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Department of Chemistry

Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry

Students on Summer 2021, Fall 2021, or Spring 2022 requirements BIOCBA

Biochemistry studies the chemical processes of living organisms, bringing together biology and chemistry to understand and solve biological problems.

The Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry offers flexibility and is primarily intended for students planning to enter professional schools such as medicine, dentistry, or law. It also offers great preparation for careers in business, scientific writing, or teaching.

Requirements

The major requires at least 32 credit hours (44 with the Addenda requirements), including the requirements listed below.
  1. Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I. One (1) course:
    • CHEM-C 105 Principles of Chemistry I
    • CHEM-C 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I
    • CHEM-H 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I, Honors
    • CHEM-J 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry for Science Majors
  2. Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I Laboratory. One (1) course:
    • CHEM-C 125 Experimental Chemistry I
    • CHEM-C 127 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I Laboratory
    • CHEM-H 127 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I Laboratory, Honors
    • CHEM-X 150 ASURE Chemistry Research Lab I
  3. Organic Chemistry I. One (1) course:
    • CHEM-C 341 Organic Chemistry I Lectures
    • CHEM-J 341 Principles of Organic Chemistry I when taken Summer 2024 or later
    • CHEM-S 341 Organic Chemistry I Lectures, Honors
  4. Organic Chemistry II. One (1) course:
    • CHEM-C 342 Organic Chemistry II Lectures
    • CHEM-J 342 Principles of Organic Chemistry II when taken Summer 2024 or later
    • CHEM-S 342 Organic Chemistry II Lectures, Honors
  5. Analytical or Organic Chemistry Laboratory. One (1) course:
    • CHEM-A 316 Bioanalytical Chemistry Laboratory
    • CHEM-J 343 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I for Majors
    • CHEM-X 325 ASURE Chemistry Research Lab II
  6. Biochemistry.
    1. Biochemistry I. One (1) course:
      • CHEM-C 484 Biomolecules and Catabolism
    2. Biochemistry II. One (1) course:
      • CHEM-C 485 Biosynthetic Pathways and Control of Metabolism
    3. Biochemistry III. One (1) course:
      • CHEM-B 486 Gene Expression and Physiology
    4. Biochemistry Laboratory. One (1) course:
      • CHEM-B 487 Biochemistry Laboratory
  7. Chemistry Electives. Eight (8) credit hours:
    • CHEM-A 314 Biological and Environmental Chemical Analysis
    • CHEM-B 488 Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory
    • CHEM-C 321 Advanced and Nanoscale Materials
    • One of the following:
      • CHEM-A 316 Bioanalytical Chemistry Laboratory
      • CHEM-J 343 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I for Majors
      • CHEM-X 325 ASURE Chemistry Research Lab II
    • CHEM-C 344 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory
    • CHEM-C 360 Introductory Physical Chemistry
    • CHEM-C 361 Physical Chemistry of Bulk Matter
    • CHEM-C 362 Physical Chemistry of Molecules
    • CHEM-C 372 Chemical Informatics II: Molecular Modeling
    • CHEM-C 416 Surface Analysis and Surface Chemistry
    • CHEM-C 427 Advanced and Nanoscale Materials Laboratory
    • CHEM-C 430 Inorganic Chemistry
    • CHEM-C 432 Spectroscopic Methods in Inorganic Chemistry
    • CHEM-C 437 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
    • CHEM-C 443 Organic Spectroscopy
    • CHEM-C 446 Organic Chemistry III
    • CHEM-C 460 Nuclear Chemistry
    • CHEM-C 481 Physical Biochemistry
    • CHEM-M 401 Introduction to Hard Materials
    • CHEM-M 402 Introduction to Soft Materials
    • CHEM-N 331 Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry
    • CHEM-N 337 Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
    • CHEM-P 360 Physical Chemistry for Biochemists
    • CHEM-X 499 Chemical Research Capstone
  8. Addenda Requirements*.
    1. Biology. One (1) course:
      • BIOL-L 112 Foundations of Biology: Biological Mechanisms
    2. Mathematics. One (1) course:
      • MATH-M 119 Brief Survey of Calculus I
      • MATH-V 119 Applied Brief Calculus I
      • MATH-M 211 Calculus I
    3. Physics. One (1) course:
      • PHYS-P 201 General Physics I
      • PHYS-P 221 Physics I
      • PHYS-H 221 Honors Physics I
  9. Major GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
    1. Major GPA. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the major—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
    2. Major Minimum Grade. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the major.
    3. Major Upper Division Credit Hours. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed at the 300–499 level.
    4. Major Residency. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.
    5. College Breadth. At least 58 credit hours must be completed in courses from College of Arts and Sciences disciplines outside of the major area.

Major Area Courses

Unless otherwise noted below, the following courses are considered in the academic program and will count toward academic program requirements as appropriate:

  • Any course at the 100–499 level with the CHEM subject area prefix—as well as any other subject areas that are deemed functionally equivalent
  • Any course contained on the course lists for the academic program requirements at the time the course is taken—as well as any other courses that are deemed functionally equivalent—except for those listed only under Addenda Requirements
  • Any course directed to a non-Addenda requirement through an approved exception
Exclusions

The following courses cannot be applied toward major requirements or the College Breadth requirement:

  • CHEM-C 100 The World as Chemistry
  • CHEM-C 101 Elementary Chemistry I
  • CHEM-C 102 Elementary Chemistry II
  • CHEM-C 103 Introduction to Chemical Principles
  • CHEM-C 106 Principles of Chemistry II
  • CHEM-C 107 Frontiers of Chemical Research
  • CHEM-C 120
  • CHEM-C 121 Elementary Chemistry Laboratory I
  • CHEM-C 122 Elementary Chemistry Laboratory II
  • CHEM-C 126 Experimental Chemistry II
  • CHEM-C 240 Problem Solving in Organic Chemistry
  • CHEM-C 243 Supplemental General Chemistry
  • CHEM-C 371
  • CHEM-C 372 Chemical Informatics II: Molecular Modeling
  • CHEM-C 383 Human Biochemistry
  • CHEM-C 400
  • CHEM-C 401
  • CHEM-C 409
  • CHEM-C 471
  • CHEM-C 472
  • CHEM-C 860
  • CHEM-G 207
  • CHEM-G 209
  • CHEM-G 307
  • CHEM-G 407
  • CHEM-X 170 Chemistry Community Outreach Seminar
  • CHEM-X 270 Overseas Study Seminar: Timmy Global Health
  • CHEM-X 371 Internship in Chemical Instruction
  • CHEM-X 373 Professional Practice in Chemistry
  • CHEM-X 399 Chemical Research
  • CHEM-Y 398

This program of study cannot be combined with the following:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry (CHEMBA)
  • Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry (BIOCBS)
  • Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (CHEMBS)
  • Minor in Chemistry (CHEMMIN)
  • [Name unavailable] (CHEMTSBA)
  • [Name unavailable] (CHEMTSBS)

Exceptions to and substitutions for major requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.