2025-2026 Catalog

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Biochemistry, BA, BS

Degree Requirements - 126 credits

Students can earn a Bachelor of Arts degree or a Bachelor of Science degree with this major

Biochemistry Major Requirements: 18 courses, 66 credits

Core Requirements (16 courses and corresponding laboratories where applicable, 58 credits)

BIO-111Introduction to the Cell

3
BIO-L111Introduction to the Cell Laboratory

1
BIO-114Organismal Biology

3
BIO-L114Organismal Biology Laboratory

1
CHEM-111General Chemistry I

3
CHEM-L111General Chemistry Laboratory I

1
CHEM-112General Chemistry II

3
CHEM-L112General Chemistry Laboratory II

1
CHEM-211Organic Chemistry I

3
CHEM-L211Organic Chemistry Laboratory I

1
CHEM-212Organic Chemistry II

3
CHEM-L212Organic Chemistry Laboratory II

1
CHEM-311Professional Development

1
CHEM-314Instrumental Analysis

3
CHEM-L314Instrumental Analysis Laboratory

1
CHEM-331Biochemistry I

3
CHEM-L331Biochemical Techniques Lab

1
CHEM-332Biochemistry II

3
CHEM-L332Advanced Biochemical Techniques and Research Lab

1
CHEM-411Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy

3
CHEM-L411Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy Lab

1
CHEM-412Thermodynamics and Kinetics

3
CHEM-L412Thermodynamics and Kinetics Laboratory

1
MATH-165Calculus I

4
PHYS-151University Physics I

3
PHYS-L151University Physics Lab I

1
PHYS-152University Physics II

3
PHYS-L152University Physics Lab II

1

Choose one of the following:

CHEM-401Senior Research Project

1
CHEM-H401Honors Senior Research Project

1

Electives (2 courses and corresponding laboratories, 8 credits)

Choose two electives, with corresponding laboratories where applicable, from the following:

BIO-203Anatomy and Physiology I

3
BIO-L203Anatomy and Physiology Lab I

1
BIO-204Anatomy and Physiology II

3
BIO-L204Anatomy and Physiology Lab II

1
BIO-262Principles of Cell Culture

4
BIO-274Genetics

3
BIO-L274Genetics Lab

1
BIO-285Microbiology

3
BIO-L285Microbiology Laboratory

1
BIO-377Immunology

4
BIO-385Advanced Microbiology

3
BIO-403Cell Biology

4
CHEM-453Introduction to Pharmacology and Toxicology

3
CHEM-L453Introduction to Pharmacology and Toxicology Lab

1
BIO-474Molecular Genetics

3
BIO-L474Molecular Genetics Lab

1

Notes:

 

Residency Requirement Policy: In the College of Arts and Sciences, a two-course (8 credit) residency requirement must be satisfied for completion of a minor and a four-course (16 credit) residency requirement must be satisfied for the completion of a major.

About the Biochemistry Major

Learn more about the experiences and opportunities available within this major.

View the Program Page

Biochemistry Major Learning Outcomes

The following learning outcomes will be achieved by students through the completion of this program. These transferable skills prepare Suffolk students for success in the workplace, in graduate school, and in their local and global communities.

  1. Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge in biochemistry, chemistry, and biology.

  2. Students will be able to apply the skills necessary to safely execute experiments using a variety of techniques and record their methods and findings.

  3. Students will be able to find, critically evaluate, and cite scientific literature.

  4. Students will be able to present an analysis of scientific findings in a clear, organized format.

  5. Students will be able to synthesize biochemical, chemical, biological and/or mathematical models to solve a problem or explain a scientific phenomenon.

  6. Students will be able to practice the knowledge and skills gained through the program by conducting a novel research project.

About the Biochemistry Major

Learn more about the experiences and opportunities available within this major.

View the Program Page

Honors in the Major

To become a candidate for honors in the major, a student must:

  1. Have an overall GPA of 3.3

  2. Have a major GPA of 3.5

  3. Receive an invitation to apply from the major honors coordinator

  4. Applications are due May 15th in the sophomore year to the honors coordinator. If positions remain empty, a second opportunity may be given to apply in the junior year, with applications due October 1st in the junior year.

  5. The student must have identified an on-campus faculty research mentor who has agreed to supervise their senior capstone thesis/project. Students are encouraged to explore the faculty research groups  in the department and speak with their honors coordinator to identify a potential mentor. The thesis project can be research already started or research that will start later. It can involve research performed on or off campus. The planned project must involve original laboratory or field research and/or in-depth analysis.

To complete requirements for honors in the major, a candidate must:

  1. Graduate with an overall GPA of 3.3

  2. Graduate with a major GPA of 3.5

  3. Pass the honors interdisciplinary real-world problems course in the junior year

  4. Attend the senior research talks in the junior year

  5. Conduct a novel research project (not literature summary) with mentorship from an on-campus faculty member. For department honors, thesis  work must be of outstanding quality and must involve original laboratory or field research and/or in-depth analysis.

  6. Earn a B- or higher in the senior research project course CHEM H401 in the spring of their senior year. In this course, they will write their honors thesis describing their research project.

  7. Present their honors project at the Honors Symposium during their senior year. 

About the Biochemistry Major

Learn more about the experiences and opportunities available within this major.

View the Program Page