Requirements for a major in Biochemistry
Updated 5/1/01

I. Required Biology Courses

  1. The first semester of the introductory biology course:
  2. Both of these Biology-Chemistry courses:
  3. One of the following:

II. Required Chemistry Courses

  1. One of these three sequences of courses:
  2. The following physical chemistry courses:
    • C3079- C3080 - Physical chemistry I and II

III. Required Laboratory Courses

  1. One general chemistry lab:
    • C1500 - General chemistry laboratory or C2507 - Intensive general chemistry laboratory
  2. One organic chemistry lab:
    • C3543 or C3545 - Organic chemistry laboratory
  3. One of these upper-level biology labs:
  4. At least one of these upper-level chemistry or biology labs:

**It is OK to take only one term of C3500, but you usually learn much more if you work in the same lab for a more extended period. If you intend to do lab research, we recommend two terms of independent research (4 pts each) or one term + a summer in the same laboratory. (Even if only one term is applied toward the major.) Students who satisfactorily complete both one term of C3500 and SURF in the same lab are considered to have completed all their upper-level lab requirements (3 & 4 above).  SURF may  be used in lieu of the lab requirement only if combined with one semester of C3500; summer lab work under other auspices may not be substituted for SURF.  Paid laboratory work may not be substituted for any of these requirements. 

IV. Required Physics and Math Courses

  1. One of these two sequences of physics courses:
    • Physics V1301 - V1302  Honors general physics or
    • Physics C1401 and C1402 (C1403 is highly recommended but not required)
  2. One of these pairs of math courses:
    • Math V1105 - V1106 Calculus IS and IIS
    • Math V1101 - V1102 Calculus IA and IIA

V. Additional Course Requirements:  Any three of these:

  1. Math courses:
    • V1201 or V1205 - Calculus IIIA  or IIIS/IVA
  2. Chemistry courses:
    • C3071 Introduction to inorganic chemistry
    • G4104 Advanced inorganic chemistry II
    • G4147 Advanced organic chemistry
    • G4172 Bio-organic topics
    • G4221 Quantum chemistry I
  3. Biology courses: Any course at the 3000/4000 level.  The following are recommended:

 

VI. Recommended Seminar Courses (not required)

  1. Biology C2908 - First-year seminar in modern biology
  2. Chemistry C2408 - First-year seminar

See  Biochemistry Advisor's location and office hours