Be Known at Oregon's Christian University

2012-2013 Academic Catalog and Handbook

Bachelors (BS) in Biochemistry


The biochemistry major offers a 66-semester-hour course of study. The major is designed for students who plan to enter a variety of careers, including teaching, chemical and biochemical research, environmental chemistry, forensic science, pharmacy, graduate school, and medicine. Students are required to obtain a minimum grade of C- in all courses taken for the major..

Major Requirements
The mathematics and physics courses listed below also fulfill up to 12 hours of the science requirements for general education.

Major Requirements
Chemistry, Biology and Biochemistry Requirements (43 hours)
CHEM 211 General Chemistry I 4
CHEM 212 General Chemistry II 4
BIOL 211 General Biology I 4
BIOL 212 General Biology II 4
CHEM 310 Analytical Chemistry 4
CHEM 331 Organic Chemistry I 4
CHEM 332 Organic Chemistry II 4
CHEM 341 Biochemistry I 4
CHEM 342 Biochemistry II 4
CHEM 440 Thermodynamics 4
CHEM 460 Experimental Chemistry 3
Mathematics (8 hours)
MATH 201 Calculus I 4
MATH 202 Calculus II 4
Physics (8 hours)
Students must choose one of the following sequences:
PHYS 201 General Physics I and
PHYS 202 General Physics II
 8

PHYS 211 General Physics with Calculus I and
PHYS 212 General Physics with Calculus II
8

Chemistry and Biology Electives
Students must choose one course from CHEM and one course from BIOL (7 hours)
Chemistry
CHEM 320 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry 3
CHEM 380 Advanced Organic Chemistry 3
CHEM 450 Quantum Chemistry 3
Biology
BIOL 350 Genetics 4
BIOL 410 Molecular Biology 4
BIOL 420 Cell Biology 4

Thesis Option

Philosophy: The opportunity to pursue a chemistry thesis is an honor. Consequently, the thesis option will be noted on a student's transcript. The thesis is designed to enhance a student's preparation for graduate or professional school. The heart of the thesis is original research conducted under the guidance of a chemistry faculty member.

Eligibility: The thesis option may be pursued by any chemistry major in good academic standing. Students wishing to pursue a thesis must:

  1. Consult with their research advisor about an acceptable research project.
  2. In writing, notify the chemistry thesis committee (composed of the chemistry department faculty) of their intention to conduct research. The thesis committee must receive notification by the end of the fall semester of the student's junior year.

After the beginning of the spring semester of a student's junior year, students must petition the department thesis committee for permission to pursue thesis research. Students who pursue the thesis option must:

  1. Enroll in at least 1 hour of Chemical Research (CHEM 465) each semester, beginning the spring semester of their junior year, through the spring semester of their senior year.
  2. Submit the first copy of a written thesis to the thesis committee by April 1 of their senior year. The final, edited copy is due to the thesis committee the last day of classes during the spring semester.
  3. Prepare a poster and give an oral presentation of their research.

In some cases, students may apply research conducted off campus to the CHEM 465 requirement. Students who participate in off-campus research programs may petition the thesis committee for special consideration of the thesis option. The thesis committee must receive the petition by the beginning of the fall semester of the student's senior year. The thesis committee may elect to substitute the off-campus experience for a portion of the CHEM 465 requirement.

Up Down