Biochemistry, BS

Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry (315002BS) 

More on the Biochemistry major

Chemistry is an experimental science that seeks to understand the structure and function of molecules. Chemists synthesize new materials, and study their properties and how they interact with other compounds. The BS degree offered by the department prepares students for independent laboratory work and research.

The following information has official approval of The Department of Chemistry and The Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences, but is intended only as a supplemental guide. Official degree requirements are established at the time of transfer and admission to the degree-granting college. Students should refer to the Degree Progress Report (Stellic) which is definitive for graduation requirements. Completion of this degree within the identified time frame below is contingent upon many factors, including but not limited to: class availability, total number of required credits, work schedule, finances, family, course drops/withdrawals, successfully passing courses, prerequisites, among others. The transfer process is completed through an appointment with your academic advisor.

Three year accelerated option: for first time students who have earned credits for at least the first year of courses. Credits can be earned through qualifying scores on appropriate Advanced Placement (AP) exams or through College Credit Plus Program (CCP) courses. Credits for qualifying AP scores or CCP courses are determined by the appropriate academic department. Departments may assign varied course credit, depending on the student’s score on an AP exam or grade in a CCP course. Students may also receive credit by examination or via placement tests, where appropriate.

Requirements

Summary

General Education Requirements *31-29
College of Arts & Sciences Requirements8
Chemistry Requirements33-35
Biology Requirements24
Physics Requirements8
Mathematics Requirements8
Biochemistry Electives 8
Total Hours120
 
*

Several courses required for the major also satisfy General Education requirements. The University minimum of 36 credits are required for General Education and credit for these courses will apply to multiple requirements. 

Recommended General Education Courses

Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must complete the following General Education coursework. Diversity courses may also fulfill major or Breadth of Knowledge requirements. Integrated and Applied Learning courses may also fulfill requirements in the major.
Students are not required to enroll in the specific courses listed below. However, to facilitate successful degree completion, the academic department strongly encourages completion of the following recommendations.
Academic Foundations12
Mathematics, Statistics and Logic: 3 credit hours
MATH 221
Analytic Geometry-Calculus I
MATH 222
Analytic Geometry-Calculus II
Speaking: 3 credit hours
Writing: 6 credit hours
Breadth of Knowledge 22
Arts/Humanities: 9 credit hours
Natural Sciences: 7 credit hours
CHEM 151
Principles of Chemistry I
CHEM 152
Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory
CHEM 153
Principles of Chemistry II
BIOL 111
Principles of Biology I
BIOL 112
Principles of Biology II
PHYS 261
& PHYS 262
College Physics I
and College Physics II
PHYS 291
& PHYS 292
Elementary Classical Physics I
and Elementary Classical Physics II
Social Sciences: 6 credit hours
Diversity
Domestic Diversity
Global Diversity
Integrated and Applied Learning2
Select one class from one of the following subcategories:
Complex Issues Facing Society
Capstone
Review the General Education Requirements page for detailed course listings.
Total Hours36

College of Arts & Sciences Requirements

Degree requirements for this Bachelor of Science in Arts & Sciences include the demonstration of ability to use another language by completion of the first year of a foreign language.
1 Year Language Proficiency8
101 Beginning I
102 Beginning II
SLPA 222
Survey of Deaf Culture in America (American Sign Language option only)
Students must also complete a minimum of 40 credits (excluding workshops) consisting of either:
Upper-level (300/400) courses both in and outside of the student’s major;
or other courses outside the major department approved by the student’s major department chair (permission should be obtained prior to enrollment); these may not include workshops

Chemistry Requirements 1

CHEM 151Principles of Chemistry I3
CHEM 152Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory1
CHEM 153Principles of Chemistry II3
CHEM 154Qualitative Analysis2
CHEM 263Organic Chemistry Lecture I3
CHEM 264Organic Chemistry Lecture II3
CHEM 265Organic Chemistry Laboratory I2
CHEM 266Organic Chemistry Laboratory II2
CHEM 370Biochemistry Laboratory2
CHEM 401Biochemistry Lecture I3
CHEM 402Biochemistry Lecture II3
CHEM 480Advanced Chemistry Laboratory III 32
Select one of the following:4-6
CHEM 305
Physical Chemistry for the Biological Sciences
-or-
CHEM 313
& CHEM 314
Physical Chemistry Lecture I
and Physical Chemistry Lecture II
Total Hours33-35
1

Complete with a grade of C- or better

2

Biochemistry majors meet the prerequisite requirements for this course

Biology Requirements

BIOL 111Principles of Biology I4
BIOL 112Principles of Biology II4
BIOL 211General Genetics3
BIOL 212Genetics Laboratory1
BIOL 311Cell & Molecular Biology4
BIOL 480Molecular Biology3
BIOL 485Cell Physiology3
BIOL 486Cell Physiology Laboratory2
Total Hours24

Physics Requirement

Select one of the following:8
PHYS 261
& PHYS 262
College Physics I
and College Physics II
-or-
PHYS 291
& PHYS 292
Elementary Classical Physics I
and Elementary Classical Physics II
Total Hours8

Mathematics Requirement

MATH 221Analytic Geometry-Calculus I4
MATH 222Analytic Geometry-Calculus II4
Total Hours8

Biochemistry Electives

Select at least eight credits of the following:8
BIOL 331
Microbiology
BIOL 437
Immunology
BIOL 481
Advanced Genetics
BIOL 497
Biological Problems
CHEM 199
Introductory Seminar in Chemistry
CHEM 380
Advanced Chemistry Laboratory I 1
CHEM 381
Advanced Chemistry Laboratory II 1
CHEM 399
Internship in Chemistry
CHEM 423
Analytical Chemistry I
CHEM 424
Analytical Chemistry II
CHEM 463
Advanced Organic Chemistry
CHEM 472
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 497
Honors Project in Chemistry 2
CHEM 499
Research Problems in Chemistry 2
STAT 401
Probability and Statistics for Engineers
PLYS 407
PLYS 497
Honors Project in Polymer Science
PLYS 499
Research Problems in Polymer Science
Total Hours8
1

Biochemistry majors meet the prerequisite requirements for this course.

2

Course may be repeated for up to eight credits.

Recommended Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
1st Year
Fall SemesterHours
Writing Requirement 3
BIOL 111 Principles of Biology I 4
CHEM 151 Principles of Chemistry I 3
CHEM 152 Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory 1
MATH 149 Precalculus Mathematics 4
 Hours15
Spring Semester
Writing Requirement 3
BIOL 112 Principles of Biology II 4
CHEM 153 Principles of Chemistry II 3
CHEM 154 Qualitative Analysis 2
MATH 221 Analytic Geometry-Calculus I 4
 Hours16
2nd Year
Fall Semester
CHEM 263 Organic Chemistry Lecture I 3
CHEM 265 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 2
BIOL 211 General Genetics 3
BIOL 212 Genetics Laboratory 1
MATH 222 Analytic Geometry-Calculus II 4
Select one of the following: 4
PHYS 261 College Physics I  
PHYS 291 Elementary Classical Physics I  
 Hours17
Spring Semester
CHEM 264 Organic Chemistry Lecture II 3
CHEM 266 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 2
BIOL 311 Cell & Molecular Biology 1 4
Humanities Requirement 3 3
Select one of the following: 4
PHYS 262 College Physics II  
PHYS 292 Elementary Classical Physics II  
 Hours16
3rd Year
Fall Semester
CHEM 305 Physical Chemistry for the Biological Sciences 4
CHEM 401 Biochemistry Lecture I 3
Social Science Requirement 3 3
Speaking Requirement 3
Select one of the following: 3-4
Beginning Language I
 
SLPA 101 American Sign Language I  
 Hours16-17
Spring Semester
CHEM 402 Biochemistry Lecture II 3
CHEM 370 Biochemistry Laboratory 2
BIOL 480 Molecular Biology 1 3
Arts Requirement 3 3
Complex Issues Requirement 3,4 3
Select one of the following: 3-4
Beginning Language II
 
SLPA 102 American Sign Language II  
 Hours17-18
4th Year
Fall Semester
CHEM 480 Advanced Chemistry Laboratory III 2
CHEM:3xx/4xxUpper Level Biochem Elective 1,5 4
Arts/Humanities Requirement 3 3
Social Science Requirement 3 3
Global Diversity Requirement 3,4 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
BIOL 485 Cell Physiology 3
BIOL 486 Cell Physiology Laboratory 2
CHEM:3xx/4xxUpper Level Biochem Elective 1,5 4
Domestic Diversity Requirement 3,4 3
 Hours12
 Total Hours124-126
1

The above order in which you take the 300/400 level Biology and Chemistry courses is suggested. Such courses are not necessarily offered every year.

2

Students pursuing Biochemistry can choose to take CHEM 305 Physical Chemistry for Biosciences, or CHEM 313 and 314 Physical Chemistry Lecture I and II.  CHEM 313 is offered in the Fall and CHEM 314 is offered in the Spring. 

3

These courses fulfill General Education requirements. Unless a course is specified, refer to the General Education guide at https://bulletin.uakron.edu/undergraduate/general-education/. It is recommended that General Education courses be selected to satisfy major or minor requirements, or to double dip between multiple tiers (i.e. Chemistry majors are encouraged to take SOCIO 100 Introduction to Sociology and/or SOWK 244/344 Death and Dying to satisfy the Domestic Diversity Requirement, as well as part of the Social Science Requirement).

4

If requirement has been satisfied by previous coursework, credits should still be filled as general electives.

5

Students pursuing Biochemistry must take at least 8 credits to fulfill Upper Level Chemistry course requirements. Options for electives include BIOL 331, BIOL 437, BIOL 481, BIOL 497, CHEM 199, CHEM 380, CHEM 381, CHEM 399, CHEM 423, CHEM 424, CHEM 463, CHEM 472, CHEM 497, CHEM 499, STAT 401, PLYS 407, PLYS 497, PLYS 499