B.S. in Biochemistry
University of Saint Joseph
Key Information
Campus location
West Hartford, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 21,025 / per semester *
Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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* full-time
Scholarships
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Introduction
Serving as a springboard for graduate school and for careers in the private and public sectors
Throughout the nation, Biochemistry is becoming an increasingly popular and effective field of study.
At the University of Saint Joseph, the Biochemistry program is administered by the Department of Chemistry. You will work alongside practicing scientists with terminal degrees in many fields of Chemistry.
This challenging curriculum offers real-world relevance, characterized by a spirit of innovation that prepares graduates for success in a global society. The baccalaureate Biochemistry program is accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Curriculum
Advantages
The focused curriculum is designed to help students prepare to sit for the ASBMB exam, a potential career in medicine, and is accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Degree requirements
Continuation requirements: A grade of C or better is required for all Chemistry courses, required Biology courses, and required supporting courses. The GPA for all Chemistry courses required Biology courses and required supporting courses must be 2.50 or greater. These requirements pertain to all students, including transfer students.
In order for students, including transfer students, to be accepted to the major, and therefore be advised by a Chemistry faculty member, they must have completed the following courses:
- BIOL 114 - Introduction to Cellular Biology 4 Credits
- CHEM 175 - Fundamental Chemical Principles I 4 Credits
- CHEM 176 - Fundamental Chemical Principles II 4 Credits
- CHEM 200 - Organic Chemistry I 4 Credits
- CHEM 210 - Organic Chemistry II 4 Credits
- MATH 170 - Calculus I 4 Credits
- MATH 180 - Calculus II 4 Credits
- PHYS 130 - Introductory Physics I 4 Credits
- PHYS 140 - Introductory Physics II 4 Credits
Additional information
Students who are enrolled in Calculus II, Organic Chemistry II, Physics II, or Molecular Biology may be admitted to the department, pending a grade of C or better in these courses and meeting the departmental GPA requirements. Ordinarily, for students to complete the Biochemistry major in four years, they must complete the nine courses listed above before the beginning of their junior year.
The Biochemistry major is administered by the Chemistry department and requires coursework in both the Chemistry and Biology departments.
Required courses (50 credits)
- BIOL 114 - Introduction to Cellular Biology 4 Credits
- BIOL 325 - Genetics 4 Credits
- BIOL 350 - Advanced Cellular Biology 4 Credits
- CHEM 175 - Fundamental Chemical Principles I 4 Credits
- CHEM 176 - Fundamental Chemical Principles II 4 Credits
- CHEM 200 - Organic Chemistry I 4 Credits
- CHEM 210 - Organic Chemistry II 4 Credits
- CHEM 300 - Analytical Instrumentation 4 Credits
- CHEM 310 - Quantitative Analysis 4 Credits
- CHEM 320 - Physical Chemistry I: Thermodynamics 3 Credits
- CHEM 426 - Biochemistry I 4 Credits
- CHEM 430 - Biochemistry II 3 Credits
- CHEM 496 - Thesis 3 Credits or (CHEM 487 - Biochemistry CURE Foundations 2 credits and CHEM 488 - Chemistry/Biochemistry Formal Reporting 1 credit)
- CHEM 499 - Coordinating Seminar 1 Credit
Required supporting coursework (16 credits)
- MATH 170 - Calculus I 4 Credits
- MATH 180 - Calculus II 4 Credits
- PHYS 130 - Introductory Physics I 4 Credits
- PHYS 140 - Introductory Physics II 4 Credits
Suggested plan of study
First year
- CHEM 175 - Fundamental Chemical Principles I 4 Credits
- CHEM 176 - Fundamental Chemical Principles II 4 Credits
- MATH 170 - Calculus I 4 Credits
- MATH 180 - Calculus II 4 Credits
Sophomore year
- BIOL 114 - Introduction to Cellular Biology 4 Credits
- CHEM 200 - Organic Chemistry I 4 Credits
- CHEM 210 - Organic Chemistry II 4 Credits
- PHYS 130 - Introductory Physics I 4 Credits
- PHYS 140 - Introductory Physics II 4 Credits
Junior year
- BIOL 325 - Genetics 4 Credits
- BIOL 350 - Advanced Cellular Biology 4 Credits
- CHEM 300 - Analytical Instrumentation 4 Credits
- CHEM 320 - Physical Chemistry I: Thermodynamics 3 Credits
- CHEM 426 - Biochemistry I 4 Credits (Cure Track) or BIOL 350 - Advanced Cellular Biology 4 credits (Research track)
- CHEM 487 - Biochemistry CURE Foundations 2 Credits -For students on the CURE track only. Not for students that plan to take CHEM 496 - Thesis
Senior year
- CHEM 310 - Quantitative Analysis 4 Credits
- CHEM 426 - Biochemistry I 4 Credits (Research Track) or BIOL 350 - Advanced Cellular Biology 4 credits (Cure track)
- CHEM 430 - Biochemistry II 3 Credits
- CHEM 496 - Thesis 3 Credits or CHEM 488 - Chemistry/Biochemistry Formal Reporting (for students on the CURE track only)
- CHEM 499 - Coordinating Seminar 1 Credit
Note: The CHEM 300/CHEM 310 sequence and CHEM 320 will alternate between junior and senior years depending on the year of matriculation. CHEM 320 is a prerequisite for CHEM 430.
Program Outcome
The student will:
- Explain the function of living organisms at the molecular level and the relevance of chemical and biological principles, and their interplay;
- Demonstrate laboratory skills that allow research questions in Biochemistry to be pursued;
- Realize opportunities for undergraduate research working with faculty mentors in their areas of expertise;
- Be able to critique logical arguments in Biochemistry and apply quantitative reasoning to biochemical questions.
Career Opportunities
Potential careers: chemist, biomedical, data scientist, forensic scientist, tech sales and marketing, food tech, pharmacist, surgeon, veterinarian, and more.