2024-2025 Catalog

 

Biochemistry ACS - B.S.

Purpose

The Biochemistry ACS program is certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and meets rigorous standards set for graduates of premier programs. This proposed program is very similar to the existing BS Biochemistry degree, but with the added requirements that fulfill the accreditation requirements of ACS. The accredited degree benefits our graduates by designating their robust training on their transcript when applying to potential professional schools and employers.

Biochemistry is an exciting, cutting-edge field focusing on the biomolecules needed for life's processes. The Biochemistry ACS major integrates Christian perspective into a rigorous curriculum and training in biochemistry to develop the knowledge and skills needed to be well-prepared for a wide variety of options in chemistry and the life sciences. Primary options for students completing the Biochemistry ACS major include (1) entrance into graduate school to obtain a master's (M.S.) or doctorate (Ph.D.) degree in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, or the biomedical sciences — an option that prepares the student for a research and/or teaching career; (2) entrance into professional schools such as medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, or veterinary medicine; (3) entry-level positions in biochemical and related discipline research laboratories in academia or the pharmaceutical industry; and (4) entrance into a combined degree program such as an M.D.-Ph.D. program — an option that prepares the student for a clinical research and/or teaching career.

For students wishing to complete the Biochemistry ACS major as part of a Pre-Health Care Sciences (Non-Nursing) program curriculum, it is advised that they have strong aptitudes in math and chemistry. Students choosing this path must successfully complete the rigorous Biochemistry ACS core in addition to key elective courses from the Biology major in order to prepare for professional school admission tests. These key electives typically include BIO-311, BIO-312, BIO-412, BIO-213, and BIO-440. As a result, completing the Biochemistry ACS major with a competitive GPA for professional school admission requires exceptional abilities.

Bachelor of Science Requirements

A Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry ACS requires 74 hours of coursework in the Division of Natural Sciences and the Division of Mathematics, Engineering, and Computer Information Sciences. A grade of "C" or better is required for all courses. The following courses must be included in the major:

Standards Required to Enter the Gateway Courses:

BIO-125 and CHE-125 are the first courses taken in the major. The standards required to take each of these gateway courses are as follows:

BIO-125 - Math SAT 480 or above; OR RSAT 510 or above; OR ACT 20 or above; OR CHE-110 with a grade of "C" or better; OR permission of the instructor

CHE-125 - Completion of CHE-110 with a grade of "C" or better OR one year of high school chemistry and one of the following acceptable scores: Math SAT (480 or above) or RSAT Math (510 or above); or ACT Math (21 or above).

Requirements (74-77 credits)

Required Courses (53-56 credits)

CHE-125General Chemistry I

5

CHE-126General Chemistry II

5

CHE-235Organic Chemistry I

4

CHE-236Organic Chemistry II

4

CHE-330Inorganic Chemistry

3

CHE-350Analytical Chemistry

4

CHE-430Biological Chemistry I

3

CHE-430LBiological Chemistry Laboratory

1

CHE-432Biological Chemistry II

4

CHE-440Physical Chemistry I

3

CHE-461Physical Chemistry Lab

1

CHE-490Chemistry Senior Seminar

1

BIO-495Research in Biology

0 to 4

-
or

CHE-495Research in Chemistry

1 to 4

BIO-351Cellular Biology

3

BIO-432Molecular Biology

4

CHE-370Analytical Instrumentation

4

CHE-370LAnalytical Instrumentation Lab

0

-
or

CHE-450Physical Chemistry II

3

MAT-112General Statistics

3

-
or

MAT-204Applied Statistics I

3

-
or

DSC-210Introduction to Data Science

3

CHE-125: Gateway Course

A minimum of 2 credits from CHE-495 or BIO-495 are required to complete major.

Prerequisite Courses (21 credits)

MAT-253Calculus I

4

MAT-254Calculus II

4

PHY-221University Physics I

4

PHY-222University Physics II

5

BIO-125Principles of Biology

4

 

Strongly Recommended Courses

Optional; choose based on personal career goals.
BIO-213General Microbiology

4

BIO-213LGeneral Microbiology Lab

0

BIO-413Virology

3

BIO-440Immunology

3

CHE-232Fundamentals of Environmental Chemistry

3

CHE-450Physical Chemistry II

3

CIS-121Introduction to Programming

3

MAT-255Calculus III

4

MAT-265Differential Equations with Linear Algebra

4

MAT-353Differential Equations

3

PHY-230Electronics

4

PHY-341Waves and Optics

3

Indiana Weselayan