Biochemistry (BS)
The major in biochemistry is jointly administered by the departments of biology and chemistry and has an option to be approved by the American Chemical Society. The rapidly growing field of biochemistry involves the application of biological and chemical concepts and techniques to the understanding of life processes such as the determination of hereditary traits, utilization of energy, propagation of nerve signals, and the molecular basis of physiological and pharmacological phenomena. Biochemists are involved in agriculture, medical research, biotechnology, nutritional research, and other areas at the interface of chemistry and biology.
Students majoring in biochemistry will be well equipped for professions in research and industry, as well as the pursuit of graduate study in biochemistry, medicine, genetics, and other related fields. The program consists of a core of chemistry and biology courses beginning in the first year and continuing for the first three years, a choice of two 300-level elective courses in chemistry and/or biology, and a one-year independent study project culminating in a thesis. In addition, there are six prerequisite courses in biology, chemistry, calculus, and physics. The following list of requirements includes both the core and the prerequisite courses. A student may find it convenient to take MATH 120 and/or MATH 121 during the summer. The advanced biochemistry lab, CHEM 347, provides an opportunity to learn more advanced techniques in biotechnology in a fully research integrated environment.
Program Requirements
First Year
Sophomore Year
Junior/Senior Year
| BIOL 337 | Molecular Biology | 4 |
| CHEM 331/PHYS 331 | Thermodynamics & Kinetics | 4 |
| CHEM 345 | Biochemistry | 4 |
| A 300-level elective in Biology or Chemistry | 4 |
| A 300-level elective in Biology or Chemistry | 4 |
Capstone (Chemistry Option)
Complete 8 credit hours to fulfill the Capstone Requirement in Chemistry. If registered for
CHEM 350,
CHEM 355 or
CHEM 370, biochemistry majors must also register for
CHEM 390 Chemistry Seminar in the Fall and Spring terms and deliver an oral presentation on their Independent Study Work.
Fall
Spring
Capstone (Biology Option)
Complete 8 credit hours to fulfill the Capstone Requirement in Biology.
Fall
Spring
To meet the ACS Certification standards, biochemistry majors must also complete CHEM 248, in addition to the aforementioned curriculum.
For a transferred course to count as equivalent to a Simmons course with a laboratory component - for the purposes of meeting the requirements of a Biochemistry major - the transferred laboratory cannot be completed online.