Biochemistry - Bachelor of Arts (BA)

The biochemistry major provides interdisciplinary training, education and experience in the chemical and biological sciences. Biochemistry focuses on understanding the chemical processes of living organisms, the reaction pathways that sustain life, the principles of how structure defines function and the physical basis of biomolecular interactions. Students who major in biochemistry are prepared for diverse careers in medicine, scientific research, biotechnology, pharmacy, biomedical consulting, teaching and education, among other professions.

 The undergraduate degree in biochemistry emphasizes knowledge and understanding of:

• Foundational principles of biology and chemistry.
• The building blocks of life (DNA, RNA and proteins), how they evolved, how they interact and how organisms make and degrade these building blocks.
• How living organisms maintain homeostasis and regulate metabolism.
• The molecular mechanisms of how living systems respond to changes, such as environmental perturbations, disease and chemical therapeutics.
• How chemical reactions impact human health.

The undergraduate degree in biochemistry also emphasizes and cultivates development of the following skills:

• Quantitative problem solving.
• Critical thinking and analytical reasoning.
• Communication of scientific concepts and ideas.

Because biochemistry connects to scientific disciplines ranging from genetics, human physiology, microbiology, neuroscience, cell biology, chemistry and geology, biochemistry majors are given the freedom to explore advanced electives in many of these subjects. Additional information about the biochemistry BA can be found on the Biochemistry Department website.

Biochemistry major students are prepared for many different careers after graduation. Career Services offers a number of programs and services designed to help students plan their career, including workshops, internships and placement services after graduation. For an appointment with a career counselor or for more information, call 303-492-6541 or stop by Center for Community, N352.

Undergraduate Research

Undergraduates are encouraged to participate in research to prepare themselves for graduate school, professional school or industry. There are multiple opportunities for undergraduates to be involved in research within the Department of Biochemistry. For more information, visit our Departmental Undergraduate research page.

Study Abroad

The experience of studying abroad can prove invaluable. For information about study abroad programs, visit the Education Abroad website.

Teaching Certification

Biochemistry majors can also earn certification as teachers through the School of Education. The program for a secondary school science-teaching certificate is challenging requiring a broad, strong background in science, as well as coursework in education and practice teaching. It usually requires at least five years of study. Students interested in teacher certification are encouraged to contact the School of Education.

Requirements

Program Requirements

The biochemistry major provides interdisciplinary training in the biological and chemical sciences, including courses in general chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry and biochemistry, as well as in biology, calculus and physics.

Students must complete the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences and the required courses listed below. No more than 45 credits of CHEM and BCHM courses can be applied to the 120-credit minimum to graduate. All courses counted towards the major must be completed with a grade of C- or better and none of the courses may be taken for a pass/fail grade. The cumulative GPA in courses that can count toward the major must be at least 2.0.

Transfer students who plan to complete a BA degree in biochemistry must complete at the Boulder campus a minimum of 12 credits of upper-division courses in biochemistry covering at least two of the sub-disciplines in their major: organic, physical and biochemistry.

Students may want to consult each semester's Registration Handbook and Schedule of Courses, as well as the Professor Performance Guide for further information about course offerings and faculty.

Required Courses and Credits

Required Ancillary Coursework from Outside Biochemistry

All students, and especially those intending to go onto graduate school in biochemistry, will benefit from additional advanced courses. Recommended electives include graduate courses in various fields of chemistry, or advanced courses in biology or mathematics.

Graduating in Four Years

Consult the Four-Year Guarantee Requirements for information on eligibility. The concept of "adequate progress" as it is used here only refers to maintaining eligibility for the four-year guarantee; it is not a requirement for the major. To maintain progress in biochemistry, students should declare the biochemistry major in the first semester.

Students must consult with a major advisor to determine adequate progress toward completion of the major.

Recommended Four-Year Plan of Study

Through the required coursework for the major, students will fulfill all 12 credits of the Natural Sciences area of the Gen Ed Distribution Requirement, including the required laboratory or field experience, and the QRMS component of the Gen Ed Skills Requirement.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the program, students will be able to:

• Master the foundational concepts of general and organic chemistry, including equilibrium, kinetics, bonding (covalent and non-covalent) and reactivity and apply these concepts to biological systems.
• Explain how biomolecules (DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and metabolites) are synthesized and control biological processes.
• Identify the factors that determine the three-dimensional structures of biological macromolecules (DNA, RNA, proteins), and membranes (including organelles) and explain how structure relates to function.
• Describe how cells sense their environment and use this information to regulate cellular functions such as DNA replication, gene expression, signal transduction, cell division and cell death.
• Develop a conceptual, mechanistic and mathematical understanding of biomolecular interactions, including binding and catalysis.
• Explain how energy is stored, transformed and harnessed in biological systems.
• Analyze data, interpret graphs, solve quantitative problems to interpret results of scientific studies. Evaluate the rigor and reproducibility of scientific results.
• Learn and apply the rigorous scientific methods on which (bio)chemical knowledge is built: making observations, formulating hypotheses, executing experiments, evaluating rigor and reproducibility.
• Effectively communicate scientific information in oral, written and visual formats to specialized and general audiences.