BS in Biochemistry

Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

Advances in the life sciences have progressed at an amazing pace in recent years. Biochemistry lies at the interface of the traditional fields of biology and chemistry and its discoveries have added fundamental understanding in the areas of medicine, health, and nutrition while also contributing to advances in biotechnology.

The BS program in Biochemistry will prepare students for further education at graduate or professional (medical, dental or other health-related) schools for entry into the biotechnology/pharmaceutical workforce and for other non-traditional science careers. The program is designed to allow the flexibility needed to meet the needs of students with various interests and post-graduation objectives.

Alumni of the chemistry and biology programs have pursued graduate studies at a wide variety of schools including Syracuse University, Penn State University, Texas A&M University, the University of Vermont, Notre Dame University, and the University of Rochester. Other alumni found employment with diverse organizations such as the National Cancer Institute, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Syracuse University, Bristol-Meyers Squibb Co., and the Food and Drug Administration.

Our Biochemistry program meets the guidelines of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and is administered through the American Chemical Society-approved chemistry program at SUNY Potsdam. The faculty members involved in this program have expertise in various subdisciplines of chemistry and biology, and students participating in this program receive instruction in core areas along with courses in mathematics and physics which emphasize areas pertinent to research and for application in life sciences. Students learn modern laboratory skills which may be applied directly in pursuit of a graduate degree or in employment.

Biochemistry Curriculum Overview

The BS in Biochemistry requires courses in chemistry (32 credit hours) along with support courses in biology, mathematics, and physics (34 credit hours). Additional elective courses (6 credit hours minimum) chosen from a variety of chemistry and biology options are also required. Research projects are not required, but highly encouraged. A detailed course listing and suggested schedule of courses is listed below.

Required Courses (32 credit hours):

• CHEM-105, General Chemistry 1, Lecture and Lab
• CHEM-106, General Chemistry 2, Lecture and Lab
• CHEM-308, Chemistry Topics
• CHEM-309, Seminar in Chemistry
• CHEM-311, Quantitative Analysis, Lecture and Lab
• CHEM-341, Organic Chemistry 1, Lecture and Lab
• CHEM-342, Organic Chemistry 2, Lecture and Lab
• CHEM-425, Biochemistry 1, Lecture and Lab
• CHEM-426, Biochemistry 2, Lecture and Lab
• CHEM-451, Physical Chemistry 1, Lecture and Lab

Cognate Requirements (34 credit hours):

• BIOL-151, Biology 1, Lecture and Lab
• BIOL-152, Biology 2, Lecture and Lab
• BIOL-311, Genetics, Lecture and Lab
• BIOL-320, Microbiology, Lecture and Lab
• MATH-151, Calculus 1
• MATH-152, Calculus 2
• PHYS-103, General Physics 1, Lecture and Lab
• PHYS-204, General Physics 2, Lecture and Lab

Approved Electives (6 credit hours minimum):

• BIOL-407, Cell Physiology
• BIOL-410, Human Physiology
• BIOL-420, Medical Microbiology
• BIOL-426, Immunobiology
• BIOL-429, Physiology Lab
• BIOL-483, Current Topics in Biology (Instructor permission)
• BIOL-485, Research in Biology (Instructor permission)
• CHEM-415, Instrumental Analysis, Lecture and Lab
• CHEM-433, Inorganic Chemistry
• CHEM-434, Inorganic Chemistry Lab
• CHEM-444, Advanced Organic Chemistry
• CHEM-452, Physical Chemistry 2, Lecture and Lab
• CHEM-495, Special Topics (Instructor permission)
• CHEM-497, Research Problems (Instructor permission)

Click here for recommended four year schedule.