Major in Biochemistry, ASBMB Concentration

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) concentration in Biochemistry is composed of a “core” set of courses comprised of 24 credits of primarily upper division coursework (22/24 credits are 400 level), along with a total of 9 “bioscience elective” credits selected from a list provided by the department. This option gives the student 13 “free elective” credits, which they can use to pursue a minor, a double major, and/or other academic interests. Thus, this concentration is designed to provide a broad background in biochemistry and can be tailored to meet the individual needs of specific students. The ASBMB concentration is recommended for students considering teaching and/or research as a career. Students who graduate from this program can state on their resume that they graduated from an “ASBMB program.” If desired, students can take a 1-hour ASBMB exam during the spring semester of their senior year. Students who pass the exam will additionally receive degree certification from ASBMB. Accreditation (and certification) by ASBMB confirms that our undergraduate degree program meets very high standards, and thus will enhance the credentials of our graduating seniors.

Effective Fall 2023

A minimum grade of C (2.000) must be earned for BC 493 and all biochemistry (BC) and LIFE subject code lecture and laboratory courses at or above the 200-level required in the biochemistry major.

Biosciences Electives List – Select a minimum of 9 credits in consultation with advisor

A minimum of 3 credits must be selected from Group A; a maximum of 6 credits may be selected from group B; a maximum of 3 credits may be selected from Group C. 

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Select from the list of courses in categories 3B-3D (six credits [two courses] must come from 3B; one course each from categories 3C and 3D) in the AUCC. Only 3 of the 6 credits required for Arts and Humanities may come from intermediate (L*** 200 and L*** 201) foreign language courses.

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Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level).

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program:
TO PREPARE FOR FIRST SEMESTER:   The curriculum for the Biochemistry major ‐ ASBMB  concentration assumes students enter college prepared to begin a year‐long calculus sequence (either MATH 155/MATH 255 or MATH 160/MATH 161) in the first semester of their first year.  LIFE 102 requires high school chemistry as a prerequisite; CHEM 111 requires Algebra II as a prerequisite (this prerequisite is met by having Algebra II by test credit, transfer credit, or placement out of MATH 117 and MATH 118 on Math Placement Exam). 

A minimum grade of C (2.000) must be earned for BC 493 and all biochemistry (BC) and LIFE subject code lecture and laboratory courses at or above the 200-level required in the biochemistry major.