Biochemistry Major (with ASBMB certification) - Bachelor of Science (BS)

(All colleges, excluding teacher certification programs)

46 credits (29-33 additional credits including BIO, MIC, MTH, and PHY requirements)

Core
CHM 103General Chemistry I5
CHM 104General Chemistry II5
CHM 271The Chemical Community1
CHM 301Analytical Chemistry5
CHM 303Organic Chemistry Theory I3
CHM 304Organic Chemistry Theory II3
CHM 305Organic Chemistry Laboratory2
CHM 407Biophysical Chemistry 13
CHM 417Biochemistry I: Macromolecules4
CHM 418Biochemistry II: Metabolism and Genetic Information3
CHM 419Advanced Biochemistry Lab3
BIO 435Molecular Biology3
BIO 436Molecular Biology Laboratory1
Electives
Select five credits from the elective list below.5
CHM 331
Fundamentals of Inorganic Chemistry
CHM 403
Advanced Organic Chemistry
CHM 405
Advanced Organic Synthesis
CHM 424
Spectroscopy
CHM 431
Inorganic Synthesis and Methods
CHM 441
Instrumental Analysis
CHM 445
Biochemistry of Antimicrobials
CHM 479
Field Research Station Experience (Field Research Station Experience)
CHM 499
Research 2
MIC 310
Immunology
MIC 407
Pathogenic Bacteriology
MIC 410
Immunology Laboratory
MIC 420
Introductory Virology
MIC 421
Virology Laboratory
BIO 408
Developmental Biology
BIO 424
Human Endocrinology
BIO 432
Biology of Cancer
BIO 440
Bioinformatics
BIO 443
Molecular Mechanism of Disease and Drug Action
BIO 449
Advanced Microscopy and Biological Imaging
BIO 465
Neurophysiology
BIO 466
Human Molecular Genetics
BIO 467
Neurobiology Laboratory Techniques
BIO 468
Human Molecular Genetics Lab
BIO 483
Cell Signaling
Total Credits46

Required prerequisite courses (29 credits minimum):

Select an additional 29-33 credits to meet prerequisites for required courses including the following:
BIO 105General Biology4
MTH 207Calculus I5
MTH 208Calculus II 14
or MTH 265 Mathematical Models in Biology
PHY 103Fundamental Physics I4
or PHY 203 General Physics I
PHY 104Fundamental Physics II4
or PHY 204 General Physics II
Select either the biology or the microbiology prerequisite tracks below8-12
Biology track prerequisites
Introductory course – select one of the following:2-4
BIO 202
Introduction to Biological Data Analysis and Interpretation
BIO 203
Organismal Biology
BIO 312
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
MIC 230
Fundamentals of Microbiology
Intermediate courses:
BIO 306Genetics4
BIO 315Cell Biology4
Total Credits10-12
Microbiology track prerequisites
MIC 230Fundamentals of Microbiology4
MIC 416Prokaryotic Molecular Genetics4
Total Credits8
1

To fulfill the (bio)physical chemistry portion of their degree, students may take the CHM 309 and CHM 310 sequence instead of CHM 407. If students choose this route, they must take both MTH 208 and MTH 310 for an additional 4 credits of prerequisites. Students choosing this route are also encouraged to take PHY 203 and PHY 204 to fulfill the physics requirement. Conversely, students who plan to take CHM 407 do not need to take MTH 310 and can choose the math and physics courses as described above.

2

Only two credits from CHM 499 may count toward the major.

Exam and survey requirement

During the student's last semester on campus, completion of the following is required in order to graduate:

  1. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Learning Environment Survey and
  2. A standardized exam covering the major subject areas.

All students must complete the general education, college core, major/minor, and university degree requirements in order to qualify for a degree. The easiest way to track all of these requirements is to refer to the Advisement Report (AR) found in the Student Information System (WINGS) Student Center. All enrolled students have access to the AR.  

College of Science and Health (CSH) Bachelor of Science core requirements

B.S. and B.A. students graduating from the College of Science and Health are required to take two natural laboratory science courses selected from the general education laboratory science category (GE 05) and/or from BIO 203, BIO 304, BIO 210, CHM 104, GEO 221, GEO 222, PHY 104 or PHY 204, and they either must take two mathematics courses or one math course and one computer science course from the math/logical systems category of the general education requirements (GE 02). One of the two science courses must be from a department outside of the student’s major department.

Note: Math courses can be pairs, i.e. 150 and 151; MTH/CS majors can use two science courses from same department.

For the Bachelor of Science degree, in addition to all other College of Science and Health core requirements, students from non-exempted programs1 must complete one of the following options. It is recommended that courses are selected in consultation with students’ academic advisor.

  1. Complete a second major; or

  2. Complete a minor outside the major; or

  3. Complete two certificates outside the major with at least 12 combined credits at the 300/400 level; or

  4. Complete an individualized option, consisting of 18 credits

    1. At least 12 credits must be earned at the 300/400 level outside the major department.

    2. The remaining six credits should come from

      1. 100 level or higher courses outside the major (General education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum general education requirements.); or

      2. 300/400 level courses inside major not being used to fulfill major requirements.

    3. Internship credits may not count toward the individualized option.

1

The list of exempted CSH programs is below.

Baccalaureate degree requirements

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:

  1. Fulfill the general education requirements.
  2. Complete at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course.
  3. Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
  4. Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
  5. At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
  6. Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
  7. A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
  8. Submit an application for graduation via the "Apply for Graduation" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.
1

Grade point average requirements for some programs will be considerably higher than 2.00. Re-entering students may be required to earn credits in excess of the 120 needed for graduation in any curriculum in order to replace credits earned in courses in which the content has changed substantially in recent years. Each case will be judged on its own merit.

2

The grade point average recorded at the time the degree is awarded will not be affected by future enrollment.

No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.

Below is a sample degree plan that can be used as a guide to identify courses required to fulfill the major and other requirements needed for degree completion. A student's actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Also, this sample plan assumes readiness for each course and/or major plan, and some courses may not be offered every term. Review the course descriptions or the class timetable for course offering information.

The sample degree plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UWL in the fall term. Students should use the Advisement Report (AR) in WINGS and work closely with their faculty advisor(s) and college dean’s office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.

General Education Program
The general education curriculum (Gen Ed) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include Gen Ed placeholders to ensure completion of the general education requirements. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. Gen Ed courses may be taken during winter term (January between the semesters) and summer to reduce the course load during regular terms (fall and spring). Students should consult with their advisor and/or the college academic services director in their college/school for assistance with course and schedule planning. Refer to the general education requirements for more specific details.

At least 40 credits of the 120 credits required must be earned at the 300/400-level. 

Note: New students and transfer students with less than 12 credits earned are required to take FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3 cr.) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.

This sample degree plan does not establish a contractual agreement. It identifies the minimum requirements a student must successfully complete, to qualify for a degree, in a format intended to assist the student in planning their academic career. Actual degree plans may differ.

The two biochemistry sample plans below follow the biology track prerequisites. See catalog for microbiology track prerequisites and adjust the CSH Core and/or minor credits as needed.

Plan of study for students eligible to begin in MTH 207 (Calculus I)

Year 1
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHM 103 (Gen Ed Natural Lab Science)5CHM 1045
BIO 105 (Gen Ed Natural Lab Science)4MTH 2654
MTH 207 (Gen Ed Math)5BIO 2034
ENG 110 or 112 (Gen Ed Literacy-Written)3FYS 100 (Gen Ed First-Year Seminar)3
 17 16
Year 2
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHM 3033CHM 3043
BIO 3064CHM 3052
BIO 3124Gen Ed Global Studies3
CHM 2711BIO 3154
CST 110 (Gen Ed Literacy-Oral)3BIO 3134
 15 16
Year 3
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHM 4174CHM 4183
PHY 103 or 203 (Gen Ed Natural Lab Science)4CHM 4193
Gen Ed Arts2-3PHY 104 or 2044
CHM 3015Gen Ed Humanistic Studies3
 Gen Ed Health & Well-Being3
 15 16
Year 4
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIO 4353CHM 4073
BIO 4361CSH Core or Minor (BIO minor may be met)13
Biochem elective - see list2-3Biochem elective - see list3
CSH Core or Minor (BIO minor may be met)13Gen Ed Minority Cultures3
Gen Ed Self & Society3Gen Ed Arts2
Gen Ed World History3Exam and survey requirement2 
 15 14
Total Credits: 124
1

See CSH BS Core Requirements for information on completing the individualized option. 300/400 requirements for graduation may be impacted.

2

Exam and survey requirement - During the student's last semester on campus, completion of the following is required in order to graduate

  1. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Learning Environment Survey and
  2. A standardized exam covering the major subject areas.

Plan of study for students beginning with MTH 151 (PreCalculus)

Year 1
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHM 103 (Gen Ed Natural Lab Science)5CHM 1045
BIO 105 (Gen Ed Natural Lab Science)4MTH 207 (Gen Ed Math)5
ENG 110 or 112 (Gen Ed Literacy-Written)3BIO 2034
MTH 151 (Gen Ed Math)4FYS 100 (Gen Ed First-Year Seminar)3
 16 17
Year 2
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHM 3033CHM 3043
BIO 3064CHM 3052
BIO 3124BIO 3154
CHM 2711BIO 3134
MTH 265 (Gen Ed Math)4CST 110 (Gen Ed Literacy-Oral)3
 16 16
Year 3
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHM 4174CHM 4183
PHY 103 or 203 (Gen Ed Natural Lab Science)4CHM 4193
Gen Ed Arts2-3PHY 104 or 2044
CHM 3015Gen Ed Humanistic Studies3
 Gen Ed Health & Well-Being3
 15 16
Year 4
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIO 4353CHM 4073
BIO 4361CSH Core or Minor (BIO minor may be met)13
Biochem elective - see list2-3Biochem elective - see list3
Gen Ed Self & Society3Gen Ed Minority Cultures3
CSH Core or Minor (BIO Minor may be met)13Gen Ed World History3
Gen Ed Arts2-3Exam and survey requirement2 
Gen Ed Global Studies3 
 17 15
Total Credits: 128
1

See CSH BS Core Requirements for information on completing the individualized option. 300/400 requirements for graduation may be impacted.

2

Exam and survey requirement - During the student's last semester on campus, completion of the following is required in order to graduate:

  1. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Learning Environment Survey and
  2. A standardized exam covering the major subject areas.