Biochemistry

Beverly K. Fine School of the Sciences

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Department Chair: Jeremy R. Burkett

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.

Outcomes

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, graduates will be able to:

  1. Apply knowledge of chemical principles to the understanding of living systems.
  2. Describe the ways in which biomolecules contribute to the structure and function of cells.
  3. Design and execute scientific experiments using the scientific method.
  4. Interpret scientific data and communicate findings.
  5. Exhibit behaviors consistent with the professional and ethical standards of the discipline.
  6. Evaluate current scientific advances using knowledge of biochemical principles.
  7. 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 they earn 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 100First Year Seminar

1 credit

BIO 112Principles of General Biology

3 credits

or

BIO 113General Biology I: Cell Biology and Genetics

3 credits

BIO 113LGeneral Biology I Laboratory: Cell Biology and Genetics

1 credit

BIO 230Genetics

4 credits

BIOCH 327Biochemistry

3 credits

BIOCH 345LIntegrative Laboratory I

2 credits

BIOCH 427Advanced Biochemistry

3 credits

BIOCH 470Capstone Internship

3 credits

or

BIOCH 471Capstone Internship

6 credits

BIOCH 475Capstone Seminar

3 credits

CHEM 114General Chemistry I with Problem Solving

3 credits

or

CHEM 115General Chemistry I

3 credits

CHEM 115LGeneral Chemistry I Laboratory

1 credit

CHEM 116General Chemistry II

3 credits

CHEM 116LGeneral Chemistry II Laboratory

1 credit

CHEM 210Organic Chemistry I

3 credits

CHEM 210LOrganic Chemistry I Laboratory

1 credit

CHEM 211Organic Chemistry II

3 credits

CHEM 211LOrganic Chemistry II Laboratory

1 credit

CHEM 213Digital Information Literacy for Chemistry

1 credit

CHEM 313Career Connections in Chemistry

1 credit

MATH 220Calculus I

4 credits

PHYS 210General Physics I

4 credits

or

PHYS 215General Physics I with Calculus

4 credits

PHYS 211General Physics II

4 credits

or

PHYS 216General Physics II with Calculus

4 credits

SCI 215Writing in the Sciences

3 credits

Elective courses Group 1

Select two from the following list:

BIO 310Cell Biology

3 credits

BIO 330Molecular Genetics

4 credits

CHEM 310Analytical Chemistry

3 credits

CHEM 430Physical Chemistry

3 credits

Elective courses Group 2

Select three from the following list, at least one course must be at the 300-level or higher:

BIO 203Microbiology

4 credits

BIO 280Nutrition Science

3 credits

BIO 313Virology

3 credits

BIO 322Human Physiology

4 credits

BIO 332Epidemiology

3 credits

BIO 335Immunology

4 credits

BIO 362Independent Research Experience in Biology

2 credits

BIO 365Independent Laboratory Research in Biology

3 credits

BIOCH 365Independent Laboratory Research in Biochemistry

3 credits

BME 314/MATH 314Biostatistics

3 credits

CHEM 206Herbal Medicines and Remedies

3 credits

CHEM 221Inorganic Chemistry

3 credits

CHEM 346LIntegrative Laboratory II

2 credits

CHEM 365Independent Laboratory Research in Chemistry

3 credits

CHEM 435Special Topics in Chemistry

3 credits

SCI 201Medical Terminology

3 credits

 

Suggested Course Sequence

2022-23 SCS Biochemistry

2022-23 SCS Biochemistry MFS Option

Minor in Biochemistry

A minor in biochemistry is not available.

Other Options

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Honors Requirements: Eligible students majoring in biochemistry may elect to pursue honors within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The intention to pursue Chemistry and Biochemistry 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