Biochemistry, BSBC

The degree program in biochemistry is approved by the American Chemical Society. Students with this degree have entered graduate or professional programs in medicine, dentistry, chemistry, biochemistry, environmental chemistry, wood products chemistry, genetic counseling, materials science, chemical life sciences, and others. Graduates have embarked on professional careers in industries related to health care, clinical analysis, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, biochemistry, environmental chemistry, biotechnology, nutrition, and biochemical informatics, to name a few.

Our students benefit from the department’s dedication to its mission and from the capstone experience that initiates with a seminar course in which students develop a research plan designed to tackle a modern problem in chemistry or biochemistry. In subsequent quarters, students address questions raised in their plan by performing research in collaboration with a faculty mentor or with one of several local companies. The experience culminates with a seminar course in which written and oral presentations of the research are shared by all.

Requirements

In order to earn the bachelor of science in biochemistry degree, students must complete a minimum of 180 quarter credits with a cumulative and major/department grade point average of 2.00, including the following:

I. Core Curriculum Requirements:

ENGL 110 - College Writing: Inquiry and Argument
PHIL 110 - Introduction to Philosophy and Critical Thinking
HIST 120 or HIST 121
ENGL 120 - Introduction to Literature
Fine Arts (one approved 5 credit course)
PHIL 220 - Philosophy of the Human Person
Social Science I
Social Science II (different discipline from Social Science I)
Theology and Religious Studies Phase II (200-299 )
Ethics (upper division)
Theology and Religious Studies Phase III (300-399 )
Interdisciplinary
Senior Synthesis (CHEM 488 , 489 , 499 required)*

*Major requirement

Choose option a, b, or c:

Option a:

CHEM 426 - Instrumental Analysis

Option b:

option c:

III. Other Major Department Requirements

Choose 10 credits from the following six courses:

NOTE:

1. All students earning a B.S. in Biochemistry complete the American Chemical Society certified degree. CHEM 360 and CHEM 362 /CHEM 372 are highly recommended electives for students planning graduate work in biochemistry. 2. The senior synthesis core requirement for the bachelor of science degree in biochemistry is CHEM 488 , CHEM 489 and 1 to 3 credits of CHEM 499 .