Requirements

Requirements for the Major:

Cells, Physiology and Development & Lab - BIO 150 & 151 (4,1)	Chemistry I: General Chemistry - CHM 111 (5) OR Advanced General Chemistry – CHM 118 (5)*
*Cell Biology & Lab -* BIO 202 & 203 (4,1)	Chemistry II and III: Organic Chemistry-CHM 222 and 223 (5,5)
*Genes and Genomes & Lab -* BIO 230 & 231 (4,1)	*Chem IV: Bonding, Structure, and Energetics -* CHM 224 (5)
ONE PHYSIOLOGY COURSE FROM: *Plant Physiology & Lab -* BIO 312 & 313 (4,1) *Microbiology & Lab -* BIO 204 & 205 (3,2) *Animal Physiology & Lab -* BIO 200 & 201 (4,1)	ONE PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY COURSE FROM: Physical Chemistry II - CHM 332 (5) *Physical Chemistry of Biochemical Systems -* CHM 335 (5)
*Biochemistry I: Biochemical Structure and Function & Lab* - BCH 252 & 253 (3,2)	*Biochemistry II: Biochemical Dynamics & Lab* - BCH 352 & 353 (3,2)
ONE ELECTIVE from the following: *Topics in Biochemistry* (BCH 380); *Molecular Biology of Eukaryotes* (BIO 332); *Immunology* (BIO 306); *Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience* (BIO 310); *Bio-Organic Chemistry* (CHM 328); *Bio-NMR Spectroscopy and Imaging* (CHM 338); *Instrumental Methods of Analysis* (CHM 347); *Pharmacology and Drug Design* (CHM 357); *Bioinorganic Chemistry* (CHM 369)

*Students who take CHM 118 are not required to take CHM 224. The S/U grading option is not allowed for courses counting toward the biochemistry major. Those planning graduate study in biochemistry are advised to also include a year of calculus and a year of physics in their program of study.Students are encouraged to take the optional research courses, Special Studies in Biochemistry, BCH 400a (1-5 credits), 400b (1-5 credits) or 400d (2-10 credits) and/or Honors in Biochemistry, BCH 430d (8 credits) or 432d (12 credits) as described below:

Honors in Biochemistry

Honors Director: Elizabeth Jamieson 430d Thesis - 8 credits, Full-year course; Offered each year 432d Thesis - 12 credits, Full-year course; Offered each year Requirements: Same as for the major, with the addition of a research project in the senior year culminating in a written thesis, an oral examination in biochemistry, and an oral presentation of the honors research. In order to enter the Honors Program, a student must have a GPA of 3.3 in the major and GPA outside of the major of 3.0. Students may apply no earlier than the end of the second semester junior year and no later than the beginning of first semester senior year. Application forms are available on the Class Dean’s website (www.smith.edu/classdeans/guidelines.php) and should be submitted to the Biochemistry Honors Director for approval by the Program Committee. Evaluation: The final honors designation (Highest Honors, High Honors, Honors, Pass, or Fail) will be based upon evaluation of the written thesis (50%), honors examination (20%), and the GPA in the major (30%).

Summer Science Research

We also encourage you to participate in the Summer Science Research Program with biochemistry faculty, giving you the opportunity to work full-time in a laboratory for 10 weeks.

Possible class schedules for a Biochemistry major.

Last update: 04/8/08

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