit)
  • OR
  • PHY 131 - Classical Physics I (3 credits)
  • PHY 133 - Classical Physics Laboratory I (1 credit)
  • PHY 132 - Classical Physics II (3 credits)
  • PHY 134 - Classical Physics Laboratory II (1 credit)
  • OR
  • PHY 141 - Classical Physics I: Honors (3 credits)
  • PHY 133 - Classical Physics Laboratory I (1 credit)
  • PHY 142 - Classical Physics II: Honors (3 credits)
  • PHY 134 - Classical Physics Laboratory II (1 credit)

Foundational Courses in Biology

• BIO 201 - Fundamentals of Biology: Organisms to Ecosystems (3 credits)
• BIO 202 - Fundamentals of Biology: Molecular and Cellular Biology (3 credits)
• BIO 203 - Fundamentals of Biology: Cellular and Organ Physiology (3 credits)
• BIO 204 - Fundamentals of Scientific Inquiry in the Biological Sciences I (2 credits)
• BIO 205 - Fundamentals of Scientific Inquiry in the Biological Sciences IIA (2 credits)
• OR
• BIO 207 - Fundamentals of Scientific Inquiry in the Biological Sciences IIB (2 credits)

Advanced Courses in Biology

• BIO 310 - Cell Biology (3 credits)
• BIO 320 - General Genetics (3 credits)
• OR
• BIO 321 - Ecological Genetics (3 credits) (see Note 2)
• OR
• EBH 302 - Human Genetics (3 credits) (see Note 2)
• BIO 361 - Biochemistry I (3 credits) (see Note 3)
• BIO 362 - Biochemistry II (3 credits) (see Note 3)
• BIO 365 - Biochemistry Laboratory (3 credits)

Advanced Biology/Chemistry Electives

Two additional courses, totaling at least five credits, chosen after consultation with an advisor from the following list.

• AMS 333 - Mathematical Biology (3 credits)
• BIO 312 - Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (3 credits)
• BIO 314 - Cancer Biology (3 credits)
• BIO 315 - Microbiology (3 credits)
• BIO 316 - Molecular Immunology (3 credits)
• BIO 317 - Principles of Cellular Signaling (3 credits)
• BIO 321 - Ecological Genetics (3 credits) (see Note 2)
• BIO 325 - Animal Development (3 credits)
• BIO 327 - Developmental Genetics Laboratory (3 credits)
• BIO 328 - Mammalian Physiology (3 credits)
• BIO 332 - Computational Modeling of Physiological Systems (3 credits)
• BIO 334 - Principles of Neurobiology (3 credits)
• BIO 335 - Neurobiology Laboratory (3 credits)
• BIO 337 - Neurotransmission and Neuromodulation: Implications for Brain Function (3 credits)
• BIO 338 - From Synapse to Circuit: Self-organization of the Brain (3 credits)
• BIO 339 - Neurobiology of Disease (3 credits)
• BIO 354 - Evolution (3 credits)
• BIO 358 - Biology and Human Social and Sexual Behavior (3 credits)
• BIO 364 - Laboratory Techniques in Cancer Biology (3 credits)
• BIO 367 - Molecular Diversity Laboratory (3 credits)
• BME 304 - Genetic Engineering (3 credits)
• CHE 346 - Biomolecular Structure and Reactivity (3 credits)
• EBH 302 - Human Genetics (3 credits) (formerly offered as BIO 302 Human Genetics) (see Note 2)
• EBH 380 - Genomics (3 credits) (formerly offered as BIO 304 Genomics)

Upper-Division Writing Requirement

The Upper Division Writing Requirement for the Biochemistry major is consistent with the University Graduation Requirements for General Education, and successful completion will satisfy the Stony Brook Curriculum (SBC) learning outcomes for “Write Effectively within One’s Discipline” (WRTD).

Registration: To satisfy the Upper-Division Writing requirement for the major in Biochemistry, students must co-register for the 0-credit BIO 459 course with either BIO 365 (Biochemistry lab) or an alternate approved advanced course in biological sciences or chemistry (see below). Students MUST enroll in BIO 459 at the same time they are registering for the respective advanced course.

To receive WRTD credit and a satisfactory grade in BIO 459, either a BIO 365 lab report or term paper from another approved advanced biology/chemistry course must be submitted for writing evaluation prior to the end of the term and pass the review process.

How to submit writing sample: After submitting their lab report or term paper for BIO course credit, students should submit the same document via Brightspace to BIO 459 ”Assignments” for writing evaluation.

It is the student’s responsibility to submit their writing sample early in the semester to allow adequate time for review and revision before end of term. Students are encouraged to submit their upper division writing requirement in their junior year or by the end of their next-to-last semester, since submission in the final semester could delay graduation clearance.

Review process: The Program in Writing and Rhetoric will evaluate the BIO 459 submission, provide feedback, and will contact the student directly if remedial efforts are needed. Satisfactory completion of BIO 459 will fulfill the Stony Brook Curriculum (SBC) “Writing in the Discipline” WRTD learning objectives.

If the writing assignment is initially found to be unsatisfactory, the student will be instructed by The Program in Writing and Rhetoric before resubmitting a revised version of their original paper.

Alternate approved advanced courses: While BIO 459 co-registration with BIO 365 is highly recommended for Biochemistry majors, other upper division courses that routinely offer writing assignments which fulfill the WRTD requirement with co-registration in BIO 459 are listed below.

When considering alternate courses, students should take into consideration the limited enrollment opportunities for biochemistry majors in upper division laboratory courses other than BIO 365 and verify that they have the required pre-or co-requisites.

Students considering registering for an approved alternative course are strongly encouraged to discuss this option with the Biochemistry Undergraduate Program Director at or make an appointment with a Division of Undergraduate Biology Advisor using Navigate.

• BIO 312 - Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (3 credits)
• BIO 320 - General Genetics (3 credits)
• BIO 321 - Ecological Genetics (3 credits)
• BIO 327 - Developmental Genetics Laboratory (3 credits)
• BIO 335 - Neurobiology Laboratory (3 credits)
• BIO 336 - Conservation Biology (3 credits)
• BIO 344 - Chordate Zoology (4 credits)
• BIO 352 - Ecology Laboratory (3 credits)
• BIO 353 - Marine Ecology (3 credits)
• BIO 354 - Evolution (3 credits)
• BIO 364 - Laboratory Techniques in Cancer Biology (3 credits)
• BIO 365 - Biochemistry Laboratory (3 credits)
• BIO 366 - Molecular Microbiology Laboratory (4 credits)
• BIO 367 - Molecular Diversity Laboratory (3 credits)
• BIO 385 - Plant Ecology (3 credits)
• BIO 386 - Ecosystem Ecology and the Global Environment (3 credits)
• 400 level BIO or CHE readings or research courses with instructor permission also considered
• EBH 302 - Human Genetics (3 credits)

Biochemistry Honors Program

Graduation with Honors in Biochemistry requires the following:

1. A cumulative g.p.a. of at least 3.50 in all courses required for the major.
2. Presentation of an acceptable thesis based on laboratory research project.

Students interested in graduation with Honors must contact the Biochemistry Honors Coordinator for more detailed information no later than the second week of classes during their last semester.

Biochemistry BS/Biochemistry and Cell Biology MS

The Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (BCB) offers an accelerated BS/MS degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology, designed to be completed in five years.

This program is designed to prepare students for careers in research, teaching, biotechnology, or further advanced studies in health and life sciences.

Students will declare their intent to join in their junior year after completing BIO 361 (Biochemistry). They will identify a Research advisor and meet with both the Biochemistry Undergraduate advisor and the BCB MS Director to obtain permission and establish their course schedule for their 4th and 5th year.

To complete the BS/MS in 5 years, students will take BSB 552 (Advanced Methods) and either MCB 520 (Graduate Biochemistry) or MCB 503 (Molecular Genetics) in their 4th year. These 6 credits can substitute for Biochemistry Major upper division Biology electives.

In addition to these courses, they will take BCB 559 (Research Practicum) and begin research. This program of study will allow students to complete the remaining 24 credits required for the BCB MS, including one semester of research (for credit), Graduate Cell Biology, and thesis submission in their 5th and final year.

See the Combined Degree section of the department website for more information.

Biochemistry BS/Chemistry MS Program

A student interested in this research intensive graduate program, intended to prepare students for professional employment in the chemical or pharmaceutical industries, may apply for admission at the end of the junior year.

The program leads to a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biochemistry at the end of the fourth year, followed by a Master of Science in Chemistry at the end of the fifth year.

During the senior year the student is expected to take two 500-level CHE courses and begin research. In the fifth year, the student works full-time on research, earning 24 credits in CHE 599.

The two 500-level CHE courses taken during the senior year may be counted toward the two electives required by the Biochemistry major.

Please visit the Chemistry website for further information on the Chemistry graduate degree.

SBC Courses

This table illustrates major courses that can also be used to fulfill SBC requirements.

SBC Category	Required Major Courses	Optional Major Courses (see Note 3)
ARTS
GLO
HUM
LANG (see Note 4)
QPS		AMS 151, AMS 161, MAT 125, MAT 126, MAT 127, MAT 131, MAT 132
SBS
SNW	BIO 201	CHE 129, CHE 131, CHE 132, CHE 152, PHY 121, PHY 122, PHY 125, PHY 126, PHY 127, PHY 131, PHY 132, PHY 141, PHY 142
TECH		BIO 312
USA
WRT
STAS		BIO 358, BME 304
EXP+		AMS 333, BIO 486, BIO 487, BIO 488, BIO 489
HFA+
SBS+
STEM+	BIO 202, BIO 203	CHE 301, CHE 312, CHE 321, CHE 331
CER
DIV (see Note 5)
ESI	BIO 365	BIO 312, BIO 327, BIO 335, BIO 358, CHE 383
SPK		BIO 458
WRTD	BIO 459	AMS 333

• Freshmen who matriculate in the Fall of 2019 or later
• Transfer students who matriculate in the Spring of 2020 or later
• Students who rematriculate in the Fall of 2019 or later

Sample Course Sequence

Sample Course Sequence for the Major in Biochemistry

• Freshman Year:
  • Fall: BIO 201, CHE 129, CHE 130, MAT 125
  • Spring: BIO 202, CHE 131, CHE 132, MAT 126
• Sophomore Year:
  • Fall: BIO 203, CHE 321, MAT 127
  • Spring: BIO 204, CHE 322, MAT 131
• Junior Year:
  • Fall: BIO 310, CHE 312, PHY 121
  • Spring: BIO 320, CHE 327, PHY 122
• Senior Year:
  • Fall: BIO 361, BIO 365, CHE 383
  • Spring: BIO 362, BIO 459, CHE 346