Biochemistry


	Undergraduate Overview

	Advising

	Core Curriculum

	Majors

	Dual Majors

	Minors

	Special Programs

	Scholarships & Awards

	Experiential Education

	College Home

Guidebooks

A resource for Arts & Sciences students, the guidebook focuses on policies, the majors, experiential education, the core curriculum and major requirements. Copies are available in the dean's office, or as PDFs, below.

Biochemistry
Department's Website

The biochemistry major offers students the opportunity to understand complex biological events at the molecular level. The firm scientific basis upon which the major rests affords the student the preparation needed to enter a graduate or professional school or to find employment as a biochemist in a wide variety of settings. The degree is intended to provide the student with greater depth in the field than would ordinarily occur for a student majoring in either biology or chemistry.

Degrees:	B.S.
Advising:	The Biochemistry major is an interdepartmental major that is jointly sponsored by the departments of Biology and Chemistry. Students may choose a faculty advisor from either department but not both. Advisor assignments are made by the Biochemistry Coordinating Committee Chair, Prof. Jacqueline Piret (617) 373-5266.
Transferring to the major:	Upperclass students transferring to biochemistry must have a minimum quality point average of 2.0 and have completed a year in chemistry and a year in calculus (preferably MTHU151 and MTHU152) with a grade of C or better. Transferring into biochemistry requires the approval of the Biochemistry Coordinating Committee Chair. Acceptance into the major will be based on students meeting the criteria for admission and availability of space in the program.
Progress in the major:	After four semesters in the major, students must have a quality point average of at least 2.0 in all science and math courses and have completed at least six of the following courses: BIOU101/BIOU102 and BIOU103/BIOU104 (Principles of Biology) BIOU301/BIOU302 (Genetics and Molecular Biology) CHMU211 and CHMU214 (General Chemistry) CHMU311 and CHMU313 (Organic Chemistry) MTHU151 and MTHU152 (Calculus and Differential Equations - Biology) Students who transfer into the biochemistry major will be allowed two semesters after entering the major to meet the minimum standards for their class. Students who fail to meet the above standards will be placed on departmental probation. Two consecutive semesters on departmental probation will result in dismissal from the major. After four semesters, students who have difficulty in chemistry and/or biochemistry courses will be strongly encouraged to change their major to biology. Similarly, students who have difficulty in biology and /or biochemistry courses will be strongly encouraged to change their major to chemistry.