Beverly K. Fine School of the Sciences
Associate Dean: 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. The lowest acceptable grade is a "C" in all courses listed in the catalog under "Program Requirements" for the major, including both courses in the major and SEE courses required by the major. 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 must maintain a science and math GPA of 2.0 or better in each semester in order to remain in good standing within the major. Grades are reviewed each semester and students are notified in writing of their academic status in the major, as appropriate:
- Probation: The student who earns a science and math GPA less than 2.0 in one semester will be notified, in writing, by the Department Chair that he or she is on probation in the Fine School of the Sciences. Students who are on probation will be required to meet regularly with their Success Coach/Academic Advisor for at least one full semester after being put on probation.
- Dismissal: The student who earns a science and math GPA less than 2.0 for a second semester will be notified, in writing, by the Department Chair that he or she is dismissed from the applied mathematics, biochemistry, biology, biomedical engineering, chemistry, or environmental science major.
* Science and mathematics courses are defined as courses with the designation: BIO, BIOCH, BME, CHEM, ENV, FSCI, MATH, PHYS, or SCI.
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:
| FYS 100 | First Year Seminar | 1 credit |
| BIO 112 | Principles of General Biology | 3 credits |
| | or | |
| 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 |
| BIOCH 470 | Capstone Internship | 3 credits |
| | or | |
| BIOCH 471 | Capstone Internship | 6 credits |
| BIOCH 475 | Capstone Seminar | 3 credits |
| CHEM 114 | General Chemistry I with Problem Solving | 3 credits |
| | or | |
| 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 |
| | or | |
| 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 | Digital Information Literacy for Chemistry | 1 credit |
| CHEM 313 | Career Connections in Chemistry | 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 |
| SCI 215 | Writing in the Sciences | 3 credits |
Elective courses Group 1
Select two from the following list:
Elective courses Group 2
Select three from the following list, at least two courses must be at the 300-level or higher:
| BIO 203 | Microbiology | 4 credits |
| BIO 280 | Nutrition Science | 3 credits |
| BIO 313 | Virology | 3 credits |
| BIO 322 | Human Physiology | 4 credits |
| BIO 332 | Epidemiology | 3 credits |
| BIO 335 | Immunology | 4 credits |
| BIO 362 | Independent Research Experience in Biology | 2 credits |
| BIO 365 | Independent Laboratory Research in Biology | 3 credits |
| BIOCH 362 | Independent Research Experience in Biochemistry | 2 credits |
| BIOCH 365 | Independent Laboratory Research in Biochemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 206 | Herbal Medicines and Remedies | 3 credits |
| CHEM 221 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 346L | Integrative Laboratory II | 2 credits |
| CHEM 362 | Independent Laboratory Research in Chemistry | 2 credits |
| CHEM 365 | Independent Laboratory Research in Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 431 | Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics | 3 credits |
| CHEM 432 | Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics | 3 credits |
| CHEM 435 | Special Topics in Chemistry | 3 credits |
Note: Students choosing the 6-credit Capstone Internship (
BIOCH 471) can take one less upper-level Group 2 elective course.
Suggested Course Sequence
2020-2021 Biochemistry - MFS BIO SCS
2020-2021 Biochemistry - MFS CHEM SCS
2020-2021 Biochemistry SCS
Minor in Biochemistry
A minor in biochemistry is not available.
Other Options
Chemistry Department Honors Requirements: Eligible students majoring in biochemistry may elect to pursue honors within the Department of Chemistry. The intention to pursue Chemistry Department Honors must be declared before the start of their last semester before graduation. To declare the intent to pursue department honors, a student must have earned a science/math GPA of 3.50 or higher and a plan to finish the honors requirements outlined below.
Students graduating with Chemistry Department honors will have this distinction noted on their official university transcript. In order to graduate with department honors, the following requirements must be met:
- Completion of one research experience.
- Completion of a second research experience or a 300-400 level CHEM or BIOCH elective that is not being used to fulfill a degree requirement in the major.
- An oral presentation of the research experience to the department.
- A science/math GPA of 3.5 or higher at graduation.
BS/MFS Option: The BS/MFS 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 science in the biology or chemistry 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/MFS 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 Science 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