Biochemistry Major

Students who are interested in graduate work in biochemistry should follow the Standard Chemistry Major with a Biochemical Option.

 

As a Letters & Science student, you will take a variety of courses across the natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities to satisfy university-wide General Education Requirements plus additional classes in formal reasoning, international awareness, and research to satisfy Letters & Science Degree Requirements.

The sample below assumes no high school Foreign Language was taken and that the student placed into college-level Math and English. In addition, this sample reflects the degree requirements for students who began their college education in Fall of 2013 or later. If you started college coursework prior to Fall of 2013, your degree requirements may be different.

There are also quality requirements (minimum GPA) and residency requirements (number of classes taken at UWM).

In order to take CHEM 691 or CHEM 692, students must complete this application and submit a copy of their unofficial transcript (free from the Registrar’s Office) to the Undergraduate Advisor, Mrs. Gloria Freschl.

4 Year Plan

Our four-year plan shows one possible route to completing a BS degree in biochemistry in four years.

Because there are many requirements and many pathways depending on your particular circumstances, it is very important to meet with your Letters & Science advisor at least once a semester to make sure you are on-track. Some classes may count towards more than one requirement and with early planning, you can save yourself time and money.

Sample Study Plan

Year 1
Fall Credits
L&S Humanities/International
3
ENGLISH 101
Introduction to College Writing
3
1st semester Foreign Language
3-5
CHEM 100
Chemical Science (NS)
4
MATH 105
Introduction to College Algebra (QL-A)
3
Spring Credits
MATH 115
Precalculus
4
ENGLISH 102
College Writing and Research
3
2nd Semester Foreign Language
3-5
CHEM 102
General Chemistry (NS+)
5
Year 2
Fall Credits
BIO SCI 150
Foundations of Biological Sciences I (NS+)
4
OWC-B course
3
CHEM 104
General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis (NS+)
5
MATH 213
Calculus with Life Sciences Applications (QL-B)
4
Spring Credits
BIO SCI 325
Genetics
4
L&S Social Science/International
3
CHEM 343
Organic Chemistry
3
CHEM 221
Elementary Quantitative Analysis
4
MTHSTAT 215
Elementary Statistical Analysis
3
Year 3
Fall Credits
L&S Social Science
3
CHEM 560
Biophysical Chemistry
3
PHYSICS 120
General Physics I (Non-Calculus Treatment) (NS+)
and PHYSICS 121
General Physics Laboratory I (Non-Calculus Treatment)
5
CHEM 345
Organic Chemistry
3
CHEM 344
Organic Chemistry Laboratory
2
Spring Credits
PHYSICS 122
General Physics II (Non-Calculus Treatment) (NS+)
and PHYSICS 123
General Physics Laboratory II (Non-Calculus Treatment)
5
L&S Social Science
3
Bio Sci Upper-level elective
3-4
L&S Humanities
3
CHEM 501
Introduction to Biochemistry
3
Year 4
Fall Credits
L&S Social Science/International
3
L&S upper-level elective
3
Bio Sci Upper-level elective
3-4
CHEM 601
Biochemistry: Protein Structure and Function
3
CHEM 603
Introduction to Biochemistry Laboratory
2
Spring Credits
Arts GER
3
L&S Humanities/Cultural Diversity
3
L&S Upper-level elective, natural science if needed
3-4
CHEM 691
Senior Research
or CHEM 692
Senior Thesis
2-6
CHEM 602
Biochemistry: Cellular Processes
3

Key
(A) Arts GER (Int’l) International
(HU) Humanities (QL-A) Quantitative Literacy A
(NS) Natural Science (QL-B) Quantitative Literacy B
(SS) Social Science (OWC-A) Oral and Written Communication A
(CD) Cultural Diversity GER (OWC-B) Oral and Written Communication B