Biochemistry, B.S.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

(Certified by the American Chemical Society)

The B.S. degree in biochemistry is appropriate for students interested in the medical fields, graduate study in chemistry or biochemistry, or employment in the biochemical, pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries. All courses in the major core, major electives and supporting courses must be taken in the traditional grading mode (A-F). Undergraduate research is required for the B.S. degree in biochemistry. Transcripts will be noted as approved by the American Chemical Society.

Please see the current approved curriculum on the SSU official catalog web page.

	Degree Requirements	Units
	General education (48, 16 in major)	48
	Major requirements	43
	Biology / Chemistry courses	10
	Supporting courses	13-15
	Electives	4-6
	Total units needed for graduation	120

Major Core Requirements

* Quantitative Analysis (CHEM 255 ) is not required for students who have completed CHEM 125A & CHEM 125B , but is required for majors that took CHEM 115A /CHEM 115B . Students should replace these four units by completing the challenge by exam form upon completion of the series.

CHEM 115A - General Chemistry Unit(s): 5
CHEM 115B - General Chemistry Unit(s): 5
CHEM 125A - Quantitative General Chemistry Unit(s): 5
CHEM 125B - Quantitative General Chemistry Unit(s): 5
10 units, 4 in the major core, 6 in GE
CHEM 255 - Quantitative Analysis Unit(s): 4 *
CHEM 275 - Instrumental Analysis Unit(s): 2
CHEM 310A - Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry Unit(s): 3
CHEM 310B - Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry Unit(s): 3
CHEM 315 - Introduction to Research Methods in Chemistry Unit(s): 1
CHEM 316 - Research Methods in Chemistry Unit(s): 2
CHEM 325 - Inorganic Chemistry Unit(s): 3
CHEM 335A - Organic Chemistry Unit(s): 3
CHEM 335B - Organic Chemistry Unit(s): 3
CHEM 336A - Organic Chemistry Lab I Unit(s): 2
CHEM 401 - Senior Integrated Lab Unit(s): 3
CHEM 441 - Biochemical Methods Unit(s): 3
CHEM 445 - Structural Biochemistry Unit(s): 3
CHEM 446 - Metabolic Biochemistry Unit(s): 3
CHEM 497 - Research Seminar Unit(s): 1

Biology/Chemistry Courses

BIOL 130 - Introductory Cell Biology and Genetics Unit(s): 4 (4 units, 1 in the major core, 3 in general education B2)
BIOL 321 - Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Physiology Unit(s): 4
BIOL 325 - Molecular and Cellular Lab Techniques Unit(s): 1

Choose 1 from the following:

CHEM 496 - Selected Topics in Chemistry Unit(s): 1-6 (4 Unit(s) Required) OR
UD CHEM Elective
BIOL 338 - Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology Unit(s): 4
BIOL 340 - General Bacteriology Unit(s): 4
BIOL 342 - Molecular Genetics Unit(s): 4
BIOL 344 - Cell Biology Unit(s): 4
BIOL 348 - Plant Physiology Unit(s): 4
BIOL 349 - Animal Physiology Unit(s): 4
BIOL 383 - Virology Unit(s): 4
BIOL 544 Advanced Cell Biology Unit(s): 4
(or other courses approved by the Chemistry Department)

GE Courses

CHEM 120A - Thinking Like a Scientist Unit(s): 2
CHEM 120B - Thinking Like a Scientist Unit(s): 2
MATH 161 - Differential and Integral Calculus I Unit(s): 4
BIOL 130 - Introductory Cell Biology and Genetics Unit(s): 4
Others

Supporting Courses

MATH 161 - Differential and Integral Calculus I Unit(s): 4 (4 units, 1 in major core, 3 in GE B4)
MATH 211 - Differential and Integral Calculus II Unit(s): 4
CHEM 115A - General Chemistry Unit(s): 5
AND
CHEM 115B - General Chemistry Unit(s): 5 OR
CHEM 125A - Quantitative General Chemistry Unit(s): 5
AND
CHEM 125B - Quantitative General Chemistry Unit(s): 5
PHYS 114 - Introduction to Physics I Unit(s): 4 OR
PHYS 210A - General Physics Unit(s): 3
PHYS 116 - Introductory Laboratory Experience Unit(s): 1 OR
PHYS 209A - General Physics Laboratory Unit(s): 1
PHYS 214 - Introduction to Physics II Unit(s): 4 OR
PHYS 210B - General Physics Unit(s): 3
PHYS 216 - Introductory Laboratory Unit(s): 1 OR
PHYS 209B - General Physics Laboratory Unit(s): 1

Units

Total units in the major core: 43

Total units in Biology/Chemistry Courses: 10

Total units in GE courses: 50

Electives: 2-4

Total units to graduate: 120

Sample Four-Year Program

* Quantitative Analysis (CHEM 255 ) is not required for students who have completed CHEM 125A & CHEM 125B . Students should replace these four units by completing the challenge by exam form upon completion of the series.