BS in Biochemistry (75.0 hours*)

Students preparing for health-related fields (medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine) or those who desire an advanced degree (MS, PhD) in biochemistry, biology, or the health sciences receive excellent preparation from this degree program.

Program Requirements    |    View MAP

1. No more than three hours of D credit is allowed in major courses.
2. The final 10 hours of required chemistry credit must be taken at BYU.
3. Complete the following:
   CHEM 111 : Principles of Chemistry. (3:3:1) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 111 : Principles of Chemistry. (3:3:1) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F
   PREREQUISITE:	Math 110 (or equivalent) or concurrent enrollment.
   RECOMMENDED:	High school chemistry, physics, and introductory calculus or concurrent enrollment in Math 112.
   DESCRIPTION:	Stoichiometry, kinetic-molecular theory, thermodynamics, states of matter, solutions and equilibria, electrochemistry, structure and bonding, chemical reactions, kinetics.
   NOTE:	Tutorial included.
   
             : Honors Principles of Chemistry.
   
   
   CHEM 112 : Principles of Chemistry. (3:3:2) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 112 : Principles of Chemistry. (3:3:2) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	W
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 111 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Continuation of Chem 111.
   NOTE:	Tutorial included.
   
   
   CHEM 113 : Introductory General Chemistry Laboratory. (2:0:6) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 113 : Introductory General Chemistry Laboratory. (2:0:6) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 112 or concurrent enrollment (preferred).
   DESCRIPTION:	Principles and techniques of chemical measurements. Concepts introduced in general chemistry lecture courses reinforced.
   
   
   CHEM 201 : Chemical Handling and Safe Laboratory Practices. (.5:1:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 201 : Chemical Handling and Safe Laboratory Practices. (.5:1:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F 1st block, W 1st block, Sp
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 113 or 223 or concurrent enrollment.
   DESCRIPTION:	Safe handling of chemicals and safe practices in chemistry laboratories.
   
   
   CHEM 227 : Principles of Chemical Analysis. (4:2:6) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 227 : Principles of Chemical Analysis. (4:2:6) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, Sp
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 113.
   DESCRIPTION:	Principles of quantitative analysis, introductory instrumental methods, and computer applications to chemical analysis.
   
   
   CHEM 351M : Organic Chemistry - Majors. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 351M : Organic Chemistry - Majors. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 105, 111; or equivalents.
   DESCRIPTION:	Chemical bonds and molecular structure, conformation and configuration, functional classes, reactions and mechanisms, syntheses.
   NOTE:	For majors in chemistry and biochemistry.
   
   
   CHEM 352M : Organic Chemistry--Majors. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 352M : Organic Chemistry--Majors. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	W
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 351M or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Continuation of Chem 351M.
   
   
   CHEM 354 : Organic Chemistry Laboratory--Majors. (2:0:6) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 354 : Organic Chemistry Laboratory--Majors. (2:0:6) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 352 or concurrent enrollment (preferred).
   DESCRIPTION:	Physical and chemical properties, manipulative skills, isolation and purification, characterization and identification, syntheses.
   
   
   CHEM 391 : Technical Writing Using Chemical Literature. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 391 : Technical Writing Using Chemical Literature. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 227, 352.
   DESCRIPTION:	Intensive technical writing course based on chemical literature sources.
   NOTE:	Fulfills GE Advanced Writing requirement.
   
   
   CHEM 468 : Biophysical Chemistry. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 468 : Biophysical Chemistry. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	W
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 481 or concurrent enrollment.
   DESCRIPTION:	Applications of physical chemistry to biological systems. Thermodynamics, equilibria, transport properties, kinetics, spectroscopic applications, computational methods, structural biochemistry.
   
   
   CHEM 481M : Biochemistry 1--Majors. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 481M : Biochemistry 1--Majors. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 352; Biol 100 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	First-semester biochemistry. Molecular components of cells, chemical structure and function, enzymes, metabolic transformations, photosynthesis.
   NOTE:	For chemistry and biochemistry majors only.
   
   
   CHEM 482 : Biochemistry 2. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 482 : Biochemistry 2. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	W
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 481 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Second-semester biochemistry. Nucleic acid biochemistry and molecular biology: nucleotide metabolism, chromosome and chromatin structure, DNA structure and replication, RNA transcription and gene expression, protein synthesis and regulation, eukaryotic gene systems, signal transduction.
   
   
   CHEM 489 : Structural Biochemistry. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 489 : Structural Biochemistry. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 468, 482.
   DESCRIPTION:	Molecular structures of proteins, RNA and DNA as determinants of biological function. Topics include thermodynamics of folding and binding, structural determination, spectroscopy, modeling, protein recognition.
   
   
   CHEM 495 : Senior Seminar. (1:1:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 495 : Senior Seminar. (1:1:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W
   DESCRIPTION:	Research topics presented by faculty and visiting scientists. Completion of undergraduate portfolio.
   NOTE:	Required of all seniors in all chemistry and biochemistry degree programs the last semester in residence.
   
   
   CHEM 584 : Biochemistry Laboratory/Proteins. (3:1:2) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 584 : Biochemistry Laboratory/Proteins. (3:1:2) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 481 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Introduction to current biochemical research procedures including spectrophotometry, chromatography, electrophoresis, and immunological techniques. Protein over-expression; isolation and characterization methods. Enzyme kinetics and protein-ligand interactions. Introduction to bioinformatics.
   
   
   CHEM 586 : Biochemistry Laboratory/Nucleic Acids. (3:1:2) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 586 : Biochemistry Laboratory/Nucleic Acids. (3:1:2) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 482 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Laboratory course covering major techniques involved in isolation, amplification, and cloning of recombinant DNA as well as isolation, synthesis, translation, and identification of RNA.
   
   
   CHEM 594R : General Seminar. (.5:1:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 594R : General Seminar. (.5:1:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W
   DESCRIPTION:	Research topics presented by faculty and visiting scientists.
   NOTE:	Required one semester in residence of all senior BS majors in chemistry and biochemistry.
   
   
4. Complete the following:
   MATH 112 : Calculus 1. (4:5:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   MATH 112 : Calculus 1. (4:5:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su
   PREREQUISITE:	Math 110 and 111 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Differential and integral calculus: limits; continuity; the derivative and applications; extrema; the definite integral; fundamental theorem of calculus; L'Hopital's rule.
   NOTE:	Honors also.
   
             : Honors Calculus 1.
   
   
   MATH 113 : Calculus 2. (4:5:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   MATH 113 : Calculus 2. (4:5:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su
   PREREQUISITE:	Math 112 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Techniques and applications of integration; sequences, series, convergence tests, power series; parametric equations; polar coordinates.
   NOTE:	Honors also.
   
   
   PDBIO 120 : Science of Biology. (2:2:1) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PDBIO 120 : Science of Biology. (2:2:1) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp; Honors also.
   DESCRIPTION:	General biology course designed for biological science majors, emphasizing the scientific method, cell theory, biochemical unity, the Central Dogma, bioenergetics, reproduction, and evolutionary theory.
   
   
   PDBIO 360 : Cell Biology. (3:3:1) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PDBIO 360 : Cell Biology. (3:3:1) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Su
   PREREQUISITE:	MMBio 240.
   DESCRIPTION:	Fundamentals of cell structure and function with reference to analytical methods used by cell biologists. Practice in designing, executing, and interpreting relative experiments.
   
   
   PHSCS 121 : Principles of Physics 1. (3:3:1) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 121 : Principles of Physics 1. (3:3:1) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp
   PREREQUISITE:	Calculus or concurrent enrollment.
   DESCRIPTION:	Newtonian mechanics. Weekly lab.
   
   
   PHSCS 123 : Principles of Physics 2. (3:3:1) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 123 : Principles of Physics 2. (3:3:1) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp
   PREREQUISITE:	Phscs 121.
   DESCRIPTION:	Waves, thermal physics, optics, special relativity, and introduction to modern physics. Weekly lab.
   
   
   PHSCS 220 : Principles of Physics 3. (3:3:1) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 220 : Principles of Physics 3. (3:3:1) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp
   PREREQUISITE:	Phscs 121 or equivalent; Math 113 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Electricity and magnetism. Weekly lab.
   
   
   PWS 340 : Genetics. (2:2:1) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PWS 340 : Genetics. (2:2:1) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp
   PREREQUISITE:	MMBio 240.
   DESCRIPTION:	Genetic mechanisms, their fundamental nature, interactions, and applications to human affairs. Genetics in quantitative terms. Extensive practice in problem solving.
   
   
   STAT 221 : Principles of Statistics. (3:3:2) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   STAT 221 : Principles of Statistics. (3:3:2) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su; Independent Study also; Honors also.
   PREREQUISITE:	Math 110 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Stemplots, boxplots, histograms, scatterplots; central tendency, variability; confidence intervals and hypothesis testing involving one and two means and proportions; contingency tables, simple linear regression.
   
             : Honors Principles of Statistics.
   
   
5. After consulting with an advisor, complete five credit hours from the following:
   CHEM 455 : Synthesis and Qualitative Organic Analysis. (3:1:6) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 455 : Synthesis and Qualitative Organic Analysis. (3:1:6) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 354; 201 or concurrent enrollment.
   DESCRIPTION:	Laboratory course emphasizing isolation, purification, and characterization of major and minor products from selected syntheses.
   NOTE:	For chemistry and other science majors.
   
   
   CHEM 496R : Academic Internship: Chemistry and Biochemistry. (.5-6:ARR:ARR) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 496R : Academic Internship: Chemistry and Biochemistry. (.5-6:ARR:ARR) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su
   PREREQUISITE:	Instructor's consent; Chem 201 or concurrent enrollment or special safety training.
   DESCRIPTION:	Research experience in an industrial, academic, or government laboratory in collaboration with a BYU faculty colleague/supervisor.
   
   
   CHEM 497R : Undergraduate Special Problems. (.5-6:ARR:ARR) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 497R : Undergraduate Special Problems. (.5-6:ARR:ARR) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su
   PREREQUISITE:	Instructor's consent and Chem 201 or concurrent enrollment or special safety training.
   DESCRIPTION:	Undergraduate research experience.
   
   
   CHEM 499R : Honors Thesis. (.5-6:ARR:ARR) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 499R : Honors Thesis. (.5-6:ARR:ARR) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su
   PREREQUISITE:	Instructor's consent and Chem 201 or concurrent enrollment or special safety training.
   
   
   CHEM 514 : Inorganic Chemistry. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 514 : Inorganic Chemistry. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 462, 468; or equivalents.
   DESCRIPTION:	In-depth treatment of theoretical concepts in inorganic chemistry and solid state, organmetallic, and bioinorganic chemistry.
   
   
   CHEM 518 : Advanced Inorganic Laboratory. (2:0:6) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 518 : Advanced Inorganic Laboratory. (2:0:6) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	W
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 201 or concurrent enrollment; Chem 514.
   DESCRIPTION:	Synthesis, characterization, and properties of materials; coordination and organometallic compounds.
   
   
   CHEM 521 : Instrumental Analysis Lecture. (2:2:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 521 : Instrumental Analysis Lecture. (2:2:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 462 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Modern instrumental methods and basic principles of instrumentation.
   
   
   CHEM 523 : Instrumental Analysis Laboratory. (2:0:6) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 523 : Instrumental Analysis Laboratory. (2:0:6) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	W
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 521; Chem 201 or 501 or concurrent enrollment.
   DESCRIPTION:	Continuation of Chem 521. Laboratory experience with modern analytical instrumentation.
   
   
   CHEM 552 : Advanced Organic Chemistry. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 552 : Advanced Organic Chemistry. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 351, 352; 461 or 468; 462; or equivalents.
   DESCRIPTION:	Physical aspects of organic chemistry; mechanisms, reaction intermediates, bonding, stereochemical and stereoelectronic effects, molecular orbital theory, Lewis acidity and basicity.
   
   
   CHEM 553 : Advanced Organic Chemistry. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 553 : Advanced Organic Chemistry. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	W
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 351, 352; or equivalents.
   DESCRIPTION:	Synthetic aspects of organic chemistry; oxidations, reductions, concerted reactions, stereoselectivity, synthetic equivalents, protecting groups. Examples of natural product total synthesis.
   
   
   CHEM 563 : Reaction Kinetics. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 563 : Reaction Kinetics. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	W alternate years
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 461, 462; or equivalents.
   DESCRIPTION:	Theoretical aspects of chemical kinetics in the gas phase and in solution. Rates and mechanisms in solution, rapid reactions, and other topics.
   
   
   CHEM 565 : Introduction to Quantum Chemistry. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 565 : Introduction to Quantum Chemistry. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 461, 462, 468; or equivalents.
   DESCRIPTION:	Introduction to physical and mathematical aspects of quantum theory, emphasizing application of the Schrodinger wave equation to chemical systems.
   
   
   CHEM 567 : Statistical Mechanics. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 567 : Statistical Mechanics. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	W alternate years
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 461, 462; or equivalents.
   RECOMMENDED:	Chem 565.
   DESCRIPTION:	Introduction to classical and quantum statistical mechanics, including Boltzmann, Fermi-Dirac, and Bose-Einstein statistics. Applications of statistical thermodynamics to gases, liquids, and solids.
   
   
   CHEM 569 : Fundamentals of Spectroscopy. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 569 : Fundamentals of Spectroscopy. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	W alternate years
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 462 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Atomic and molecular spectroscopy and application of group theoretical concepts. Types of experiments and interpretation of data.
   
   
   CHEM 581 : Advanced Biochemical Methodology 1. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 581 : Advanced Biochemical Methodology 1. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	F
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 482 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Physical methods used in biochemical research, including centrifugation, structural determinations, and use of radioactivity and spectroscopy.
   NOTE:	First of two required courses for biochemistry graduate students.
   
   
   CHEM 583 : Advanced Biochemical Methodology 2. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 583 : Advanced Biochemical Methodology 2. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	W
   PREREQUISITE:	Chem 482 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Molecular biological methods used in biochemistry, including immunotechniques, bioinformatics, and selected recombinant DNA techniques.
   NOTE:	Second of two required courses for biochemistry graduate students.
   
   
   CHEM 596R : Special Topics in Chemistry. (.5-3:ARR:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   CHEM 596R : Special Topics in Chemistry. (.5-3:ARR:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:

   On demand.
   
              : Atmospheric Chemistry.
   
   
Note: With prior approval, many 400- and 500-level courses in biology, integrative biology, microbiology and molecular biology, and physiology and developmental biology will fill this requirement.

Recommended Course

MATH 302 : Mathematics for Engineering 1. (4:4:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)

MATH 302 : Mathematics for Engineering 1. (4:4:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)

OFFERED:	F, W
PREREQUISITE:	Math 113 and passing grade on required preparatory exam taken during first week of class. (Practice exams available on class Website).
DESCRIPTION:	Multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and numerical methods.

Note: Supporting courses suggested by most medical and dental schools are found by visiting the Preprofessional Advisement office. The more rigorous chemistry, mathematics, and physics courses required for the biochemistry majors will satisfy the minimum requirements listed there. Elective courses in biochemistry and in biological science are especially pertinent to these preprofessional programs.

*Hours include courses that may fulfill university core requirements.

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