Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 University Catalog 
    
2021-2022 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biochemistry, BS


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About the Program

Biochemistry, the chemistry of living things, addresses the basic materials and processes of life itself. Biochemists investigate the chemical nature of such fundamental processes as the regulation of gene expression, the hormonal control of cell proliferation and differentiation. Knowledge of the molecular underpinnings of biological materials allows us to understand life processes and solve basic biological problems.

Students in the Department of Biochemistry, historically situated in the College of Agriculture, enjoy close mentoring by faculty through smaller class sizes and academic advising. Another strength of our program is that we strongly promote hands-on research and critical thinking skills. All students in the department participate in undergraduate research supervised by a faculty member.

There is also an opportunity to complete a five-year dual degree with biological engineering following acceptance into the College of Engineering.

How to apply to Biochemistry in the College of Agriculture

Biochemistry Website

Biochemistry Major Change (CODO) Requirements  

Degree Requirements


120 Credits Required

Departmental/Program Major Courses (49-50 credits)


Biochemistry Selective Courses (21 credits)


  • Humanities or Social Science Selective - Credit Hours: 9.00
  • Science Selective - Credit Hours: 6.00
  • Oral Communication Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00 (satisfies Oral Communication for core)
  • Written Communication Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00 (satisfies Written Communication for core)

Other Departmental/Program Course Requirements (63 credits)


Additional Degree Requirements


Click here for Biochemistry Supplemental Information  

Electives (7-8 credits)


  • Electives - Credit Hours: 7.00-8.00

College of Agriculture & University Level Requirements


Courses Not Applicable in Undergraduate Plans of Study - The following courses are not applicable as credit toward graduation in any College of Agriculture baccalaureate degree program: CHM 10000; ENGL 10000, 10900; ENGR 19100, 19200, 19300; MA 11100, 12300, 13300, 13400, 15100; 15555, PHYS 14900; STAT 11300, 11400; and all General Studies courses except GS 49000 - Discovery Park Undergraduate Research.  Credits earned in one of the following course - MA 15200, 15300, 15400 or MA 15800 - may be used as an unrestricted elective in the College of Agriculture undergraduate plans of study, but may not be used as a Mathematics and Sciences elective.

Pass/Not-Pass Grading Policy -A student classified as a sophomore or higher who has a minimum 2.0 graduation index may elect the pass/not-pass grading option. A maximum of 21 credits of elective courses under the pass/not-pass grading option can be used toward graduation requirements.


University Requirements


University Core Requirements


For a complete listing of University Core Course Selectives, visit the Provost’s Website.
  • Human Cultures: Behavioral/Social Science (BSS)
  • Human Cultures: Humanities (HUM)
  • Information Literacy (IL)
  • Oral Communication (OC)
  • Quantitative Reasoning (QR)
  • Science #1 (SCI)
  • Science #2 (SCI)
  • Science, Technology, and Society (STS)
  • Written Communication (WC)

Civics Literacy Proficiency Requirement:


The Civics Literacy Proficiency activities are designed to develop civic knowledge of Purdue students in an effort to graduate a more informed citizenry.

Students will complete the Proficiency by passing a test of civic knowledge, and completing one of three paths:

  • Attending six approved civics-related events and completing an assessment for each; or
  • Completing 12 podcasts created by the Purdue Center for C-SPAN Scholarship and Engagement that use C-SPAN material and completing an assessment for each; or
  • Earning a passing grade for one of these approved courses (or transferring in approved AP or departmental credit in lieu of taking a course)

For more information visit the Civics Literacy Proficiency website.



Prerequisite Information:


For current pre-requisites for courses, click here.


Program Requirements


17 Credits


Spring 1st Year


14 Credits


15 Credits


16 Credits


14 Credits


Spring 3rd Year


14-15 Credits


Fall 4th Year


  • - Credit Hours: 1.00
  • Bioinformatics Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Economics Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Science Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Humanities or Social Science Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Written or Oral Communication Selective (20000+ level) - Credit Hours: 3.00

16 Credits


Spring 4th Year


13-14 Credits


Notes


  • 2.0 GPA required for Bachelor of Science degree.
  • Consultation with an advisor may result in an altered plan customized for an individual student.

World Language Courses


World Language proficiency requirements vary by program. The following list is inclusive of all world languages PWL offers for credit; for acceptable languages and proficiency levels, see your advisor.

ASL-American Sign Language ARAB-Arabic CHNS-Chinese FR-French
GER-German GREK-Greek (Ancient) HEBR-Hebrew (Biblical) HEBR-Hebrew (modern)
ITAL-Italian JPNS-Japanese KOR-Korean LATN-Latin
PTGS-Portuguese RUSS-Russian SPAN-Spanish  

 

 
 
 

 

 

Critical Course


The ♦ course is considered critical.

In alignment with the Degree Map Guidance for Indiana’s Public Colleges and Universities, published by the Commission for Higher Education (pursuant to HEA 1348-2013), a Critical Course is identified as “one that a student must be able to pass to persist and succeed in a particular major.  Students who want to be nurses, for example, should know that they are expected to be proficient in courses like biology in order to be successful.  These would be identified by the institutions for each degree program”. 

Disclaimer


The student is ultimately responsible for knowing and completing all degree requirements.

The myPurduePlan powered by DegreeWorks is the knowledge source for specific requirements and completion.

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