Biochemistry (BS)

Description

The Chemistry and Biochemistry programs prepare students for advanced study in graduate, medical, dental or law schools and/or for employment in chemical and related industries, government or private research laboratories.

The Chemistry and Biochemistry programs educate students as professional chemists who can plan and reason through problem situations and develop responses that are scientifically correct and ethically and socially acceptable.

The Chemistry and Biochemistry curricula provide exceptional opportunities to combine a traditional education with advanced laboratory experiences including undergraduate research.

The undergraduate Chemistry and Biochemistry programs also provide core curriculum courses for students pursuing other science, engineering, and liberal arts curricula.

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    Program Learning Outcomes

    Graduates of this program will be able to

    1. work safely and effectively in a laboratory.
    2. design experiments.
    3. use and interpret (qualitatively, quantitatively, and statistically) data collected by the following instruments: pH meter, analytical balance, UV/vis spectrometer, FTIR, GC/MS, and NMR.
    4. communicate scientific knowledge effectively through oral and written reports.
    5. search the biochemical literature, including online sources.
    6. critically read the biochemical literature.
    7. demonstrate an awareness of the ethical issues in the molecular sciences.
    8. work effectively in small groups and teams.
    9. use computers to assist data collection and processing
    10. use biochemical techniques including statistical analysis of experimental data, electrophoretic techniques, chromatographic separations, and isolation and identification of macromolecules.
    11. apply knowledge in regards to biological structures and interactions, biological reactions, and biological equilibria, and thermodynamics.
    12. demonstrate a mastery of factual knowledge in chemistry (organic, inorganic, biochemistry, physical, analytical) and biology.
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    Degree Requirements - Bachelor of Science with a Major in Biochemistry (126 credits)

    The Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry is designed to provide the student with the background in chemistry, biology and biochemistry needed to enter professional schools, such as medicine or dentistry; to pursue graduate studies in chemistry or biochemistry or a number of interdisciplinary areas such as pharmacology, forensics or bio-engineering; to teach chemistry at the secondary level; or work as a biologically-oriented professional chemist.

    Course Requirements

    • CHM 1070 General Chemistry I (3 credits)
    • CHM 1080 General Chemistry II (3 credits)
    • CHM 1100 Chemistry Laboratory I (1 credit)
    • CHM 1120 Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (1 credit)
    • CHM 2250 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (1 credit)
    • CHM 2270 Organic Chemistry I (3 credits)
    • CHM 2290 Organic Chemistry II (3 credits)
    • CHM 2300 Advanced Organic Chemistry Lab II (2 credits)
    • CHM 3330 Physical Chemistry Laboratory I (1 credit)
    • CHM 3340 Physical Chemistry Laboratory II (1 credit)
    • CHM 3410 Chemical Thermodynamics and Applications (3 credits)
    • CHM 3420 Chemical Dynamics and Quantum Chemistry (3 credits)
    • CHM 3870 Quantitative Analysis (3 credits)
    • CHM 3880 Quantitative Analysis Laboratory (1 credit)
    • CHM 4710 Biochemistry I (3 credits)
    • CHM 4720 Biochemistry II (3 credits)
    • CHM 4730 Biochemistry Laboratory (2 credits)
    • CHM 4740 Recent Advances in Biochemistry (3 credits)
    • CHM 4990 Chemistry Senior Assessment (0 credits)
    • Optional: Laboratory Research (CHM 2980, CHM 4980) max 6 credits

    Additional Requirements

    • BIO 1200 General Biology I (3 credits)
    • BIO 1210 General Biology Laboratory I (2 credits)
    • BIO 1220 General Biology II (3 credits)
    • BIO 1230 General Biology Laboratory II (2 credits)
    • BIO 2600-level or above (15 credits)
    • MTH 1410 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (4 credits)
    • MTH 1420 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II (4 credits)
    • PHY 1300 General Physics I (3 credits)
    • PHY 1310 General Physics I Laboratory (1 credit)
    • PHY 1320 General Physics II (3 credits)
    • PHY 1330 General Physics II Laboratory (1 credit)

    The requirements for this degree also include additional credit hours from the University Core Curriculum for the College of Engineering & Science.

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    Core Curriculum

    In addition to the courses required for this program listed above, the student must also fulfill the requirements of the University Core Curriculum for this program.

    Some of these courses may be satisfied by courses in your program.  Please review your Degree Evaluation or consult your academic advisor for more information.

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    Optional Concentration - Neuroscience

    The Neuroscience concentration focuses on the scientific investigation of behavior, neurological and mental processes as well as provides students with basic scientific skills training. A concentration in neuroscience will offer students an opportunity to learn about theory and research on the brain and nervous system from a number of perspectives. Students will learn how developments in biology, psychology, chemistry and related fields alter knowledge regarding brain structure and function. This cross-disciplinary concentration is not housed within a single department but, rather, is directed and taught primarily by faculty in the Departments of Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry and Psychology.

    The concentration is a minimum of 12 credit hours, a minimum of 3 credit hours in PYC, and 6 credit hours from 3000+ level or higher.

    Choose 1 of the following

    • BIO 3800 Principles of Neurophysiology (3 credits)
    • PYC 4070 Advanced Psychobiology (3 credits)

    Choose 1 of the following

    • BIO 2840 Animal Behavior (3 credits)
    • BIO 3800 Principles of Neurophysiology (3 credits)
    • CHM 4740 Recent Advances in Biochemistry (3 credits)
    • CHM 4600 Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery (3 credits)

    Choose 2 of the following (at least one course must be PYC)

    • PYC 2010 Research Methods I (3 credits)
    • PYC 4070 Advanced Psychobiology (3 credits)
    • BIO 2840 Animal Behavior (3 credits)
    • BIO 3800 Principles of Neurophysiology (3 credits)
    • CHM 4600 Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery (3 credits)
    • CHM 4740 Recent Advances in Biochemistry (3 credits)
    • PYC 2010 Research Methods I (3 credits)
    • PYC 2020 Research Methods II (3 credits)
    • PYC 4070 Advanced Psychobiology (3 credits)
    • PYC 4080 Advanced Psychobiology Laboratory (3 credits)
    • PYC 4090 Perceptual and Cognitive Processes (3 credits)
    • PYC 4100 Perceptual and Cognitive Process Laboratory (3 credits)

    Total Credits: 12 credits

    6 credits must be 3000 level or higher

    At least one PYC course must be chosen.

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    Program Contact Information

Program Contact Information

Program Chair: Mark A. Benvenuto
Chemistry 113
Telephone: (313) 993-1258
Fax: (313) 993-1144
Email: schleyja@udmercy.edu
Website