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Emphasis in Biochemistry

An Emphasis in Biochemistry may be completed by students who major in either Biology and/or Chemistry.  Adding an Emphasis in biochemistry allows students to unify these two fields through coursework focused on the molecules and chemical reactions of life.  Students choosing to complete an Emphasis in Biochemistry will have this noted on their transcript (e.g. Biology Major with Added Emphasis in Biochemistry; Chemistry Major with Added Emphasis in Biochemistry).

Requirements for a Biology Major with Added Emphasis in Biochemistry

Students with a strong interest in pursuing more in-depth study of biochemistry may want to major in biology with an added emphasis in biochemistry. This emphasis may also be a good option for students aspiring to attend medical school and/or graduate study in any biomedical field. Students choosing this option will have this noted on their transcripts as: Biology Major (Biochemistry). To earn an emphasis in biochemistry, biology students must complete all of the requirements of the biology major, with two of the upper-level electives being BIOL 351 – Biochemistry I and BIOL 352 – Biochemistry II. In addition, students must take CHEM 212 – Organic Chemistry II, and one additional elective from the list below or as approved by the Biology chair.​ Students interested in pursuring graduate studies in Biochemistry and/or Biophysics should take CHEM 311 – Thermodynamics and Kinetics as their additional elective; note that CHEM 311 has MATH 137 – Applied Multivariable Calculus II and PHYS 227 – Principles of Physics II as prerequisites, and students should plan their math and physics course(s) accordingly.

Required Biology Courses

Required Supporting Courses

Four Required Electives

At least two must have an associated laboratory component

One additional biochemistry elective 

From the following list or as approved by the chair:

One additional upper level Biology course


Requirements for a Chemistry Major with Added Emphasis in Biochemistry

Another option for students with a strong interest in pursuing more in-depth study of biochemistry is a major in chemistry with an added emphasis in biochemistry. Students choosing this option will have this noted on their transcripts as: Chemistry Major with Added Emphasis in Biochemistry. To earn an emphasis in biochemistry, chemistry majors must complete all of the requirements of the chemistry major plus BIOL 190: Genetics, BIOL 200: Cell Biology, BIOL/CHEM 351: Biochemistry I.  and either  BIOL/CHEM 352: Biochemistry II or another advanced course at the interface of chemistry and biology approved by the Chemistry Department chair. The Chemistry Department encourages advanced electives in chemistry or biology.

Required Chemistry Courses

CHEM 111: General Chemistry I and CHEM 112: General Chemistry II
or, CHEM 115: Accelerated General Chemistry may be taken in place of CHEM 111 and 112
CHEM 211: Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 212: Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 222: Analytical Chemistry
CHEM 311: Thermodynamics and Kinetics
CHEM 312: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy
CHEM 411: Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 300: Chemistry Seminar (four semesters)

Required Supporting Courses

BIOL 190: Genetics
BIOL 200: Cell Biology
MATH 137: Single Variable Calculus
MATH 236: Linear Algebra
PHYS 226: Principles of Physics I
PHYS 227:  Principles of Physics II

Required Electives

BIOL/CHEM 351: Biochemistry I
BIOL/CHEM 352: Biochemistry II