2024-25 CATALOG YEAR

Introduction

Biochemistry is the study of biological phenomena at the molecular level, and prepares students for futures in medicine, forensics, toxicology, pharmacy, anthropology, and environmental science, among other fields. 

The biochemistry curriculum includes a strong foundation in the natural sciences, core courses central to the field, and electives that enable students to explore aspects of biochemistry in sub-fields of their choice. Experimental work becomes progressively more sophisticated and creative in advanced courses as students gain insight into the primary literature and cutting-edge laboratory techniques. Majors are strongly encouraged to engage in summer research, either in an academic setting—at Lawrence or another institution—or in industry. 


Required for the major in biochemistry

Students who complete the major will be able to explain major concepts in biochemistry, including the structure/function relationship in molecules and the evolutionary forces that shape those molecules, processes of energy conversion in organisms, and processes of information storage and transfer in organisms. They will learn to critically analyze scientific literature and to conduct biochemical research. 

The major in biochemistry requires the following:

Foundation courses

  1. BIOL 130: Cellular Form and Function
  2. CHEM 115: Principles of Chemistry: Structure and Reactivity
  3. CHEM 116: Principles of Chemistry: Energetics and Dynamics
  4. CHEM 250: Organic Chemistry I
  5. CHEM 252: Organic Chemistry II
  6. MATH 140: Calculus
  7. PHYS 141: Introduction to Physics I
  8. PHYS 151: Introduction to Physics II
  9. Statistics in the form of one of the following:
    • BIOL 280: Experimental Design and Statistics
    • CHEM 210: Analytical Chemistry and CHEM 211: Statistical Methods in Analytical Chemistry

Core courses

  1. CHEM 340: Biochemistry I (cross-listed as BIOL 444)
  2. CHEM 440: Biochemistry II 
  3. BCHM 400: Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory

Elective courses

Students must choose two courses from the list below, including at least one BIOL. One of the two must be a laboratory class. 

  • Biology courses:
    • BIOL 211: Botany
    • BIOL 226: Microbiology
    • BIOL 235: Evolutionary Biology
    • BIOL 325: Cell Biology
    • BIOL 330: Aquatic Ecology
    • BIOL 340: Topics in Neuroscience (cross-listed as PSYC 580)
    • BIOL 360: Introduction to Bioinformatics
    • BIOL 430: Immunology or BIOL 431: Immunology (lecture only)
    • BIOL 465: Advanced Biotechnology
  • Chemistry courses:
    • CHEM 210: Analytical Chemistry (may only count for one requirement, either the Statistics requirement or an elective) 
    • CHEM 320: Inorganic Chemistry
    • CHEM 370: Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Kinetics
    • CHEM 410: Instrumental Analysis
    • CHEM 450: Topics in Advanced Organic Chemistry
  • Other:
    • PSYC 347: Hormones, Brain, and Behavior
    • PSYC 348: Biological Psychology
    • PSYC 365: Brain and Behavior with Lab
    • PHYS 275: Introduction to Biophysics (cross-listed as BIOL 275)
    • CMSC 205: Data-Scientific Programming

Senior Experience (Please see course descriptions in the respective departmental portions of the course catalog)

Either:

  • BIOL 501 (2 units); BIOL 600(2 units); BIOL 650 (5 units); BIOL 651 (1 unit) 

    -OR-

  • CHEM 380 (1 unit S/U); CHEM 480 (3 units S/U); CHEM 680 (3 units S/U) 

Students interested in chemistry-focused graduate programs or careers are encouraged to take CHEM 210: Analytical Chemistry and CHEM 370: Physical Chemistry. Students interested in molecular biology-focused careers or graduate programs are encouraged to take BIOL 325: Cell Biology and BIOL 354: Molecular Biology. 


Loading...