Suggested Four-Year Course Planner for the Biochemistry Major

1st Year

Fall Spring
CHEM 111L Introductory Chemistry I CHEM 112L Introductory Chemistry II
First-Year Seminar BIOL 183L  Cellular Basis of Life
Calculus (MATH 125 or higher)* Calculus *
Elective Elective

*The specific calculus course taken will depend on the results of the mathematics placement exam. 

The biochemistry major requires math through Calculus II (MATH-132 or MATH-142), but students are encouraged (especially students who are intending to pursue graduate work) to take additional math courses, for example Linear Algebra (MATH-228), Calculus III (MATH-231) and/or Differential Equations (MATH-234).

2nd Year

Fall Spring
CHEM 211L Elementary Organic Chemistry I CHEM 212L Elementary Organic Chemistry II
BIOL 182L  Evolution of Life BIOL 224L Genetics (or BIOL 227L Cell Biology or BIOL 308L Microbiology)
CHEM 313 Principles of Inorganic Chemistry Elective
Elective Elective


3rd Year

Fall Spring
BIOL 317L Biochemistry CHEM 300+ level Elective or BIOL 200+ level Elective
PHYS 131L Mechanics & Heat PHYS 231L Electricity and Magnetism and Waves
Elective Elective
Elective Elective

4th Year

Fall Spring
CHEM 309L  Physical Chemistry I CHEM 316L Physical Biochemistry
CHEM 311L Analytical Chemistry Elective
Elective Elective
Elective Elective

NOTE: For certification by the American Chemical Society, students must also take

CHEM 312L or CHEM 314L and CHEM 404.

Students intending to pursue graduate work in Biochemistry should take as many elective courses as possible.