Biochemistry
Major offered
More information on this interdisciplinary major and important advice on planning for this major can be found at https://www.stlawu.edu/offices/biochemistry. Note that students majoring in biochemistry may not also major and/or minor in biology, neuroscience or chemistry.
Advanced Placement Exams
Students scoring a 4 or 5 on the AP biology exam should enroll in the first semester of General –BIOL 101 for which they receive 1.25 units of credit toward the major and graduation. Students who do well in 101 may be permitted to bypass the second semester of General BIOL 102, receiving the 1.25 units of credit for this course as well as standing to take courses that require 102. Approval of this option to bypass the 102 courses is determined by the General Biology course instructors. Although AP scores of 4 or 5 automatically nominate students for this bypass option, students may voluntarily choose to stay in the General Biology course sequence and enroll in BIOL 102.
Students who have taken AP chemistry in high school and received a grade of 4 or 5 on the advanced test are eligible to receive one unit of college credit for CHEM 103. These students are eligible to enroll in CHEM 104 in the spring but may choose to enroll in CHEM 103 in the fall if they prefer.
Major Requirements
Biochemistry majors must complete the following courses:
Biology
101. and 102. General Biology.
245. Genetics.
250. Introduction to Cell Biology.
Chemistry
103. and 104. General Chemistry.
221 or 223 and 222 or 224 Organic Chemistry.
342. Thermodynamics and Kinetics.
Biochemistry
309. Biochemistry.
394. Research Methods in Biochemistry.
395. Research Methods in Molecular Biology.
415. Advanced Biochemistry.
A senior project following either chemistry or biology department guidelines.
Physics
103,104. College Physics. or
151,152. University Physics.
Mathematics
135. Calculus I.
136. Calculus II.
Senior Research and Honors Project
Under the direction of a faculty mentor, students conduct their senior research or honors research project following either chemistry or biology department guidelines. To graduate with honors in biochemistry, students must have a biochemistry GPA (combined chemistry, biology and biochemistry required courses) of 3.5. Students working toward graduating with honors normally take BIOCH 489 in the fall semester and BIOCH 499 in the spring semester.