This information is part of the .
Major Requirements
The major program consists of the following requirements:
All of the Following
- BIOL 182聽-聽Molecules, Cells, and Genes and BIOL 182L聽(usually taken by the sophomore year)
- BIOL 361聽-聽Biochemistry of Gene Expression (certain 300- or 400-level BIOL courses may be substituted with approval from chemistry department chair)
- CHEM 101聽-聽General Chemistry I and CHEM 101L聽(usually completed in the first year)
- CHEM 102聽-聽General Chemistry II and CHEM 102L聽(usually completed in the first year)
- CHEM 263聽-聽Organic Chemistry I and CHEM 263L聽(usually completed in the sophomore year)
- CHEM 264聽-聽Organic Chemistry II and CHEM 264L聽(usually completed in the sophomore year)
- CHEM 336聽-聽Physical Chem-Life Sciences (in rare cases,聽CHEM 333聽 or CHEM 334聽may be substituted聽with department chair approval)
- CHEM 353聽-聽Proteins and Nucleic Acids
- CHEM 385聽-聽Biophysical Chemistry Methods
- CHEM 481聽-聽Advanced Chemistry Research (research conducted by biochemistry majors while participating in 51风流's聽Bethesda Biomedical Research in the fall of their senior year fulfills this requirement.)
-
CHEM 482聽-聽Advanced Chemistry Research
聽(usually completed in the spring of senior year)
聽Note:聽CHEM 111/CHEM 111L, a one-term聽course designed for the well-prepared student, may be substituted for CHEM 101/CHEM 101L聽听补苍诲 CHEM 102/CHEM 102L听补苍诲 facilitates an early entry into CHEM 212/CHEM 212L聽
Chemistry Electives
Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of BCEL in the course offerings.
One of the following:
- CHEM 212聽-聽Inorganic Chemistry and CHEM 212L聽
- CHEM 214聽-聽Inorganic Chemistry
- CHEM 371聽-聽Instrumental Methods
Integrated Laboratory Course
Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of BCIL in the course offerings.
At least one of the following CHEM 380-series integrated laboratory courses:
- CHEM 381聽-聽Practical Quantitative Analysis
- CHEM 382聽-聽Molecular Spectroscopy
- CHEM 384聽-聽Molecular Dynamics
- CHEM 387聽-聽Special Topics: Structure and Analysis
Half-Semester Courses
Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of BCHS in the course offerings.
At least one course credit from the half-semester courses:
- CHEM 452聽-聽Metabolic Chemistry
- CHEM 454聽-聽Bioenergetics
- CHEM 456聽-聽Bioinorganic Chemistry
- CHEM 458聽-聽Bioorganic Chemistry
- CHEM 468聽-聽Medicinal Chemistry
Note
Independent Studies (CHEM 291, CHEM 391, and聽CHEM 491) may not normally be substituted for one of the courses listed in the above requirements, but if it can be demonstrated that such a course provides sufficient breadth at the advanced level, the department will consider a petition for substitution.
Additional Requirements
Calculus Course Option
At least one course from the following:
- MATH 162聽-聽Calculus II
-
MATH 163聽-聽Calculus III
聽MATH 161聽is the recommended starting point for students with minimal secondary school calculus experience. - MATH 214聽-聽Linear Algebra
Physics Sequence
One course in Classical Mechanics and one course in Electricty and Magnetism聽(usually taken by聽the sophomore year):
Seminar Series
Junior and senior majors are expected to attend a weekly seminar series at which students, faculty, and guests present topics from the current literature and their own research.
GPA Requirement
An overall GPA of at least 2.00 is required for the chemistry and biology courses (and associated labs) chosen to meet major requirements.
Honors and High Honors
Students interested in pursuing honors can find the additional requirements on the Chemistry听诲别辫补谤迟尘别苍迟听辫补驳别.
Recommendations
Those who wish to major in biochemistry normally take CHEM 101/CHEM 101L听补苍诲 CHEM 102/CHEM 102L听(辞谤 CHEM 111/CHEM 111L) and the necessary math courses in the first year. The standard sophomore courses are CHEM 263/CHEM 263L听补苍诲 CHEM 264/CHEM 264L, plus the year of introductory physics or BIOL 182/BIOL 182L. Typically, juniors will take CHEM 353听补苍诲 CHEM 385聽in the fall or spring semester, and CHEM 336聽in the spring semester. Students can elect to take either CHEM 371/CHEM 381聽in the fall term or CHEM 214听补苍诲 a CHEM 380-series integrated laboratory course CHEM 382, CHEM 384, or CHEM 387聽in the junior year. Seniors take CHEM 481, CHEM 482聽along with one course credit from CHEM 452, CHEM 454, CHEM 456, CHEM 458, or CHEM 468.
Chemistry Department
For more information about the department, including Faculty,聽transfer credit, awards, etc.,聽please visit the聽Chemistry department听肠补迟补濒辞驳听辫补驳别.