Programs of Study
The diversity of biochemistry is illustrated by the breadth of the research interests of the faculty associated with the Program of Study. These interests range from biophysics and biophysical chemistry through molecular and cellular biology. A well trained biochemist must have an excellent grounding in the physical sciences as well as in biology. Students in this Program of Study are encouraged to enroll in the more rigorous course sequences in chemistry and physics and to take at least three semesters of mathematics. Courses at the advanced level are open to upper-class students as well as graduate students, and a one-credit seminar course in an area of biochemistry is offered each semester.
Biochemistry is an experimental science and students are encouraged to carry out independent research projects under faculty supervision. By performing research, a student gains a deeper understanding of an area as well as an appreciation of the experimental scientific process. Faculty members pursue a large variety of projects in their laboratories, using many different techniques. Faculty research interests include regulation of gene expression, genetic engineering, properties of transformed cells, membrane structure and transport, structure and function of proteins and the cytoskeleton, photosynthesis and oxidative phosphorylation, and chromosome structure. Viruses, microbes, yeast, animal cells in culture, and higher plants are used in the research programs of faculty members in biochemistry.
A number of the graduates from the biochemistry Program of Study will continue their training in graduate school or in medical or veterinary colleges. Holders of a bachelor's degree in biochemistry are needed in academic, industrial, and government laboratories. Biochemistry is a rapidly moving discipline that is attracting increasing interest from many industries, including pharmaceutical houses, chemical concerns, and food processors.
Course Descriptions
Room and Time Rosters
Department Website
Required Classes for Program of Study in Biochemistry:
Students electing this program of study should be sure to complete CHEM 2070-2080 or CHEM 2150-2160 during their freshman year.
- CHEM 2070-2080, General Chemistry
- CHEM 2150-2160, Honors General and Inorganic Chemistry
Additional required courses:
- BIOBM 4320, Survey of Cell Biology
- BIOBM 4400 Laboratory in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Physical Chemistry*
- CHEM 2870-2880, Introductory Physical Chemistry
- or
- CHEM 3890-3900, Honors Physical Chem I & II
- or
- CHEM 3890-2880
- Organic Chemistry, 6 credits
- CHEM 3570-3580, Organic Chemistry for the Life Sciences
- or
- CHEM 3590-3600, Honors Organic Chem I & II
- At least 1 other course from the following list:
- BIOBM 4380, RNA World
- BIOBM 6310, Protein Structure, Dynamics, and Function
- BIOBM 7300, Protein NMR Spectroscopy
- CHEM 3000, Quantitative Chemistry
- CHEM 4510, Structural Chemical Biology
- CHEM 7380, Macromolecular Crystallography
* Students interested in graduate work in biochemistry should take PHYS 2207-2208 Fundamentals of Physics I, and should consider taking CHEM 3890-3900 Honors Physical Chemistry I and II, and its prerequisites.
Note: Biology majors in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences who select the Biochemistry program are allowed to take up to 61 credit hours in the endowed colleges because of the high number of required endowed courses for this program.
