Curriculum
New for Fall 2023: the course requirements for our Biochemistry BA and BS degrees will be updated. These new requirements will apply to new students joining CWRU this fall and to current students who choose to change to the new requirements.
Our B.A. and B.S. programs in Biochemistry provide a strong foundation in biomedical sciences. The B.A. allows students greater flexibility in course selection while the B.S. has an added focus on quantitative science. Both programs prepare students well for postgraduate studies and careers in health sciences or research.
Biochemistry students participate in an undergraduate research project in one of the many laboratories at CWRU engaged in biochemical research. Undergraduate research is a prerequisite for the SAGES capstone experience.
Partial Course List
A sample BA program of study is given below.
See the Student Information System for a complete listing of classes.
Biochemistry: 23-26 credits
| Course | Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOC 307 | General Biochemistry | 4 |
| BIOC 308 | Genes and Genetic Engineering | 4 |
| BIOC 373 | Biochemistry SAGES Seminar | 3 |
| BIOC 391 | Undergraduate Biochemistry Research | 3-6 |
| BIOC 393 | Biochemistry Capstone | 3 |
| Approved technical electives in Biochemistry | 6 | |
| BIOC 312 or BIOC 334 |
Proteins and Enzymes (312) or |
3 |
Biology: 8 credits
| Course | Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 214 | Genes and Evolution (lab and lecture) | 4 |
| BIOL 215 | Cells and Proteins (lab and lecture) | 4 |
Chemistry: 21 credits
| Course | Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 105 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 106 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 113 | Principles of Chemistry Lab | 2 |
| CHEM 223 | Introductory Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 224 | Introductory Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 233 | Introductory Organic Chemistry Lab I | 2 |
| CHEM 234 | Introductory Organic Chemistry Lab II | 2 |
| CHEM 301 | Introductory Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
Mathematics: 8 credits
| Course | Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 125 | Mathematics I | 4 |
| MATH 126 | Mathematics II | 4 |
Physics: 8 credits
| Course | Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHYS 115 | Introductory Physics I (lab and lecture) | 4 |
| PHYS 116 | Introductory Physics II (lab and lecture) | 4 |
Statistics: 3 credits; choose 1
| Course | Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| STAT 201 |
Basic Statistics for Social and Life Sciences |
3 |
| or STAT 312 | Basic Statistics for Engineering and Science | 3 |
| or STAT 312R | Basis Statistics for Engineering and Science Using R | 3 |
| or STAT 313 | Statistics for Experimenters | 3 |