Bachelor of Science Biochemistry with a Major in Biochemistry-Research (BS)
Requirements
Lower-Division General Education
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Written Communication | 6 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| Language and Culture | 0-6 | |
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Human Behavior | 3 | |
| Human Creativity | 3 | |
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| The Nature of Science | 8 | |
| Impact of Technology | 3 | |
Written Communication: Grade of C or better required in both courses
Oral Communication: COMM 101R
Mathematics: MATH 163
Information Literacy and Research: satisfied in the major by CHEM 160G
The Nature of Science: BIOL 121N, BIOL 122N, BIOL 123N, BIOL 124N
Upper-Division General Education
- Option A. Approved Disciplinary Minor (a minimum of 12 hours determined by the department), or second degree or second major.
- Option B: Interdisciplinary Minor (specifically 12 hours, 3 of which may be in the major)
- Option C. An approved Certification Program such as teaching licensure
- Option D. Two Upper-Division Courses from outside the College of Sciences and not required by the major (6 hours)
Requirements for Graduation
Requirements for graduation include the following:
- Minimum of 120 credit hours.
- Minimum of 30 credit hours overall and 12 credit hours of upper-level courses in the major program from Old Dominion University.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward the major.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward a minor.
- Completion of ENGL 110C, ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C, and the writing intensive (W) course in the major with a grade of C or better. The W course must be taken at Old Dominion University.
- Completion of Senior Assessment.
Biochemistry Core
In addition to completing the University's lower-division general education requirements and upper-division general education requirements, a biochemistry major must complete the following courses.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Chemistry Courses | ||
| CHEM 121N | Foundations of Chemistry I Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM 122N | Foundations of Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 123N | Foundations of Chemistry II Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM 124N | Foundations of Chemistry II Laboratory | 1-2 |
| or CHEM 125 | Foundations of Chemistry II Lab with Introduction to Chemical Research | |
| CHEM 160G | Introduction to Chemistry and Biochemistry Research and Careers | 3 |
| CHEM 211 | Organic Chemistry I Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM 212 | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 2 |
| CHEM 213 | Organic Chemistry II Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM 214 | Organic Chemistry II Laboratory | 2 |
| or CHEM 216 | Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory | |
| CHEM 321 & CHEM 322 | Analytical Chemistry Lecture and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory | 5 |
| CHEM 331 & CHEM 333 | Physical Chemistry Lecture I and Physical Chemistry Lecture II | 6 |
| CHEM 441 | Biochemistry Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM 442W | Biochemistry Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 443 | Intermediate Biochemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 485 | Chemistry and Biochemistry Seminar | 1 |
| Other Required courses | ||
| MATH 211 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 212 | Calculus II | 4 |
| PHYS 231N & PHYS 232N | University Physics I and University Physics II | 8 |
| BIOL 293 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 294 | Genetics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 65-66 | |
Biochemistry majors must have a C or better in all courses required for the major, including prerequisite courses, and must complete a minimum of 12 credits in upper-level (300/400) chemistry courses at Old Dominion University. Written permission by the chief departmental advisor or chair is required prior to taking upper-level chemistry courses at other institutions.
Research Major
Students with an interest in pursuing biochemical research after graduation or in graduate school or those seeking a deeper understanding of biochemical research and applications may pursue a Biochemistry-Research major. Courses taken for the research concentration will substitute for courses in the regular curriculum; please consult the Chief Departmental Advisor for specific information on substitutions. Additionally, all regular BS-Biochemistry degree requirements must be met (with the exception of approved substitutions).
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Complete lower-division requirements | 38-44 | |
| Complete upper-division requirements (minimum of 6 credit hours) | 6 | |
| Biohemistry Core | ||
| Complete the biochemistry core | 65-66 | |
| Chemistry-Research Major | ||
| CHEM 490 | Senior Thesis I | 1 |
| CHEM 499 | Senior Thesis II | 2 |
| Select two of the following research-oriented courses: | 3-5 | |
| Foundations of Chemistry II Lab with Introduction to Chemical Research | ||
| Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 115-124 | |
Elective Credit
Elective credit may be needed to meet the minimum requirement of 120 credit hours.
Additional Requirements and Information
ACS-Certified Degree
Biochemistry majors can attain an ACS-certified degree for chemistry content if they also complete the following.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 332W | Experimental Physical Chemistry I | 2 |
| CHEM 351 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| Select two of the following lecture electives: | 6 | |
| Natural Products Chemistry in the Carribean | ||
| Intermediate Organic Chemistry | ||
| Instrumental Analysis Lecture | ||
| Environmental Chemistry | ||
| Advanced Inorganic Chemistry | ||
| Select two of the following laboratory electives: | 4 | |
| Experimental Physical Chemistry II | ||
| Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory | ||
| Instrumental Analysis Laboratory | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 15 | |
Degree Program Guide
The Degree Program Guide is a suggested curriculum to complete this degree program in four years. It is just one of several plans that will work and is presented only as broad guidance to students. Each student is strongly encouraged to develop a customized plan in consultation with their academic advisor. Additional information can also be found in Degree Works.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 110C | English Composition (Grade of C or better required) | 3 |
| MATH 163 | Precalculus II | 3 |
| CHEM 121N and CHEM 122N | 4 | |
| BIOL 121N and BIOL 122N | 4 | |
| CHEM 160G | Introduction to Chemistry and Biochemistry Research and Careers | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Writing, Rhetoric, and Research | ||
| Writing, Rhetoric, and Research: Special Topics | ||
| MATH 211 | Calculus I | 4 |
| CHEM 123N and CHEM 124N or CHEM 125 | 4-5 | |
| BIOL 123N and BIOL 124N | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 15-16 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 211 and CHEM 212 | 5 | |
| MATH 212 | Calculus II | 4 |
| COMM 101R | Public Speaking | 3 |
| Elective or Language and Culture I (May be waived; See requirement details) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 213 AND CHEM 214 or CHEM 216 | 5 | |
| Elective or Language and Culture II (May be waived; See requirement details) | 3 | |
| Human Behavior | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 321 and CHEM 322 | 5 | |
| PHYS 231N | University Physics I | 4 |
| CHEM 441 | Biochemistry Lecture | 3 |
| BIOL 293 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 443 | Intermediate Biochemistry | 3 |
| PHYS 232N | University Physics II | 4 |
| CHEM 442W | Biochemistry Laboratory (C or better required) | 4 |
| Elective | 2 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 331 | Physical Chemistry Lecture I | 3 |
| BIOL 294 | Genetics | 3 |
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| Upper-Division General Education Course (Option D) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 485 | Chemistry and Biochemistry Seminar | 1 |
| CHEM 333 | Physical Chemistry Lecture II | 3 |
| Impact of Technology | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Upper-Division General Education Course (Option D) | 3 | |
| Human Creativity | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120-121 | |
Linked Bachelor's/Master's Degree Programs
The linked BS in biochemistry and the MS in chemistry allows exceptional students to count up to 12 hours of graduate courses toward both a BS degree in biochemistry and an MS degree in chemistry. Students in the combined program must complete Senior Thesis I and II (CHEM 490 and CHEM 499), be accepted into the chemistry master’s program, and earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree). Additional requirements apply; please contact the Chief Departmental Advisor.