Acting Coordinator: Dr. Tom King (kingT@ccsu.edu) (832-2654)

The B.S. program in Biochemistry provides a strong foundation in both molecular biology and in chemistry, and is based on faculty, facilities, and research resources in both the Department of Biomolecular Sciences and the Department of Chemistry. In addition to in-class laboratory instruction, this interdepartmental program emphasizes independent student research carried out under the guidance of a faculty member from either department. This program is designed to prepare students for careers or advanced study in molecular biology, biochemistry, or health-related fields.

Faculty in this Interdisciplinary Degree Program include: J.V. Arena, T. Burkholder, G. Crundwell, M.A. Davis, N.M. Glagovich, Z. He, B. Hoopengardner, C.A. Jones, M.A. Kapper, T.R. King, K.A. Martin-Troy, J.P. Mulrooney, C.L. Watson, B.L. Westcott, Jr.

Requirements*

Biochemistry Course Foundation Requirements

Biochemistry majors are required to complete a common core of 33 credits in course work. The required core courses are as follows:

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
BMS 102a	Introduction to Biomolecular Sciences	3
BMS 190a	Introduction to Research I	0.5
BMS 201	Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology	4
BMS 290	Introduction to Research II	0.5
CHEM 121	General Chemistry I	4
CHEM 122	General Chemistry II	4
CHEM 210 and 211	Organic Chemistry I	4
CHEM 212 and 213	Organic Chemistry II	4
CHEM 301	Analytical Chemistry	4
CHEM 316	Spectrometric Identification of Organic Compounds	2
CHEM 320 CHEM 320	Biophysical Chemistry	3

(^a BIO 121 may be substituted for BMS 102 plus BMS 190)

Directed Electives

Biochemistry majors are required to complete 13-16 credits of directed electives, drawn from both the Biomolecular Sciences and Chemistry Departments:

One Course Chosen From:
Course Number	Course Title	Credits
BMS 306	Genetics	4
BMS 311	Cell Biology	4
BMS 316	Microbiology	4
And 6-8 Additional Credits Chosen From the Above-Listed 300-Level BMS Courses or From:
BMS 415	Adv Exploration in Cell, Molecular, and Physiological Biology	3
BMS 490	Topics in Biomolecular Sciences	3-4
BMS 495	Molecular Biology	4
BIO 416	Immunology	3
And 3-4 Additional Credits in CHEM Chosen From:
CHEM 402	Instrumental Methods in Analytical Chemistry	4
CHEM 406	Environmental Chemistry	3
CHEM 456	Toxicology	3
CHEM 459	Bioinorganic Chemistry	3
CHEM 485	Topics in Chemistry	3

Research

Biochemistry majors are required to complete two credits of independent research. A two-semester sequence in BMS or CHEM is strongly encouraged. BMS 391 (Internship in Biomolecular Sciences, 1-3 credits) may be used as a substitution for part, or all, of the independent research requirement. 

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
BMS 390	Independent Research in Biomolecular Sciences	1
BMS 491	Advanced Ind Research in Biomolecular Sciences	1-3
CHEM 238	Introduction to Research	1-6
CHEM 438	Undergraduate Research	1-6

Capstone Courses

Biochemistry majors are required to complete these two courses, one to be taken with the accompanying lab. 

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
BMS 496/497	Biosynthesis, Bioenergetics, and Metabolic Regulation/Lab	3-4
CHEM 454/455	Biochemistry/Lab	3-4

500-Level Course Options

Undergraduate students with more than 90 credits and a CGPA of 3.0 or higher may (with the approval of the Program Coordinator, Deans, and with appropriate prerequisites (the necessary form is at http://www.ccsu.edu/grad/enrollment_in_500_level_courses.htm) substitute either of the following 500-level BMS courses for BMS courses listed in the Directed Elective portion of the major program, and the following CHEM course in place of one of the 400-level CHEM courses listed in the Directed Elective portion of the major program:

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
BMS 562	Developmental Biology	3
BMS 570	Advanced Genetics	3
CHEM 551	Topics in Biochemistry	3

Related Requirements

Biochemistry majors also take the following required courses in other departments:

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
MATH 124b or MATH 152	Applied Calculus with Trigonometry or Calculus I	4
PHYS 121	General Physics I	4
PHYS 122	General Physics II	4

(^b MATH 125 plus MATH 115 may be substituted for MATH 124.)

Portfolio Requirement

The Portfolio Requirement in Biomolecular Sciences will be formally introduced to students during the BMS 190 and 290 introductory core component of all major programs in Biomolecular Sciences. Minimally, the Student Portfolio must include a current resume, a current Student Graduation Evaluation or transcript, a planned program of academic study (program sheets available from the Biomolecular Sciences Department), a narrative describing the student’s goals for undergraduate education and graduate educational or career plans, abstracts of all independent study projects completed, and writing samples from one or more upper-level courses in the major. To fulfill the Portfolio Requirement in Biomolecular Sciences, the Student Portfolio must be reviewed with one or more faculty members in Biomolecular Sciences:

1. as a course requirement in BMS 190 and 290 ,
2. as a required component of all BMS 390 , 391, or 491 independent studies or internships, and
3. prior to application for graduation, as evidenced by submission of a "Portfolio Requirement Completed" form (available from the Biomolecular Sciences Department and signed by the major advisor) to the Biomolecular Sciences Chair.

General Education Requirements

A varied curriculum in General Education, must be completed as part of all baccalaureate degree programs. Biomolecular Sciences majors complete the following courses, part of the Related Requirements above, as part of their General Education:

Area	Course Number - Name	Credits
Skill Area II	MATH 124 - Applied Calculus with Trigonometry or MATH 152 - Calculus I	4
Study Area IV	PHYS 121 - General Physics I	4
Study Area IV	PHYS 122 - General Physics II	4

*Only the most recent set of requirements is shown. Students should refer to their specific requirements, found in the Undergraduate Catalog corresponding to the year in which they enrolled.