BS in Biochemistry
There are a wide range of career options for chemists and biochemists in a diverse array of occupational fields. Opportunities can be divided into five main sectors: Industry, Academia, Government, Non-Profit, and Entrepreneurship. In addition, the programs of study for both chemistry and biochemistry degrees provide strong academic, critical thinking, and foundational skills for students interested in pursuing advanced professional degrees in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and pharmacy, as well as rigorous preparation for graduate school.
The curriculum requirement to obtain a BS in Biochemistry consists of the general College of Science curriculum requirements.
Marketable Skills
Students develop the following marketable skills:
- Communication: Reach mutual understanding through the effective exchange of information, ideas, and feelings
- Critical thinking: Analyze and evaluate issues in order to solve problems and develop informed opinions
- Organization: Use resources effectively and efficiently in order to stay focused on different tasks
- Problem-solving: Find solutions to difficult or complex issues
- Research: Be able to search, investigate and critically analyze information in response to a specific research question
- Time management: Prioritize goals and organize time to be more productive and efficient.
Additionally, students will be:
- Using laboratory equipment
- Maintaining precision and accuracy
- Organizing and reporting data, results and conclusions
- Explaining complex ideas for technical and non-technical audiences
Degree Plan
Required Credits: 120
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Designated Core (All courses require a grade of C or better) | ||
| Required Courses: 1 | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Introductory Mechanics and Laboratory for PHYS 2320 | ||
| Introductory Electromagnetism and Laboratory for PHYS 2321 | ||
| University Core Curriculum | ||
| Complete the University Core Curriculum requirements. | 42 | |
| Biochemistry Major | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| CHEM 3131 | Lab for Chemistry | 1 |
| CHEM 3330 | Biochem I:Struc & Function | 3 |
| CHEM 3332 | Biochem II: Metabol & Bioenerg | 3 |
| CHEM 4134 | Structural Biochemistry Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 4334 | Structural Biochemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 4335 | Biophysical Chemistry | 3 |
| Required Chemistry Courses | ||
| CHEM 1305 & CHEM 1105 | General Chemistry and Laboratory for CHEM 1305 | 4 |
| CHEM 1306 & CHEM 1106 | General Chemistry and Laboratory for CHEM 1306 | 4 |
| CHEM 2261 | The Periodic Table | 2 |
| CHEM 2321 & CHEM 2221 | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Lab | 5 |
| CHEM 2322 & CHEM 2222 | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Lab | 5 |
| CHEM 3310 & CHEM 3110 | Analytical Chemistry and Lab for Chemistry 3310 | 4 |
| Other Required Courses | ||
| BIOL 1305 & BIOL 1107 | General Biology and Topics in Study of Life I | 4 |
| BIOL 1306 & BIOL 1108 | Organismal Biology and Organismal Biology Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 3314 & BIOL 3115 | Molecular Cell Biology and Molecular Cell Biol Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 3320 | Genetics | 3 |
| MATH 1312 | Calculus II | 3 |
| MICR 2340 & MICR 2141 | General Microbiology and Gen Microbiology Laboratory | 4 |
| MICR 3449 | Prokaryotic Molecular Genetics | 4 |
| STAT 2480 | Elementary Statistical Methods | 4 |
| Prescribed Elective Courses | ||
| Select Seven Hours: | 7 | |
| Mammalian Physiology | ||
| Lab for Chemistry 3351 and Physical Chemistry I | ||
| Lab for Chemistry 3352 and Physical Chemistry II | ||
| Introduction to Research | ||
| Instrumental Meths Analyt Chem and Lab for Chemistry 4211 | ||
| Advanced Topics Organic Chem | ||
| Structure of Matter | ||
| Inorganic Chemistry | ||
| Introduction to Research | ||
| Pathogenic Microbiology Lab and Pathogenic Microbiology | ||
| Microbial Physiology Lab and Microbial Physiology | ||
| Epidemiology | ||
| General Virology | ||
| Medical Mycology | ||
| Vertebrate Physiology Methods | ||
| Neurobiology | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
| 1 Although the UTEP choice is larger, these choices satisfy the requirements of both the core and the major. | ||
| 2 A total of thirty-seven hours of upper division coursework is required of all Bachelor of Science degrees. | ||
| C Course requires a grade of C or better. | ||
University Core Curriculum
The department may make specific suggestions for courses which are most applicable towards your major.
All courses require a C or better
Communication (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the communication component is to enable the student to communicate effectively in clear and correct prose or orally in a style appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience. | ||
| Select six hours of the following: | 6 | |
| For students whose secondary education was in English: | ||
| Written and Oral Communication | ||
| Writing About Literature | ||
| Rhetoric & Composition I | ||
| Rhetoric & Composition 2 | ||
| Rhetoric, Composition & Comm | ||
| For students whose secondary education was not in English: | ||
| Expos Engl Compos-Spkr Esl | ||
| Res & Crit Writng Spkr Esl | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |
American History (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objectives of the history component are to expand students’ knowledge of the origin and history of the U.S., their comprehension of the past and current role of the U.S. in the world, and their ability to critically evaluate and analyze historical evidence. U.S. history courses (three hours must be Texas history) include: | ||
| HIST 1301 | History of U.S. to 1865 | 3 |
| HIST 1302 | History of U.S. Since 1865 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Language, Philosophy & Culture (three hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the humanities component is to expand students' knowledge of the human condition and human cultures, especially in relation to behaviors, ideas, and values expressed in works of human imagination and thought. Through study in disciplines such as literature and philosophy, students engage in critical analysis and develop an appreciation of the humanities as fundamental to the health and survival of any society. | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Intro-African Amer Studies | ||
| Latina/o Presence in the U.S. | ||
| English Literature | ||
| English Literature | ||
| Intro to American Fiction | ||
| Intro to American Drama | ||
| Intro to American Poetry | ||
| Making of the "Other" Americas | ||
| World History to 1500 | ||
| World History Since 1500 | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy | ||
| Ethics | ||
| Introduct to Religious Studies | ||
| Seeing & Naming: Conversations | ||
| Introduction to Womens Studies | ||
| Global Feminisms | ||
| Total Hours | 3 | |
Mathematics (three hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the mathematics component is to develop a quantitatively literate college graduate. Every college graduate should be able to apply basic mathematical tools in the solution of real-world problems. | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| College Algebra | ||
| Trigonometry and Conics | ||
| Math in the Modern World | ||
| Math for Social Sciences I | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Precalculus 1,2 | ||
| Math for Social Sciences II | ||
| Statistical Literacy | ||
| Elementary Statistical Methods | ||
| 1 A higher-level course in the calculus sequence can be substituted. | ||
| 2 TCCN MATH 1314 will also satisfy this requirement. | ||
| Total Hours | 3 | |
Life & Physical Sciences (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the study of the natural sciences is to enable the student to understand, construct, and evaluate relationships in the natural sciences, and to enable the student to understand the bases for building and testing theories. The courses listed are for non-majors; the major courses in the discipline can be substituted for the non-major sequence. A minimum of two semesters of lecture and one semester of laboratory associated with one of the courses, or two semesters of combined (3 credit) lecture-laboratory courses (Only six hours apply toward the required 42.): | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1-4 | |
| Astronomy Lab I | ||
| Elem Astronomy-Solar System | ||
| Elem Astr Stars & Galaxies | ||
| Introductory Biology Lab | ||
| Human Biology Laboratory | ||
| Topics in Study of Life I | ||
| Organismal Biology Laboratory | ||
| Introductory Biology | ||
| Human Biology | ||
| General Biology | ||
| Organismal Biology | ||
| Human Anat/Physio Lab I | ||
| Human Anat/Physio Lab II | ||
| Human Anat/Physiology I | ||
| Human Anat/Physiology II | ||
| Laboratory for CHEM 1305 | ||
| Laboratory for CHEM 1306 | ||
| Intro General Chemistry Lab | ||
| Intro Organic & Biochem Lab | ||
| General Chemistry | ||
| General Chemistry | ||
| Intro to General Chemistry | ||
| Intro Organic & Biochemistry | ||
| Environmental Sci. Lab | ||
| Non-major Lab for ESCI 1301 | ||
| Intro to Environment Science 2 | ||
| Intro to Environmental Sci | ||
| Laboratory for GEOG 1306 | ||
| Physical Geography | ||
| Lab for GEOL 1313 | ||
| Lab for GEOL 1314 | ||
| Principles of Earth Sci - Lab | ||
| Laboratory for Geology 1212 | ||
| Principles of Earth Sciences | ||
| Principles of Earth Science | ||
| The Blue Planet | ||
| Natural Hazards | ||
| Intro to Physical Geology | ||
| Intro to Historical Geol | ||
| Fundamentals of Nutrition | ||
| Wellness Dynamics | ||
| Microorganisms and Disease | ||
| General Physics I | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| Laboratory for PHYS 2320 | ||
| Laboratory for PHYS 2321 | ||
| Introductory Mechanics | ||
| Introductory Electromagnetism | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Political Science (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objectives of the political science component are to expand students’ knowledge of the origin and evolution of the U.S. and Texas political systems, focusing on the growth of political institutions, and on the constitutions of Texas and the United States; and to enhance their understanding of federalism, states rights, and individual civil liberties, rights, and responsibilities. | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| POLS 2310 | Introduction to Politics | 3 |
| POLS 2311 | American Gover & Politics | 3 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Social and Behavioral Sciences (three hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the social and behavioral science component is to increase students' knowledge of how social and behavioral scientists discover, describe, and explain the behaviors and interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, events, and ideas. Such knowledge will better equip students to understand themselves and the roles they play in addressing the issues facing humanity. | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Intro-Phys Anth/Archeolog | ||
| Intro-Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Cultural Geography | ||
| Intro to Linguistics | ||
| Econ for Engrs & Scientists | ||
| Asian American Studies | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Mass Media and Society | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Introduction to Ed Psychology | ||
| Action Research in Classrooms | ||
| Introduction to Linguistics | ||
| Cultural Geography | ||
| Community Service | ||
| An Intro. to Linguistics | ||
| Lang. Inside & Out: Sel Topics | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Cultural Geography | ||
| Total Hours | 3 | |
Creative Arts (three hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the visual and performing arts component is to expand students' knowledge and appreciation of the human imagination as expressed through works of visual art, dance, music, theatre and film. Through study in these disciplines, students will form aesthetic judgments and develop an appreciation of the arts as fundamental to the health and survival of any society. | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Art Appreciation | ||
| History of Art I | ||
| History of Art II | ||
| Chicana/o Fine Arts Appreciat | ||
| Dance Appreciation | ||
| Intro-Art of Motion Pict. | ||
| Music Appreciation | ||
| Jazz to Rock | ||
| Music, Culture, and Society | ||
| Introduction to Theatre | ||
| Total Hours | 3 | |
Component Area Option (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the institutionally designated option component is to develop the critical thinking skills and academic tools required to be an effective learner. Special emphasis is placed on the use of technology in problem-solving, communications, and knowledge acquisition. | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Intro to Global Business | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Business/Profession Comm | ||
| Intro-Computational Thinking | ||
| Computer Programming Sci/Engr | ||
| Eng Innovation and Leadership | ||
| Introduction to Leadership | ||
| Inquiry in Math & Science | ||
| Seminar/Critical Inquiry | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |
4-Year Sample Degree Plan
BS Biochemistry- Starting with Calculus
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BS BIOCHEMISTRY | ||
| FRESHMAN | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL 1305 & BIOL 1107 | General Biology and Topics in Study of Life I | 4 |
| CHEM 1305 & CHEM 1105 | General Chemistry and Laboratory for CHEM 1305 | 4 |
| MATH 1411 | Calculus I | 4 |
| SCI 1301 | Inquiry in Math & Science | 3 |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 1306 & BIOL 1108 | Organismal Biology and Organismal Biology Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 1306 & CHEM 1106 | General Chemistry and Laboratory for CHEM 1306 | 4 |
| COMM 1301 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| MATH 1312 | Calculus II | 3 |
| RWS 1301 | Rhetoric & Composition I | 3 |
| SOPHOMORE | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 2321 & CHEM 2221 | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Lab | 5 |
| HIST 1301 | History of U.S. to 1865 | 3 |
| PHYS 2320 & PHYS 2120 | Introductory Mechanics and Laboratory for PHYS 2320 | 3 |
| STAT 2480 | Elementary Statistical Methods | 4 |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 2322 & CHEM 2222 | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Lab | 5 |
| HIST 1302 | History of U.S. Since 1865 | 3 |
| PHYS 2321 & PHYS 2121 | Introductory Electromagnetism and Laboratory for PHYS 2321 | 3 |
| RWS 1302 | Rhetoric & Composition 2 | 3 |
| JUNIOR | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 3310 & CHEM 3110 | Analytical Chemistry and Lab for Chemistry 3310 | 4 |
| CHEM 3330 & CHEM 3131 | Biochem I:Struc & Function and Lab for Chemistry | 4 |
| PHIL 2306 | Ethics | 3 |
| POLS 2310 | Introduction to Politics | 3 |
| PSYC 1301 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Spring | ||
| ART 1300 | Art Appreciation | 3 |
| CHEM 2261 | The Periodic Table | 2 |
| CHEM 3332 | Biochem II: Metabol & Bioenerg | 3 |
| MICR 2340 & MICR 2141 | General Microbiology and Gen Microbiology Laboratory | 4 |
| POLS 2311 | American Gover & Politics | 3 |
| SENIOR | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL 3314 & BIOL 3115 | Molecular Cell Biology and Molecular Cell Biol Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 4334 & CHEM 4134 | Structural Biochemistry and Structural Biochemistry Lab | 4 |
| Upper Division Elective | 4 | |
| Spring | ||
| MICR 3449 | Prokaryotic Molecular Genetics | 4 |
| BIOL 3320 | Genetics | 3 |
| CHEM 4335 | Biophysical Chemistry | 3 |
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 118 | |
BS Biochemistry- Starting with Pre-Calculus
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BS BIOCHEMISTRY | ||
| FRESHMAN | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL 1305 & BIOL 1107 | General Biology and Topics in Study of Life I | 4 |
| CHEM 1305 & CHEM 1105 | General Chemistry and Laboratory for CHEM 1305 | 4 |
| MATH 1508 | Precalculus | 5 |
| SCI 1301 | Inquiry in Math & Science | 3 |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 1306 & BIOL 1108 | Organismal Biology and Organismal Biology Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 1306 & CHEM 1106 | General Chemistry and Laboratory for CHEM 1306 | 4 |
| COMM 1301 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| MATH 1411 | Calculus I | 4 |
| RWS 1301 | Rhetoric & Composition I | 3 |
| SOPHOMORE | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 2321 & CHEM 2221 | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Lab | 5 |
| HIST 1301 | History of U.S. to 1865 | 3 |
| MATH 1312 | Calculus II | 3 |
| PHYS 2320 & PHYS 2121 | Introductory Mechanics and Laboratory for PHYS 2321 | 3 |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 2322 & CHEM 2222 | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Lab | 5 |
| HIST 1302 | History of U.S. Since 1865 | 3 |
| PHYS 2321 & PHYS 2121 | Introductory Electromagnetism and Laboratory for PHYS 2321 | 3 |
| RWS 1302 | Rhetoric & Composition 2 | 3 |
| STAT 2480 | Elementary Statistical Methods | 4 |
| JUNIOR | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 3310 & CHEM 3110 | Analytical Chemistry and Lab for Chemistry 3310 | 4 |
| CHEM 3330 & CHEM 3131 | Biochem I:Struc & Function and Lab for Chemistry | 4 |
| PHIL 2306 | Ethics | 3 |
| PSYC 1301 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| POLS 2310 | Introduction to Politics | 3 |
| Spring | ||
| ART 1300 | Art Appreciation | 3 |
| CHEM 2261 | The Periodic Table | 2 |
| CHEM 3332 | Biochem II: Metabol & Bioenerg | 3 |
| MICR 2340 & MICR 2141 | General Microbiology and Gen Microbiology Laboratory | 4 |
| POLS 2311 | American Gover & Politics | 3 |
| SENIOR | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL 3314 & BIOL 3115 | Molecular Cell Biology and Molecular Cell Biol Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 4334 & CHEM 4134 | Structural Biochemistry and Structural Biochemistry Lab | 4 |
| Upper Division Elective | 4 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 3320 | Genetics | 3 |
| CHEM 4335 | Biophysical Chemistry | 3 |
| MICR 3449 | Prokaryotic Molecular Genetics | 4 |
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 123 | |