CanvasProgram Description
The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology degree is the ideal interdisciplinary science program where chemistry, biology, and health sciences merge into a rapidly growing and high-impact field. The program dives into the chemical processes that allow life to exist, and how those processes are impacted by internal and external stimuli. Lab and research experiences provides students with active learning opportunities to apply complex concepts to experiments with real-world applications.
Program Curriculum
120-121 credits
DSU General Education Requirements
All DSU General Education requirements must be fulfilled. A previously earned degree may fulfill those requirements, but courses must be equivalent to DSU’s minimum General Education standards in American Institutions, English, and Mathematics.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Core Requirements | ||
| English | 3-7 | |
| Mathematics | 3-5 | |
| American Institutions | 3-6 | |
| Life Sciences | 3-10 | |
| Physical Sciences | 3-5 | |
| Laboratory Science | 0-1 | |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Literature/Humanities | 3 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Exploration | 3-5 | |
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 1210 & CHEM 1215 | Principles of Chemistry I (PS) and Principles of Chemistry I Lab (LAB) | 5 |
| CHEM 1220 & CHEM 1225 | Principles of Chemistry II and Principles of Chemistry II Lab | 5 |
| CHEM 2310 & CHEM 2315 | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Lab | 5 |
| CHEM 2320 & CHEM 2325 | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Lab | 5 |
| CHEM 3000 & CHEM 3005 | Quantitative Chemical Analysis and Quantitative Chemical Analysis Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 3060 & CHEM 3065 | Physical Chemistry 1 and Physical Chemistry I Lab | 5 |
| CHEM 3100 | Inorganic Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 3300 | Instrumental Analysis | 4 |
| CHEM 3510 & CHEM 3515 | Biochemistry I and Biochemistry I Lab | 4 |
| CHEM 3520 & CHEM 3525 | Biochemistry II and Biochemistry II Lab | 4 |
| CHEM 4910 | Chemistry Senior Seminar | 1 |
| BIOL 1610 & BIOL 1615 | Principles of Biology I (LS) and Principles of Biology I Lab (LAB) | 5 |
| BIOL 1620 & BIOL 1625 | Principles of Biology II and Principles of Biology II Lab | 5 |
| BIOL 3010 | Evolution | 3 |
| BIOL 3030 | Principles of Genetics | 4 |
| BIOL 3550 & BIOL 3555 | Eukaryotic Cell Biology and Eukaryotic Cell Biology Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 4300 & BIOL 4305 | Molecular Biology and Molecular Biology Laboratory | 4 |
| PHYS 2210 & PHYS 2215 | Physics/Scientists Engineers I (PS) and Physics/Scientists Engineers I Lab (LAB) | 5 |
| PHYS 2220 & PHYS 2225 | Physics/Scientists EngineersII and Physics/Scientists Engineers II Lab | 5 |
| MATH 1210 | Calculus I (MA) | 4 |
| MATH 1220 | Calculus II (MA) | 4 |
| Choose one (1) of the following courses: | 2 | |
| Independent Research | ||
| Independent Research | ||
| Life Science Internship | ||
Elective Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Choose two (2) of the following program electives: | ||
| Cancer Biology | ||
| Developmental Biology | ||
| General Microbiology and General Microbiology Lab | ||
| Introduction to Immunology | ||
| Biology of Infectious Disease | ||
| Nutritional Biochemistry | ||
Graduation Requirements
- Complete a minimum of 120 college-level credits (1000 and above).
- Complete at least 40 upper-division credits (3000 and above).
- Complete at least 30 upper-division credits at DSU for institutional residency.
- Cumulative GPA 2.0 or higher.
- Grade C- or higher in each Core Discipline, Research Area, and Elective courses.
Graduation Plan
| 1st Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| CHEM 1210 & CHEM 1215 | Principles of Chemistry I (PS) and Principles of Chemistry I Lab (LAB) | 5 |
| BIOL 1610 & BIOL 1615 | Principles of Biology I (LS) and Principles of Biology I Lab (LAB) | 5 |
| MATH 1210 | Calculus I (MA) | 4 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CHEM 1220 & CHEM 1225 | Principles of Chemistry II and Principles of Chemistry II Lab | 5 |
| BIOL 1620 & BIOL 1625 | Principles of Biology II and Principles of Biology II Lab | 5 |
| MATH 1220 | Calculus II (MA) | 4 |
| ENGL 1010 | Introduction to Writing (EN) | 3 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| 2nd Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CHEM 2310 & CHEM 2315 | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Lab | 5 |
| BIOL 3010 | Evolution | 3 |
| PHYS 2210 & PHYS 2215 | Physics/Scientists Engineers I (PS) and Physics/Scientists Engineers I Lab (LAB) | 5 |
| ENGL 2010 | Interm Writing Selected Topics: (EN) | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CHEM 2320 & CHEM 2325 | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Lab | 5 |
| BIOL 3030 | Principles of Genetics | 4 |
| PHYS 2220 & PHYS 2225 | Physics/Scientists EngineersII and Physics/Scientists Engineers II Lab | 5 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| 3rd Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CHEM 3510 & CHEM 3515 | Biochemistry I and Biochemistry I Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 3550 & BIOL 3555 | Eukaryotic Cell Biology and Eukaryotic Cell Biology Lab | 4 |
| CHEM 3060 & CHEM 3065 | Physical Chemistry 1 and Physical Chemistry I Lab | 5 |
| Open Elective (CS 1400 recommended) | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CHEM 3520 & CHEM 3525 | Biochemistry II and Biochemistry II Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 4300 & BIOL 4305 | Molecular Biology and Molecular Biology Laboratory | 4 |
| General Education | 3 | |
| Program Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| 4th Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CHEM 3000 & CHEM 3005 | Quantitative Chemical Analysis and Quantitative Chemical Analysis Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 3100 | Inorganic Chemistry | 4 |
| Research/Internship (e.g. CHEM 4800R) | 1 | |
| Open Elective (CS 1410 recommended) | 3 | |
| General Education | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CHEM 3300 | Instrumental Analysis | 4 |
| Program Elective | 3 | |
| CHEM 4910 | Chemistry Senior Seminar | 1 |
| General Education | 3 | |
| General Education | 3 | |
| Research/Internship (e.g. CHEM 4800R) | 1 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 121 | |
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program Learning Outcomes:
At the successful conclusion of this program, students will be able to:
- Assess and critique local and global issues based on acquired knowledge in molecular biology and biochemistry to formulate solutions to problems.
- Distinguish between chemical and biological concepts and evaluate how they interface to create life.
- Consider the process of science — how scientific knowledge is generated and validated — to make independent, empirical inquiries about the biochemical world.
- Evaluate, interpret, and communicate data in the form of tables, graphs, and charts in oral and or written form.
- Analyze original data through research or internship and present findings in a professional setting.