Mar 19, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Bulletin

Biochemistry Major, B.S.


The Biochemistry curriculum is designed to provide comprehensive background education and training for students interested in the chemistry of physiological systems. The B.S. curriculum meets the liberal arts requirements of the University with a concentration in advanced courses. It was developed for those students who wish to prepare for Biochemistry as a professional option. Holders of this degree seek employment directly in the field or they can pursue advanced degrees in graduate or professional schools.

The Biochemistry degree was developed for those students interested in Biochemistry as a means of preparation for entrance into health science professional schools such as allopathic, osteopathic, and podiatric medicine, dental medicine, optometry, etc. Two specific features of the program are that students (1) may pursue the first three years of the Biochemistry degree curriculum in the three-year option under one of the Wilkes University combined seven-year medical and baccalaureate degree programs or (2) use the seventh or eighth semesters in cooperative research programs. The latter option is particularly useful for those students selected to The Premedical Scholars Program (see Affiliated Degree Programs in Medicine).

The Biochemistry program, with appropriate upper division course selection, meets the standards for approval by the American Chemical Society for the professional training of chemists. Students completing the B.S. program in Biochemistry may be certified with the American Chemical Society at graduation, dependent upon students’ choice of chemistry courses. All students should work closely with their academic advisors as they progress toward graduation.

Required Courses and Recommended Course Sequence


Total Credits: 15


Second Semester


Total Credits: 16


Third Semester


Total Credits: 15


Total Credits: 16


Total Credits: 15


Sixth Semester


Total Credits: 15 or 16


Seventh Semester


Total Credits: 14 to16


Eighth Semester


Total Credits: 14 or 15


Total Credits: 120 to 124


*All biochemistry majors are required to take one of the following two Biology Major Electives: BIO 330 - Introduction to BioinFormatics Applications  or BIO 345 - Genetics  

**All biochemistry majors are required to take a total of 3 major electives (9 - 12 credits) chosen from the following list: BIO 324 - Molecular Biology , BIO 326 - Immunology and Immunochemistry , BIO 327 - Medical Microbiology , BIO 329 - Virology , BIO 330 - Introduction to BioinFormatics Applications , BIO 345 - Genetics , CHM 322  and, CHM 323   and Inorganic Chemistry Lab, CHM 367 - Biochemistry of Cancer, CHM 368 - Protein Chemistry, PHY 377 - Biophysics , or an approved CHM 398  topics course.