BS in Biological Sciences
Biochemistry (BBC) Track
We require students to maintain a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) in the major, excluding allied field courses. See the advising page for information on how to declare your major, who your program advisor is, double majors, double degrees, petitioning for exceptions and more.
Major Requirements
Introductory Courses (3 Courses)
One of the following:
- BIOL 110L: Principles of Biology I
- BIOL 112L: Perspectives in Biology I (pre-requires AP biology exam score of 4 or 5)
One of the following:
- BIOL 111L: Principles of Biology II
- BIOL 113L: Perspectives in Biology I (pre-requires AP biology exam score of 4 or 5)
Plus BIOL 198: Principles of Genetics
Laboratory Experience (2–3 Courses)
Select one of the following options:
- BCH 308: Biochemistry Lab and Critical Analysis (Formerly BCH 208). Open to sophomores, juniors and seniors, but sophomores should consult with the course director, Dr. Harold Smith
- BIOL 228A&B IGEM I&II (International Genetically Engineered Machines Competition Course Series)
- BCH,BIOL,CHEM #395: Independent Research - may use 8 credits (2 semesters) of biological science independent research courses If not already used to satisfy an advanced elective requirement. Requires explicit permission from track coordinator to satisfy laboratory requirement. Students may request this permission through the Bioscience Independent Research Course: Request for ### 395/w Registration. Only research with faculty members in the Departments of Biology (BIOL), Chemistry (CHEM) or Biochemistry (BCH) is eligible for this option.)
Advanced Courses (6 Courses)
- BIOL 252: Principles of Biochemistry New Effective Class of 2025. *Note: BIOL250&250P: Introductory Biochemistry is still applicable to the class of 2024 and previous
- BIOL 202: Molecular Biology
- IND 408: Advanced Biochemistry
- BIOL 278: Biochemical Mechanisms of Cellular Processes - New Effective Class of 2025.
- Note: BIOL 278 and BCH 412 overlap in time slots, thus students are advised to take BIOL 278 in spring of junior year.
- Plus choose one of the following:
- BCH 412: Advanced Topics in Biological Macromolecules
- IND 432: Foundations in Modern Biology II
- And choose two of the following:
- For Students in Classes of 2023 and 2024: choose two of the following:
- Effective Class of 2025: Choose one of the following (not including BIOL278)
- BIOL 222: Biology of Aging
- BIOL 243: Eukaryotic Gene Regulation
- ***BIOL 278: Biochemical Mechanisms of Cellular Processes
- CHEM 252: Physical Chemistry II
- CHEM 414: Bioinorganic Chemistry
- CHEM 440: Bioorganic Chemistry and Chemical Biology
- IND 409: Cell Biology (Canceled after Fall 2017; may use if already taken)
- IND 447: Signal Transduction
- #### 395: Independent Research Bio Sci Courses**
**Students need advisor approval to take 395. If 395 is used to fulfill this requirement, then it cannot be used to satisfy the laboratory requirement. 395 can only be used to fulfill one of the two advanced electives.
***BIOL 278 and BCH 412 overlap in time slots, thus students are advised to take BIOL 278 in spring of junior year.
Diversification Elective (1 Course)
Select one course from the BBC diversification electives list, which must be approved by the track coordinator. The diversification elective should be outside of the BBC major track.”
Ancillary Requirements (9 Courses with Indicated Labs)
Both of the following general chemistry courses:
- CHEM 131: Chemical Concepts I (lab included)*
- CHEM 132: Chemical Concepts II (lab included)*
One of the following organic chemistry I courses:
- CHEM 203/207: Organic Chemistry I with Lab*
- CHEM 171/173: First Year Organic Chemistry I with Lab
Note: Satisfactory completion of CHEM 171/173 and 172/210 first year organic chemistry series with labs in conjunction with AP credit for CHEM 131 fulfills the chemistry requirements.
One of the following organic chemistry II courses:
- CHEM 204/208: Organic Chemistry II with Lab*
- CHEM 172/210: First Year Organic Chemistry with Lab
Note: Satisfactory completion of CHEM 171/173 and 172/210 first year organic chemistry series with labs in conjunction with AP credit for CHEM 131 fulfills the chemistry requirements.
One of the following physics I courses:
- PHYS 113: General Physics I (lab included)*
- PHYS 121: Mechanics (lab included)
- PHYS 141: Mechanics (Honors) (lab included)
One of the following physics II courses:
- PHYS 114: General Physics II (lab included)*
- PHYS 122: Electricity and Magnetism (lab included)
- PHYS 142: Electricity and Magnetism (Honors) (lab included)
One of the following calculus I courses:
- MATH 141: Calculus I
- MATH 161: Calculus IA*
- MATH 171Q: Honors Calculus I
One of the following calculus II courses:
- MATH 142: Calculus II
- MATH 162: Calculus IIA*
- MATH 172Q: Honors Calculus II
One of the following ancillary elective courses:
- Math: MATH 163, 164, 165, 235 or other upper-level math course with advisor approval (MATH 143 is not acceptable)
- Statistics: STAT AP, 201, 212, 214 (cross-listed BIOL/STAT 214) or other upper-level statistics course with advisor approval (STAT 211 is not acceptable)
- Computer Programming: BIOL 208, CSC 161, 170, 171, ECE 114 or other computer programming course with advisor approval (CSC 108 and 110 are not acceptable)
*AP credit will also be accepted for this course. See our advising page for more information about AP credit.
Upper-Level Writing (ULW) Requirements (2 Courses)
All biology majors must complete two ULW courses. Although students are strongly encouraged to complete both ULW requirements by taking biological sciences courses (BIOL, BCH, MBI, NSCI), an upper-level writing course within a natural sciences discipline may also be used to meet one of the requirements.
Writing courses within the humanities and social sciences may not be applied to the biology major. See the upper-level writing requirement page for more information on which courses satisfy this requirement.