Biochemistry, Biochemistry (BSBioch)
The degree of Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry is intended to prepare students for professional careers as biochemists, either upon graduation or after graduate study in biochemistry or related fields. In addition, it may serve as the basis for work in biotechnology, computational biology, biomaterials, forensics, biomedical research, pharmaceutics, patent law, biotechnology/biomedical business, health professions, or environmental science.
Total Hours Required: 120
Plan of Study
The Plan of Study is a suggested four-year course sequence to support academic planning and serves as a helpful guide. Currently enrolled students should meet with their academic advisor to tailor their course selections and timelines to their individual goals and circumstances.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
| M 408C | Differential and Integral Calculus | 4 |
| CH 301 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| BIO 311C | Introductory Biology I | 3 |
| First-Year Signature Course (090) | 3 | |
| Minor/Certificate course | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| M 408D | Sequences, Series, and Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| CH 302 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
| BIO 311D | Introductory Biology II | 3 |
| CH 204 | Introduction to Chemical Practice | 2 |
| RHE 306 | Rhetoric and Writing | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| CH 320M | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| BIO 325 | Genetics | 3 |
| SDS 320E | Elements of Statistics | 3 |
| BCH 219L | Introduction to Biochemical Laboratory Practices and Skills | 2 |
| GOV 312L | Issues and Policies in American Government | 3 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| CH 320N | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| C S 303E | Elements of Computers and Programming | 3 |
| BCH 339F | Foundations of Biochemistry | 3 |
| Minor/Certificate course | 3 | |
| Visual and Performing Arts (050) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| PHY 317K | General Physics I | 3 |
| PHY 105M | Laboratory For Physics 302K, 303K, and 317K | 1 |
| MBS 344 | Molecular Biology | 3 |
| GOV 310L | American and Texas Government | 3 |
| E 316L | British Literature | 3 |
| Minor/Certificate course | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| PHY 317L | General Physics II | 3 |
| PHY 105N | Laboratory For Physics 302L, 303L, and 317L | 1 |
| BCH 370 | Physical Methods of Biochemistry | 3 |
| BCH 339J | Chemical and Synthetic Biology | 3 |
| Minor/Certificate course | 3 | |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| CH 353 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| BCH 368W | Supervised Literature Review | 3 |
| BCH 339M | Structure and Function of Molecular Machines | 3 |
| Minor/Certificate course | 3 | |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| CH 455 | Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry | 4 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| BCH 339N | Systems Biology and Bioinformatics | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (080) | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Requirements
All requirements are listed below, starting with the most specialized moving to the most general. Additional requirements may follow the table, so be sure to read the entire page. Some required courses listed below may also satisfy General Education requirements, including Core Curriculum.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major | ||
| Choose a sequence below: | 8 | |
| Sequence 1: | ||
| Differential and Integral Calculus | ||
| Sequences, Series, and Multivariable Calculus | ||
| Sequence 2: | ||
| Differential Calculus for Science | ||
| Integral Calculus for Science | ||
| Multivariable Calculus | ||
| SDS 320E | Elements of Statistics | 3 |
| Choose a sequence below: | 8 | |
| Sequence 1: (recommended) | ||
| General Physics I | ||
| Laboratory For Physics 302K, 303K, and 317K | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| Laboratory For Physics 302L, 303L, and 317L | ||
| Sequence 2: | ||
| Engineering Physics I | ||
| Laboratory For Physics 302K, 303K, and 317K | ||
| Engineering Physics II | ||
| Laboratory For Physics 302L, 303L, and 317L | ||
| Sequence 3: | ||
| Mechanics | ||
| Laboratory for Physics 301 | ||
| Electricity and Magnetism | ||
| Laboratory for Physics 316 | ||
| Hours chosen from: | 3 | |
| Principles of Chemistry I | ||
| Foundations of Chemistry I | ||
| Principles of Chemistry I | ||
| Hours chosen from: | 3 | |
| Principles of Chemistry II | ||
| Foundations of Chemistry II | ||
| Principles of Chemistry II | ||
| Choose a sequence below: | 2 | |
| Sequence 1: | ||
| Introduction to Chemical Practice I | ||
| Introduction to Chemical Practice II | ||
| Sequence 2: | ||
| Introduction to Chemical Practice | ||
| Sequence 3: | ||
| Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry | ||
| CH 320M | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| BCH 219L | Introduction to Biochemical Laboratory Practices and Skills | 2 |
| BCH 339F | Foundations of Biochemistry | 3 |
| BCH 339J | Chemical and Synthetic Biology | 3 |
| BCH 339M | Structure and Function of Molecular Machines | 3 |
| BCH 339N | Systems Biology and Bioinformatics | 3 |
| BCH 370 | Physical Methods of Biochemistry | 3 |
| CH 353 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| or CH 353M | Physical Chemistry I for Life Sciences | |
| CH 455 | Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry | 4 |
| Choose a sequence below: | 6 | |
| Sequence 1: | ||
| Introductory Biology I | ||
| Introductory Biology II | ||
| Genetics | ||
| Sequence 2: | ||
| Advanced Introduction to Genetics: Honors | ||
| Genetics: Honors | ||
| MBS 344 | Molecular Biology | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: Capstone experience | 3 | |
| Capstone Course-Based Research Experience | ||
| Biotechnology Capstone | ||
| Capstone Honors Research | ||
| Supervised Capstone Research | ||
| Supervised Literature Review | ||
| Capstone Experience in Biochemistry (Fall and Spring only) | ||
Approved course/experienced by Capstone Advisor | ||
| Hours chosen from: | 15 | |
Hours chosen from: Upper-division BCH, BIO, CH, C S, INB, MOL, NEU, or SDS (excludes CH 372C and CH 368L) | ||
A transcript-recognized certificate or a transcript-recognized minor | ||
| Subtotal | 81 | |
| Free electives: Additional coursework to reach total hours required. | 3 | |
| Subtotal | 3 | |
| General Education | ||
| Remaining Core Curriculum (42 hours total) | 36 | |
| Foreign Language other than English, Beginning Proficiency | ||
| Subtotal | 36 | |
| College Requirements - Natural Sciences | ||
| General University Requirements | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Degree- Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry (BSBioch)
All students must complete at least 21 semester hours of upper-division coursework; at least 12 semester hours of upper-division coursework in chemistry must be completed in residence at the University.
Grade Requirements
Students must earn a grade of at least C- in each mathematics and science course required for the degree, and a University grade point average in these courses of at least 2.00. More information about grades and the grade point average is given in the General Information Catalog.
Order and Choice of Work
The student must consult the BIO Advising Office or Honors Advisor each semester regarding order and choice of work.