Biochemistry Learning Outcomes
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Demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts of the traditional areas of chemistry.
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Communicate complex technical information in written and/or oral format.
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Interpret and draw conclusions from experimental data.
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Demonstrate safe lab practices.
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Retrieve chemical information from the chemical literature, books, and databases.
Program Requirements
Major Requirements
Pre-Health Program
A pre-health curriculum for pre-medical, pre-dental, and pre-veterinary studies is also offered in cooperation with the Biology Department.
The General Education Requirement
All students must satisfy a general education requirement consisting of ten (10) courses outside of the major department. The General Education Domain II-B (Natural Sciences) and laboratory requirement are satisfied through the completion of the Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Food Science majors.
Course Requirements
Major Core Requirements (15)
The following fifteen (15) core requirements are required of Biochemistry majors in all concentrations:
- BIOL 130 Principles of Biology with Lab or BIOL 161 Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology with Lab
- Choose two (2) courses from the following:
- BIOL 208/208L Genetics with Lab
- BIOL 260/260L Cell Biology with Lab
- BIOL 262/262L Molecular Biology with Lab
- CHEM 107 Principles of Chemistry with Lab
- CHEM 108 Principles of Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis with Lab
- CHEM 207 Organic Chemistry I with Lab
- CHEM 208 Organic Chemistry II with Lab
- CHEM 301 Biochemistry I with Lab
- CHEM 303 Physical Chemistry I with Lab
- CHEM 321 Instrumental Analysis with Lab
- CHEM 332 Biochemistry II with Lab
- MATH 219 Calculus I
- MATH 220 Calculus II
- PHYS 211 Principles of Physics I with Lab
- PHYS 212 Principles of Physics II with Lab
CONCENTRATIONS
All students majoring in Biochemistry must choose one (1) of the two (2) concentrations: ACS-Approved Program or General Biochemistry.
Concentration Requirements (4):
- CHEM 401 Inorganic Chemistry with Lab
- CHEM 480 Chemical Research I
- CHEM 481 Chemical Research II
- Choose one (1) elective course from:
- BIOL 208/208L Genetics with Lab or
- BIOL 260/260L Cell Biology with Lab or
- BIOL 262/262L Molecular Biology with Lab
- BIOL 260/260L Cell Biology with Lab or
- CHEM 304 Physical Chemistry II with Lab
- CHEM 390 Special Topics in Chemistry
- FDSC 405 Food Analysis with Lab
- FDSC 408 Food Chemistry with Lab
- BIOL 208/208L Genetics with Lab or
*Note: BIOL 208/208L Genetics with Lab, BIOL 260/260L Cell Biology with Lab, and BIOL 262/262L Molecular Biology with Lab cannot be used as both a major core requirement and concentration elective.
Concentration Requirements (4):
Choose four (4) elective courses from:
- BIOL 208/208L Genetics with Lab * or
- BIOL 260/260L Cell Biology with Lab * or
- BIOL 262/262L Molecular Biology with Lab *
- BIOL 260/260L Cell Biology with Lab * or
- BIOL 228/228L Microbiology with Lab
- BIOL 400 Trends in Biotechnology
- BIOL 432 Vertebrate Development
- CHEM 304/304L Physical Chemistry II with Lab
- CHEM 390 Special Topics in Chemistry
- CHEM 401/401L Inorganic Chemistry with Lab
- CHEM 480 Chemical Research I
- CHEM 481 Chemical Research II
- FDSC 405/405L Food Analysis with Lab
- FDSC 408/408L Food Chemistry with Lab
*Note: BIOL 208/208L Genetics with Lab, BIOL 260/260L Cell Biology with Lab, and BIOL 262/262L Molecular Biology with Lab cannot be used as both a major core requirement and concentration elective.
EFFECTIVE AS OF THE 2023-2024 UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG
Career Opportunities
Biochemistry majors will be prepared to pursue career opportunities across a wide range of exciting fields, including:
Biochemist
Study the chemical processes of living things including chemical and biological theories.
Molecular Biologist
Study how organisms interact with their surrounding environments and alter their gene expression.
Forensic Scientist
Process various pieces of evidence to help law enforcement prosecute suspects.
Research Scientist
Conduct experiments to prove or disprove certain scientific theories or insights.
Quality Assurance Officer
Ensure that pharmaceutical drugs meet standards set by the FDA.
Regulatory Affairs
Develop strategies for managing drug development.