The world is full of questions. We turn to chemists for answers to many of them. Is this water safe to drink? Does this new vegetable hybrid contain the vitamins I need? Chemists work to remediate air pollution, create novel antibiotics, or design new solar cells. They study gold nanoparticles, crystal engineering, and organic superconductors. With an additional concentration in biochemistry, you’ll have the tools to protect and improve the quality of life itself. The world will always need people like you, and our program will prepare you to make a career out of solving problems and answering tough questions that have a real impact on our lives and environment.
Overview of Courses
In addition to your concentration in biochemistry, our program structure includes thorough course work in chemistry with supporting classes in mathematics, physics, and biology so you’re prepared for anything. Here’s a sample of what you can expect to learn and do:
- General Chemistry Lecture + Lab
This course covers the fundamental principles of general chemistry, including the development of modern atomic theory and its role in chemical bonding, structure and reactivity, an introduction to thermodynamics and kinetics, and development of equilibria concepts. - Organic Chemistry Lecture + Lab
Students build a strong foundation in organic chemistry and combine knowledge with practical skills by synthesizing, purifying, and identifying organic compounds. Techniques include: acid/base extraction, recrystallization, distillation, organic reactions, IR spectroscopy, refractive index, melting point and NMR. - Biochemistry I
This course is a detailed study of the structure and function of the major classes of biological macromolecules. Topics include protein structure and folding, experimental methods used to characterize and manipulate proteins and DNA, allostery and other regulation, molecular disease, enzyme mechanism and inhibition, and membranes. - Biochemistry II
This course examines metabolism and metabolic regulation, including vitamins and cofactors, glycolysis, TCA cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, glycogen metabolism, gluconeogenesis, photosynthesis, and the metabolism of fatty acids, lipids, amino acids, and nucleotides.
Curriculum
- CHEM A105/107 General Chemistry I Lecture/Lab
- CHEM A106/108 General Chemistry II Lecture/Lab
- CHEM A300/302 (or 305) Organic Chemistry I Lecture/Lab
- CHEM A301/303 Organic Chemistry II Lecture/Lab
- CHEM A306 Physical Chemistry I
- CHEM A320 Integrated Chemistry Lab I
- CHEM A350 Inorganic Chemistry I
- CHEM A320 Integrated Chemistry Lab
- CHEM A400 Biochemistry I
- CHEM A402 Biochemistry I – Lab
- CHEM A401 Biochemistry II
- CHEM A493 Capstone
- Plus 5 crs of chemistry electives CHEM A300-A400
Chemistry course information
Find out more about the chemistry major: