Degree: B.S.

Coordinator: Theodore Chase, Jr. (chase_c@aesop.rutgers.edu)

Biochemistry is a scientific discipline in which living systems, biological and related substances, reactions, and processes are studied at the molecular level. The curriculum emphasizes the integration of the foundations of chemistry, physics, and the biological sciences with the contemporary problems of biochemistry. Laboratory courses in biochemistry using modern instrumentation and procedures supplement the lecture instruction and expose students to a wide range of techniques used in biochemical research.

The curriculum prepares students for graduate study in biochemistry or related fields, including multidisciplinary research on problems in agriculture and the environment; professional school (medical or dental); immediate employment in research laboratories in industry or government; or other careers that may not entail continued laboratory work but make use of understanding of science and scientific research. By selecting appropriate electives, a student also can prepare for a career in areas such as genetic engineering and other aspects of biotechnology.

For Douglass, Livingston, Rutgers, and University College students, the requirements for a B.A. degree are listed below in VIII A, except that these students are not required to take the courses listed under Computer Competence or Professional Ethics, nor are they required to take 11:115:306 Problem Solving in Biochemistry. However, candidates for a B.S. degree must take a Computer Competence course, as well as 11:115:306 and two additional science courses from VIII B.

Graduation Requirements for the Major

To enroll in 11:115:403,404 General Biochemistry (3,3), students must have completed 01:160:307,308 Organic Chemistry (4) with a grade of C or higher.

Please see the Programs of Study Summary on page 272 for information regarding changes in degree requirements.

I. Interdisciplinary/Ethical Analysis (5 credits)

  11:015:101  Perspectives on Agriculture and the Environment (2)

  11:015:400  Junior/Senior Colloquium (3)

II. Introductory Life and Physical Sciences

Specific courses to meet the introductory life and physical sciences requirements are listed under VIII A, required courses for competence in biochemistry.

III. The Arts (6 credits)

See suggested courses in the Degree Requirements chapter.

IV. Human Diversity (6 credits)

See suggested courses in the Degree Requirements chapter.

V. Economic and Political Systems (6 credits)

See suggested courses in the Degree Requirements chapter.

VI. Oral and Written Communication (6 credits)

See suggested courses in the Degree Requirements chapter. 01:355:302 Scientific and Technical Writing is strongly recommended.

VII. Experience-Based Education (3 credits)

   11:115:493,494  Research Problems in Biochemistry (BA,BA) or equivalent independent research project or adviser-approved placement in cooperative education

VIII. Competence in Biochemistry (87.5-95 credits)

A. REQUIRED COURSES (81.5-87)

Quantitative Methods (12)

   01:640:151-152  Calculus for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (4,4) or other CALC1 (but not CALC2) course

   01:640:251  Multivariable Calculus (4)

Computer Competence (1.5)

  11:115:305  Data Treatment in Biochemistry (1.5) or equivalent, approved by the instructor

(The course 11:115:305 assumes familiarity with basic computer operations and applications.)

Professional Ethics (3)

  11:015:405  Ethics in Science (3) or 11:015:433 Critical Scientific Thinking (3) or 01:730:249 Medical Ethics (3)

Other Required Courses (65-70.5)

  11:115:306  Problem Solving in Biochemistry (1.5)

  11:115:403,404  General Biochemistry (3,3)

  11:115:413  Experimental Biochemistry (2.5)

  11:115:414  Experimental Biochemistry (2.5) or equivalent

  11:115:491,492  Seminar in Biochemistry (1,1)

  01:119:101-102  General Biology (4,4)

  01:160:161-162  General Chemistry (4,4) or equivalent

  01:160:171  Introduction to Experimentation (1)

  01:160:251  Analytical Chemistry (2.5) (preferred) or 11: 115:493,494 Research Problems in Biochemistry (BA,BA) or adviser-approved equivalent laboratory experience

  01:160:307-308  Organic Chemistry (4,4) or 01:160: 315-316 Principles of Organic Chemistry (4,4)

  01:160:309 or 311  Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2)

  01:160:341-342  Physical Chemistry: Biochemical Systems (3,3) or  01:160:323-324 Physical Chemistry (3,3) or 01: 160:327-328 Physical Chemistry (4,4)

  01:447:380  Genetics (4) or 11:776:305 Plant Genetics (4)

  01:750:193-194  Physics for the Sciences (4,4) or 01:750:201-202 Extended General Physics (5,5) or 01:750:203-204 General Physics (3,3) and 01:750:205-206 General Physics Laboratory (1,1)

One of the following (3-4):

  11:115:410  Physical Biochemistry (3)

  11:115:412  Protein and Enzyme Chemistry (3)

  11:115:422  Biochemical Mechanisms of Toxicology (3)

  11:115:426  Biotech Start-Up Company (3)

  11:115:428  Homology Modeling of Proteins (3)

  11:115:435  Topics in Biochemistry (3)

  11:115:452  Biochemical Separations (3)

  11:126:420  Trends in Biotechnology (3)

  11:126:427  Methods in Recombinant DNA Technology (4)

  11:126:483  Nucleotide Sequence Analysis (3)

  11:126:484  Biotechnology Robotics (3)

B. ELECTIVES (6-8)

Two additional science courses selected in consultation with the faculty adviser, normally at the 300 or 400 level. Students intending to apply to graduate school in biochemistry or a related field are advised to take a cell biology course, e.g., 01:146:270 Fundamentals of Cell and Development Biology (3) or 01:447:495 Cancer (3), and a molecular biology course, e.g., 11:126:413 Plant Molecular Biology (3) or 11:126:481 Molecular Genetics (3), as preparation for the GRE Subject Test in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology.

Students may complete a formal minor program in nutrition by taking 11:709:400,401 Advanced Nutrition I,II (3,3) as their science electives in addition to 11:709:255 Nutrition and Health (3).

IX. Unspecified Electives (2-7.5 credits)