Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

The Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry is recommended for those students interested in integrating the subjects of biology and chemistry. The cross-disciplinary nature of the degree provides students with a good foundation for careers in research and development in the private sector and in academia. Many will continue their education in graduate schools or in health related fields such as medicine, dentistry, or pharmacy.

For further information, please see the Chemical Sciences overview page.

COURSE TITLE S.H.
FIRST YEAR REQUIREMENT -STUDENT SUCCESS
YSU 1500Success Seminar1-2
or SS 1500 Strong Start Success Seminar
or HONR 1500 Intro to Honors
General Education Requirements
ENGL 1550Writing 13-4
or ENGL 1549 Writing 1 with Support
ENGL 1551Writing 23
CMST 1545Communication Foundations3
Mathematics requirement (met with MATH in major)
Some couses are categorized in more than one Knowledge Domain. Courses can only be used once within the GE model.
Arts and Humanities (6 s.h.)6
Natural Sciences (2 courses, 1 with lab)
This requirement is met through courses in the major
Social Science (6 s.h.)6
Social and Personal Awareness (6 s.h.)6
The following CHEM core courses are required:
CHEM 1515General Chemistry 13
CHEM 1515LGeneral Chemistry 1 Laboratory1
CHEM 1515RRecitation for General Chemistry 11
CHEM 1516General Chemistry 23
CHEM 1516LGeneral Chemistry 2 Laboratory1
CHEM 1516RRecitation for General Chemistry 21
CHEM 2604
2604L
Quantitative Analysis
and Quantitative Analysis Laboratory
5
CHEM 3719Organic Chemistry 13
CHEM 3719LOrganic Chemistry 1 Laboratory1
CHEM 3719ROrganic Chemistry Recitation 11
CHEM 3720Organic Chemistry 23
CHEM 3720LOrganic Chemistry 2 Laboratory1
CHEM 3720ROrganic Chemistry Recitation 21
CHEM 3739Physical Chemistry 13
CHEM 3739LPhysical Chemistry 1 Laboratory1
CHEM 3785Biochemistry 13
CHEM 3785LBiochemistry Laboratory1
CHEM 3786Biochemistry 23
CHEM 4850Chemistry Research1
CHEM 4851Chemistry Research Project2
CHEM 5876Enzyme Analysis2
Select 10 s.h. in upper-level CHEM electives from the list below. At least one elective must be a laboratory course or include a laboratory component:10
Inorganic Chemistry
Chemical Toxicology
Chemistry Research Project
Special Topics
Chemical Instrumentation
and Chemical Instrumentation Laboratory
Intermediate Organic Chemistry
Advanced Organic Laboratory
and Advanced Organic Laboratory
Solid State Structural Methods
and Solid State Structural Methods Laboratory
The following BIOL core courses are required (14 s.h.):
BIOL 2601General Biology 1: Molecules and Cells3
BIOL 2601LGeneral Biology I: Molecules and Cells Laboratory1
BIOL 3702
3702L
Microbiology
and Microbiology Laboratory
4
BIOL 3711Cell Biology: Fine Structure3
BIOL 3721Genetics3
At least 3 s.h. in upper-level BIOL courses required from the list below; 5 s.h. recommended if needed to attain 120 s.h. required for graduation.5
Bioinformatics
and Bioinformatics Laboratory
Environmental Microbiology
and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory
Microbial Physiology
Molecular Genetics
Molecular Genetics Laboratory
Advanced Microbiology
The following support courses are required (22 s.h.):
MATH 1571Calculus 14
MATH 1572Calculus 24
STAT 3717Statistical Methods4
or STAT 3743 Probability and Statistics
PHYS 2610General Physics 14
PHYS 2610LGeneral Physics Laboratory 11
PHYS 2611General Physics 24
PHYS 2611LGeneral Physics laboratory 21
Total Semester Hours120-122
Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallS.H.
YSU 1500
Success Seminar
or Strong Start Success Seminar
or Intro to Honors
1-2
CHEM 1515 General Chemistry 1 3
CHEM 1515L General Chemistry 1 Laboratory 1
CHEM 1515R Recitation for General Chemistry 1 1
MATH 1571 Calculus 1 4
ENGL 1550
Writing 1
or Writing 1 with Support
3-4
 Semester Hours13-15
Spring
CHEM 1516 General Chemistry 2 3
CHEM 1516L General Chemistry 2 Laboratory 1
CHEM 1516R Recitation for General Chemistry 2 1
MATH 1572 Calculus 2 4
ENGL 1551 Writing 2 3
BIOL 2601 General Biology 1: Molecules and Cells 3
BIOL 2601L General Biology I: Molecules and Cells Laboratory 1
 Semester Hours16
Year 2
Fall
CHEM 3719 Organic Chemistry 1 3
CHEM 3719L Organic Chemistry 1 Laboratory 1
CHEM 3719R Organic Chemistry Recitation 1 1
CHEM 2604
2604L
Quantitative Analysis
and Quantitative Analysis Laboratory
5
PHYS 2610 General Physics 1 4
PHYS 2610L General Physics Laboratory 1 1
 Semester Hours15
Spring
CHEM 3720 Organic Chemistry 2 3
CHEM 3720L Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory 1
CHEM 3720R Organic Chemistry Recitation 2 1
PHYS 2611 General Physics 2 4
PHYS 2611L General Physics laboratory 2 1
STAT 3717
Statistical Methods
or Probability and Statistics
4
 Semester Hours14
Year 3
Fall
CHEM 3785 Biochemistry 1 3
CHEM 3785L Biochemistry Laboratory 1
CHEM 3739 Physical Chemistry 1 3
CHEM 3739L Physical Chemistry 1 Laboratory 1
BIOL 3721 Genetics 3
GER 6
 Semester Hours17
Spring
CHEM 3786 Biochemistry 2 3
CHEM 5876 Enzyme Analysis 2
BIOL 3711 Cell Biology: Fine Structure 3
BIOL 3702
3702L
Microbiology
and Microbiology Laboratory
4
GER 3
 Semester Hours15
Year 4
Fall
CHEM 4850 Chemistry Research 1
CHEM Upper-Level Elective 6
CHEM 4851 Chemistry Research Project 2
CMST 1545 Communication Foundations 3
GER 3
 Semester Hours15
Spring
CHEM Upper-Level Elective 4
BIOL Upper-Level Elective 5
GER 6
 Semester Hours15
 Total Semester Hours120-122

Learning Outcomes

The undergraduate student learning outcomes for the major in biochemistry are as follows:

  •  Undergraduate students will demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of chemistry and biochemistry.
  • Undergraduate students will demonstrate independent and critical thinking.
  • Undergraduate students will demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of modern chemical instrumentation.
  • Undergraduate students will be able to interpret experimental data.
  • Undergraduate students will effectively communicate their ideas both orally and in writing.