Nov 21, 2024

2024-25 Undergraduate Catalog

Biochemistry, BS

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

The biochemistry degree curriculum is designed for students interested in careers in medicine and allied health sciences, biotechnology, life science research, chemical industry and more. Biochemistry combines the fundamentals of chemistry with biological sciences to explain life at the molecular level. Students majoring in biochemistry are free to choose any minor; however, a minor in biology is highly recommended.

University Core Curriculum Requirements

A. Communication

Three hours from:

ENGL 1301 - Rhetoric and Composition Credit(s): 3
or
ENGL 1303 - Honors Composition: Analysis, Argument and Research Credit(s): 3

Three hours from:

SPCH 1315 - Public Speaking Credit(s): 3
SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal Communication Credit(s): 3
SPCH 2333 - Teamwork and Group Communication Credit(s): 3

B. Mathematics

Three hours from:

MATH 2313 - Calculus I Credit(s): 3

C. Life and Physical Science

Six hours from:

PHYS 1301 - Mechanics and Heat Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1302 - Electricity, Sound and Light Credit(s): 3
PHYS 2325 - Technical Physics I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 2326 - Technical Physics II Credit(s): 3

D. Language, Philosophy and Culture

Three hours from:

ENGL 2309 - Introduction to Mythology Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2322 - British Literature to 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2323 - British Literature from 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2327 - American Literature to 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2328 - American Literature from 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2332 - World Literature to 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2333 - World Literature from 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2335 - Literary Genres Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2341 - Introduction to Literature Credit(s): 3
HIST 2311 - Western Civilization I Credit(s): 3
HIST 2312 - Western Civilization II Credit(s): 3
HIST 2321 - World Civilizations I Credit(s): 3
HIST 2322 - World Civilizations II Credit(s): 3
PHIL 1301 - Introduction to Philosophy Credit(s): 3
PHIL 1304 - Introduction to World Religions Credit(s): 3
PHIL 2306 - Introduction to Ethics Credit(s): 3

E. Creative Arts

Three hours from:

ARTS 1301 - Art Appreciation Credit(s): 3
ARTS 1303 - Art History I (Prehistoric to the 14th century) Credit(s): 3
ARTS 1304 - Art History II (14th Century to the present) Credit(s): 3
DANC 2303 - Dance Appreciation Credit(s): 3
DRAM 1310 - Theatre Appreciation Credit(s): 3
DRAM 2366 - Film and Culture Credit(s): 3
MUMH 1307 - Intro to Music Literature Credit(s): 3
MUSI 1306 - Music Appreciation Credit(s): 3

F. American History

Six hours from:

HIST 1301 - United States History I Credit(s): 3
HIST 1302 - United States History II Credit(s): 3

G. Government/Political Science

Six hours from:

GOVT 2305 - Federal Government Credit(s): 3
GOVT 2306 - Texas Government Credit(s): 3

H. Social and Behavioral Science

Three hours from:

ANTH 2351 - Cultural Anthropology Credit(s): 3
ECON 2301 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credit(s): 3
ECON 2302 - Principles of Microeconomics Credit(s): 3
GEOG 1303 - World Regional Geography Credit(s): 3
MCOM 1307 - Survey of Mass Communication Credit(s): 3
PSYC 2301 - General Psychology Credit(s): 3
SOCI 1301 - Introduction to Sociology Credit(s): 3

I. Component Area Option

Three hours from:

ENGL 1302 - Research and Argument Credit(s): 3

Three hours from:

ENGL 2311 - Technical and Scientific Writing Credit(s): 3

Foundation of Knowledge

Computer Science

Three hours from:

COSC 1301 - Introduction to Computing Credit(s): 3
CSCI 1302 - Computer Science Principles Credit(s): 3

Additional Mathematics

Three to four hours from:

MATH 1342 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics Credit(s): 3
or
MATH 2314 - Calculus II Credit(s): 3
MATH 2114 - Calculus II Lab Credit(s): 1

Biochemistry Major

Required Courses

CHEM 1311 - General Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1111 - General Chemistry I Lab Credit(s): 1
CHEM 1312 - General Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1112 - General Chemistry II Lab Credit(s): 1
CHEM 3421 - Quantitative Analysis Credit(s): 4
CHEM 3021 - Quantitative Analysis Lab Credit(s): 0
CHEM 3331 - Organic Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 3131 - Organic Chemistry I Lab Credit(s): 1
CHEM 3332 - Organic Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHEM 3132 - Organic Chemistry II Lab Credit(s): 1
CHEM 4443 - Instrumental Analysis Credit(s): 4
CHEM 4043 - Instrumental Analysis Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 1106 - Biology for Science Majors I Lab Credit(s): 1
BIOL 1107 - Biology for Science Majors II Lab Credit(s): 1
BIOL 1306 - Biology for Science Majors I Credit(s): 3
BIOL 1307 - Biology for Science Majors II Credit(s): 3
BIOL 3053 - Genetics Lab Credit(s): 0
BIOL 3453 - Genetics Credit(s): 4

Physical Chemistry Elective

Three to four hours from:

CHEM 3437 - Physical Chemistry I Credit(s): 4
CHEM 3037 - Physical Chemistry I Lab Credit(s): 0
or
CHEM 3336 - Physical Chemistry for Biological Sciences Credit(s): 3

Biochemistry

CHEM 4352 - Comprehensive Biochemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 4152 - Comprehensive Biochemistry I Laboratory Credit(s): 1
CHEM 4354 - Biochemical Techniques Credit(s): 3
CHEM 4054 - Biochemical Techniques Lab Credit(s): 0
CHEM 4453 - Comprehensive Biochemistry II Credit(s): 4
CHEM 4164 - Theory of Biochemical Methods Credit(s): 1

Core Curriculum Labs

MATH 2113 - Calculus I Lab Credit(s): 1
and two hours from:
PHYS 1101 - Mechanics and Heat Laboratory Credit(s): 1
PHYS 1102 - Electricity, Sound and Light Laboratory Credit(s): 1
PHYS 2125 - Technical Physics I Laboratory Credit(s): 1
PHYS 2126 - Technical Physics II Laboratory Credit(s): 1

Special Problems/Seminar

One hour from each of the following:

CHEM 2175 - Special Problems Credit(s): 1 to 4
CHEM 4170 - Senior Seminar Credit(s): 1
CHEM 4175 - Special Problems Credit(s): 1 to 4

Electives

The student may be required to complete additional elective hours to complete the degree.

Minor Option

A minor of 18 to 24 semester hours in a single discipline is optional. At least six hours in the minor must be in advanced-level courses at SFA. A minor in Biology is recommended.

General Electives

The student may be required to take additional elective hours to complete the degree.

Total hours: 120

Research Intensive Concentration

This concentration is not a major concentration but may be added to any chemistry department degree for a research intensive emphasis.

The hours for the research intensive concentration may be in excess of 120 hours and may affect elegibility for the Texas Tuition Rebate Opportunity.

This concentration consists of six to 10 hours from:

CHEM 2175 - Special Problems Credit(s): 1 to 4
CHEM 3176 - Special Problems Credit(s): 1 to 4
CHEM 4171 - Advanced Special Topics Credit(s): 1 to 4
CHEM 4175 - Special Problems Credit(s): 1 to 4
CHEM 4176 - Special Problems Credit(s): 1 to 4

Grade Requirements

A grade of at least C in each first-year English course (ENGL 1301 , ENGL 1302 )
A C average in work completed in the major field
A C average in work completed in the minor field

The required averages are based on those SFA courses taken in each category that are included in the student’s official degree plan (CAPP). Transfer and advanced placement coursework are not included in GPA calculations.

In-Residence Requirement

Undergraduate Degree Programs

Undergraduate degrees require at least 25% semester credit hours completed in-residence.

Undergraduate degrees with 120 hours total degree program hours require a minimum of 30 advanced (upper level) in-residence semester credit hours. The in-residence hour requirement will be fulfilled as part of the individual discipline major, which includes as least 12 advanced in-residence semester credit hours. Minor requirements also may contribute to the total in-residence hours as at least six advanced in-residence semester credit hours are required. The balance of in-resident hours will be fulfilled through additional advanced semester credit hours and may include further major and minor coursework.

Undergraduate degrees with more than 120 total degree program hour requirements will ensure semester credit hours for the specific discipline include at least 25% of total semester credit hours in-residence.

View HOP policy 02-214.