2018-2019 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
- Requirements for a B.S. Major in Biochemistry
- Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Biochemistry (B.S.)
The B.S. biochemistry major prepares students for entry level employment in biotechnical or biomedical laboratories or for entry into professional health schools or biochemical graduate programs.
A summary of all degree requirements as well as other departmental information is available in the Chemistry Department Handbook. All biochemistry majors should obtain a copy from the department office.
Requirements for a B.S. Major in Biochemistry
1. General University Degree Requirements
As identified in the General Academic Policies section of the Grand Valley State University Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog.
2. Chemistry Courses
- CHM 115 - Principles of Chemistry I (4 credits)
- CHM 116 - Principles of Chemistry II (5 credits)
- CHM 221 - Survey of Analytical Chemistry (4 credits)
- CHM 245 - Principles of Organic Chemistry I (4 credits)
- CHM 246 - Principles of Organic Chemistry I Lab (1 credit)
- CHM 247 - Principles of Organic Chemistry II (3 credits)
- CHM 248 - Principles of Organic Chemistry II Lab (1 credit)
- CHM 351 - Introduction to Physical Chemistry (3 credits) OR BOTH CHM 356 - Physical Chemistry I (3 credits) AND CHM 358 - Physical Chemistry II (3 credits)
- CHM 352 - Physical Chemistry Laboratory (1 credit)
- CHM 391 - Chemistry Seminar I (1 credit)
- CHM 461 - Biochemistry I (4 credits)
- CHM 462 - Techniques in Biochemistry (3 credits)
- CHM 463 - Biochemistry II (3 credits)
- CHM 491 - Chemistry Seminar II (1 credit)
3. Required Cognate Courses
- BIO 120 - General Biology I (4 credits) OR BOTH CMB 155 - Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology (3 credits) AND CMB 156 - Discoveries in Cell & Molecular Biology: A Research-Based Laboratory Course (1 credit)
- BIO 375 - Genetics (3 credits)
- BIO 376 - Genetics Laboratory (1 credit)
- MTH 201 - Calculus I (4 credits)
- PHY 220 - General Physics I (5 credits)
- PHY 221 - General Physics II (5 credits)
4. Elective Courses
Take eight additional credits from the following choices:
- BIO 357 - Environmental Microbiology (4 credits)
- BIO 416 - Advanced Genetics Laboratory (2 credits)
- BIO 423 - Plant Biotechnology (3 credits)
- BIO 432 - Comparative Animal Physiology (4 credits)
- BMS 212 - Introductory Microbiology (3 credits)
- BMS 213 - Laboratory in Microbiology (1 credit)
- BMS 290 - Human Physiology (3 credits)
- BMS 291 - Laboratory in Human Physiology (1 credit)
- BMS 306 - Advanced Human Nutrition (3 credits)
- BMS 312 - Bacterial Genetics (3 credits)
- BMS 313 - Bacterial Genetics Laboratory (1 credit)
- BMS 410 - Immunology (3 credits)
- BMS 422 - Bacterial Physiology (3 credits)
- BMS 423 - Bacterial Physiology Laboratory (2 credits)
- BMS 431 - Medical Virology (3 credits)
- CHM 421 - Green Chemistry for Sustainable Environment (3 credits)
- CHM 427 - Green and Environmental Chemistry Laboratory (3 credits)
- CHM 441 - Advanced Topics in Organic Chemistry (3 credits)
- CHM 442 - Synthetic Polymers: Life Cycle and Emerging Sustainable Technologies (3 credits)
- CHM 447 - Organic Synthesis and Characterization (3 credits)
- CHM 457 - Advanced Physical and Instrumental Chemistry Laboratory (3 credits)
- CHM 471 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (3 credits)
- CHM 475 - Electrochemistry (3 credits)
- CHM 477 - Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry (3 credits)
- CMB 405 - Cell and Molecular Biology (4 credits)
- CMB 406 - Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory (2 credits)
- CMB 411 - Genetics of Development and Cancer (3 credits)
- CMB 414 - Molecular Biology of the Gene (3 credits)
- CMB 426 - Research Applications in Nucleic Acids (4 credits)
- CMB 452 - Computer Modeling of Biomolecules (3 credits)
Additional Information
Students in the biochemistry major interested in graduate school are advised to consult with their advisor about selecting these optional courses:
- PHY 230/231 instead of PHY 220/221
- CHM 356 and CHM 358 instead of CHM 351
- MTH 202 in addition to MTH 201
Students in the biochemistry major who transfer or change majors may make these substitutions with advisor approval:
Students in the biochemistry major seeking a degree certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS) must also complete:
- at least 106 lab hours in additional elective CHM courses above the 200 level. CHM 490 and CHM 499 lab hours may be used to satisfy this requirement.
- CHM 273 plus two credits of CHM courses above the 200 level in addition to the minimum requirements.
Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Biochemistry (B.S.)
This option assumes students will complete the required general education courses and select electives with the help of his or her advisor.
First Year
- BIO 120 - General Biology I (4 credits)
- CHM 115 - Principles of Chemistry I (4 credits)
- CHM 116 - Principles of Chemistry II (5 credits)
- MTH 201 - Calculus I (4 credits)
- PHY 220 - General Physics I (5 credits) OR PHY 230 - Principles of Physics I (5 credits)
Second Year
- CHM 221 - Survey of Analytical Chemistry (4 credits)
- CHM 245 - Principles of Organic Chemistry I (4 credits)
- CHM 246 - Principles of Organic Chemistry I Lab (1 credit)
- CHM 247 - Principles of Organic Chemistry II (3 credits)
- CHM 248 - Principles of Organic Chemistry II Lab (1 credit)
- PHY 221 - General Physics II (5 credits) OR PHY 231 - Principles of Physics II (5 credits)
Third Year
- BIO 375 - Genetics (3 credits)
- BIO 376 - Genetics Laboratory (1 credit)
- CHM 391 - Chemistry Seminar I (1 credit)
- CHM 461 - Biochemistry I (4 credits)
- CHM 462 - Techniques in Biochemistry (3 credits)
- Cognate electives