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.