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Degree Requirements

biochemistry major


Class of 2016 and beyond:

BI 200 Molecules & Cells (3 credits)
BI 201 Ecology & Evolution or BI 303 Introduction to Physiology (3 credits)
BI 204 Investigations in Molecular Cell Biology (3 credits)

One course in cell biology from the following list (3 credits):

One course in genetics or genomics from the following list (3 credits):
CH 109-111 (or CH 117-119) General Chemistry 1 and Lab (4 credits)
CH 110-112 (or CH 118-120) General Chemistry 2 and Lab (4 credits)
CH 231-233 (or CH 241-243) Organic Chemistry 1 and Lab (4 credits)
CH 232-234 (or CH 242-234) Organic Chemistry 2 and Lab (4 credits)
CH 351-353 Analytical Chemistry and Laboratory (4 credits)
CH 473 Physical Chemistry for Biochemistry Majors (3 credits)

Either CH 561-562 Biochemistry 1 and 2

     or BI 435 Biological Chemistry and BI 440 Molecular Biology (6 credits)
PH 211-203 Introductory Physics 1 and Lab - calculus-based (5 credits)
PH 212-204 Introductory Physics 2 and Lab - calculus-based (5 credits)
MT 101 (or MT 105) Calculus 2 (4 credits)

Two Advanced Electives from the following list* (6 credits)

  • BI 420  Introduction to Bioinformatics
  • BI 429  Medical Biochemistry & Metabolism
  • BI 451  Cancer Biology
  • BI 483  Research in Molecular Biology Lab
  • BI 484  Research in Biochemistry Lab
  • BI 487  Research in Molecular Genetics Lab
  • BI 506  Recombinant DNA Technology
  • BI 536  Viruses, Genes & Evolution
  • BI 537  Literature for Neurological Diseases
  • BI 570  Biology of the Nucleus
  • CH 565 Chemical Biology:  Nucleic Acids
  • CH 567 Chemical Biology:  Structure & Function
  • CH 570 Introduction to Biological Membranes
  • BI 463-464 Research in Biochemistry **
  • BI 498 Advanced Independent Biochemical Research **
  • CH 497-498 Advanced Research in Biochemistry **
  • CH 593-594 Introduction to Biochemical Research **

* Additional electives may sometimes be announced in this category, depending upon advanced course offerings in the Biology and Chemistry Departments.

** With Biology or Chemistry Department approval, two semesters of Undergraduate Research may be substituted for ONE advanced elective.

Advanced Placement

Biochemistry majors who have a 5 on the AP Biology Exam in their senior year may elect to begin the major with BI 304 Cell Biology and take an additional course from the Advanced Elective List (total of three advanced electives).