Program Contact: Carol Fenn 203-582-8254
Biochemistry majors apply the principles of chemistry and physics to living systems. Students gain foundational knowledge about the properties and reactions of inorganic, organic and biological compounds. Lab courses enable you to carry out syntheses and analyze complex materials. You will use a sophisticated array of analytical instruments, which include a variety of spectrophotometers and chromatographic systems, to help build confidence in your ability to solve complex problems in the field. You can individualize your experience by taking chemistry and biology electives in specialized areas or pursue a minor to meet your career goals.
Because of our small class sizes and highly accessible faculty, you’ll get plenty of support and the personal attention you need. 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. You will evaluate and interpret data, hone your analytical thinking skills and present the results of your own scientific research to various audiences.
Your degree in biochemistry provides the foundation to pursue an advanced degree in a specific area of the physical or life sciences or in other fields including medicine, pharmacy, veterinary medicine or law. After graduation, you will be prepared to work as a laboratory or research assistant in an academic, governmental, pharmaceutical or industrial laboratory.
The curriculum in this degree program can fulfill the science prerequisites for most professional schools. Students should refer to Pre-Medical Studies for more information about the pre-medical studies program and contact the Health Professions Advisory Committee for further academic advising.
The BS in Biochemistry requires a minimum of 120 credits for degree completion.
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 153 and MA 154 are strongly recommended.
Biochemistry majors must earn a minimum grade of C- in all required chemistry, physics, biology and mathematics courses. If a D or F is earned, the student must repeat the course. 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.
Please see footnotes for additional information.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Curriculum | 46 | |
| Modern Language Requirement 1 | 6 | |
| 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 I Lab | 4 |
| CHE 316 | Biochemistry II | 3 |
| CHE 350 | Science Communication | 3 |
| CHE 420 | Chemistry Integrative Capstone | 3 |
| Upper-level CHE elective course 2 | 3 | |
| Two upper-level BIO or BMS electives 3 | 6 | |
| Experiential Learning Requirement 4 | ||
| Cognate Courses 5 | ||
| MA 141 | Calculus of a Single Variable 6 | 3 |
| PHY 110 & 110L | General Physics I and General Physics I Lab | 4 |
| or PHY 121 | University Physics | |
| PHY 111 & 111L | General Physics II and General Physics II Lab | 4 |
| or PHY 122 | University Physics II | |
| 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 |
| Open Electives 7 | ||
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
All CAS students must complete one modern language through the 102 level. Students who have taken a language in high school should take the modern language placement test for that language. Placement scores at the 201 level or higher demonstrate language competency and will place out of the language requirement.
- 2
- 3
Advanced biology electives for the biochemistry major are chosen in consultation with the departmental adviser.
- 4
Each student enrolled in the BCH degree program must complete an experiential learning activity. See the Experiential Learning tab for details.
- 5
Required courses, which support the biochemistry major and may also be used to satisfy requirements outside the major.
- 6
MA 151 may be substituted for MA 141. MA 153 and MA 154 are also highly recommended but not required.
- 7
Students take open electives to fulfill the minimum number of credits for graduation (120). Number of open elective credits may vary depending on foreign language and math placement scores. Some cognate course credits may apply toward the University Curriculum.
The BS in Biochemistry requires a minimum of 120 credits for degree completion. Biochemistry majors must earn a minimum grade of C- in all required chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics courses.
Shown below is one of many possible paths through the curriculum. Each student’s individual academic plan is crafted in consultation with their academic adviser.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| Milestones: Earn 30 credits, meet with your adviser at least once a semester and have a GPA of 2.00 or higher. | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BIO 150 & 150L | General Biology for Majors and General Biology for Majors Laboratory | 4 |
| CHE 110 & CHE 111L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
| EN 101 | Introduction to College-Level Reading And Writing (UC First Year Writing) | 3 |
| FYS 101 | First-Year Seminar (UC Foundations Inquiry) | 3 |
| MA 140 | Pre-Calculus (UC Math ) | 3 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIO 151 & 151L | Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics and Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics Lab | 4 |
| CHE 111 & 111L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
| EN 102 | Reading, Writing, & Research In College and Beyond (UC First Year Writing) | 3 |
| MA 141 | Calculus of a Single Variable | 3 |
| Second Year | ||
| Milestones: Earn 60 credits and a GPA of 2.00 or higher. Meet with your adviser at least once per semester to discuss academic, experiential learning, career and co-curricular opportunities. | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CHE 210 & 210L | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Lab | 4 |
| PHY 110 & 110L | General Physics I and General Physics I Lab | 4 |
| Advanced Biology or Biomedical Science elective | 4 | |
| Foreign Language at the 101 level | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CHE 211 & 211L | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
| PHY 111 & 111L | General Physics II and General Physics II Lab | 4 |
| Foreign Language at the 102 level (Satisfies CAS Language Requirement) | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 1 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Milestones: Earn 90 credits and a GPA of 2.00 or higher. Meet with your adviser at least once per semester. Participate in study abroad, complete internship or research opportunities. | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CHE 215 & 215L | Analytical Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry Lab | 4 |
| CHE 315 & 315L | Biochemistry I and Biochemistry I Lab | 4 |
| Advanced Biology or Biomedical Science elective | 4 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CHE 305 & 305L | Instrumental Analysis and Instrumental Analysis Lab | 4 |
| CHE 316 | Biochemistry II | 3 |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Milestones: Earn 120 credits and a GPA of 2.00 or higher. Complete possible minor or double major and prepare for graduation. | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CHE 301 & 301L | Physical Chemistry I and Physical Chemistry I Lab | 4 |
| CHE 350 | Science Communication | 3 |
| CHE 490 | Chemistry Research | 3 |
| Advanced Chemistry elective | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CHE 302 & 302L | Physical Chemistry II and Physical Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
| CHE 420 | Chemistry Integrative Capstone | 3 |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 121 | |
Each student enrolled in the BCH degree program must complete an experiential learning requirement related to chemistry, biochemistry, or the physical sciences. Additionally, students are expected to present their research findings (or a departmentally approved alternative) at a research showcase. Both of these requirements will be tracked as Stellic benchmarks that must be met for graduation.
For the experiential learning activity, students may choose one of two options:
- 3 credits of CHE 490 (Chemistry Research)
- A departmentally approved experiential learning activity related to chemistry, biochemistry, or the physical sciences (including science education). Typical activities include:
- Internship
- QUIP-RS
- External summer REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates)
- Mentored research related to chemistry, biochemistry, or the physical sciences in other departments (e.g., ENV 399 or BIO 491).
Students should begin considering potential experiential learning opportunities during their first year and discuss with their academic adviser.
Upon completion of the biochemistry degree program, students will demonstrate the following competencies:
- Disciplinary Knowledge: Develop a broad knowledge 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 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 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 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 or acceptance into a graduate or professional degree program.
Admission Requirements: College of Arts & Sciences
The requirements for admission into the undergraduate College of Arts & 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 3.00 (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 | |
Pre-Medical Studies
The Pre-Medical Studies designation is designed for undergraduate students interested in pursuing clinical doctorates such as MD, DO, PharmD, OD, DPM, DC, DPT or DVM. The designation allows students to enroll in and track common medical or professional school course requirements. Interested students should refer to the Pre-Medical Studies page for more information.