Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 General Catalog 
    
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Biochemistry - BS


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College of Science

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

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  • For more information about Chemistry and Biochemistry, see the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
  • Following is a sample four-year plan. Please note that student-specific plans may differ.
  • Admitted students must meet with the Chemistry & Biochemistry Department Advisor.
  • Current students should also meet with the Chemistry & Biochemistry Department Advisor and log on to Degree Works  to check student-specific program progress.

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits 120

 

Grade Point Average (most majors require higher GPA)

2.00 GPA
Credits of C- or better 100 Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above) 40
Total USU Credits 30 Upper-division USU Credits 20
USU Credits within the Major 10 Credits in Minor (if required) 12
Credits in Major see below Credits in American Institutions 3
General Education Requirements   see link University Studies Depth Requirements   see link
NOTES: The highest math requirement for this degree is MATH 1220: Calculus II (QL) .

REQUIREMENTS TO REMAIN IN THE PROGRAM:

  • No CHEM prefix course may be applied toward graduation with a major in Biochemistry with an earned grade of less than C-.  
  • No CHEM prefix course may be taken on a pass/fail basis, except those courses which are only taught pass/fail.
  • No CHEM prefix course may be repeated more than one time to improve the grade to a C- or better.

 

Admissions Requirements for this Program

New freshmen Admitted to USU in Good Standing

 

Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU 2.2 GPA

First Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

CHEM 1210: Principles of Chemistry I   4     CHEM 1220: Principles of Chemistry II (BPS)   4    
CHEM 1215: Chemical Principles Laboratory I   1     CHEM 1225: Chemical Principles Laboratory II   1    
CHEM 1990: Introduction to the Chemistry and Biochemistry Professions   1     MATH 1220: Calculus II (QL)   4    
MATH 1210: Calculus I (QL)   4     University Studies courses 6  
University Studies courses 5-6        
Comments
Comments

Second Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

BIOL 1610: Biology I /BIOL 1615: Biology I Laboratory   3 /1     BIOL 1620: Biology II (BLS) /BIOL 1625: Biology II Laboratory   3 /1    
CHEM 2310: Organic Chemistry I   4     CHEM 2320: Organic Chemistry II   4    
CHEM 2315: Organic Chemistry Laboratory I   1     CHEM 2325: Organic Chemistry Laboratory II   1    
PHYS 2110: General Physics - Life Sciences I  or PHYS 2210: Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (BPS/QI)   4  or 4     PHYS 2120: General Physics - Life Sciences II (BPS)  or PHYS 2220: Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (BPS/QI)   4  or 4    
University Studies course(s) 2-3   University Studies courses 2-3  
Comments
Comments

Third Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

CHEM 3000: Quantitative Analysis (QI)   3     CHEM 5710: General Biochemistry II   3    
CHEM 3005: Quantitative Analysis Laboratory   1     CHEM 5720: General Biochemistry Laboratory (CI)   3    
CHEM 5700: General Biochemistry I   3     STAT 3000: Statistics for Scientists (QI)   3    
Advanced Biochemistry Electives (Approved by Dept.) 3-4   Advanced Biochemistry Electives (Approved by Dept.) 3-4  
University Studies courses 4-5   University Studies courses 3  
Comments
Comments

Fourth Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

CHEM 5070: Biophysical Chemistry   3     CHEM 4890: Undergraduate Biochemistry Seminar (CI)   2    
Advanced Biochemistry Electives (Approved by Dept.) 6   Advanced Biochemistry Electives (Approved by Dept.) 4-6  
University Studies course(s) 6   University Studies course(s) 7-9  
Comments
Comments

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.

Students must complete the General Education Requirements 

  • CHEM 1220  will fulfill the Breadth Physical Sciences (BPS) requirement.
  • PHYS 2120  and/or BIOL 1620  will fulfill the Integrated Studies requirement.
  • BIOL 1620  will fulfill the Breadth Life Science (BLS) requirement.
  • MATH 1210  will fulfill the Quantitative Literacy (QL) requirement.

Students must also complete the University Studies Depth Requirements 

Biochemistry Program Requirements


  • No CHEM prefix course may be applied toward graduation with a major in Biochemistry with an earned grade of less than C-.  
  • No CHEM prefix course may be taken on a pass/fail basis, except those courses which are only taught pass/fail.
  • No CHEM prefix course may be repeated more than one time to improve the grade to a C- or better.
  • All candidates for graduation with a Biochemistry degree must complete a department exit survey prior to approval of graduation application and completion of the program.

Required Major Advanced Electives (18 credits)


  • Students must take a total of 18 credits of approved electives
  • 14 credits must be 3000 level or higher
  • A minimum of 12 credits must come from list A
  • Students must receive a C- grade or higher in elective courses
  • No P grades will be accepted in elective courses
  • Other upper-division courses may be substituted if approved by the department.
  • Prerequisites will not be waived

Advanced Biochemistry Elective Options List A (12-18 credits required)


A minimum of 12 credits of coursework must from from List A to meet the 18 credit minimum requirement.

  • Students must take a total of 18 credits of approved electives
  • 14 credits of the 18 total credits must be 3000 level or higher
  • Students must receive a C- grade or higher in elective courses
  • No P grades will be accepted in elective courses
  • Only 3 total credits of research (BIOL 5800 and/or CHEM 4800) can be counted towards 18 credit elective requirements
  • For 6000 and 7000 level CHEM prefix courses, permission from the instructor will be required

Advanced Biochemistry Elective Options List B (0-6 Credits)


A maximum of 6 credits of coursework can come from List B to meet the 18 credit minimum requirement.

  • Students must take a total of 18 credits of approved electives
  • 14 credits of the 18 total credits must be 3000 level or higher
  • Students must receive a C- grade or higher in elective courses
  • No P grades will be accepted in elective courses
  • Only 3 total credits of research (BIOL 5800 and/or CHEM 4800) can be counted towards 18 credit elective requirements
  • Students cannot count both BIOL 2420 and BIOL 4600 towards the elective requirements

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