Explore the chemistry of life
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
In Stevenson’s Biochemistry program, you will learn the principles that characterize living systems and explore the interdependent nature of the areas of chemical, physical, and biological science. Working with state-of-the-art instrumentation in well-equipped facilities, you will gain the lab and analytical skills to prepare you for future employment or continuing education in graduate or professional school.
Graduates of the Biochemistry program will:
- Apply knowledge of chemical principles to the understanding of living systems.
- Describe the ways in which biomolecules contribute to the structure and function of cells.
- Design and execute scientific experiments using the scientific method.
- Interpret scientific data and communicate findings.
- Exhibit behaviors consistent with the professional and ethical standards of the discipline.
- Evaluate current scientific advances using knowledge of biochemical principles.
- Evaluate scientific discovery in terms of its scientific merit and its ethical, societal, and global implications.
Alumni Success
100 percent of our Biochemistry graduates have found employment in their field or are enrolled in graduate school within six months after graduation. Our graduates can be found working in Genetics Resources Core Facility at The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and University of Maryland School of Medicine Vascular Research Center or studying at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy and the Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Study Biochemistry at Stevenson
Career Opportunities
Career Paths for Biochemistry Majors
Graduates of our Biochemistry program embark on many rewarding career choices, including:
• Forensic Scientist
• Geneticist/Genetic Counselor
• Pharmacist
• Physician
• Research Biochemist
• Teacher
Curious about internships and job placement after you graduate? Visit our Office of Career Services.
Courses
The courses listed below are required for completion of the bachelor's degree in Biochemistry. Students must also complete the requirements for the Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE).
Specific pre- and co-requisites for each course are listed in the course descriptions.
Major Requirements
| FYS 100 | First Year Seminar | 1 credit |
| BIO 112 | Principles of General Biology | 3 credits |
| or | ||
| BIO 113 | General Biology I: Cell Biology and Genetics | 3 credits |
| BIO 113L | General Biology I Laboratory: Cell Biology and Genetics | 1 credit |
| BIO 230 | Genetics | 4 credits |
| BIOCH 327 | Biochemistry | 3 credits |
| BIOCH 345L | Integrative Laboratory I | 2 credits |
| BIOCH 427 | Advanced Biochemistry | 3 credits |
| BIOCH 470 | Capstone Internship | 3 credits |
| or | ||
| BIOCH 471 | Capstone Internship | 6 credits |
| BIOCH 475 | Capstone Seminar | 3 credits |
| CHEM 114 | General Chemistry I with Problem Solving | 3 credits |
| or | ||
| CHEM 115 | General Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHEM 115L | General Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 116 | General Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHEM 116L | General Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 credit |
| or | ||
| CHEM 210 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHEM 210L | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 211 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHEM 211L | Organic Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 213 | Digital Information Literacy for Chemistry | 1 credit |
| CHEM 313 | Career Connections in Chemistry | 1 credit |
| MATH 220 | Calculus I | 4 credits |
| PHYS 210 | General Physics I | 4 credits |
| or | ||
| PHYS 215 | General Physics I with Calculus | 4 credits |
| PHYS 211 | General Physics II | 4 credits |
| or | ||
| PHYS 216 | General Physics II with Calculus | 4 credits |
| SCI 215 | Writing in the Sciences | 3 credits |
Elective courses Group 1
Select two from the following list:
| BIO 310 | Cell Biology | 3 credits |
| BIO 330 | Molecular Genetics | 4 credits |
| CHEM 310 | Analytical Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 430 | Physical Chemistry | 3 credits |
Elective courses Group 2
Select three from the following list, at least two courses must be at the 300-level or higher:
| BIO 203 | Microbiology | 4 credits |
| BIO 280 | Nutrition Science | 3 credits |
| BIO 313 | Virology | 3 credits |
| BIO 322 | Human Physiology | 4 credits |
| BIO 332 | Epidemiology | 3 credits |
| BIO 335 | Immunology | 4 credits |
| BIO 362 | Independent Research Experience in Biology | 2 credits |
| BIO 365 | Independent Laboratory Research in Biology | 3 credits |
| BIOCH 362 | Independent Research Experience in Biochemistry | 2 credits |
| BIOCH 365 | Independent Laboratory Research in Biochemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 206 | Herbal Medicines and Remedies | 3 credits |
| CHEM 221 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 346L | Integrative Laboratory II | 2 credits |
| CHEM 362 | Independent Laboratory Research in Chemistry | 2 credits |
| CHEM 365 | Independent Laboratory Research in Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 431 | Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics | 3 credits |
| CHEM 432 | Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics | 3 credits |
| CHEM 435 | Special Topics in Chemistry | 3 credits |
Note: Students choosing the 6-credit Capstone Internship (BIOCH 471) can take one less upper-level Group 2 elective course.
Explore our academic catalog for a full listing of courses, course descriptions, suggested course sequences, and more.
Minors
A minor in Biochemistry is not available.
Other Options
Chemistry Department Honors Requirements
Eligible students majoring in biochemistry may elect to pursue honors within the Department of Chemistry. The intention to pursue Chemistry Department Honors must be declared before the start of their last semester before graduation. To declare the intent to pursue department honors, a student must have earned a science/math GPA of 3.50 or higher and a plan to finish the honors requirements outlined below.
Students graduating with Chemistry Department honors will have this distinction noted on their official university transcript. In order to graduate with department honors, the following requirements must be met:
- Completion of one research experience.
- Completion of a second research experience or a 300-400 level CHEM or BIOCH elective that is not being used to fulfill a degree requirement in the major.
- An oral presentation of the research experience to the department.
- A science/math GPA of 3.5 or higher at graduation.
BS/MFS Option
The BS/MFS option is available for students majoring in biochemistry who wish to combine their bachelor's coursework with work toward a Stevenson University master's degree in forensic science in the biology or chemistry track. Students choosing this option may earn their master's degree in as little as one year after their bachelor's degree. Interested students must formally apply for entrance into this BS/MFS option in their junior year. Once admitted into this program, students develop an educational plan in consultation with their undergraduate and graduate advisors.
Please see the Forensic Science section of this catalog for more information.
BS/MAT Option
The BS/MAT option is available for students majoring in biochemistry who wish to combine their bachelor's coursework with work toward a Stevenson University master's degree in teaching. Please see Additional Enrollment Options in the Admissions section of this catalog for more information.
Biochemistry News
Undergraduate Admissions
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