Biochemistry-Health Professions Track BS
91制片厂鈥檚 Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry鈥揌ealth Professions Track program prepares you to understand the chemistry of life while giving you the foundation you need to pursue medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary or other health-related careers. You鈥檒l build a strong theoretical foundation in chemistry, mastering areas such as organic, inorganic, physical, analytical and biochemistry. You鈥檒l connect what you learn in the classroom to real-world healthcare applications and see how biochemistry drives innovation in medicine.
You鈥檒l also gain hands-on experience in the lab, developing practical skills in experimental design, data analysis and safe laboratory practices. From your first year, you鈥檒l learn to apply the scientific method to analyze experimental data, interpret results and understand the role of ethics and integrity in science.
Courses in molecular biology, medical biochemistry, pharmacology, and anatomy and physiology will help you explore the biochemical processes that keep the human body working. By your senior year, you鈥檒l be ready to apply your knowledge to original research problems, culminating in a capstone project or a research thesis. With dedicated faculty mentors and opportunities for experiential learning, you鈥檒l graduate confident, prepared and ready to take the next step toward your future in the health professions.
Program Information
Prepare for medical, dental, or pharmacy school with 91制片厂鈥檚 Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry鈥揌ealth Professions Track, combining rigorous science and hands-on research.
Program Type
Major
Degree
Bachelor's
Academic Department
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Duration
4 years
Required Credit Hours
123
Modality
In-Person
Across these labs, you are not a passive observer鈥攜ou are an active contributor to
research that spans chemistry, biology, neuroscience and computational modeling. By
the time you reach your senior year, you may apply these experiences to a capstone
project or independent research thesis, working closely with faculty mentors who guide
you through real-world scientific inquiry. In projects from the Cascio Lab, you might investigate how cholesterol regulates the function of glycine receptors鈥攌ey
ion channels in the nervous system鈥攂y using advanced techniques like photo-crosslinking
and mass spectrometry. In this kind of work, you would help map how lipids interact
with proteins in different functional states, revealing how subtle molecular changes
influence how the brain and nervous system communicate. In computational and molecular modeling research like that of the Evanseck Lab, you could explore how viral RNA structures form complex 鈥渒issing鈥� interactions and
extended duplexes in coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. Through computational
chemistry and molecular dynamics simulations, you would help predict how small changes
in RNA structure affect viral stability, replication, and potential drug targeting. In biochemical and cellular systems research such as the Heisler Lab, you might study how bacterial proteins manipulate signaling pathways to disrupt
essential cellular processes. This type of work connects chemistry directly to disease
mechanisms, showing how molecular-level changes can cascade into large-scale biological
dysfunction. In molecular neurobiology-focused research like the Mihailescu Lab, you could examine how RNA-binding proteins recognize structured RNA elements such
as G-quadruplexes in neuronal genes, helping explain how cells control protein production
involved in learning, memory, and neurological disease.
"Both the School of Science and Engineering and the pre-med certificate program
provided me with a world-class education. The STEM-based opportunities at 91制片厂
offered new and exciting challenges that increased my knowledge of medicine and prepared
me well for medical school."
"The support I have received from my research mentor and the graduate students
in my lab has given me confidence in my ability to succeed and inspired me to want
to pursue higher education in the field."
Research Opportunities
Questions? Contact Us!
Dr. Phillip Palmer
Bigger Goals Achieved
Research. Connect. Thrive.
Pre-Medical and Health Professions Program (PMHPP)
91制片厂鈥檚 Pre-Medical and Health Professions Program (PMHPP) gives you a powerful advantage as you pursue a career in medicine or other health-related fields. You鈥檒l receive expert advising, guidance on prerequisites and admissions processes, and opportunities to gain hands-on clinical and research experience that make you a competitive applicant for medical, dental, veterinary and other professional schools. With personalized support and a strong record of success, you鈥檒l be ready to take the next step toward your future in healthcare.
Research In The Lab
Explore interdisciplinary fields in biochemistry, organic, physical, materials, inorganic, analytical, forensic, and biophysical chemistry, all within our state-of-the-art 20,000-square-foot research facility equipped with cutting-edge instrumentation.
Build Your STEM Community
Our clubs and organizations span interests in chemistry, biochemistry and other STEM fields, including our award-winning ACS Student Organization. You鈥檒l have the opportunity to organize events, pursue your passions, build meaningful relationships with students who share your interests and develop your professional and leadership skills.
Students Share Their Stories
Hear directly from our Chemistry & Biochemistry students as they share their 91制片厂 experiences, mentorship stories and passion for research.
Dreaming of Medical School?
Apply to 91制片厂 and select both the Biochemistry, Health Professions Track and Pre-Medical and Health Professions Programs (PMHPP) to be eligible for our Early Assurance Pathway (EAP)鈥攁 chance to secure your future in medicine before college begins! Apply by January 5 of your senior year.
Suggested Course Sequence
To assist students in achieving their academic goals within the B.S. in Biochemistry Health Professions program, we recommend the following course sequence. It is important to note that BRDG courses can be completed in any order throughout the undergraduate curriculum, allowing for greater flexibility in scheduling. All prerequisites must be met with a C or higher.
Undergraduate research is highly encouraged. Our department recognizes the value of research and the significant contributions it can make to the scientific community.
- CHEM 151 Atomic & Molec Principles (4 credits)
- CHEM 151L Intro to Chemistry Lab (1 credit)
- BIOL 111 / 111L Biology I / Lab (4 credits)
- BRDG 101 Writing and Analysis (3 credits)
- MATH 115 Calculus I (4 credits)
- CHEM 153 Career Op in Chem and Biochem I (1 credit)
- CHEM 152 Quantitative Analysis (4 credits)
- CHEM 152L Quantitative Analysis Lab (1 credit)
- BIOL 112 / 112L Biology II / Lab (4 credits)
- BRDG 102 Writing and Literature (3 credits)
- MATH 116 Calculus II (4 credits)
- BRDG 100 Research & Info Skills (1 credit)
- CHEM 228 Structure, Mech & React (4 credits)
- CHEM 228L Org Struct & Properties Lab (1 credit)
- PHYS 211/R Gen Analy Phys I/Rec (3 credits)
- PHYS 211L GAP I Lab (1 credit)
- BIOL 212 Cell Molec Biol (4 credits)
- EQ Essential Questions Seminar (3 credits)
- CHEM 229 Reacts, Synths & Spectroscopy (4 credits)
- CHEM 229L Organic Synthesis Lab (1 credit)
- PHYS 212/R Gen Analy Phys II/Rec (3 credits)
- PHYS 212L GAP II Lab (1 credit)
- ENGL 302W Scientific Writing (3 credits)
- CHEM 154 Career Op in Chem and Biochem II (1 credit)
- Biochem/Chem/Math/Biol Elective (3 credits)
- CHEM 340 Instrumental Analysis (3 credits)
- CHEM 419 Adv Biochemistry I (4 credits)
- CHEM 305L/R Adv Lab Skills/R (1 credit)
- MATH 225 Intro to Biostatistics (3 credits)
- PSYC 101 Intro to Psychology (3 credits)
- Biochem/Chem/Math/Biol Elective (3 credits)
- CHEM 329 Thermodynamics (4 credits)
- CHEM 436 Adv Biochemistry Il (4 credits)
- CHEM 537 Biomed Applications in Biochemistry (3 credits)
- SPRG 108 Service Learning in Science (0-1 credits)
- SOCI 101 Survey of Sociology (3 credits)
- CHEM 155 Career Op in Chem and Biochem III (1 credit)
- CHEM 426L/R Adv Exp Tech/Applct (4 credits)
- Biochemistry/Chemistry Elective (3 credits)
- General Elective (Theology) (3 credits)
- BRDG 105 Intro to Ethical Reasoning (3 credits)
- Bridges Course - Ethical Reasoning (3 credits)
- General Elective (3 credits)
- General Elective (Philosophy) (3 credits)
- Bridges Course - Cultural Fluency (3 credits)
Elective Offerings
Students must take three advanced electives. One elective must be a biochemistry or chemistry elective. The remaining two electives may be chemistry, biochemistry, biology, and/or math electives from the approved lists. Various mandatory and elective courses in this curriculum can be used toward fulfilling minor(s) (e.g. math, biology, psychology).
- CHEM 508 Biomolecular Structure and Function
- CHEM 527 Biophysical & Biochem Char of Macro
- CHEM 541 Structural Proteomics
- CHEM 543 Protein Nucleic Acid Interactions
- CHEM 550 Protein Engineering
- BIOL 313 Developmental Biology
- BIOL 315 Human Physiology
- BIOL 319 General Microbiology
- BIOL 332 Virology
- BIOL 419 Bioinformatics
- BIOL 424 Immunology
- BIOL 460 Endocrinology
- BIOL 468 Human Genetics
- BIOL 475 Neurobiology
- CHEM 312 Inorganic Chemistry
- CHEM 452 Environmental Chemistry
- CHEM 503 Advanced Organic Chemistry
- CHEM 523 Organic Total Synthesis
- CHEM 526 Organotransition Metal Chemistry
- CHEM 528 Polymer Chemistry
- CHEM 540 Molecular Visualization and Sim Methods
- CHEM 544 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
- CHEM 547 Reaction Mechanisms
- CHEM 549 Single Crystal X-ray Crystallography
- CHEM 563 Advanced Main Group Chemistry
- CHEM 565 Advanced Instrumental Analysis
- CHEM 566 Mass Spectrometry Instrumental Analysis
- CHEM 567 Statistical Thermodynamics
- CHEM 590 Green Chemistry
- CHEM 598 Special Topics
- MATH 215 Calculus lll
- MATH 310 Linear Algebra
- MATH 314 Differential Equations
- MATH 335 Biostatistics Il
Learning Outcomes
- Achieve a Strong Theoretical Foundation in Chemistry - Students will acquire a deep understanding of the core concepts of Organic, Biochemistry, Inorganic, Physical and Analytical Chemistry, preparing them for diverse applications of chemistry in academia, industry, and professional fields. This understanding will be supported through learning the basics of related scientific disciplines, including biology, physics and mathematics.
- Develop Proficiency in Practical Laboratory Skills in Chemistry and Biochemistry - Students will develop and demonstrate practical laboratory skills, including experimental design, data analysis, and safe laboratory practices, essential for careers in research and industry.
- Learn and Apply the Scientific Method to Analyze Data 鈥� Students will be able to apply the scientific method introduced early in the curriculum to analyze chemistry and biochemistry experimental data both in the classroom setting as well as in the research laboratory setting. They will understand the role of integrity and ethics in science.
- Communicate Scientific Outcomes Effectively Through Oral and Written Methods 鈥� Students will acquire the skills to be able to effectively disseminate their biochemistry experimental results or those from the biochemistry literature, both through oral presentations and written documents.
- Apply Chemical Knowledge to Solving Original Research Problems 鈥� Students will be able to apply their acquired chemistry knowledge to solve original research problems, culminating in the capstone laboratory project and for some the writing of a research thesis in chemistry.
Accreditation
ASBMB accreditation recognizes excellence in biochemistry and molecular biology education, ensuring our programs meet the highest national standards for quality, innovation and student achievement. It also strengthens our competitiveness in attracting top students, faculty and institutional support.
