Mar 13, 2025

2010-2011 General Catalog

2010-2011 General Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

Biochemistry, BS

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The following curriculum is required for the BS degree in biochemistry. To complete the degree in eight semesters (four academic years), students must register for an average of 15-16 credits per semester. (Note: Biochemistry Majors cannot declare a Chemistry Minor.)

Note: Students may satisfy the CHEM 1210 requirement with an AP score of 3 or 4. Both CHEM 1210 and CHEM 1220 may be satisfied with an AP score of 5.

Suggested Schedule

First Year (30-32 credits)

Fall Semester (15-16 credits)

CHEM 1210 - Principles of Chemistry I 4
CHEM 1215 - Chemical Principles Laboratory I 1
MATH 1210 - Calculus I (QL) 4
University Studies courses 6-7

Spring Semester (15-16 credits)

CHEM 1220 - Principles of Chemistry II (BPS) 4
CHEM 1225 - Chemical Principles Laboratory II 1
MATH 1220 - Calculus II (QL) 4
University Studies courses 6-7

Second Year (32 credits)

Fall Semester (16 credits)

CHEM 2310 - Organic Chemistry I 4 ¹
CHEM 2315 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 1 ¹
BIOL 1610 - Biology I 4 ¹
PHYS 2110 - General Physics - Life Sciences I 4 or
PHYS 2210 - General Physics–Science and Engineering I (QI) 4
University Studies course(s) 3

Spring Semester (16 credits)

CHEM 2320 - Organic Chemisty II 4 ²
CHEM 2325 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 1 ²
BIOL 1620 - Biology II (BLS) 4 ²
PHYS 2120 - General Physics - Life Sciences II (BPS) 4 or
PHYS 2220 - General Physics–Science and Engineering II (BPS/QI) 4
University Studies course(s) 3

Third Year (31-37 credits)

Fall Semester (15-18 credits)

CHEM 3000 - Quantitative Analysis (QI) 3 ¹
CHEM 3005 - Quantitative Analysis Laboratory 1 ¹
CHEM 5700 - General Biochemistry I 3 ¹
Advanced Biology Electives (2000 level or higher) 3-4
University Studies courses 5-7

Spring Semester (16-19 credits)

CHEM 5710 - General Biochemistry II 3 ²
CHEM 5720 - General Biochemistry Laboratory 3 ²
STAT 3000 - Statistics for Scientists (QI) 3
Advanced Biology Electives (2000 level or higher) 3-4
University Studies courses 4-7

Fourth Year (29-34 credits)

Fall Semester (14-17 credits)

CHEM 4890 - Undergraduate Biochemistry Seminar (CI) 2
CHEM 5070 - Biophysical Chemistry 3 ¹
Advanced elective coursework 6-12
University Studies course(s) 0-3

Spring Semester (12-15 credits)

Advanced elective coursework 6-12
University Studies course(s) 0-3

Preapproved Course Options for Biochemistry Major Electives (18 credits required for major)

Of the 18 credits required, 14 must be at the 3000 level or higher. Other upper-division courses may be substituted if approved by the department. Prerequisites will not be waived. Only courses with a C- grade or better can be applied toward the electives requirement.

ADVS 5350 - Introductory Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics 3 (Prereq: BIOL 5600 , CHEM 3700 , permission of instructor)
BIOL 2320 - Human Anatomy 4
BIOL 2420 - Human Physiology 4
BIOL 3060 - Principles of Genetics (QI) 4 (Prereq: BIOL 1610 , CHEM 1210 )
BIOL 3065 - Genetics Laboratory 2 (Prereq: BIOL 3060 , which may be taken concurrently)
BIOL 3300 - General Microbiology 4 (Prereq: BIOL 1610 ; CHEM 2310 , which may be taken concurrently)
BIOL 4000 - Human Dissection 1 (Prereq: BIOL 2320 )
BIOL 4400 - Plant Physiology (QI) 4 (Prereq: BIOL 1620 ; and MATH 1050 or higher)
BIOL 5100 - Neurobiology 3 (Prereq: BIOL 1620 ; BIOL 2420 , BIOL 5600 , or BIOL 5620 ; CHEM 1220 ; and PHYS 2120 or PHYS 2220 )
BIOL 5150 - Immunology 3 (Prereq: CHEM 1220 ; BIOL 3060 ; and BIOL 3300 or BIOL 5210 )
BIOL 5190 - Molecular Genetics 3 (Prereq: BIOL 3060 ; and CHEM 3700 or CHEM 5700 )
BIOL 5210 - Cell Biology 3 (Prereq: BIOL 1620 , BIOL 3060 ; CHEM 2300 or CHEM 2320 ; CHEM 5700 )
BIOL 5230 - Developmental Biology 3 (Prereq: BIOL 3060 and BIOL 5210 ; CHEM 5700 strongly recommended)
BIOL 5250 - Evolutionary Biology (CI) 3 (Prereq: BIOL 3060 or WILD 4880 or permission of instructor)
BIOL 5330 - Virology 3 (Prereq: BIOL 3060 and BIOL 3300 )
BIOL 5400 - Environmental Toxicology 3
BIOL 5600 - Comparative Animal Physiology 3 (Prereq: BIOL 1620 and CHEM 1220 )
BIOL 5620 - Medical Physiology 3 (Prereq: BIOL 1620 ; BIOL 2420 or BIOL 5600 ; CHEM 5710 )
CHEM 4800 - Research Problems (CI) 1-3 (Prereq: Permission of instructor) (3 credit minimum)
CHEM 6730 - Principles of Enzymology 3 (Prereq: CHEM 5700 )
CHEM 6740 - Cellular Communication by Small Molecules and Proteins 3 (Prereq: CHEM 5700 )
CHEM 6750 - Principles of Structural Biology 3 (Prereq: CHEM 5700 )
CHEM 6760 - Principles of Bioenergetics 3 (Prereq: CHEM 5700 )

BS Degree in Biochemistry with Honors

A BS degree in Biochemistry with honors can be earned by meeting the following requirements:

Minimum GPA of 3.50 in chemistry courses
Overall GPA of 3.30
Completion of 15 credits of honors work by successfully completing honors contracts in the following courses:

CHEM 4800 - Research Problems (CI) 1-3 (3-6 credits required)
CHEM 4890 - Undergraduate Biochemistry Seminar (CI) 2
3-6 credits selected from Honors courses numbered 3000 or higher in chemistry or related subjects, as appropriate. Three credits may be selected from chemistry courses numbered 6000 or higher 3-6

In addition, select two courses from the following:

Note:

¹ Offered fall semester only

² Offered spring semester only