Biochemistry, B.S.
抖阴pro's Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry is designed for students interested in the applications of chemistry to the life sciences. The program prepares students for professional schools such as medicine, dentistry, law and pharmacy. The program provides excellent preparation for students interested in working in biochemistry, molecular biology or biotechnology.
The chemistry department at 抖阴pro emphasizes participation in undergraduate research, and majors have ample opportunities to involve themselves in research projects under the close mentorship of a full-time faculty member. Students can use a variety of specialized equipment and computers in their instructional and research laboratories.
Each year, the department hosts several social events and sponsors a chemistry club for interested students.
Program Highlights听
- A rigorous program that makes graduates competitive for employment in STEM areas.
- Opportunities for students to strengthen their scientific communication skills through research activities that pair an undergraduate with a faculty researcher.
- A unique mentoring program that continues from freshman to senior year, providing guidance and support for students in reaching their professional goals.
Curriculum Overview
- First Year: General Chemistry 1 and 2, Calculus I and II, Principles of Biology I and II
- Second Year: Organic Chemistry 1 and 2, Analytical Chemistry 1, Engineering Physics I and II
- Third Year: Biochemistry 1 and 2, Chemistry Literature, Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry 1 and 2, Physical Chemistry Lab, undergraduate research
- Fourth Year: Principles of Genetics, undergraduate research, one chemistry elective
Fieldwork and Research Opportunities
Selected undergraduate students may have opportunities to work with faculty members as assistants in undergraduate laboratories and receive a stipend.
The benefits of SLU's biochemistry program also include many internship and career opportunities. In addition, undergraduates who study biochemistry at SLU can attend professional meetings and present their research results. SLU students have presented numerous talks and poster presentations at regional and national meetings of the American Chemical Society and other scientific conferences in recent years.
Careers
Career options in biochemistry include:
- Teaching at the university, college or high school level
- Chemical research and development in industry or government laboratories
- Pharmaceutical research
- Drug discovery and drug development
- Biotechnology
- Environmental research
- Management and administration in the chemical industry
- Chemical and pharmaceutical sales
- Patent law and environmental law
- Opportunities in the public health sector
A Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry is good preparation for students who want to continue their education in graduate school studying chemistry, biochemistry and health-related areas such as pharmacology and toxicology, as well as in professional school studying medicine, law, pharmacy or dentistry.
Admission Requirements
抖阴pro also accepts the Common Application.
Freshman
All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant鈥檚 file.
To be considered for admission to any 抖阴pro undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test.听
Transfer
Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED.
Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the above freshmen admission requirements. Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must听submit transcripts from all previously attended college(s).
In reviewing a transfer applicant鈥檚 file, the Office of Admission holistically examines the student鈥檚 academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student鈥檚 ability to meet the academic rigors of 抖阴pro. Where applicable, transfer students will be evaluated on any courses outlined in the continuation standards of their preferred major.
International Applicants
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
- Proof of financial support must include:
- A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at 抖阴pro
- A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
- Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken post-secondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
Tuition
| Tuition | Cost Per Year |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Tuition | $54,760 |
Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:
Information on Tuition and Fees
Scholarships and Financial Aid
There are two principal ways to help finance a 抖阴pro education:
- Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
- Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.
抖阴pro makes every effort to keep our education affordable. In fiscal year 2023, 99% of first-time freshmen and 92% of all students received financial aid and students received more than $459 million in aid University-wide.
For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by December 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
For more information on scholarships and financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry has been continuously certified by the American Chemical Society since 2004.
- Graduates will be able to demonstrate a foundational understanding of organic, inorganic, analytical and physical chemistry, and advanced knowledge in biochemistry.
- Graduates will be able to demonstrate proficiency in basic (general, organic, analytical and physical) and advanced biochemistry laboratory techniques and conduct laboratory experiments safely.
- Graduates will be able to collect, interpret and analyze quantitative data.
- Graduates will be able to communicate scientific results effectively, especially through written reports and oral presentations.
- Graduates will be able to design and conduct independent research.
Biochemistry students must complete a minimum total of 72 credits听for the B.S. major.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Undergraduate Core | 32-35 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| BIOL听1240 &听BIOL听1245 | General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution and Principles of Biology I Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL听1260 &听BIOL听1265 | General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter and Principles of Biology II Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM听1130 &听CHEM听1115 | General Chemistry 1 for Majors and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM听1140 &听CHEM听1125 | General Chemistry 2 for Majors and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM听2200 &听CHEM听2205 | Analytical Chemistry 1 and Analytical Chemistry 1 Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM听2430 &听CHEM听2435 | Organic Chemistry 1 for Majors and Organic Chemistry 1 Lab for Majors | 4 |
| CHEM听2440 &听CHEM听2445 | Organic Chemistry 2 for Majors and Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory for Majors | 4 |
| CHEM听3100 | The Chemical Literature | 1 |
| CHEM听3970 | Undergraduate Research (Students take 1 credit for 3 semesters for a total of 3 credits) | 1 |
| CHEM听3330 &听CHEM听3345 | Physical Chemistry 1 and Physical Chemistry Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM听3340 | Physical Chemistry 2 | 3 |
| CHEM听4500 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM听4610 &听CHEM听4615 | Biochemistry 1 and Biochemistry 1 Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM听4620 &听CHEM听4625 | Biochemistry 2 and Biochemistry 2 Laboratory | 4 |
| Additional CHEM 4000 Elective | 3 | |
| Required biological elective 1 | 3 | |
Select 3 credits of electives from the approved list 1 | ||
| MATH听1510 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH听1520 | Calculus II | 4 |
| PHYS听1610 &听PHYS听1620 | University Physics I and University Physics I Laboratory 2 | 4 |
| PHYS听1630 &听PHYS听1640 | University Physics II and University Physics II Laboratory 2 | 4 |
| General Electives | 21-24 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
BIOL听3010 Evolutionary Biology (3 cr), BIOL听3030 Principles of Genetics (3 cr), BIOL听3400X Introduction to Neuroscience 1: Cellular, Molecular and Systemic (3 cr),听BIOL听4070 Advanced Biological Chemistry (3 cr), BIOL听4250 Neurobiology of Disease (3 cr), BIOL听4430 Principles of Virology (3 cr), BIOL听4460 Exercise Physiology (3 cr), BIOL听4520 Biochemical Pharmacology (3 cr), BIOL听4540 Human Systemic Physiology (3 cr), BIOL听4600 Developmental Biology (3 cr), BIOL听4630 Foundations of Immunobiology (3 cr), BIOL听4640 General Microbiology (3 cr), BIOL听4720 Cancer Biology (3 cr), BME听2200 Applied Physiology for Engineers (3 cr), PPY听2540 Human Physiology (4 cr), PPY听4410 Molecular Pharmacology (3 cr)
- 2
Engineering Physics I and II with lab are recommended for majors unless they are pre-medical. Physics I and II with lab听PHYS听1310 Physics I, PHYS听1320 Physics I Laboratory, PHYS听1330 Physics II, and PHYS听1340 Physics II Laboratory听also fulfill the physics requirement and are recommended for pre-medical students.
Non-Course Requirements
All Science and Engineering B.A. and B.S. students must complete an exit interview/survey near the end of their bachelor's program.听
Continuation Standards
The following standards apply to all new freshmen and transfer students:
- Students must earn a "C-" or better in听CHEM听1110 General Chemistry 1听or听CHEM听1130 General Chemistry 1 for Majors) and a "C-" or better in听CHEM听1120 General Chemistry 2听or听CHEM听1140 General Chemistry 2 for Majors, or the equivalent in transfer.
- Students must earn a "C-" or better in CHEM听2200 Analytical Chemistry 1.
Students who do not earn a "C-" in any of the identified courses must retake the course at SLU in the following semester. If a "C-" is not earned on the second attempt the student will be dismissed from the major. A student who withdraws from one of these courses on the first attempt thus has one more attempt to earn a "C-."
Students must maintain a 2.00 GPA in their major (CHEM) and required related courses (BIOL, PHYS, MATH, etc.) If a student falls below a 2.00 major GPA the student must meet with the undergraduate program director to review their academic performance. If the student cannot raise the major GPA to 2.00 in two semesters, the student will be dismissed from the major.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment听unless otherwise noted. 听
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| CHEM听1130 | General Chemistry 1 for Majors | 3 |
| CHEM听1115 | General Chemistry 1 Laboratory | 1 |
| MATH听1510 | Calculus I | 4 |
| BIOL听1240 | General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution | 3 |
| BIOL听1245 | Principles of Biology I Laboratory | 1 |
| University Core | 4 | |
| 听 | Credits | 16 |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM听1140 | General Chemistry 2 for Majors | 3 |
| CHEM听1125 | General Chemistry 2 Laboratory | 1 |
| MATH听1520 | Calculus II | 4 |
| BIOL听1260 | General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter | 3 |
| BIOL听1265 | Principles of Biology II Laboratory | 1 |
| University Core | 3 | |
| 听 | Credits | 15 |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM听2430 | Organic Chemistry 1 for Majors | 3 |
| CHEM听2435 | Organic Chemistry 1 Lab for Majors | 1 |
| CHEM听2200 | Analytical Chemistry 1 | 2 |
| CHEM听2205 | Analytical Chemistry 1 Laboratory | 2 |
| PHYS听1610 | University Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS听1620 | University Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| University Core | 3 | |
| 听 | Credits | 15 |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM听2440 | Organic Chemistry 2 for Majors | 3 |
| CHEM听2445 | Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory for Majors | 1 |
| PHYS听1630 | University Physics II | 3 |
| PHYS听1640 | University Physics II Laboratory | 1 |
| University Core | 6 | |
| 听 | Credits | 14 |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM听4610 | Biochemistry 1 | 3 |
| CHEM听4615 | Biochemistry 1 Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM听3330 | Physical Chemistry 1 | 3 |
| CHEM听3100 | The Chemical Literature | 1 |
| University Core | 9 | |
| 听 | Credits | 17 |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM听4620 | Biochemistry 2 | 3 |
| CHEM听4625 | Biochemistry 2 Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM听3340 | Physical Chemistry 2 | 3 |
| CHEM听3345 | Physical Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM听3970 | Independent Research in Chemistry | 1 |
| University Core | 6 | |
| 听 | Credits | 15 |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM听3970 | Independent Research in Chemistry | 1 |
| CHEM听4500 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| Required biological elective (see program notes below) | 3 | |
| University Core | 4 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| 听 | Credits | 14 |
| Spring | ||
| Completion of Exit Interview | 听 | |
| Completion of Undergraduate Thesis | 听 | |
| CHEM 4XXX | Elective | 3 |
| CHEM听3970 | Independent Research in Chemistry | 1 |
| General Electives | 10 | |
| 听 | Credits | 14 |
| 听 | Total Credits | 120 |
Program Notes
Engineering Physics (PHYS听1610 University Physics I (3 cr)-PHYS听1640 University Physics II Laboratory (1 cr)听is recommended. However, Physics (PHYS听1310 College Physics I (3 cr)-PHYS听1340 College Physics II Laboratory (1 cr)听also fulfills the physics requirement.
The required biological elective can be satisfied by selecting 3 credit hours of electives from the approved list:听BIOL听3010 Evolutionary Biology (0,3 cr),听BIOL听3030 Principles of Genetics (0,3 cr),听BIOL听3400X Introduction to Neuroscience 1: Cellular, Molecular and Systemic (3 cr),听BIOL听4070 Advanced Biological Chemistry (3 cr),听BIOL听4250 Neurobiology of Disease (3 cr),听BIOL听4430 Principles of Virology (3 cr),听BIOL听4460 Exercise Physiology (3 cr),听BIOL听4520 Biochemical Pharmacology (3 cr),听BIOL听4540 Human Systemic Physiology (3 cr),听BIOL听4600 Developmental Biology (3 cr),听BIOL听4630 Foundations of Immunobiology (3 cr),听BIOL听4640 General Microbiology (3 cr),听BIOL听4720 Cancer Biology (3 cr),听BME听2200 Applied Physiology for Engineers (3 cr),听PPY听2540 Human Physiology (4 cr),听PPY听4410 Molecular Pharmacology (3 cr)