The courses for the biochemistry major draw from both the chemistry and biology departments and follow the recommendations of the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Requirements for a major in Biochemistry include the following mandatory courses:

CHM 303 Organic Chemistry I
CHM 304 Organic Chemistry II
CHM 415 Analytical Chemistry
CHM 452 Biochemistry
CHM 453 Advanced Biochemistry
CHM 475 Junior Seminar
CHM 501 Physical Chemistry for Life Sciences
CHM 570 Senior Seminar
CHM 590 Chemical Research

In addition, students must take at least two of the following courses:

BIO 302 Developmental Biology
BIO 306 Plant Physiology
BIO 309 Genetics
BIO 320 Advanced Cell Biology
BIO 360 Microbiology
BIO 430 Molecular Biology

Students must also complete the following cognates (or their equivalents):

BIO 202 Molecular Genetics and Cellular Function
MTH 220 Calculus II
PHY 101 and PHY 102 College Physics (or PHY 201-202)

Departmental Honors

Students who elect to do a thesis research project along with associated oral and written presentations (CHM 575) are eligible for departmental honors consideration, even if they elect the non-ACS degree option. A student who attains a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.30 in the chemistry or biochemistry major and an 85 percent grade or higher on the senior thesis will receive departmental honors. Consideration may also be given to a student with a major grade-point average between 3.00 and 3.30 who submits an extraordinary thesis.