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Department of Chemistry

Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

Students on Summer 2019, Fall 2019, or Spring 2020 requirements BIOCBS
The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry is designed for students preparing for graduate work or other research work in industry or government laboratories, as well as for medical, dental, and other professional schools. Although B.S. degree programs are challenging, they provide serious and talented students with the depth and breadth in biochemistry, as well as in other sciences needed for careers in scientific research. The B.S. degree provides preparation for a wide range of career choices, including research. Biochemistry studies the chemical processes of living organisms, bringing together biology and chemistry to understand and solve biological problems.

Requirements

The major requires at least 44 credit hours (72 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. Biological and Environmental Chemical Analysis. One (1) course:
    • CHEM-A 314 Biological and Environmental Chemical Analysis
  4. Bioanalytical Chemistry Laboratory. One (1) course:
    • CHEM-A 316 Bioanalytical Chemistry Laboratory
  5. 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
  6. Organic Chemistry II. One (1) course:
    • CHEM-C 342 Organic Chemistry II Lectures when taken prior to Summer 2024
    • CHEM-J 342 Principles of Organic Chemistry II when taken Summer 2024 or later
    • CHEM-S 342 Organic Chemistry II Lectures, Honors
  7. Organic Chemistry I Laboratory. One (1) course:
    • CHEM-J 343 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I for Majors
    • CHEM-X 325 ASURE Chemistry Research Lab II
  8. Physical Chemistry.
    1. Physical Chemistry I. One (1) course:
      • CHEM-C 361 Physical Chemistry of Bulk Matter
      • CHEM-P 360 Physical Chemistry for Biochemists
    2. Physical Chemistry II. One (1) course:
      • CHEM-C 481 Physical Biochemistry
      • CHEM-C 362 Physical Chemistry of Molecules
  9. Biochemistry Lectures.
    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
  10. Biochemistry Laboratory. One (1) course:
    • CHEM-B 487 Biochemistry Laboratory
  11. Biochemistry Electives.
    1. Lecture courses at 300–499 level. Six (6) credit hours:
      • CHEM-C 321 Advanced and Nanoscale Materials
      • CHEM-C 362 Physical Chemistry of Molecules
      • CHEM-C 416 Surface Analysis and Surface Chemistry
      • CHEM-C 432 Spectroscopic Methods in Inorganic Chemistry
      • CHEM-C 443 Organic Spectroscopy
      • CHEM-C 446 Organic Chemistry III
      • CHEM-C 481 Physical Biochemistry
      • CHEM-G 408 Seminar in Green Chemistry
      • CHEM-M 401 Introduction to Hard Materials
      • CHEM-M 402 Introduction to Soft Materials
      • CHEM-N 331 Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry
      • BIOL-M 430 Virology Lecture
      • BIOL-M 480 Microbial and Molecular Genetics
      • PSY-P 466 Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology
    2. Laboratory courses at 300–499 level. Four (4) credit hours:
      • CHEM-B 488 Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory
      • CHEM-C 344 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory
      • CHEM-C 427 Advanced and Nanoscale Materials Laboratory
      • CHEM-C 437 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
      • CHEM-N 337 Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
      • CHEM-P 364 Basic Measurements in Physical Chemistry
      • CHEM-P 464 Advanced Measurements in Physical Chemistry
      • CHEM-X 373 Professional Practice in Chemistry
      • CHEM-X 499 Chemical Research Capstone
      • BIOL-L 313 Cell Biology Laboratory
      • BIOL-L 319 Genetics Laboratory
  12. Addenda Requirements*.
    1. Biology.
      1. Foundations of Biology. One (1) course:
        • BIOL-E 112 Basic Biology by Examination II
        • BIOL-L 112 Foundations of Biology: Biological Mechanisms
      2. Molecular Biology. One (1) course:
        • BIOL-L 211 Molecular Biology
        • BIOL-S 211 Molecular Biology, Honors
      3. Biology Elective. One (1) course:
        • BIOL-L 311 Genetics
        • BIOL-L 312 Cell Biology
        • Both of the following:
          • BIOL-M 250 Microbiology
          • BIOL-M 315 Microbiology Laboratory
        • BIOL-M 430 Virology Lecture
    2. Mathematics.
      1. Calculus I. One (1) course:
        • MATH-M 211 Calculus I
        • MATH-S 211 Honors Calculus I
      2. Calculus II. One (1) course:
        • MATH-M 212 Calculus II
        • MATH-S 212 Honors Calculus II
    3. Physics.
      1. Physics I. One (1) course:
        • PHYS-H 221 Honors Physics I
        • PHYS-P 221 Physics I
      2. Physics II. One (1) course:
        • PHYS-H 222 Honors Physics II
        • PHYS-P 222 Physics II
  13. Major GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
    1. 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.
    2. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed at the 300–499 level.
    3. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the major.
    4. 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.
    5. Exceptions to major requirements may be made with the approval of the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.