Dec 18, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Biochemistry - Major


The Bachelor of Science program in biochemistry is designed for students interested in a strong chemistry background and with a specific emphasis on biological systems at the molecular level. The goal of this program is to prepare students for: a career in medicine, dentistry, and other health professions, graduate studies in biochemistry and other medical science areas, or immediate employment in industrial laboratories requiring expertise in biotechnology techniques. 

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to:

  1. Recognize and apply the fundamental scientific concepts in the core American Chemical Society areas of Chemistry (analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, and physical) that explain chemical behavior at the atomic, molecular, and macroscopic levels.
  2. Conduct scientific inquiry and design experiments using scientific literature.
  3. Safely implement experiments applying appropriate psychomotor skills and techniques.
  4. Draw conclusions based on quantitative, qualitative, or scientific analysis of data/evidence within the context of the methodological design, while recognizing the limits of this data/evidence and analysis.
  5. Evaluate and communicate scientific information through both written and oral forms to scientific and lay audiences.
  6. Apply principles of scientific ethics and academic integrity to ethical issues, inclusion, and respect in science within a diverse, global society.

Core Curriculum Requirements


All Nazareth students complete Core Curriculum coursework as part of their degree requirements. The Core provides a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences while guiding students to pose and explore their own intellectual questions. See Academic Policies and Procedures  for specific core curriculum requirements. 

Required Courses for Biochemistry Majors


In addition to the 55 credit core listed above, all Biochemistry majors are required to take the following courses:

Elective Courses for Biochemistry Majors seeking American Chemical Society approval


 

Biochemistry Senior Experience


These courses seek to integrate the technical aspects of chemistry with the ability to communicate scientific information effectively. To achieve this goal, students are assigned a topic of current scientific interest that combines chemistry with other disciplines in order to answer some fundamental question. Students demonstrate their ability to independently research and communicate their findings in a professional manner to an audience of their peers and faculty.

Sample Program for Biochemistry Major


FRESHMAN YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
ACS 101 Academic and College Success   1 SCI 120 Introduction to Scientific Communication   2
First Year Seminar (FYS)  PEQ (1) 3 CHM 225 Analytical Chemistry /CHM 226L   4
CHM.Q 140 General Chemistry: Molecules, Matter And Mayhem /CHM.Q 140L   4 ENGW 102 Argument and Research   3
CHM 155 General Chemistry: Molecules, Matter and Mayhem Workshop    0 MTH.Q 113 Calculus I  PEQ (3) 3
ENGW 101 Exposition    3 PEQ (4) 3
BIO.Q 103 Biological Systems I /BIO.Q 103L  PEQ (2) 4    
SCI 090 Laboratory Safety Workshop I   0    
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 15 TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 15
 
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
CHM 251 Organic Chemistry I /CHM 253L    4 CHM 252 Organic Chemistry II /CHM 254L   4
CHM 255 Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) Workshop for Organic Chemistry   0 CHM 255 Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) Workshop for Organic Chemistry   0
PHY.Q 207 Introductory Physics I with Integrated Laboratory /PHY.Q 203L   4 PHY 208 Introductory Physics II With Integrated Lab /PHY 204L   4
PHY 209 Physics 1 Workshop   0 PHY 210 Introductory Physics 2 Workshop    0
MTH 212 Calculus II with Multivariable Calculus   3 PEQ (6) 3
PEQ (5) 3 PEQ (7) 3
    PEQ (8) 3
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 14 TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 17
 
JUNIOR YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
SCI 091 Laboratory Safety Workshop II   0 CHM 245 Inorganic Chemistry  (3 cr.)  or CHM 360 Physical Chemistry /CHM 360L  (5 cr.) 3-5
BCH 421 Biochemistry I   3 BIO 310 Genetics /BIO 310L   4
BIO 410 Cell Biology /BIO 410L  or alternate course (junior or senior year) 4 BCH 422 Biochemistry II/Molecular Biology   3
Elective 3 BCH 423L Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology   2
Integrative Studies (IS) - 1 3 Integrative Studies (IS) - 2 3
    CHM 270 Applied Mathematics in Chemistry   1
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 13 TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 16-18
 
SENIOR YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
CHM xxx Advanced Elective (ACS Only) 3 CHM 245 Inorganic Chemistry  (3 cr.)  or CHM 360 Physical Chemistry /CHM 360L  (5 cr.) 3-5
SCI 420 Advanced Scientific Communication   2 DEIB Designated Course 3
BIO 410 Cell Biology /BIO 410L  or alternate course (junior or senior year) 4 Elective 3
Integrative Studies (IS) - 3 3 Elective 3
Elective 3 Elective 3
CME 050 Core Milestone Experience   0    
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 15 TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 15-17