Students interested in a major in Biochemistry are required to complete a Major Declaration Form in consultation with a faculty member.

The Biology and Chemistry departments offer an interdisciplinary major in Biochemistry. The interface between chemistry and biology is an area of very active research and is the main driving force behind the biotechnology revolution. In this major, students will see how the tools and concepts of biochemistry are used to address fundamental questions related to the molecular basis of life processes. Students who major in biochemistry have the opportunity to study topics such as the mechanisms of drug action, structure and function of biological macromolecules, mechanisms of enzyme catalysis, hormonal regulation of physiological processes, gene expression, and molecular methods (including DNA Fingerprinting, PCR, immunoblotting). All biochemistry majors conduct an independent research project for at least one semester under the supervision of a faculty mentor.

Students in the biochemistry major make extensive use of an impressive arrary of laboratory equipment and computer-based technologies housed in both departments. In addition to biochemistry and molecular biology laboratories, the chemistry department has a modern, high-field multinuclear NMR spectrometer and biology department has a Microscopy Center. The Microscopy Center has a confocal microscope, a scanning electron microscope with an energy dispersive X-ray analsysis system, and a transmission electron microscope.

Note that students majoring in biochemistry may not also major and/or minor in either biology, chemistry, or neuroscience.

Curriculum

Biology and Chemistry Courses	UNITS
General Biology (Biol 101, 102)	3
Advanced Biology from the following courses: Genetics (Biol 245/246) Microbiology (Biol 331) Introduction to Cell Biology (Biol 250) Developmental Biology (Biol 312)	2
General Chemistry (Chem 103-104 or Chem 105)	2.5
Organic Chemistry (Chem 221-222)	2.5
Biochemistry (Chem 309)	1
Advanced Biochemistry (Chem 415)	1
Biophysical Chemistry (Chem 342)	1
Research Methods in Biochemistry (Biol 394 or Bioch 394)	1
Molecular Methods (Biol 395)	1
Senior Project	1

 

 

Careful planning is required of those choosing this major. First year students who are interested in this major should get a second adviser from the biochemistry faculty as early as possible. This is especially true for those wishing to study in an international program. To assist in this planning, a model curriculum planning form is available in pdf format. You may print this form and go over it with your major adviser.

NOTE: Students who major in biochemistry may not major or minor in either biology or chemistry.

Relevant Courses in other Departments:

Physics (Phys 103-104 or 151-152) - 2 units required
Calculus (Math 135) - 1 unit required and necessary for the biophysical chemistry course.

Statistics (Math 113) Strongly recommended but not required
A second semester of calculus is also recommended

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