2024-2025 Catalog

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-H332Honors Biochemistry II

3

CHEM-L332Advanced Biochemical Techniques and Research Lab

1

CHEM-411Physical Chemistry I

3

CHEM-L411Physical Chemistry Laboratory I

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 Biology 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

4

BIO-403Cell Biology

4

BIO-L403Cell Biology Lab

1

BIO-474Molecular Genetics

3

BIO-L474Molecular Genetics Lab

1

Notes:

  • The curricula for the BA and BS in Biochemistry satisfy the requirements for certification by the American Chemical Society if CHEM-375 and CHEM-L375 are also taken, along with at least 2 credits of CHEM-510 or one additional advanced elective (CHEM-355/L355, CHEM-453/L453, or ENV-410) and an additional math or statistics course (MATH-166, MATH-255, STATS-240, or BIO-273).

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 Goals and Objectives

Learning goals and objectives reflect the educational outcomes 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.

Learning Goals Learning Objectives
Students will... Students will be able to...
Know problem-solving and critical thinking - Define a problem clearly and develop a testable hypothesis
- Analyze data and perform calculations
- Draw conclusions
Know scientific information literacy - Retrieve information from library and journal search engines (e.g. ScifFinder, PubMed, Google Scholar)
- Critically analyze and/or discuss literature
Know laboratory skills - Synthesize, separate, and characterize compounds
- Carry out an experiment precisely and accurately using the appropriate instrumentation
- Record results in a laboratory notebook
- Work safely in the laboratory
Know effective written and oral communication skills - Prepare and present a scientific poster
- Prepare and present a formal oral scientific presentation
- Write a paper in style of a professional scientific journal
Understand scientific ethics - Avoid plagiarism (including self-plagiarism)
- Cite scientific literature appropriately
- Follow ethical guidelines when keeping a laboratory notebook
Know the Fundamentals of Chemistry and Biochemistry - Demonstrate mastery of the fundamentals of inorganic chemistry (electronic structure, physical and chemical properties, bonding, inorganic chemical reactions and analyses, stoichiometric relations between reactants)
- Demonstrate mastery of the fundamentals of organic chemistry (structure and bonding in organic molecules; acid/base properties of molecules and how they affect reactivity; organic mechanisms, predict outcomes/routes; spectral analysis (IR, NMR, MS); green chemistry)
- Demonstrate mastery of the fundamentals of analytical chemistry (collect and analyze data from analytical instrumentation including spectrometric instruments (UV-vis, NMR, infrared ATR-FTIR, fluorometer); chromatographic instruments (GC); and electroanalytical instrumentation (potentiometry))
- Demonstrate mastery of the fundamentals of physical chemistry (quantum chemistry; molecular spectroscopy; statistical thermodynamics; laws of thermodynamics; spontaneity; chemical and physical equilibria; chemical kinetics; advanced theories of reaction rates)
- Demonstrate mastery of the fundamentals of biochemistry (structure/function of amino acids, proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids; protein folding, regulation; enzyme kinetics, inhibition, thermodynamics; bioinformatics)
Know advanced biochemistry concepts - Demonstrate mastery of the concepts of metabolism, including its regulation, integration, and compartmentalization
- Demonstrate mastery of cellular bioenergetics including cellular respiration, electron transport, chemical and proton gradients, and energy coupling

About the Biochemistry Major

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

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Honors

Honors in the Major is a highly selective opportunity to complete a signature original project or thesis with the close personalized mentorship of a departmental faculty member beginning in the junior year.  Students have the opportunity to complete a junior level interdisciplinary course addressing real-world problems. In the senior year, students present research or creative works completed in their discipline at the Honors in the Major Symposium. There is special recognition at Commencement and on the Suffolk transcript.

About the Biochemistry Major

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

View the Program Page