Biochemistry and Molecular Biology—Chemistry BS Degree Typical Four-year Outline

The uAchieve Interactive Degree Audit is the official method for tracking the completion of your specific degree requirements. Please be aware that there are multiple ways for students to progress through this major. This is just one sample and adjustments may be required due to curriculum changes. Students should work with their advisor to develop their individual plan. A full list of undergraduate course descriptions is available.

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First Year

Second Year

Fall Semester
Course Credit
CH 2130 PFDC 2: Career Planning 2
CH 2430 Mechanistic Organic Chemistry 3
CH 2411 Organic Chemistry Lab I 1
PH 2100 University Physics I – Mechanics 3
General Education Goal 4: Critical and Creative Thinking (or Goal 8) 3
Free Electives 3
Total 15
Spring Semester
Course Credit
CH 2440 Synthetic Organic Chemistry 3
CH 2421 Organic Chemistry Lab II 2
CH 2510 Introduction to Computational Chemistry and Informatics 3
PH 1200 Physics by Inquiry II 1
PH 2200 University Physics II – E and M 3
General Education Goal 8: Social Responsibility and Ethical Reasoning (or Goal 4) 3
Total 15

Third Year

Fourth Year

Fall Semester
Course Credit
BL 3210 General Microbiology 4
BL 3300 Introduction to Genomics 3
BL 4030 Molecular Biology 3
CH 4995 Undergraduate Research in Biochemistry 3
General Education HASS Distribution 3
Total 16
Spring Semester
Course Credit
CH 4130 PFDC 4: Senior Seminar 2
CH 4330 Bioinorganic Chemistry 3
CH 4995 Undergraduate Research in Biochemistry 3
Free Electives 3
General Education HASS Distribution 6
Total 17

Grand Total = 128 Credits

Concentration Requirements

  • 6 credits of CH 4995 or BL 4840 and 3 credits of CH or BL 3000–4000 course(s).

Co-Curricular Activities

  • 3 units of co-curricular activities are required (PE courses are taught in 0.5 unit classes. Thus, 6 of these are needed for 3 units).
  • It is highly recommended that students take at least one PE class during each semester of their first year, if possible.

Revised Spring 2023 for 2023-2024 academic year.