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    Dec 30, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Biochemistry, BA


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The Bachelor of Arts with a major in biochemistry prepares you with a strong foundation in biochemistry and molecular biology for careers ranging from industry to teaching.


The Bachelor of Arts with a major in biochemistry allows a less structured curriculum with more elective options than does the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. Further, it serves as an excellent degree program for those who wish to teach sciences at the high school level in the areas of biochemistry, chemistry, and biology. Additionally, the program serves well those who wish to go into medicine, dentistry or other biologically related professional programs of study.

Degree requirements


The following requirements must be satisfied for a Bachelor of Arts with a major in biochemistry. Foundation Course requirements must be successfully completed prior to advancing to upper-division major requirements.

Hours required and general/college requirements


A minimum of 120 semester hours, of which 36 must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements for the bachelor’s degree as specified in the University Core Curriculum  in the Academic policies  section of this catalog and the College of Science degree requirements .

Major requirements


Foundation course requirements


The Foundation course requirements listed below must be completed before enrollment in 3000 and 4000 level courses required for the major. Successful completion is based on achieving a C or better in each course and an overall 2.5 grade point average in these courses.

Biology requirements


Students must complete a minor of 20 hours in biology, which includes the biology foundation courses and at least 12 hours as follows:

Electives


Hours required for electives may vary based on course selection and the University Core Curriculum  requirements. Electives may be required to satisfy the advanced hour requirement and/or the minimum total hours required for the degree. For specific information see an academic advisor in the College of Science.

Other requirements


Only two attempts will be allowed for each biology and biochemistry course in the degree. Grade of C or better and minimum 2.5 grade point average in Foundation Courses, C or better in all biology, biochemistry and chemistry courses, and an overall 2.0 grade point average are required for graduation. All students seeking to enter the Department of Biological Sciences, with the exception of beginning freshmen, must meet the minimum grade point averages given above. Students in the department whose Foundation Course or overall grade point average drops below the minimum for two consecutive semesters will be removed from the program.

Four-year degree plan (example)


The following four-year plan is one example of a variety of ways in which you can complete your chosen degree in four years, and will serve as a guide for you to design your pathway to degree completion. Variations will depend on whether you need to take prerequisites or have college credit from exams or dual enrollment.

Year 1

Semester 1 Semester 2
CHEM 1430 - Laboratory Sequence for General Chemistry   1 hour    CHEM 1440 - Laboratory Sequence for General Chemistry   1 hour   
MATH 1650 - Pre-Calculus   5 hours    ENGL 1310 - First-Year Writing I   3 hours   
Biochemistry First Sem BIOL 3 hours  MATH 1710 - Calculus I   4 hours   
Biochemistry First Sem BIOL Lab 2 hours  Biochemistry Second Sem BIOL 3 hours 
First Semester Chemistry* 3 hours  Second Semester Chemistry* 3 hours 
Total 14 hours Total 14 hours

 

Year 2

Semester 1 Semester 2
CHEM 2370 - Organic Chemistry I   3 hours    CHEM 2380 - Organic Chemistry II   3 hours   
CHEM 3210 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I   1 hour    CHEM 3220 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II   1 hour   
PHYS 1510 - General Physics I with Calculus   3 hours    PHYS 1520 - General Physics II with Calculus   3 hours   
PHYS 1530 - General Physics with Calculus Laboratory I   1 hour    PHYS 1540 - General Physics with Calculus Laboratory II   1 hour   
Communication core   3 hours Government/Political Science core   3 hours 
Government/Political Science core   3 hours Language, Philosophy and Culture core   3 hours
    COS Breadth Requirement    3 hours 
Total 14 hours Total 17 hours

 

Year 3

Semester 1 Semester 2
BIOC 3621 - Principles of Biochemistry   3 hours    BIOC 4550 - Biochemistry II  OR Elective-advanced 3 hours   
BIOC 3622 - Principles of Biochemistry Laboratory   1 hour    BIOC 4570 - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Gene   3 hours   
BIOL 3510 - Cell Biology   3 hours    BIOC 4580 - Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory   2 hours   
BIOL 3520 - Cell Biology Laboratory   1 hour    CHEM 3530 - Physical Chemistry for Life Science   4 hours   
CHEM 3451 - Quantitative Analysis   3 hours    American History core   3 hours 
CHEM 3452 - Quantitative Analysis Laboratory   1 hour       
American History core   3 hours    
Total 15 hours Total 15 hours

 

Year 4

Semester 1 Semester 2
Creative Arts core   3 hours  COS Breadth Requirement  3 hours 
Social and Behavioral Sciences core   3 hours  COS Breadth Requirement  3 hours 
COS Breadth Requirement  3 hours  Advanced Biology Lecture and Lab elective** 4 hours 
Advanced Biology Lecture and Lab elective** 4 hours Elective 2 hours 
Elective 3 hours Elective-advanced 3 hours
Total 16 hours Total 15 hours

 

Notes:

*See chemistry courses under “Foundation requirements.”

**See “Biology requirements” above for requirements.

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