Biochemistry, BS
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry (Specialized Curriculum)
Biochemistry is an interdisciplinary field that encompasses biological and chemical sciences. We investigate the many fascinating processes within living systems at a molecular level. As a biochemistry student, you will explore questions such as
- What chemical reactions occur within cells, their functions, and how are they regulated?
- What is the chemical mechanism of inheritance, growth, cell division, and differentiation?
- How does the body convert energy and nutrients to new cells or create movement?
- What chemical and physical properties of naturally occurring molecules enable them to carry out such highly specific functions?
As part of the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology community, you will also take courses and study with MCB majors and have the benefit of curricular enhancements available to all MCB undergraduates. These include research in available laboratories schoolwide, study abroad, and advanced teaching facilities.
A bachelor's degree in biochemistry will prepare you for graduate studies in biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, or medical school and other professional programs such as dental, pharmacy, or veterinary school. Our graduates have become leaders in medicine, pharmacology, agriculture, nutrition, microbiology, cell biology, food technology, pollution control, and biotechnology.
Undergraduate degree programs in Molecular & Cellular Biology
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry (Specialized Curriculum)
The typical program of courses required to satisfy this degree totals 126-131 hours as outlined below including up to 12 hours of non-primary language (if not completed in high school); in no case will a program totaling less than 120 hours qualify for graduation. In addition, in order to graduate there is a minimum 2.0 cumulative academic grade point average and student must attain a 2.5 academic grade point average in the chemistry, biochemistry, biology, mathematics, physics and advanced electives in science/engineering courses specified in this curriculum. All proposals for course substitutions must be approved by the academic advisor. This curriculum is intended for those students who desire a rigorous education in chemistry, biochemistry, and biology, who have definite research-oriented goals, and whose career objectives include graduate school, MD/PhD programs, or industry.
Students earning the Biochemistry degree automatically complete the Chemistry minor. Students earning a degree in the Specialized Curriculum in Biochemistry may not earn a second degree in the Science and Letters Curriculum in Molecular and Cellular Biology.
Departmental distinction: A student seeking distinction must satisfy the following:
- Complete a minimum of 6 credit hours of undergraduate research (BIOC 290 and BIOC 492) with a minimum of 4 credit hours of BIOC 492.
- Earn at least a 3.25 grade-point average.
- Present a senior thesis to the department.
Graduation Requirements
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.
University Requirements
The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.
General Education Requirements
Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Composition I | 4-6 | |
| Advanced Composition | 3 | |
fulfilled by BIOC 460 | ||
| Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | 6-10 | |
| Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | 0-15 | |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 8-10 | |
| Accelerated Chemistry I and Accelerated Chemistry Lab I and Accelerated Chemistry II and Accelerated Chemistry Lab II (preferred sequence) | ||
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Lab I and General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Lab II (with advisor approval) | ||
| Organic chemistry, select from: | 9-10 | |
| Fundamental Organic Chem I and Structure and Synthesis and Fundamental Organic Chem II (preferred sequence) | ||
| Elementary Organic Chemistry I and Elementary Organic Chem Lab I and Elementary Organic Chem II (with advisor approval) | ||
| Molecular and Cellular Biology | 17 | |
| Molecular & Cellular Basis of Life | ||
| Molecular Genetics | ||
| Exp Techniqs in Molecular Biol | ||
| Cells, Tissues & Development | ||
| Exp Techniqs in Cellular Biol | ||
| Biochem & Phys Basis of Life | ||
or equivalent as approved by academic advisor | ||
| Physical chemistry, select one group of courses: | 7-8 | |
| Physical Chemistry Principles (Biological Perspective Section) | ||
| Physical Biochemistry (preferred sequence) | ||
or | ||
| Physical Chemistry I | ||
| Physical Chemistry II (with advisor approval) | ||
| Mathematics & Statistics | 14-15 | |
| Biostatistics | ||
| Calculus | ||
or MATH 221 | Calculus I | |
| Calculus II | ||
| Calculus III | ||
| Physics, select from: 3 | 10 | |
| University Physics: Mechanics and University Physics: Elec & Mag and Univ Physics: Thermal Physics (preferred sequence) | ||
or | ||
| College Physics: Mech & Heat and College Physics: E&M & Modern (or equivalent as approved by academic advisor (with advisor approval) | ||
| Biochemistry: 4 | 13 | |
| Technqs Biochem & Biotech | ||
| Biochemistry Senior Seminar | ||
| Gene Expression & Regulation | ||
| Introduction to Biophysics | ||
| Select 10 hours of Advanced Science/Technical Electives (may include up to 7 hours of BIOC 492, Senior Thesis) from approved list. 5 | 10 | |
- 1
Transfer credit must be approved by an advisor in biochemistry in order to be used to satisfy degree requirements.
- 2
A more detailed description of the requirements is listed in the Biochemistry Curriculum Handbook, available in room 419A of Roger Adams Laboratory.
- 3
PHYS 213 is not required if CHEM 442/CHEM 444 sequence is taken.
- 4
Freshman orientation course is under development and will be required. See advisor for details.
- 5
An approved list of current courses will be updated annually in January/February for the coming year. Contact advisor.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry (Specialized Curriculum)
Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| Free Elective course | 1 |
| BIOC 190 - Biochemistry Orientation | 1 |
| MCB 150 - Molecular & Cellular Basis of Life | 4 |
| CHEM 102 - General Chemistry I or CHEM 202 - Accelerated Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 103 - General Chemistry Lab I or CHEM 203 - Accelerated Chemistry Lab I | 1 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4 |
| Semester Hours | 14 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| CHEM 104 - General Chemistry II or CHEM 204 - Accelerated Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 105 - General Chemistry Lab II or CHEM 205 - Accelerated Chemistry Lab II | 1 |
| MATH 220 - Calculus | 5 |
| General Education course or Composition I | 3 |
| Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| MCB 250 - Molecular Genetics | 3 |
| MCB 251 - Exp Techniqs in Molecular Biol | 2 |
| CHEM 232 - Elementary Organic Chemistry I or CHEM 236 - Fundamental Organic Chem I | 4 |
| CHEM 233 - Elementary Organic Chem Lab I or CHEM 237 - Structure and Synthesis | 2 |
| MATH 231 - Calculus II | 3 |
| General Education course (choose a Humanities or Social/Behavioral Science course with Cultural Studies designation) | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 17 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| MCB 252 - Cells, Tissues & Development | 3 |
| MCB 253 - Exp Techniqs in Cellular Biol | 2 |
| CHEM 332 - Elementary Organic Chem II or CHEM 436 - Fundamental Organic Chem II | 4 |
| MATH 241 - Calculus III | 4 |
| PHYS 101 - College Physics: Mech & Heat or PHYS 211 - University Physics: Mechanics | 5 |
| Semester Hours | 18 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| MCB 354 - Biochem & Phys Basis of Life | 3 |
| PHYS 102 - College Physics: E&M & Modern or PHYS 212 - University Physics: Elec & Mag | 5 |
| STAT 212 - Biostatistics | 3 |
| General Education course (choose a Humanities or Social/ Behavioral Science course with Cultural Studies designation) | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 14 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| BIOC 406 - Gene Expression & Regulation | 3 |
| BIOC 455 - Technqs Biochem & Biotech | 4 |
| PHYS 213 - Univ Physics: Thermal Physics (or Advanced Technical Elective course) | 2 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| General Education course (choose a Humanities or Social/ Behavioral Science course with Cultural Studies designation) | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| BIOC 460 - Biochemistry Senior Seminar | 3 |
| BIOP 401 - Introduction to Biophysics | 3 |
| CHEM 440 - Physical Chemistry Principles or CHEM 442 - Physical Chemistry I | 4 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 13 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| BIOC 446 - Physical Biochemistry or CHEM 444 - Physical Chemistry II | 3 |
| Advanced Technical Elective course | 3 |
| Advanced Technical Elective course or Free Elective course | 3 |
| BIOC 492 - Senior Thesis | 4 |
| Semester Hours | 13 |
Total Hours: 120
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry (Specialized Curriculum)
Upon successful completion of the Biochemistry Specialized Curriculum, students will be able to:
- Understand and appreciate that the diversity of life evolved over time by biomolecular processes of mutation, selection, genetic change, and epigenetics.
- Explain that molecular and macromolecular structure as well as supramolecular architecture determine function and regulation.
- Explain that information storage and flow are molecular-based, dynamic, and interactive.
- Understand and appreciate that biochemical mechanisms and kinetics ensure relative cellular stability and function under external or internal changing condition.
- Explain that energy is required by and transformed in biochemical systems as governed by the laws of thermodynamics.
- Illustrate that living organisms and biological systems interact via molecular connections.
- Design a scientific process and employ the scientific method, demonstrating that biochemistry is evidence-based and grounded in the formal practices of observation, objective measurement, and hypothesis testing.
- Execute quantitative analysis and mathematical reasoning to interpret biochemical data.
- Construct and utilize predictive models and simulations that define chemical relationships, as well as molecular interactions of complex systems.
- Apply concepts from other sciences that span biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computation, and engineering to interpret biochemical phenomena.
- Communicate biochemical concepts and understanding to members of a diverse scientific community, as well as to the general public.
- Identify social and health-related dimensions of biochemical investigations.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry (Specialized Curriculum)
Department of Biochemistry
Biochemistry faculty
Biochemistry email: biocug@mcb.uiuc.edu
School of Molecular & Cellular Biology website