Program Overview

Biochemistry, BS

Overview

The field of biochemistry encompasses an extremely broad and ever-growing variety of topics focused on studying biomedically-relevant problems from a molecular point of view. Biochemists make fundamental discoveries that enhance understanding of human health and disease, and contribute to the development of therapeutics.

Program Requirements

• Degree: Bachelor of Science (BS)
• Field of Study: Biochemistry
• Course List:
  • BIOC 101: Frontiers in Biochemistry (1 credit hour)
  • BIOC 307: Introduction to Biochemistry: From Molecules To Medical Science (4 credit hours)
  • BIOC 308: Molecular Biology (4 credit hours)
  • BIOC 373: Biochemistry Senior Seminar (3 credit hours)
  • BIOC 391: Capstone Research (3 credit hours)
  • BIOC 393: Senior Capstone Communication (3 credit hours)
  • Choose two of the following:
    • BIOC 312: Proteins and Enzymes
    • BIOC 334: Structural and Computational Biology
    • BIOC 350: Molecular Basis of Cancer
  • Three BIOC technical electives (9 credit hours)
  • BIOL 214: Genes, Evolution and Ecology (3 credit hours)
  • BIOL 215: Cells and Proteins (3 credit hours)
  • Choose two of the following:
    • BIOL 214L: Genes, Evolution and Ecology Lab
    • BIOL 215L: Cells and Proteins Laboratory
    • BIOL 216L: Development and Physiology Lab
    • BIOL 222L: Introductory Research Lab in Biology
  • CHEM 105: Principles of Chemistry I (3-4 credit hours)
  • CHEM 106: Principles of Chemistry II (3-4 credit hours)
  • CHEM 113: Principles of Chemistry Laboratory (2 credit hours)
  • CHEM 223: Introductory Organic Chemistry I (3 credit hours)
  • CHEM 224: Introductory Organic Chemistry II (3 credit hours)
  • CHEM 233: Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (2 credit hours)
  • CHEM 234: Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (2 credit hours)
  • MATH 121: Calculus for Science and Engineering I (4 credit hours)
  • MATH 122: Calculus for Science and Engineering II (4 credit hours)
  • PHYS 121: General Physics I - Mechanics (4 credit hours)
  • PHYS 122: General Physics II - Electricity and Magnetism (4 credit hours)
  • STAT 312R: Basic Statistics for Engineering and Science Using R Programming (3 credit hours)
  • ENGR 131: Elementary Computer Programming (3 credit hours)
• Total Credit Hours: 81-82

Learning Outcomes

• Students will understand the central biochemical mechanisms that are important in human biology and medicine.
• Students will learn biochemical approaches that align with the understanding of normal physiology and disease.
• Students will understand that macromolecular structure determines function and regulation.
• Students will learn that energy is required by and transformed in biological systems.
• Students will understand the molecular basis of information storage and flow within and between cells.
• Students will learn that scientific discovery requires objective measurement, quantitative analysis, and clear communication.
• Students will learn the value and application of experiential learning to the practice of research.

Undergraduate Policies

For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.

Accelerated Master's Programs

Undergraduate students may participate in accelerated programs toward graduate or professional degrees. For more information and details of the policies and procedures related to accelerated studies, please visit the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.

Concentrations

Cancer Biology Concentration Requirements:

• BIOC 350: Molecular Basis of Cancer (3 credit hours)
• BIOC 353: Biochemical Pathways in Cancer Therapeutics (3 credit hours)
• BIOC 360: Advanced Technologies for Cancer Research (3 credit hours)
• Total Credit Hours: 9

Infectious Disease Concentration Requirements:

• BIOC 310: Microbial Physiology and Therapeutic Opportunities (3 credit hours)
• BIOC 311: Antimicrobial Therapies and Resistance (3 credit hours)
• BIOC 334: Structural and Computational Biology (3 credit hours)
• Total Credit Hours: 9

Metabolism Concentration Requirements:

• BIOC 312: Proteins and Enzymes (3 credit hours)
• Choose two of the following:
  • BIOC 315: Lipids, Membranes, and Membrane Proteins
  • BIOC 344: Molecular Endocrinology
  • BIOC 345: Metabolic Regulation, Dysregulation, and Disease
• Total Credit Hours: 9

Computational Health Science Concentration Requirements:

• BIOC 334: Structural and Computational Biology (3 credit hours)
• PQHS 431: Statistical Methods I (3 credit hours)
• PQHS 413: Introduction to Data Structures and Algorithms in Python (3 credit hours)
• Total Credit Hours: 9

Research Honors Concentration Requirements:

• BIOC 285: Honors Readings in Biochemistry (1 credit hour)
• BIOC 391: Capstone Research (6 credit hours)
• BIOC 393H: Biochemistry Honors Senior Capstone (3 credit hours)
• Total Credit Hours: 10

Sample Plan of Study

First Year:

• Fall:
  • BIOC 101: Frontiers in Biochemistry (1 credit hour)
  • BIOL 214 & 214L: Genes, Evolution and Ecology and Genes, Evolution and Ecology Lab (4 credit hours)
  • CHEM 105: Principles of Chemistry I (3-4 credit hours)
  • MATH 121: Calculus for Science and Engineering I (4 credit hours)
  • CHEM 113: Principles of Chemistry Laboratory (2 credit hours)
  • Academic Inquiry Seminar, Breadth, or Elective course (3 credit hours)
  • Total Credit Hours: 17
• Spring:
  • BIOL 215 & 215L: Cells and Proteins and Cells and Proteins Laboratory (4 credit hours)
  • CHEM 106: Principles of Chemistry II (3-4 credit hours)
  • MATH 122: Calculus for Science and Engineering II (4 credit hours)
  • PHYS 121: General Physics I - Mechanics (4 credit hours)
  • Academic Inquiry Seminar, Breadth, or Elective course (3 credit hours)
  • Total Credit Hours: 18

Second Year:

• Fall:
  • CHEM 223: Introductory Organic Chemistry I (3 credit hours)
  • CHEM 233: Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (2 credit hours)
  • PHYS 122: General Physics II - Electricity and Magnetism (4 credit hours)
  • STAT 312: Basic Statistics for Engineering and Science (3 credit hours)
  • Breadth, or Elective course (3 credit hours)
  • Total Credit Hours: 15
• Spring:
  • CHEM 224: Introductory Organic Chemistry II (3 credit hours)
  • CHEM 234: Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (2 credit hours)
  • ENGR 131: Elementary Computer Programming (3 credit hours)
  • Breadth, or Elective course (3 credit hours)
  • Elective (3 credit hours)
  • Total Credit Hours: 14

Third Year:

• Fall:
  • BIOC 307: Introduction to Biochemistry: From Molecules To Medical Science (4 credit hours)
  • Breadth, or Elective course (3 credit hours)
  • BIOC technical elective (3 credit hours)
  • Elective (3 credit hours)
  • Total Credit Hours: 13
• Spring:
  • BIOC 308: Molecular Biology (4 credit hours)
  • BIOC 391: Capstone Research (3 credit hours)
  • Breadth, or Elective course (3 credit hours)
  • BIOC core course (3 credit hours)
  • BIOC technical elective (3 credit hours)
  • Total Credit Hours: 16

Fourth Year:

• Fall:
  • BIOC 373: Biochemistry Senior Seminar (3 credit hours)
  • BIOC 391: Capstone Research (3 credit hours)
  • Breadth, or Elective course (3 credit hours)
  • Elective (3 credit hours)
  • BIOC core course (3 credit hours)
  • Total Credit Hours: 15
• Spring:
  • BIOC 393: Senior Capstone Communication (3 credit hours)
  • Breadth, or Elective course (3 credit hours)
  • BIOC technical elective (3 credit hours)
  • Electives (6 credit hours)
  • Total Credit Hours: 15
• Total Credit Hours: 123

Departmental Honors

Biochemistry majors who excel in both academics and research may graduate with Biochemistry department honors. The requirements are a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 and co-authorship on a paper describing biochemical research that is either published or submitted for publication.