2023-2024 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
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. Degree Requirements
General university degree requirements are 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 and 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. Electives
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 391 - Laboratory in Human Physiology (2 credits)
- 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 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 451 - Bioinformatics: Tools and Techniques for Life Scientists (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 Molecular Genetics (4 credits)
- CMB 452 - Computer Modeling and Drug Design (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/PHY 231 instead of PHY 220/PHY 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:
- CHM 241 may replace CHM 245 and CHM 246
- CHM 242 may replace CHM 247 and CHM 248
- BIO 355 may replace BIO 375
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); and
- CHM 273, plus two credits of CHM courses above the 200-level in addition to the minimum requirements.
Suggested Order of Coursework
This option assumes students will complete the required general education courses and select electives with the help of their advisor.
Year One
- 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)
Year Two
- 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)
Year Three
- 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
Year Four