Biochemistry
Mission
Biochemistry,
a science with roots in both biology and chemistry, investigates the chemical
processes of living organisms, from small molecules to the structure and
function of macromolecules, and to complex intracellular signaling. Thus
biochemistry is by its very nature cross-disciplinary in the questions it asks.
The
biochemistry major at Viterbo University is intended to prepare students for
entry level biochemistry laboratory positions and to continue their graduate or
professional education in biochemistry or any in a broad range of studies in
biochemistry, such as medicine, medicinal chemistry, forensics science,
pharmacology, molecular biology, and molecular genetics. The required major and
support courses provide broad preparation in biology, chemistry, physics, and
mathematics as well as specialized courses in biochemistry. Students may, as
part of their biochemistry major, choose to complete the requirements for the
natural science division’s biotechnology certificate.
Students
graduating with a degree in biochemistry will complete a mentored capstone
research series in which they develop, carry out, and report the results of
their investigation of a research problem, either working with a Viterbo University
faculty member or through an off-campus internship.
Goals
The
goals of the biochemistry program are:
- to prepare students to design and carry
out experiments and to evaluate experimental data in the field of biochemistry
- to prepare students to use research
based analytical and problem solving skills in the field of biochemistry
- to prepare students for advanced study
in professional or graduate school
- to prepare students to obtain
employment in technical areas related to biochemistry
Biochemistry Major (Bachelor of Science)
- core curriculum and mission seminars – see
the core curriculum section of this catalog
- major requirements – BIOL
160, 161, 250, 370, 371, 430, CHEM 120, 121, 240, 330, 340, 360, 361, 475; the
research series (CHEM 397, BIOL/CHEM 498, 499)
- support courses – MATH
220, 221, PHYS 260, 261, 270, 271
- final degree requirements – see
the degree requirements section of this catalog for specific requirements of
the Bachelor of Science degree as well as final graduation requirements
The total credits of the
major and support course requirements are 70-75. The core curriculum and
mission seminars require 38-52 credits. A total of 128 credits, 43 of which
need to be at the 300/400 level, are required to graduate. Transfer course and
waivers and/or substitutions could modify these credit totals.
Those
students interested in graduate work in biochemistry should follow the
recommendations of the American Chemical Society which requires specifically
MATH 220, 221, and 320; PHYS 260 and 261; and also either CHEM 430 or 362 and
363.
Because
a biochemistry major program intrinsically contains significant work in both
biology and chemistry, declared minors in biology and chemistry will not be
granted.
American Chemical Society (ACS) Accredited
Biochemistry Major (Bachelor of Science)
The
same as the above biochemistry major with the additional major requirements of
CHEM 350, 362, 363; 430 or 470.