College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Curriculum in Biochemistry
Curriculum in Biochemistry is administered by the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Biochemists study living systems of all kinds, ranging from the simplest viruses and bacteria to higher plants and animals. These studies are conducted at all levels, ranging from physical chemical studies of proteins to functional studies of the human brain. The goal of the biochemist is to understand living systems at the molecular level. Our knowledge about living systems has increased dramatically in the past 20 years, allowing biochemists to pursue even more interesting problems. Biochemical research using genetic and molecular engineering for manipulating genes has greatly enhanced our approach to solving problems in the life sciences. The new disciplines of bioinfomatics and genomics have revolutionized our understanding of how genes combine in response to different environments. This research has spawned new biotechnology industries based on genetic engineering that have great potential for solving some of the most difficult problems facing the world. Biochemists also have made significant progress in understanding the molecular basis of diseases such as sickle-cell anemia, diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Biochemistry is a dynamic and diverse scientific field which has become the basic discipline for the life sciences.
The undergraduate Biochemistry curriculum is designed to provide a sound scientific education with expertise in chemistry and the physical sciences as well as a good background in the biological sciences. Consequently, biochemistry is an especially versatile major giving undergraduates many options when they complete their B.S. degree. The majority of our majors either go on to graduate school or to one of the professional schools such as medicine, veterinary medicine and dentistry. For any of these professional opportunities, biochemistry is an excellent major. A biochemistry major provides a strong background for entering graduate school in a variety of fields. Biochemistry majors excel during their first year in biomedical professional schools because they have a good background in the basic science courses such as biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology and physiology. A wide variety of job opportunities is open to biochemistry majors with a B.S. degree. Many find rewarding careers working in laboratories as research scientists, forensic scientists and technicians. Biochemists are employed by many different industries: chemical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, food and scientific equipment. Positions also are available in clinical, governmental and university laboratories.
University Core Curriculum
| Required Courses | (Th-Pr) | Cr |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 104 Composition and Rhetoric | (3-0) | 3 |
| *HIST American history electives | 6 | |
| Humanities elective1 | 3 | |
| International and cultural diversity electives4 | 6 | |
| **KINE 198 Health and Fitness Activity | (0-2) | 1 |
| **KINE 199 Required Physical Activity | (0-2) | 1 |
| POLS 206 American National Government | (3-0) | 3 |
| POLS 207 State and Local Government | (3-0) | 3 |
| Social and behavioral sciences elective1 | 3 | |
| Visual and performing arts elective1 | 3 | |
| 32 |
Departmental Curriculum
| Required Course | (Th-Pr) | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| BICH 107 Horizons in Biological Chemistry | (2-0) | 2 |
| BICH 285 and BICH 491 (Research)3 | 4 | |
| BICH 407 Horizons Biological Chemistry II | (1-0) | 2 |
| BICH 414 Biochemical Techniques or BICH 432 Laboratory in Molecular Genetics | (0-6) | 2 |
| BICH 431 Molecular Genetics | (3-0) | 3 |
| BICH 440 and 441 Biochemistry I and II | (3-0) | 6 |
| BIOL 111 and 112 Introductory Biology I and II | (3-0) | 6 |
| CHEM 101 and 102 Fundamentals of Chemistry I and II | (0-3) | 2 |
| CHEM 227 and 228 Organic Chemistry I and II | 7 | |
| CHEM 237 and 238 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I and II | 7 | |
| CHEM 316, 317, 318, and 320 Quantitative Analysis I and II and Laboratories | (3-0) | 3 |
| CHEM 323, 324, and 325 Phyiscial Chemistry I and II and Laboratory I | ||
| ENGL 210 Scientific and Technical Writing or ENGL 301 Technical Writing | ||
| GENE 302 Principles of Genetics | (3-3) | 4 |
| MATH 151 and 152 Engineering Mathematics I and II5 | 7 | |
| MATH 251 Engineering Mathematics III5 | ||
| MICR 351 Fundamentals of Microbiology or BIOL 413 Cell Biology and BIOL 423 Cell Biology Laboratory or BIOL 430 Microbiology |
8 | |
| Free electives2 | 13 | |
| 100 |
NOTES:
- To be selected from the University Core Curriculum. One of the courses must be a literature course.
- Often used for a minor degree in chemistry, mathematics, modern languages, or philosophy, or for a double major in genetics. See advisor.
- Only 2 hours of BICH 285 may apply towards the total of 4.
- Must have 6 hours selected from the approved list (see University Core Curriculum, item 6). Courses may also be used to fulfill other University Core Curriculum requirements. See advisor.
- Select from MATH 151 or 171, MATH 152 or 172 and MATH 221 or 251 or 253.
It is recommended that students attempt to receive credit by examination for certain courses. Contact Measurement and Research Services for details as early as possible.
* See Requirement in Political Science (Government) and History.
** See University Core Curriculum, item 7.