Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
Program Contact: Carol Fenn 203-582-8254
A BS in Biochemistry gives you the skills to become a research associate studying the ways molecules react with one another, or a laboratory technician analyzing biochemical metabolites in the pursuit of new pharmaceuticals. You may become a biochemist in a food development laboratory, write copy for technical publications or work for a consumer products company developing a more effective sunscreen.
We teach you to evaluate and interpret data, hone your analytical thinking skills and present the results of your scientific research to various audiences. An independent research project strengthens the skills you develop in the classroom. Students are encouraged to pursue real-life work experience in the form of internships at industrial, academic and governmental laboratories.
Your degree in biochemistry qualifies you to work as a research assistant in a chemical, pharmaceutical or academic research laboratory upon graduation, but you’ll also have the foundation to pursue an advanced degree in several fields including medicine, pharmacy, veterinary medicine or law.
An independent research project directed by a full-time faculty member in the department is required of all students in this program. This research project plays a key role for you to develop a deeper understanding of the biochemistry involved, build skills necessary to work independently and to communicate effectively the results of your research.
BS in Biochemistry Curriculum
Initial placement in English and mathematics courses is determined by placement examinations and an evaluation of high school units presented. Students who do not place directly into MA 141 or MA 151 should take MA 140. MA 152 is strongly recommended.
Biochemistry majors must maintain a minimum grade of C- in all required chemistry, physics, biology and mathematics courses. Any required course not listed in the course descriptions may be considered for scheduling when the need arises. All 4-credit science courses have a laboratory component. Chemistry and biology electives must be selected with the advice and approval of the department adviser. Open electives should be selected based upon student interests and career goals from offerings in all schools.
Students majoring in biochemistry must complete the following requirements:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Curriculum 1 | 46 | |
| College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum 2 | 3 | |
| Biochemistry Core Requirements | ||
| CHE 110 & 110L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Lab | 4 |
| CHE 111 & 111L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
| CHE 210 & 210L | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Lab | 4 |
| CHE 211 & 211L | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
| CHE 215 & 215L | Analytical Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry Lab | 4 |
| CHE 301 & 301L | Physical Chemistry I and Physical Chemistry I Lab | 4 |
| CHE 302 & 302L | Physical Chemistry II and Physical Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
| CHE 305 & 305L | Instrumental Analysis and Instrumental Analysis Lab | 4 |
| CHE 315 & 315L | Biochemistry I and Biochemistry Lab I | 4 |
| CHE 316 | Biochemistry II | 3 |
| CHE 475 | Chemistry Seminar I | 1 |
| CHE 476 | Chemistry Seminar II | 1 |
| CHE 490 | Chemistry Research I | 3 |
| CHE 491 | Chemistry Research II | 3 |
| Two upper-level CHE elective courses 3 | 6 | |
| Two upper-level BIO or BMS electives 4 | 6 | |
| Cognate Courses 5 | ||
| MA 141 | Calculus of a Single Variable 6 | 3 |
| PHY 110 & 110L | General Physics I and General Physics I Lab 5,7 | 4 |
| PHY 111 & 111L | General Physics II and General Physics II Lab 5,7 | 4 |
| BIO 150 & 150L | General Biology for Majors and General Biology for Majors Laboratory | 4 |
| BIO 151 & 151L | Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics and Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics Lab | 4 |
| Total Credits | 127 | |
| 1 | All students must complete the University Curriculum requirements. |
| 2 | Students must complete the College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum requirements specific to their major. See details below. |
| 3 | Typically CHE 300 (offerings vary); departmental integrated capstone is currently included in this category. |
| 4 | Advanced biology electives for the biochemistry major are chosen in consultation with the departmental adviser. |
| 5 | Required courses, which support the biochemistry major and may be used to satisfy requirements outside the major. |
| 6 | MA 151 may be substituted for MA 141. MA 152 is also highly recommended but is not required. |
| 7 |
Minimum number of credits required for graduation is 120.
College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum
The College of Arts and Sciences offers bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees. Students earning either degree must complete one foreign language through the 102-level, and all students are encouraged to pursue a balanced program of study.
In addition, students earning a bachelor of arts degree must fulfill separate requirements for breadth and depth of study.
For the breadth requirement, students must complete at least 3 credits in each of the four CAS disciplinary areas other than the area of the student’s major. These areas are fine arts, humanities, natural sciences and social sciences. A course taken to fulfill the CAS breadth requirement may not also be used to fulfill a UC requirement.
For the depth requirement, students must complete at least 9 credits within a single subject area other than that of the major. (A “subject area” is identified with a catalog subject code, such as PL, CJ, WS, MA, etc.)
A student enrolled in the Accelerated Dual-Degree BA/JD or BS/JD (3+3) program is exempt from these College of Arts and Sciences requirements, with the exception of the foreign language requirement. A student pursuing a double major is likewise exempt from these College of Arts and Sciences requirements, with the exception of the foreign language requirement.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the biochemistry degree program, students will demonstrate the following competencies:
- Disciplinary Knowledge: Develop a broad knowledge base of chemical principles in the areas of general, organic, analytical, physical and biochemistry along with cognate knowledge in the areas of biology, physics and mathematics.
- Laboratory Skills: Develop relevant knowledge and hands-on skills to be able to work safely and independently in a chemistry laboratory setting to collect, record and evaluate experimental data including the utilization of both classical and instrumental techniques.
- Scientific Information Literacy: Conduct relevant field-specific searches of scientific databases to locate research articles related to a topic or problem and gain experience in reading, interpreting and discussing research literature in the field.
- Research Experience: Apply acquired knowledge and skills to investigate problems by working on independent mentored project(s) through a senior research project, independent research, internship(s) and/or summer research study.
- Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Apply knowledge and skills to solve increasingly complex conceptual and quantitative problems in the field.
- Scientific Communication: Demonstrate competency in oral and written expression of the results of their laboratory work through written lab reports, poster presentations and seminar presentations.
- Career Advancement: Be competitive for employment in an entry-level field-related position or acceptance into a graduate or professional degree program.
Admission Requirements: College of Arts and Sciences
The requirements for admission into the undergraduate College of Arts and Sciences programs are the same as those for admission to Quinnipiac University.
Admission to the university is competitive, and applicants are expected to present a strong college prep program in high school. Prospective first-year students are strongly encouraged to file an application as early in the senior year as possible, and arrange to have first quarter grades sent from their high school counselor as soon as they are available.
For detailed admission requirements, including required documents, please visit the Admissions page of this catalog.
Seamless Transfer Agreement with Gateway Community College (GCC), Housatonic Community College (HCC) and Norwalk Community College (NCC)
Under this Transfer Agreement, GCC, HCC and NCC graduates will be guaranteed admission into a bachelor’s degree program with third year (junior) status at Quinnipiac University on the condition that they:
- Graduate with an associate in arts, an associate in science in business, College of Technology engineering science, nursing or an allied health degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (this may be higher in specific programs).
- Satisfy all other Quinnipiac University transfer admission requirements and requirements for intended major.
Quinnipiac University agrees to accept the general education embedded in these associate degree programs in accordance with Quinnipiac preferred choices for general education as meeting all the requirements of its undergraduate general education except for the Integrative Capstone Experience and where courses are encumbered by the major (e.g., General Chemistry for the Disciplinary Inquiry Natural Science requirement for a Biochemistry major).
Suggested Transfer Curriculum for BS in Biochemistry
A minimum of 60 credits is required for transfer into the BS in Biochemistry program, and the following courses must be completed: general chemistry 1 and 2, organic chemistry 1 and 2, general biology 1, and physics 1. Below is a recommended plan of study for the first two years prior to matriculation at Quinnipiac University.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| English I | 3 | |
| Pre-Calculus | 4 | |
| General Chemistry I | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| English II | 3 | |
| Calculus I | 4 | |
| General Chemistry II | 4 | |
| General Biology I | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Organic Chemistry I | 4 | |
| Physics I | 4 | |
| Microbiology | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Organic Chemistry II | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |