Program Description
Are you interested in biological processes such as cell development, growth and heredity? Then take a seat at one of CMU’s lab benches, with a major in biochemistry. You’ll study the chemistry of living systems in pharmaceutical, diagnostic, agricultural and environmental products that are manufactured or used by biological molecules such as DNA and proteins. Biochemistry faculty at CMU prepare professionals who are able to excel in biotechnology, health professions, pharmaceutical industries and forensics, as well as in the traditional yet exciting roles of chemistry and biology.
Points of Pride
- Use your skills of discovery to make life better. CMU is a Carnegie-classified doctoral research institution. Its faculty and students – including undergrads – work elbow-to-elbow to change lives by researching cancer vaccines and better treatment for Huntington's, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
- CMU’s $95 million Biosciences Building is the largest capital project ever in the university’s 120-plus year history. The four-story, 169,000-square-foot building, opening for classes in January 2017, will dramatically advance the university’s instructional learning and scientific research space.
Put Your Degree to Work
Biochemistry graduates have a variety of career options, including work as an agricultural chemist, biochemist, college or university professor, environmental chemist, high school teacher, materials scientist or toxicologist. Employment of biochemists is projected to grow 19 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations. More biochemists will be needed to develop biological products and processes that improve our lives.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics sample data
| Job | Median Pay | Job Growth through 2022 |
|---|
| Chemist | $73,060 per year | 6% (5,400 more jobs) |
| Environmental scientist | $63,570 per year | 15% (13,200 more jobs) |
| Postsecondary teacher | $68,970 per year | 19% (236,400 more jobs) |
Program Overview
The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires. For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards.
(Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.)
Biochemistry Major
Total: 69-71 semester hours
Note: A minor in Chemistry is not allowed with a Biochemistry major.
Core Courses II
(21 hours)
CHM 211QR
Quantitative Analysis
4
Analysis and interpretation of quantitative chemical information from volumetric, electrochemical, spectroscopic, and chromatographic techniques. This course may be offered in an online/hybrid format. Prerequisite: CHM 132 or 161. Recommended: MTH 107. Quantitative Reasoning.
CHM 345
Organic Chemistry I
3
Overview of common organic reactions. Reactions of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and alkyl halides, Ultraviolet/Visible, Infrared, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry. Prerequisite: CHM 132 or 161.
CHM 346
Organic Chemistry II
3
Continuation of CHM 345. Overview of common organic reactions of aromatic compounds, alcohols, carbonyl compounds, and amines. Prerequisite: CHM 345.
CHM 349
Organic Chemistry Laboratory
2
Laboratory techniques in organic chemistry; methods of synthesis, separation, purification, structure determination - spectroscopic methods; utilization of electronic database (Scifinder) searching techniques. Prerequisite: CHM 345. Pre/Co-requisite: CHM 346.
CHM 521
Fundamentals of Biochemistry
3
Structure, function, and metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. Prerequisites: CHM 346.
CHM 522
Intermediate Biochemistry
3
Continuation of CHM 521. Material covered will include in-depth exploration of metabolism of biomacromolecules and biochemical processes requiring their use. Prerequisites: CHM 521.
CHM 527
Biochemistry Laboratory
1
Isolation, characterization, and analysis of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, and nucleic acids using chromatographic, electrophoretic, and spectroscopic techniques. Prerequisite: CHM 211, CHM 349. Pre/Co-Requisite: CHM 425 or CHM 521.
CHM 528
Bioanalytical Techniques Laboratory
2
Laboratory analysis of biochemical materials using volumetric, electroanalytical, spectroscopic, and chromatographic techniques. Prerequisites: CHM 425 or 521, Pre/Co-Requisite: CHM 527.
Core Courses I
(5-8 hours)
Select one of the following options:
MR2A-BIOCHEM
Option A
(8 hours)
MR2B-BIOCHEM
Option B
(5 hours)
Core Courses III
(3-4 hours)
Select one of the following:
Laboratory experience emphasizing the theory and practice of techniques used in basic cell and molecular biology research and their applications in biotechnology. May be offered as Writing Intensive. Prerequisites: BIO 212, 213 both with a grade of C- or better; or BIO 211 with a grade of C- or better and a signed major in Biochemistry; or BIO 324 or 326; CHM 132.
BIO 524
Molecular Biology
3
Molecular nature of genes and recombinant DNA techniques, explored through the analysis of experimental data. Prerequisites: BIO 326, CHM 346; or graduate standing. Recommended: CHM 521, 522.
Core Courses IV
(3-6 hours)
Select one of the following options:
MR4A-BIOCHEM
Option A
(3 hours)
MR4B-BIOCHEM
Option B
(6 hours)
Core Courses V
(3 hours)
Select one of the following courses:
BIO 403
Undergraduate Research
3-4
Research experience for biology majors with 20 hours in biology and a B average. Requires planning with an advisor the semester prior to enrollment. Prerequisites: Permission of department chairperson; 20 credit hours of BIO courses completed with a B average.
CHM 491WI
Undergraduate Research
1-3
Culminating experience for chemistry/biochemistry majors: Research; capstone thesis. Development of critical thinking, laboratory skills, instrumentation competence, scientific reasoning and communication skills. Writing Intensive. Prerequisites: 8 credits of chemistry courses and permission of instructor.
Required Courses I
(15 hours)
BIO 110
Concepts of Biology
4
Fundamental concepts of biology including the chemical basis of life, cell structure and function, molecular and transmission genetics, evolution and ecology. May be applied towards fulfilling the requirements of any Biology major or minor. Students may only earn credit in one of the following: BIO 101, BIO 105, or BIO 110. Satisfies University Program Group II laboratory requirement. Recommended: High school chemistry or CHM 120 and 127 or 131 or 161. (University Program Group II-A: Descriptive Sciences)
The biology of microorganisms: bacteria, archaea, viruses, fungi, algae, and protozoa. Prerequisite: BIO 110.
Limits, continuity, interpretations of the derivative, differentiation of elementary functions, applications of derivatives, antiderivatives, Riemann sums, definite integrals, fundamental theorem of calculus. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. Recommended: MTH 107, 109; or MTH 130. (University Program Group II-B: Quantitative and Mathematical Sciences)
Techniques of integration, applications of definite integrals, improper integrals, elementary differential equations, infinite series, Taylor series, and polar coordinates. Prerequisite: MTH 132.
Required Courses II
(3-4 hours)
Select one of the following courses:
Cellular structure and function, including biological molecules, membranes, signaling, bioenergetics and metabolism, the cell cycle, information flow, and other cellular processes. Prerequisites: BIO 110, 208; One of: CHM 120, 127, 342 or CHM 131, 132 or CHM 161.
The principles of heredity dealing with the location, transmission, structure and function of genes and the results of modern genetic techniques. Prerequisites: BIO 208; One of BIO 101, 105, 110.
Required Courses III
(10 hours)
Select one of the following options:
OR8A-BIOCHEM
Option A
(10 hours)
OR8B-BIOCHEM
Option B
(10 hours)
Electives
(0-6 hours)
Sufficient 300 or greater CHM or BIO level courses to meet the required 69 credit hours, selected in consultation with program advisor. If both BIO 324 and BIO 326 are taken, only one may be used as an elective. For students anticipating applying to medical/dental/veterinary programs, BIO 337 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy and BIO 392 Mammalian Physiology are recommended as electives.
