Biochemistry, B.S.

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Biochemistry (broadly defined as the chemistry of life) is foundational to understand and investigate the life sciences. The B.S. in Biochemistry at SUNY Potsdam integrates knowledge from areas of both chemistry and biology and is demanding in terms of core course requirements, since additional courses are also required in mathematics and physics. Opportunities for undergraduate research projects with faculty members are highly encouraged and common. The B.S. in Biochemistry provides a strong basis for admission into a number of professional programs in the health sciences (such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy etc.), or the continuation of studies at the graduate level in several areas of the life sciences. It also provides opportunities for employment in government, commercial or academic laboratories.

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

Biochemistry B.S. students will be able to:

   • describe the major concepts and theoretical principles in biochemistry and molecular biology.
   • solve basic problems in biochemistry efficiently and accurately.
   • perform basic experiments, utilizing instrumentation and fundamental biochemical techniques.
   • to design and complete research projects, inclusive of recording, analyzing, and interpreting data.
   • produce a research poster, oral presentation, or research paper based on the results of one’s work, to communicate with biochemists and non-biochemists.

Program Requirements

Required Courses: 35 Credits

CHEM 105 - General Chemistry 1 1-3 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
CHEM 106 - General Chemistry 2 1-3 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
CHEM 311 - Quantitative Analysis 1-3 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
CHEM 341 - Organic Chemistry 1 1-3 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
CHEM 342 - Organic Chemistry 2 3 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
CHEM 408 - Chemistry Topics 1 Credit(s)
CHEM 409 - Seminar in Chemistry 1 Credit(s)
CHEM 425 - Biochemistry 1 3 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
CHEM 426 - Biochemistry 2 3 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
CHEM 451 - Physical Chemistry 1 3 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
CHEM 497 - Research Problems 1-3 Credit(s) (taken for 1 credit)

Electives: 6 Credits

chosen from the following

BIOL 407 - Cell Physiology 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 410 - Human Physiology 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 420 - Medical Microbiology 3 Credit(s)
BIOL 426 - Immunobiology 3 Credit(s)
BIOL 483 - Current Topics in Biology 2-3 Credit(s)
BIOL 485 - Research in Biology 1-3 Credit(s)
CHEM 415 - Instrumental Analysis 2 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
CHEM 433 - Inorganic Chemistry 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 434 - Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory 1 Credit(s)
CHEM 444 - Advanced Organic Chemistry 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 452 - Physical Chemistry 2 3 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
CHEM 495 - Special Topics 1-12 Credit(s)
CHEM 497 - Research Problems 1-3 Credit(s)

Cognate Requirements: 32 Credits

*Completion of both MATH 141 & MATH 142 may be substituted for MATH 151 .

**With the permission of the chair, PHYS 101 , PHYS 202 may be substituted for PHYS 103 , PHYS 104 .

BIOL 151 - Gen Bio Cells and Genetics 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 152 - Gen Bio Organisms and Ecology 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 307 - Cell Biology 3 Credit(s)
BIOL 311 - Genetics 3-4 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
MATH 151 - Calculus I 4 Credit(s) *
MATH 152 - Calculus II 4 Credit(s)
PHYS 103 - University Physics I 4 Credit(s) **
PHYS 104 - University Physics II 4 Credit(s) **

Recommended Coursework Outside the Major

Consult with a departmental adviser.

Note(s)

Students graduating with a biochemistry major must complete 52 hours in the required chemistry and biology courses with at least a 2.0 grade in each course. Students may not S/P/U required chemistry or biology courses.
Students majoring in biochemistry should plan on taking CHEM 425 and CHEM 426 during their Junior year. They are also encouraged to take BIOL 151 , BIOL 152 , BIOL 311 and BIOL 320 prior to Biochemistry 1: lecture and lab.
Since both calculus and physics are prerequisites for CHEM 451 , students are encouraged to start the cognate sequences as soon as possible.
Students may not double major in chemistry and biochemistry.
Recitations cannot be counted as elective courses.