Program Overview

Biochemistry Program at Xavier University

The Biochemistry program at Xavier University is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the chemical processes and substances within living organisms. This program ensures that students actively engage in mastering the fundamental principles of chemistry and biochemistry, providing specialized training for a career in this field.

Overview

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biochemistry program at Xavier University is a rigorous and rewarding path to becoming a leader in this vital scientific field. The program covers the intricacies of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids, exploring their structural components, distinctive properties, and vital roles in cellular metabolism.

Curriculum

The curriculum for the Biochemistry program is as follows:

• First Year:
  • Fall:
    • CHEM 160: General Chemistry I (3cr.)
    • CHEM 161: General Chemistry I Lab (1cr.)
    • BIOL 160: General Biology I (3cr.)
    • BIOL 161: General Biology I Lab (1cr.)
    • MATH 140: Concepts of Calculus (4cr.)
    • ENGL 101: Composition (3cr.)
    • CORE 100: First Year Seminar (0cr.)
    • CORE 101: First Year Co-curricular (0cr.)
  • Spring:
    • CHEM 162: General Chemistry II (3cr.)
    • CHEM 163: General Chemistry Lab II (1cr.)
    • CHEM 180: Intro to Chemical Enterprise (3cr.)
    • BIOL 162: General Biology II (3cr.)
    • BIOL 163: General Biology II Lab (1cr.)
    • STAT 146: Introductory Biostatistics (3cr.)
    • THEO 111: Theological Foundations (3cr.)
    • CORE 102: Co-curricular (0cr.)
• Sophomore Year:
  • Fall:
    • CHEM 240: Organic Chemistry I (3cr.)
    • CHEM 241: Organic Chemistry Lab I (1cr.)
    • PHYS 160: College Physics I (3cr.)
    • PHYS 161: Introductory Physics Lab I (1cr.)
    • PHIL 100: Ethics as Intro to Philosophy (3cr.)
    • Second Language I (3cr.)
  • Spring:
    • CHEM 242: Organic Chemistry II (3cr.)
    • CHEM 243: Organic Chemistry Lab II (1cr.)
    • PHYS 162: College Physics II (3cr.)
    • PHYS 163: Introductory Physics Lab II (1cr.)
    • PHIL 200: Philosophical Perspectives (3cr.)
    • Second Language II (3cr.)
• Junior Year:
  • Fall:
    • CHEM 220: Biophysical Chemistry (3cr.)
    • CHEM 221: BioAnalytical Lab (1cr.)
    • CHEM 440: Biochemistry I (3cr.)
    • CHEM/BIOL Elective (3cr.)
    • HIST 199: Historical Perspectives (3cr.)
    • Humanities Elective (3cr.)
  • Spring:
    • CHEM 300: Research Ethics (3cr.)
    • CHEM 442: Biochemistry II (3cr.)
    • CHEM 441: Biochemistry Lab II (1cr.)
    • BIOL 230: Genetics (3cr.)
    • BIOL 231: Genetics Lab (1cr.)
    • CHEM 400: Research (1cr.)
    • ENGL 205: Literature and Moral Imagination (3cr.)
• Senior Year:
  • Fall:
    • CHEM 340: Instrumental Analysis (3cr.)
    • CHEM 420: Inorganic Chemistry (3cr.)
    • CHEM 400: Research (1cr.)
    • CHEM/BIOL Elective (3cr.)
    • CHEM/BIOL Elective Lab (1cr.)
    • E/RS Elective (3cr.)
    • Social Science Elective (3cr.)
  • Spring:
    • CHEM 341: Instrumental Analysis Lab (1cr.)
    • CHEM 400: Research (1cr.)
    • General Elective (3cr.)
    • Creative Perspectives (3cr.)
    • Theological Perspectives (3cr.)
    • Elective (3cr.)
    • CORE 499 (0cr.)

Outcomes

The Biochemistry program at Xavier University has a strong track record of success, with 98% of students working, volunteering, or in graduate school within six months of graduation. Additionally, Xavier students have an 86% acceptance rate to medical schools, compared to 40% nationally.

Sample Courses

• Bioanalytical Chemistry (CHEM 221): A combined lecture and laboratory course focusing on the practical application of both wet chemical and instrumental analytical methods.
• Research Ethics (CHEM 300): An introduction to the nature and use of the chemical literature, general research procedures, technical report writing, and computerized literature searches.
• Biochemistry (CHEM 440): A course covering the intricacies of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids, exploring their structural components, distinctive properties, and vital roles in cellular metabolism.
• Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM 420): A course exploring contemporary theories on bonding and structure, spectroscopic techniques, redox chemistry, and reaction mechanisms.

Clubs

• Alpha Epsilon Delta (Pre-Med Honor Society): A national pre-health honors organization for juniors and seniors, focusing on service to the Cincinnati community.
• Biology Club: A club welcoming anyone interested in biology, with past events including hiking trips, Break Out Games, scavenger hunts, and trips to the zoo and aquarium.
• Alchemyst Club: A club established to inform and educate the Xavier community about the merits of science, especially chemistry, and to lend support to the Xavier chemistry community.

Related Programs

• Related Majors:
  • BS in Biology
  • BS in Biomedical Sciences
  • BS in Biological Sciences for Business
  • BS in Biophysics
  • BS in Chemistry
  • BS in Exercise Science
  • BS in Pharmaceutical Science
• Related Minors:
  • Biology
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Chemistry
  • Clinical Science Management
  • Population Health
  • Psychology

Program Features

• Develop essential research skills
• Gain invaluable hands-on experience with advanced instrumentation
• Earn an ACS Certification
• High medical school acceptance rate
• Pre-Professional Health Advising

FAQ

• What jobs does the biochemistry degree prepare students for?
  • Research: biochemist, research scientist, academic researcher
  • Industry: pharmaceutical scientist, biotechnologist, food scientist, clinical laboratory scientist
  • Government and Non-profit Organizations: environmental scientist, forensic scientist, public health specialist
• What is the difference between Xavier's Chemistry and Biochemistry majors?
  • Chemistry is the study of matter, its composition, properties, and the changes it undergoes.
  • Biochemistry is a specialized branch of chemistry that focuses on the chemical processes that occur within living organisms.
• Does Xavier offer an honors program for biochemistry majors?
  • Yes, the University Scholars Honors Program offers incoming students a more challenging curriculum and close support from professors while completing their undergraduate degree.