Mar 28, 2024  
2014-2015 HillBook (Class of 2018) 
    
2014-2015 HillBook (Class of 2018) [ARCHIVED HILL BOOK]

Biochemistry, B.S.


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Major


The Biochemistry major conforms to the recommendations of the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and the American Chemical Society. Through a rigorous course of study with a strong emphasis on the learn-by-doing approach, the Biochemistry Program is committed to providing the practical knowledge and skills necessary for graduate study in biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, genetics and biotechnology, or admission to professional school. It will also enable students to obtain skilled technical positions after graduation in research laboratories in universities, biotechnology or pharmaceutical development industries, hospitals and government agencies. Juniors and seniors are encouraged to apply for off-campus internships in biochemistry. In addition, each junior and senior Biochemistry major presents two program seminars covering information from the current biochemical literature as well as writing and defending a senior thesis, usually relating to research they have completed.

The course of study normally pursued by Biochemistry majors is:

Biochemistry Honors


Students who complete the honors requirements in Biochemistry below will be awarded a degree “with honors in Biochemistry.” Biochemistry majors, typically in their junior year, will be designated honors candidates if the following conditions are met:

To successfully complete the Biochemistry Honors Program, a student must subsequently:

  • maintain the above overall and science GPAs; and
  • conduct research approved by the Program Director; and earn at least a “B+” on both the thesis and thesis defense required for BCH 450 - Senior Spring Biochemistry Seminar & Thesis . Ordinarily, this thesis will be based on thesis research, internship, S.U.R.E. project, or other college-level research experience; however, an in-depth library research thesis is acceptable.

Contact Professor Marilena Hall, Biochemistry Program Director, for additional details and deadlines.

American Chemical Society Certification


Biochemistry majors desiring an American Chemical Society certified degree must have at least 76 hours of additional, for credit, chemistry or biochemistry laboratory experience over the laboratory experience associated with the courses specifically required for the biochemistry major. Contact Professor Marilena Hall, Biochemistry Program Director, for more information.

Notations


1 Fulfills the Natural Scientific Inquiry requirement of the Cornerstone Program.
2 Fulfills the Writing-in-the-Disciplines requirement of the Cornerstone Program.
3 Fulfills the Moral Inquiry requirement of the Cornerstone Program.
4 Required in each semester of the junior and senior years and satisfies the Capstone Experience requirement of the Cornerstone Program. Four credits are obtained in the second semester of the senior year.
5 Fulfills the Statistical Reasoning requirement of the Cornerstone Program.
6 Independent Research can be taken more than once but will only count once toward the major.

 

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