Mar 29, 2024  
2022-2023 General Catalog 
    
2022-2023 General Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]


Biochemistry, B.S.



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(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.

Program Learning Outcomes


By the completion of our degree programs, students will demonstrate the ability to:

  1. Apply both the concepts and mathematics of basic thermodynamic properties and the three laws thermodynamics.  This includes enthalpy, entropy and free energy (ΔG = ΔH – TΔS)
  2. Differentiate between thermodynamics and kinetics as it pertains to the fate of a reaction.
  3. Identify the components of solutions and utilize their knowledge prepare and dilute solutions.
  4. Describe and the concepts of acids and bases, neutralization and buffers and apply those concepts to chemistry problems.
  5. Utilize stoichiometry, write appropriate chemical equations to describe chemical processes, to categorize chemical reactions, and gain a fundamental understanding of chemical reactivity.
  6. Appropriately manipulate and interpret data.
  7. Work safely and ethically in lab including maintaining a good lab notebook, performing basic lab skills, designing and troubleshooting experiments, and reporting conclusions.
  8. Effectively utilize instrumentation and computer.
  9. Describe and utilize basic chemical bonding theory including drawing Lewis dot structures, recognizing hybrid orbitals, and molecular orbital theory.
  10. Read and interpret chemical literature and communicate science effectively in both oral and written formats
  11. Implement career planning

    Learning Outcomes Specific for BS Biochemistry
  12. Implement advanced lab techniques and skills.
  13. Implement experiments for a novel research problem and demonstrate scientific independence.
  14. Describe and apply the relationship between structure and function for biological molecules and how these relationships dictate chemical reactivities in metabolism and life.

Degree Requirements


See the “Degree Requirements ” in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.

General Education Requirements (48 units)

See the “General Education Program ” requirements in the University Catalog for information on General Education requirements. Some major requirements may double count for GE requirements.

Major Elective


Choose 1, 4-unit course from the following:

Total Units Required: 120


Total GE unit: 48

Total Major Core units: 50 (includes 6 units that also count for GE)

Total Support units: 15 (includes 3 units that also count for GE)

Biology units: 6

Major Elective units: 4

Elective units: 6

Total Units Required for Graduation: 120

Total units to graduate: 120

Program Roadmaps


Sample Four-Year Program


The Four year Plan is a sample study plan. The sequence and specific courses given are suggestive; please see an advisor each semester to plan your personal program and track your progress using the Academic Requirements Report (ARR) in MYSSU.

Courses may be interchanged fall and spring semester depending on course offering each semester.

General Education Notes:

  • GE Areas A2 and B4 should be completed by the end of the first year. Some students may take year-long courses for GE A2 and/or B4.
  • GE Area A1 and A3 should be completed by the end of the second year
  • Students should enroll in Upper Division GE courses after completion of Areas A1, A2, A3, and B4 with a C- or better, lower division GE in that area, and 45 units total.
  • Not all First-Year Learning Communities (FLC’s) meet the same GE areas.
  • GE Area D must be taken in two different subject areas across the nine total required units in lower division (LD) and upper division (UD).
  • Students must take American Institution requirements in U.S. History and U.S. Constitution/California State and Local Government. These requirements may be met in GE.

Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry


Freshman Year: 31 Units

Fall Semester (16 Units)

Spring Semester (17-18 Units)

Sophomore Year: 29 Units

Junior Year: 30 Units

Fall Semester (14 Units)

Spring Semester (14 Units)

Senior Year: 31 Units

Fall Semester (16 Units)

Spring Semester (15 Units)

Total Semester Units: 120


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