Associate Dean and Chair: Ellen Roskes, Ph.D.
Description
Biochemistry is a scientific discipline that integrates and applies chemical and biological principles in exploring and understanding the chemistry of living organisms. In the biochemistry major, students are grounded in the chemical, physical, and biological principles that characterize living systems, and they develop an interdisciplinary mindset that prepares them to embrace the interdependent nature of these areas of study. In addition, students develop facility with a wide variety of technical skills required in the modern workforce in both research and industrial environments. By working with modern instrumentation in well-equipped laboratory facilities, students develop excellent laboratory and analytical skills, preparing them for employment in a variety of biochemical fields, graduate study in biochemistry or related areas, and a career in a variety of professional arenas, including pharmacy, medicine, veterinary medicine, physical therapy, and dentistry. Because students first gain a basic understanding of the principles of biochemistry and then are required to explore science independently, through research, internships and/or a capstone experience, graduates from this program will be well-prepared to meet the rapidly changing research, clinical, and technical demands of our modern world.
Objectives
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, graduates will be able to
- Apply knowledge of chemical principles to the understanding of living systems.
- Describe the ways in which biomolecules contribute to the structure and function of cells.
- Design and execute scientific experiments using the scientific method.
- Interpret scientific data and communicate findings.
- Exhibit behaviors consistent with the professional and ethical standards of the discipline.
- Evaluate current scientific advances using knowledge of biochemical principles.
- Evaluate scientific discovery in terms of its scientific merit and its ethical, societal, and global implications.
Policies
Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the major, and the lowest acceptable grade is a “C” in all major and Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE) courses. No student, regardless of major, will be permitted to take a science or math course unless he/she earns a grade of "C" or better in all prerequisite courses.
A student may not earn a grade of “C-” or lower in any science or math course more than three times during the program. If a fourth grade of “C-” or lower is earned in any science or math course, the student will be automatically dismissed from the biochemistry major.
Probation: The student who earns any combination of two grades of “C-” or lower in a science or math course will be notified, in writing, by the department chair that he or she is on probation in the School of the Sciences.
Final Probation: The student who earns any combination of three grades of “C-” or lower in a science or math course will be notified, in writing, by the department chair that he or she is on final probation in the School of the Sciences.
Dismissal: If a fourth grade of “C-” or lower in any science or math course is earned, the student will be notified, in writing, by the department chair that he or she has been dismissed from the major.
Requirements
The courses listed below are required for completion of the bachelor's degree in biochemistry. Students must also complete the requirements for the Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE).
Specific pre- and co-requisites for each course are listed in the course descriptions.
Major Requirements:
| SCI 100 | School of Sciences New Student Seminar | 1 credit |
| BIO 113 | General Biology I: Cell Biology and Genetics | 3 credits |
| BIO 113L | General Biology I Laboratory: Cell Biology and Genetics | 1 credit |
| BIO 230 | Genetics | 4 credits |
| BIOCH 327 | Biochemistry | 3 credits |
| BIOCH 345L | Integrative Laboratory I | 2 credits |
| BIOCH 427 | Advanced Biochemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 115 | General Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHEM 115L | General Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 116 | General Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHEM 116L | General Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 210 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHEM 210L | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 211 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHEM 211L | Organic Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 213 | Electronic Literature Searching | 1 credit |
| MATH 220 | Calculus I | 4 credits |
| PHYS 210 | General Physics I | 4 credits |
| | or | |
| PHYS 215 | General Physics I with Calculus | 4 credits |
| PHYS 211 | General Physics II | 4 credits |
| | or | |
| PHYS 216 | General Physics II with Calculus | 4 credits |
Senior Capstone Experiences (Select One):
| BIOCH 450 | Senior Research Capstone | 5 credits |
| | or | |
| BIOCH 460 | Senior Research Capstone | 9 credits |
| | or | |
| BIOCH 460H | Honors Senior Research Capstone | 9 credits |
| | and | |
| BIOCH 455 | Senior Internship Capstone | 5 credits |
| | or | |
| BIOCH 465 | Senior Internship Capstone | 9 credits |
| | or | |
| BIOCH 465H | Honors Senior Internship Capstone | 9 credits |
++ Students choosing one of the 9-credit senior capstone options can take one less upper level Group 2 elective
Elective courses Group 1
Select two from the following list:
Elective courses Group 2
Select three from the following list (one must be CHEM, one must be BIO and at least two of the courses must be at the 300 level or higher):
| BIO 203 | Microbiology | 4 credits |
| BIO 255 | Techniques in Molecular Biology | 3 credits |
| BIO 310 | Cell Biology | 4 credits |
| BIO 322 | Human Physiology | 4 credits |
| BIO 330 | Molecular Genetics | 4 credits |
| BIO 335 | Immunology | 4 credits |
| BIO 355 | | |
| BT 430 | Bioinformatics | 3 credits |
| BIOCH 365 | Independent Laboratory Research in Biochemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 221 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 310 | Analytical Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 330 | Advanced Organic Chemistry | 4 credits |
| CHEM 340 | Medicinal and Drug Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 410 | Instrumental Analysis | 4 credits |
| CHEM 430 | Physical Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 431 | Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics | 3 credits |
| CHEM 432 | Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics | 3 credits |
| MATH 235 | | |
BIO 310, CHEM 430: if not used as a group 1 elective
Minor in Biochemistry
A minor in biochemistry is not available. Students majoring in biochemistry may not earn a minor in biology or chemistry.
Other Options
BS/MS Option: The BS/MS option is available for students majoring in biochemistry who wish to combine their bachelor's coursework with work toward a Stevenson University master's degree in forensic sciences in the biology, chemistry, or crime scene investigation track. Students choosing this option may earn their master's degree in as little as one year after their bachelor's degree. Interested students must formally apply for entrance into this BS/MS option in their junior year. Once admitted into this program, students develop an educational plan in consultation with their undergraduate and graduate advisors.
Please see the Forensic Sciences section of this catalog for more information.
BS/MAT Option: The BS/MAT option is available for students majoring in biochemistry who wish to combine their bachelor's coursework with work toward a Stevenson University master's degree in teaching. Please see Additional Enrollment Options in the Admissions section of this catalog for more information.
Course Descriptions
See Biochemistry Course Descriptions