B.S. in Biochemistry

Major

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in either BCHM or BCHN requires 23 total credits of BMB courses: 17 credits of required BMB courses plus six credits of elective BMB courses. At least two elective BMB credits must come from a BMB lab course, either BMB 145, BMB 245, BMB 402, or BMB 545. To satisfy the College of Arts and Sciences writing requirement in the discipline, BMB majors must complete for writing credit (W) either BMB 507, BMB 511, or BMB 545. For all students, a grade of C or better must be earned in each BMB course. For current UM students to declare either major or minor in BMB, a UM cumulative grade point average of 2.9 is required. For transfer students to declare either major or minor in BMB, a grade point average of 3.5 is required. The Department will make its own independent determination on a case-by-case basis concerning the equivalency of courses taken at other universities. The two possible academic tracks, BCHM and BCHN, differ by two required upper level BMB lecture courses.

Curriculum Requirements

¹

Writing credit (W) may be obtained in this course.

²

These courses may be taken more than once for additional credits.

³

To enroll in CHM 121/CHM 113, students must have completed or be co-enrolled in either MTH 140, MTH 141, MTH 161, MTH 171. If math placement is below MTH 140, then students must complete CHM 110. Completion of CHM 110 will qualify students for CHM 121. 

⁴

PRISM students take PHY 211/PHY 106 and PHY 212/PHY 108. Students who struggle with calculus are recommended to take PHY 101/PHY 106 and PHY 102/PHY 108. A more advanced physics course series can be substituted (e.g., PHY 221, PHY 222/PHY 224, and PHY 223/PHY 225).

⁵

PRISM students take MTH 171 and MTH 172. Students may also complete the series MTH 140/MTH 141/MTH162.

⁶

PRISM students take CSC 210.

⁷

Students must complete at least one (1) 200-level course in a foreign language, e.g., SPA 201 (Intermediate I). Typically, students with appropriate high school training in a foreign language can safely begin with SPA 102 (Beginner II), totaling 6 language credits. If no background, then students will complete SPA 101 (Beginner I), SPA 102, and SPA 201, totaling 9 credits. These course numbers pertain to all foreign language courses at UM, e.g., Spanish (SPA), French (FRE), Italian (ITA), German (GER), Chinese (CHI), etc.

⁸

Elective credits (3-6) may include Beginner I and/or II language courses.

Sample Plan of Study

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology - Track 1 (BCHM)

¹

P&S (People & Society) and A&H (Arts and Humanities) Cognate Electives. 

²

BMB 402, BMB 507, BMB 511, and BMB 545 come with writing credit (W).  BMB 545 may be taken for 3-12 credit hours. Variations of the above program are feasible for students entering with advanced standing on the basis of placement tests or transfer credit hours with permission of the biochemistry advisor. 

Sample Plan of Study

Biochemistry and Nutrition - Track 2 (BCHN)

¹

P&S (People & Society) and A&H (Arts and Humanities) Cognate Electives. 

²

BMB 402, BMB 511, and BMB 545 come with writing credit (W).  BMB 545 may be taken for 3-12 credit hours. Variations of the above program are feasible for students entering with advanced standing on the basis of placement tests or transfer credit hours with permission of the biochemistry advisor. 

Student Learning Outcomes

• BMB majors, in both BCHM and BCHN tracks, will demonstrate effective writing skills, especially related to the ability to compose a thorough scientific review article.
• BMB majors, in both BCHM and BCHN tracks, will demonstrate effective critical thinking skills, notably related to the ability to readily analyze, synthesize, and draw valid conclusions from published reports in the field of biochemistry.
• BMB majors, in both BCHM and BCHN tracks, will demonstrate essential skills required to conduct supervised research in the field of biochemistry.