The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 120 units

See Bachelor's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. You can view MAPs on the Degree MAPs page in the University Catalog or you can request a plan from your major advisor.

General Education Pathway Requirements: 48 units

See General Education in the University Catalog and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Pathway Requirements and course offerings.

This major has approved GE modifications. See below for information on how to apply these modifications.

BIOL 151 is an approved advanced course substitution for Life Sciences (B2).
CHEM 381 is an approved major course substitution for Upper-Division Natural Sciences

Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

See Diversity Requirements in the University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education .

Literacy Requirement:

See Mathematics and Writing Requirements in the University Catalog. Writing proficiency in the major is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of a course in your major which has been designated as the Writing Proficiency (WP) course for the semester in which you take the course. Students who earn below a C- are required to repeat the course and earn a C- or higher to receive WP credit. See the Class Schedule for the designated WP courses for each semester. You must pass ENGL 130I or JOUR 130I (or equivalent) with a C- or higher before you may register for a WP course.

Course Requirements for the Major: 75-77 units

Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree.

Lower-Division Requirements: 36 units

9 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
BIOL 151	Principles of Cellular and Molecular Biology	4.0	FS	GE
Prerequisites: Recommend CHEM 111 or concurrent enrollment. Introduction to biological molecules, bioenergetics, cellular structure and function, elements of molecular biology and genetics, and mechanisms of macroevolution and systematics. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. (001122)
CHEM 111	General Chemistry	4.0	FS	GE
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement; second-year high school algebra; one year high school chemistry. (One year of high school physics and one year of high school mathematics past Algebra II are recommended.) Principles of chemistry for students in science, medical, and related professions. Atomic structure, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, periodic table, gases, solids, liquids, solutions, and equilibrium. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. (001816)
CHEM 112	General Chemistry	4.0	FS
Prerequisites: CHEM 111 with a grade of C- or better. A continuation of CHEM 111. Chemical energetics, rates of reaction, acids and bases, solubility, oxidation-reduction, and nuclear chemistry. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001817)
CHEM 270	Organic Chemistry	4.0	FS
Prerequisites: CHEM 112. An introduction to the theory and mechanism of organic reactions. To be followed by CHEM 370, which completes the two-semester sequence for science majors. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001840)
MATH 120	Analytic Geometry and Calculus	4.0	FS	GE
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement; both MATH 118 and MATH 119 (or high school equivalent); a score that meets department guidelines on a department administered calculus readiness exam. Limits and continuity. The derivative and applications to related rates, maxma and minima, and curve sketching. Transcendental functions. An introduction to the definite integral and area. A grade of C- or higher is required for GE credit. 4 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. (005506)
MATH 121	Analytic Geometry and Calculus	4.0	FS
Prerequisites: MATH 120. The definite integral and applications to area, volume, work, differential equations, etc. Sequences and series, vectors and analytic geometry in 2 and 3-space, polar coordinates, and parametric equations. 4 hours discussion. (005507)
MATH 220	Analytic Geometry and Calculus	4.0	FS
Prerequisites: MATH 121. Vector functions and space curves. Functions of several variables, partial derivatives, and multiple integrals. Vector calculus line integrals, surface integrals, divergence/curl, Green's Theorem, Divergence Theorem, and Stokes' Theorem. 4 hours discussion. (005508)
PHYS 202A	General Physics	4.0	FS	GE
Prerequisites: High school physics or faculty permission. High school trigonometry and second-year high school algebra or equivalent (MATH 051 and MATH 118 at CSU, Chico). Mechanics, properties of matter, wave motion, sound, heat. Science majors are encouraged to take PHYS 204A instead of this course. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. (007394)
PHYS 202B	General Physics	4.0	FS
Prerequisites: PHYS 202A with a grade of C- or higher. Light, electricity, magnetism, selected topics in modern physics. Science majors are encouraged to take PHYS 204B instead of this course. Algebra and trigonometry are used. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (007395)

Upper-Division Requirements: 39-41 units

12 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
BIOL 360	Genetics	4.0	FS
Prerequisites: BIOL 153 or permission of instructor. A detailed study of the principles of classical, molecular, and population/evolutionary genetics. Activities will include computer simulations of segregation, linkage, and population genetics, internet-based database searches for genetic diseases and cloned genes, and searches of the current genetic literature. 3 hours lecture, 1 hour discussion. (001173)
BIOL 371	Microbiology	4.0	FS	GW
Prerequisites: ENGL 130 or JOUR 130 (or equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher; BIOL 151, BIOL 152, BIOL 153, or faculty permission. Introduction to the biology of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms, as well as viruses. Topics include cell structure, metabolism, genetics; ecological interactions; pathogenic mechanisms; and the roles of microorganisms in sanitation, food production, and biotechnology. The lab focuses on methods for growing and studying diverse microbes. 2 hours lecture, 6 hours laboratory. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. (020279)
CHEM 320	Quantitative Analysis	4.0	FS
Prerequisites: CHEM 112 with a grade of C- or higher. Precision and accuracy in measurements, interpretation of data by statistical analysis, and development of good quantitative techniques. Analysis by gravimetry, titrimetry, potentiometry, chromatography, and spectrometry. 2 hours discussion, 6 hours laboratory. (001847)
CHEM 331	Physical Chemistry	3.0	FA
Prerequisites: CHEM 320, MATH 220; PHYS 202A & PHYS 202B or PHYS 204A, PHYS 204B, & PHYS 204C. Thermodynamics of solids, liquids, gases, and solutions; electrochemistry, kinetics, chemical equilibria, introduction to quantum mechanics, and chemical statistics. 3 hours discussion. (001882)
CHEM 361	Inorganic Chemistry	3.0	FA
Prerequisites: CHEM 320, MATH 220; PHYS 202A & PHYS 202B or PHYS 204A, PHYS 204B, & PHYS 204C. Emphasis on description and theory of inorganic substances: atomic structure; ionic and covalent bonding; acid-base concepts of inorganic substances; structure, bonding, thermodynamics, and reaction mechanisms of transition metal complexes; and bioinorganic chemistry. 3 hours lecture. (001887)
CHEM 370	Organic Chemistry	3.0	FS
Prerequisites: CHEM 270 with a grade of C- or higher. Lecture continuation of the theory and mechanisms of organic reaction. 3 hours discussion. (001852)
CHEM 370M	Organic Chemistry Laboratory	2.0	FS
Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in or prior completion of CHEM 370. Laboratory continuation of the theory and mechanisms of organic reactions. Completes the two-semester sequence for chemistry majors. 6 hours laboratory. (001853)
CHEM 381	Integrated Chemistry Laboratory I	3.0	FA	GW
Prerequisites: ENGL 130 or JOUR 130 (or equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher, CHEM 270, CHEM 331 (may be taken concurrently), CHEM 361 (may be taken concurrently). Integrated application of concepts and techniques in analytical, inorganic, and physical chemistry with supervised studies in individual literature searches, including the use of Chemical Abstracts, Patent Indexes, and other reference compilations. 2 hours activity, 6 hours laboratory. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. (001885)
CHEM 400	Senior Seminar in Chemistry	1.0	SP
Presentation and discussion of topics from chemical literature. 2 hours activity. (001869)
CHEM 451	Biochemistry	3.0	FS
Prerequisites: CHEM 370 with a grade of C- or higher. A general study of the chemistry of biomolecules. Conformation and function of enzymes and other proteins; metabolism, energy generation, and storage; brief discussion of chemistry of DNA replication, transcription and translation, and of important physiological processes. 3 hours discussion. (001900)
CHEM 452	Biochemistry	3.0	SP
Prerequisites: CHEM 451. Advanced topics in biochemistry. Biosynthesis of lipids, steroids, amino acids, and nucleotides. Comprehensive study of the chemical role of DNA and RNA in replication, transcription, protein synthesis, and viral activity. 3 hours discussion. (001901)
CHEM 453M	Biochemistry Laboratory	3.0	SP
Prerequisite: CHEM 320, CHEM 370M, CHEM 451. Separation, identification, and/or analysis of biological materials by modern procedures, such as spectrophotometry, chromatography (gas, TLC, column, ion exchange), electrophoresis, enzymology, fluorimetry, and high-speed centrifugation. This course fulfills laboratory requirements for biochemistry majors. 1 hour lecture, 6 hours laboratory. (021068)

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
BIOL 409	Molecular Biology	4.0	SP
Prerequisites: BIOL 153, BIOL 360. Detailed analysis of structure and related functions of cells with an emphasis on the molecular mechanisms of gene expression and gene regulation. Lectures and laboratory sessions focus on current theories and methodologies associated with cloning, nucleic acid analysis, gene expression, bioinformatics, and genomics. 2 hours lecture, 6 hours laboratory. (020282)
BIOL 411	Cell Biology	4.0	FA
Prerequisites: BIOL 153, BIOL 360. Detailed study of cellular function with an emphasis on intracellular and intercellular communication. Topics include protein structure and function, properties of biological membranes, signal transduction, protein trafficking pathways, vesicular transport, cell cycle, apotopsis and cancer. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001169)
BIOL 412	Bacterial Physiology	4.0	S1
Prerequisites: BIOL 371, BIOL 360, CHEM 270. CHEM 451 is recommended. Study of bacterial structure and function, modes of metabolism, regulatory responses to environmental change and stress, and microbial aspects of nutrition and growth. 2 hours discussion, 6 hours laboratory. (001222)
BIOL 414	Plant Physiology	4.0	SP
Prerequisites: NSCI 102 or BIOL 153; CHEM 108 or CHEM 270; or faculty permission. Functions in higher plants; water and soil relations, photosynthesis, respiration, enzyme action, and growth. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001181)
BIOL 416	Vertebrate Physiology	4.0	FS
Prerequisites: BIOL 152, BIOL 153; CHEM 108 or CHEM 270. General features of vertebrate physiology. Function of muscular, nervous, respiratory, circulatory, excretory, and endocrine systems. 2 hours discussion, 6 hours laboratory. (001180)
BIOL 466	Immunology	4.0	SP
Prerequisites: BIOL 153. The development and expression of the immune response, the basic principles of antigen-antibody reactions and their relevance to medicine, genetics, taxonomy, and evolution. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001220)
BIOL 470	Medical Bacteriology	5.0	FA	GW
Prerequisites: ENGL 130 or JOUR 130 (or equivalent) with a C- or higher; BIOL 371, BIOL 466, CHEM 270. Immunization against tetanus and diphtheria required. Biological characteristics of medically important bacteria. Mechanisms of pathogenecity and host-resistance. Laboratory procedures for isolation and identification. 3 hours discussion, 6 hours laboratory. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. (001182)
BIOL 472	Microbial Genetics	4.0	FA
Prerequisites: BIOL 360. BIOL 371 is recommended. The molecular basis of mutation and recombination, mechanisms of gene transfer, transcription in bacteria and bacteriophages, genetics and biochemistry of regulation of bacterial operons, and bacteriophage development, and recombinant DNA application to genetic engineering. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001224)
BIOL 476	General Virology	4.0	SP
Prerequisites: BIOL 151, BIOL 371. Recommended: BIOL 360. The physical, chemical, and biological properties of bacteria and animal viruses, and their interactions with the host at cellular and organismic levels. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001185)
CHEM 332	Physical Chemistry	3.0	SP
Prerequisites: CHEM 331. A continuation of CHEM 331. 3 hours discussion. (001883)

Grading Requirement:

All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.

Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate advisor for specific information.