Learning Objectives

The Biochemistry Major seeks to provide students with experiences that enable them to:

• Achieve a solid foundation in major areas of chemistry with an emphasis on Biochemistry, such that they understand and can apply the fundamental laws and theories of chemistry in the various sub-disciplines and understand the central role of chemistry in the sciences.
• Understand the relationship between molecular properties and macroscopic behavior by providing them with the skill to use chemical and mathematical symbols and equations to represent the behavior of matter at the macroscopic, molecular and atomic levels.
• Exercise critical discernment of the key features of chemical problems and apply knowledge and judgement to solve such problems, including the design and execution of experiments and computations involving the synthesis of molecules and characterization of chemical properties and phenomena via experimental and computational techniques using modern instrumentation and computer technologies.
• Communicate effectively, including accessing and using major information sources of the discipline, conveying (orally and in writing) the results of scientific inquiry in a clear and professionally acceptable manner, and working cooperatively with others in team settings.
• Prepare for professional attainment.

Major Requirements

Required:

9 from:

• CHEM 110 General Chemistry I  
• CHEM 111 General Chemistry II   
• CHEM 260 Organic Chemistry I  / CHEM 262 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory  
• CHEM 261 Organic Chemistry II  / CHEM 263 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory  
• CHEM 270 Analytical Chemistry  / CHEM 272 Analytical Chemistry Laboratory  
• CHEM 340 Biochemistry I  / CHEM 342 Biochemistry I Laboratory  
• CHEM 341 Biochemistry II  
• CHEM 350 Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics  / CHEM 352 Physical Chemistry Laboratory  or CHEM 351 Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Kinetics  / CHEM 352 Physical Chemistry Laboratory   
• CHEM 490 Independent Study  or CHEM 460 Instrumental Analysis  / CHEM 462 Instrumental Analysis Laboratory  

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2 from:

• MATH 110 Calculus I  
• MATH 111 Calculus II  

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2 from:

• PHYS 110 C General Physics for Physical Science Majors I  
• PHYS 111 C General Physics for Physical Science Majors II  

or 2 from:

• PHYS 115 Principles of Physics I  
• PHYS 116 Principles of Physics II  

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1 from:

• BIOL 120 Introduction to Cell Biology  

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1 from:

• BIOL 280 Medical Microbiology  
• BIOL 326 Plant Physiology  
• BIOL 328 Bacterial Physiology  
• BIOL 352 Molecular Genetics  
• BIOL 357 Molecular Biology of Viruses  
• BIOL 333 Developmental Biology  
• BIOL 351 Cell and Molecular Biology  
• BIOL 356 Immunology  

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Recommended:

1 from:

• CHEM 460 Instrumental Analysis  / CHEM 462 Instrumental Analysis Laboratory  

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1 from:

• BIOL 280 Medical Microbiology  
• BIOL 326 Plant Physiology  
• BIOL 328 Bacterial Physiology  
• BIOL 352 Molecular Genetics  
• BIOL 357 Molecular Biology of Viruses  
• BIOL 333 Developmental Biology  
• BIOL 351 Cell and Molecular Biology  
• BIOL 356 Immunology  

Note(s):

Recommendations. Students should consult with their academic advisors and the chemistry faculty if they are interested in obtaining an American Chemical Society Certified Major.  

The American Chemical Society has adopted a set of standards for undergraduate training in chemistry. In addition to the courses required of all majors, students seeking certification must complete the following courses: CHEM 370 /CHEM 372 , CHEM 490 Independent Study  or CHEM 491 Directed Readings  and recommends the following MATH courses: MATH 210  or MATH 270  or MATH 280