Biochemistry | BS

Questions?

  • Chemistry
    202-885-1750
    Fax: 202-885-1752
    afarran@american.edu
    Beeghly, Room 104

    Farran, Arij B.
    Senior Administrative Assistant

Mailing Address

BS in Biochemistry


Admission to the Program

Formal admission to the major requires a grade point average of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale). The department counsels freshmen and transfer students, as well as declared biochemistry majors. 


University Requirements

  • A total of 120 credit hours 
  • 6 credit hours of college writing 
  • 3 credit hours of college mathematics or the equivalent by examination 

General Education Requirements

  • A total of ten courses, consisting of one foundation course and one second-level course in an approved sequence from each of the five curricular areas 
  • No more than 6 credit hours may be taken in the same discipline 

Major Requirements

  • 74 credit hours with grades of C or better 

Course Requirements

  • BIO-110 General Biology I 5:1 (4) 
  • BIO-210 General Biology II 5:2 (4) 
  • BIO-300 Cell Biology with Laboratory (4) 
  • BIO-356 Genetics with Laboratory (5) 
  • BIO-440 Microbiology with Laboratory (4) 
  • BIO-583 Molecular Biology (3) 
  • CHEM-110 General Chemistry I 5:1 (4) 
  • CHEM-210 General Chemistry II 5:2 (4) 
  • CHEM-310 Organic Chemistry I (3) 
  • CHEM-312 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1) 
  • CHEM-320 Organic Chemistry II (3) 
  • CHEM-322 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (1) 
  • CHEM-410 Biophysical Chemistry (3) 
  • CHEM-460 Instrumental Analysis (3) 
  • CHEM-560 Biochemistry I (3) 
  • CHEM-561 Biochemistry II (3)
  • CHEM-571 Experimental Biological Chemistry I (3)
  • CHEM-572 Experimental Biological Chemistry II (3)
  • MATH-221 Calculus I (4) 
  • MATH-222 Calculus II (4) 
  • PHYS-110 Principles of Physics I 5:1 (4) 
  • PHYS-210 Principles of Physics II 5:2 (4) 

University Honors Program

To graduate with University Honors, students must be admitted to the University Honors Program, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50, and receive grades of B or better in all University Honors course work. There are three levels of University Honors course requirements: Level I (100-200-level); Level II (300-level and above); and Level III (Honors Capstone Project). The department Honors coordinator advises students in the University Honors Program regarding requirements for graduating with University Honors in the major.  For more information, go to the University Honors Program.


Combined BS and MS in Chemistry

Visit the BS/MS Webpage for information on receiving a combined BS in chemistry or biochemistry and an MS in chemistry.