Biochemistry (Major)
The biochemistry curriculum emphasizes the chemical basis of biological processes. All biochemistry majors are required to take the following courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 10181 & CHEM 11181 | Introduction to Chemical Principles and Introduction to Chemical Principles Laboratory 1 | 4 |
| CHEM 10182 & CHEM 11182 | Organic Structure and Mechanism and Organic Structure and Mechanism Laboratory 1 | 4 |
| CHEM 20283 & CHEM 21283 | Organic Reactions and Applications and Organic Reactions and Applications Laboratory 1 | 4 |
| CHEM 20284 & CHEM 21284 | Chemistry Across the Periodic Table and Chemistry Across the Periodic Table Laboratory 1 | 4 |
| Physical Chemistry (Select one of the following) | 3-4 | |
| Physical Biochemistry | ||
| Physical Chemistry I and Physical Chemistry II | ||
| CHEM 30333 & CHEM 31333 | Analytical Chemistry I and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 23201 & CHEM 23202 & CHEM 23203 | Chemistry Seminar and Chemistry Seminar and Chemistry Seminar 2 | 3 |
| CHEM 23212 | Biochemistry Seminar | 0 |
| CHEM 30341 & CHEM 31341 | Fundamentals of Biochemistry and Fundamentals of Biochemistry Laboratory | 5 |
| CHEM 30342 | Intermediary Metabolism | 3 |
| MATH 10550 | Calculus I 3 | 4 |
| MATH 10560 | Calculus II 3 | 4 |
| CHEM 20262 | Mathematical Methods for the Chemical Sciences | 3 |
| Physics (Select one of the following groups) | 8 | |
| Group A | ||
| Engineering Physics I: Mechanics and Engineering Physics I Laboratory | ||
| Engineering Physics II: Electromagnetism and Engineering Physics II Lab | ||
| Group B | ||
| Physics for Life Sciences I and Physics for Life Sciences I Lab | ||
| Physics for Life Sciences II and Physics for Life Sciences II Lab | ||
| BIOS 10171 & BIOS 11173 | Biology I :Big Questions and Biological Investigations Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOS 10172 & BIOS 11174 | Biology II: Molecules to Ecosystems and Research Experience in Biology Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOS 20303 | Fundamentals of Genetics | 3 |
| BIOS 30341 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| CHEM 50531 | Molecular Biology I | 3 |
- 1
Upon request and with departmental approval CHEM 10181/CHEM 11181, CHEM 10182/CHEM 11182, CHEM 20283/CHEM 21283, CHEM 20284/CHEM 21284 may be substituted by CHEM 10171/CHEM 11171, CHEM 10172/CHEM 11172, CHEM 20273/CHEM 21273, CHEM 20274/CHEM 21274 respectively.
- 2
CHEM 23201 should be taken the fall of sophomore year. Two additional chemistry seminars need to be taken by the end of senior year. Any combination of CHEM 23202 and/or CHEM 23203 can be taken to fulfill the requirement. Only one seminar per semester is allowed.
- 3
MATH 10350, MATH 10360 can be substituted for MATH 10550, MATH 10560 with department approval.
Sample Curriculum (Biochemistry Program)
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| CHEM 10181 & CHEM 11181 |
Introduction to Chemical Principles and Introduction to Chemical Principles Laboratory |
4 |
| MATH 10550 | Calculus I | 4 |
| BIOS 10171 & BIOS 11173 |
Biology I :Big Questions and Biological Investigations Laboratory |
4 |
| University Requirement 1 | 3 | |
| University Requirement | 3 | |
| Moreau First Year Experience | 1 | |
| Hours | 19 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CHEM 10182 & CHEM 11182 |
Organic Structure and Mechanism and Organic Structure and Mechanism Laboratory |
4 |
| MATH 10560 | Calculus II | 4 |
| BIOS 10172 & BIOS 11174 |
Biology II: Molecules to Ecosystems and Research Experience in Biology Laboratory |
4 |
| University Requirement | 3 | |
| University Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| CHEM 20283 & CHEM 21283 |
Organic Reactions and Applications and Organic Reactions and Applications Laboratory |
4 |
| CHEM 23212 | Biochemistry Seminar | 0 |
| CHEM 23201 | Chemistry Seminar | 1 |
| PHYS 20210 & PHYS 21210 |
Physics for Life Sciences I and Physics for Life Sciences I Lab |
4 |
| Language | 3 | |
| University Requirement or Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CHEM 20284 & CHEM 21284 |
Chemistry Across the Periodic Table and Chemistry Across the Periodic Table Laboratory |
4 |
| CHEM 20262 | Mathematical Methods for the Chemical Sciences | 3 |
| PHYS 20220 & PHYS 21220 |
Physics for Life Sciences II and Physics for Life Sciences II Lab |
4 |
| Language | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| CHEM 30341 | Fundamentals of Biochemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 23203 | Chemistry Seminar | 1 |
| BIOS 30341 | Cell Biology (Lab Optional) 2 | 3 |
| Elective (or Language) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CHEM 30338 | Physical Biochemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 30342 | Intermediary Metabolism | 3 |
| CHEM 31341 | Fundamentals of Biochemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| BIOS 20303 | Fundamentals of Genetics (Lab Optional) 2 | 3 |
| University Requirement | 3 | |
| Elective | ||
| Hours | 14 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| CHEM 50531 | Molecular Biology I | 3 |
| University Requirement | 3 | |
| Upper Level Lab Requirement 2 | 1 | |
| Elective | 6 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CHEM 30333 & CHEM 31333 |
Analytical Chemistry I and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory |
4 |
| CHEM 23202 | Chemistry Seminar | 1 |
| University Requirement | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Moreau Senior Capstone | 1 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 124 | |
- 1
A curriculum starting with 16 credits in the first year is possible. In this case a University Requirement may also be postponed until the junior or senior year.
- 2
The upper level lab requirement can be fulfilled by any 20000-level or above BIOS lab course, or two credits of approved undergraduate research.
Summary of Minimal Requirements for Biochemistry Program
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | 29 | |
| Biochemistry | 8 | |
| Biological Sciences 1 | 18 | |
| Mathematics | 8 | |
| Physics | 8 | |
| Total Required Science | 71 | |
| Moreau First Year Experience | 2 | |
| Language Intermediate-Level Competency | 11 | |
| University Requirement | 3 | |
| Philosophy 2 | 6 | |
| Theology 2 | 6 | |
| University Requirement | 3 | |
| University Requirement | 3 | |
| University Requirement | 3 | |
| Free Electives 3 | 16 | |
| Total Hours | 124 | |
- 1
The advanced BIOS labs (BIOS 21303, BIOS 31341) may be replaced by undergraduate research in the sciences (e.g. CHEM 48498).
- 2
One of these courses must be a University Seminar.
- 3
Assumes intermediate-level competency in language was achieved by taking two 4-credit introductory-level and one 3-credit intermediate-level course.
Biochemistry with Neuroscience Concentration
Each student completes additional credit hours of Neuroscience courses in consultation with a departmental advisor.
Note: Introductory Psychology (PSY 10000/PSY 20000) is a required prerequisite for most NSBH courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NSBH 20450 & NSBH 21450 | Neuroscience and Behavior and Neuroscience and Behavior Lab 1 | 4 |
| NSBH 30301 | Molecular Neuroscience | 3 |
| NSBH 30520 | Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience | 3 |
| NSBH Elective I | 3 | |
| NSBH Elective II | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 16 | |
- 1
The Neuroscience and Behavior lab can be used to fulfill the upper level biology lab requirement.
Honors in Chemistry and Biochemistry
Majors in chemistry and biochemistry may apply for the departmental honors program if they have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 and are enrolled in undergraduate research CHEM 48498. Application should be made to the Director of Undergraduate Studies via the online application (see Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry webpage) by the end of the first week of classes in the Senior Year. The requirements for completion of the honors program are a minimum of two semesters of undergraduate research after the beginning of the junior year, the course Research Thesis in Chemistry and Biochemistry (CHEM 48500) with a grade of B or better, and a grade point average of 3.5 or better.