Biochemistry, BA

Tuition Fee

Start Date

Medium of studying

Duration

Details

Program Details

Degree

Bachelors

Major

Biochemistry | Biotechnology | Molecular Biology

Area of study

Natural Science

Course Language

English

About Program

Program Overview

Introduction to the Biochemistry Program

The Biochemistry program at Western Washington University is an interdisciplinary major between the biology and chemistry departments. The Bachelor of Arts degree in biochemistry, with a greater emphasis on biochemistry fundamentals and laboratory applications, is offered through the chemistry department.

Program Description

The Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry is designed for students seeking admission to medical programs or employment in biochemistry or molecular biology after graduation. The major provides numerous benefits to students through coursework and research opportunities, catering to diverse career goals. Students enjoy close student-faculty contact and relatively small classes, with direct access to modern laboratory equipment and instrumentation. There are also opportunities for research work under the direction of a faculty advisor.

Why Consider a Biochemistry Major?

The Biochemistry major is specifically designed for students who seek admission to medical programs or employment in biochemistry or molecular biology after graduation. The major provides many benefits to students through coursework and research opportunities and is designed to meet diverse career goals.

Student Resources

Department website: Chemistry
Department advising: See the Advising section of the Chemistry website
Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
Career Services Center: Connect major to a career
Sample Careers: Chemical/Pharmaceutical Sales, Physician, Crime Lab Analyst, High School Teacher, Industrial Chemist, Technical Writing, Dentist, Forensic Scientist, Quality Assurance Specialist, Research Scientist, Occupational Safety Specialist, Veterinarian, Science Lab Technician, Biochemist, Biotechnology Scientist, College Professor, Environmental Scientist/Consultant

Admission and Declaration Process

Admission to the Bachelor of Arts major in biochemistry is based upon an application process that considers both the applicant’s academic performance in prerequisite courses and responses to prompts about their motivations, career goals, and past experiences. There is frequently more demand for the BA biochemistry major than space and resources allow. Therefore, neither completion of the prerequisites nor attainment of any specific GPA guarantees admission to full-major (Phase II) status.

Pre-major Declaration

Students may apply for pre-major (Phase I) status any time after completion of CHEM 161 or CHEM 175 by meeting with the Chemistry Department program coordinator. The pre-major (Phase I) declaration process is completed by meeting with a faculty advisor assigned by the program coordinator.

Major Application Process

Students are eligible to apply to Phase II of the BA biochemistry major once they have accomplished the following:

Completion of the pre-major (Phase I) declaration process.
Completion (with a C- or above) of the following prerequisite (Phase I) courses: CHEM 161, CHEM 162, CHEM 163, (or CHEM 175, CHEM 176, and CHEM 225), CHEM 351, CHEM 352, BIOL 204, BIOL 205, and MATH 124.

Applications for full-major (Phase II) status are reviewed twice per year and are due by either the end of the first day of spring quarter or by the end of the first week of fall quarter. The online application includes written responses to several prompts and reporting grades in the prerequisite (Phase I) coursework listed above.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.

Program Requirements

The program requires 98-115 credits.

Major (84-95 credits)

BIOL 204 - Introduction to Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity w/lab (5 credits)
BIOL 205 - Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology w/lab (5 credits)
BIOL 327 - Fundamentals of Molecular Biology (4 credits)
Choose one of the following:
- BIOL 321 - Genetics (4 credits)
- BIOL 328 - Cell Biology (4 credits)
- BIOL 340 - Biostatistics (5 credits)
- BIOL 345 - Fundamentals of Microbiology (4 credits)
CHEM 351 - Organic Chemistry (4 credits)
CHEM 352 - Organic Chemistry (4 credits)
CHEM 353 - Organic Chemistry (4 credits)
CHEM 354 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (3 credits)
CHEM 471 - Biochemistry I (4 credits)
CHEM 472 - Biochemistry II (4 credits)
CHEM 473 - Molecular Biology (3 credits)
CHEM 474 - Biochemistry Laboratory (5 credits)
PHYS 161 - Physics with Calculus I (5 credits)
PHYS 162 - Physics with Calculus II (5 credits)
PHYS 163 - Physics with Calculus III (5 credits)
Choose one of the following series:
- CHEM 161 - General Chemistry I (5 credits)
- CHEM 162 - General Chemistry II (5 credits)
- CHEM 163 - General Chemistry III (5 credits)
- CHEM 333 - Analytical Chemistry (5 credits)
- or
- CHEM 175 - General Chemistry I, Honors (5 credits)
- CHEM 176 - General Chemistry II, Honors (5 credits)
- CHEM 225 - General Chemistry III, Honors (5 credits)
Choose either:
- MATH 124 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (5 credits)
- MATH 125 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry II (5 credits)
- or
- MATH 134 - Calculus I Honors (5 credits)
- MATH 135 - Calculus II Honors (5 credits)
- or
- MATH 138 - Accelerated Calculus (5 credits)

Electives I (8-10 credits)

Choose two electives from the following:

BIOL 206 - Introduction to Organismal Biology w/lab (5 credits)
BIOL 245 - Microbiology for Health Sciences w/lab (5 credits)
CSCI 141 - Computer Programming I (4 credits)
MATH 204 - Elementary Linear Algebra (4 credits)
MATH 224 - Multivariable Calculus and Geometry I (5 credits)
MATH 240 - Introduction to Statistics (4 credits)

Electives II (6-10 credits)