Biochemistry, B.S.

Mission

The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry is to train and mentor students to become skilled scientists who will glorify God and be good stewards of His creation as they serve others in research, health care, academia, and industry.

Degree Program

A Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry is offered upon completion of the University baccalaureate and major requirements. Biochemistry is the study of the chemistry of living systems; thus this interdisciplinary program requires upper-division course work both in biology and chemistry. The Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry offers two concentrations. The premedical concentration is designed especially for those students planning a career in health professions and the requirements for schools of medicine, pharmacy, dentistry and medical technology can be met within this major. The General Biochemistry concentration prepares one for graduate school and careers in a variety of bioscience programs. Biochemistry majors have excellent opportunities for employment in biotechnical, pharmaceutical and environmental businesses and governmental agencies. 

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the foundational principles of biochemistry (ULO 1).
  2. Demonstrate an ability to solve quantitative, mechanistic, and technical problems related to biochemistry (ULO 1).
  3. Demonstrate safe laboratory technique, proper use of appropriate equipment, and suitable results and data analysis (ULO 1).
  4. Obtain and use appropriate biochemical literature and resource materials (ULO 1).
  5. Summarize the key issues in science and faith and recognize the harmony possible while studying God's creation (ULO 1, 2, and 3).

Each Program Learning Outcome (PLO) listed above references at least one of the University Learning Outcomes (ULO 1, 2, 3), which may be found in the General Information section of this catalog.

GPA Requirements

To continue in the program a student is required to have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in their first year of chemistry, physics and/or math courses taken at Biola. Depending on the major, these courses may include: CHEM 105, CHEM 106, CHEM 115, CHEM 116, CHEM 301CHEM 302, CHEM 311, and CHEM 312.

Curriculum Requirements

Integration Seminar Requirement

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry degree program are required to take BBST 4653 Integration Seminar: Christianity and the Natural Sciences, or another approved Integration Seminar topic (see advisor).

Biochemistry majors meet the Core Curriculum requirement of 9 credits in integration seminar, science, and mathematics within the major. The foreign language requirement is met by two years of high school study in the same language or four credits of college foreign language.
Program Courses
Required lower-division courses (25-28 credits) include:
BIOS 111
BIOS 113
Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Biology
and Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory
4
CHEM 107Introduction to Chemistry 13
CHEM 105
CHEM 115
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab
4
CHEM 106
CHEM 116
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Lab
4
MATH 150Calculus I4
PHSC 124Data Analysis and Presentation1
Select one of the following two options:8
Option 1:
Physics I
and Physics I Laboratory 2
Physics I with Foundations
and Physics I Laboratory
Physics II
and Physics II Laboratory
Option 2:
General Physics I: Mechanics and Heat
and General Physics I Laboratory
General Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism
and General Physics II Laboratory
Required upper-division courses (36 credits) include:
BIOS 312Cell and Molecular Biology3
BIOS 332
BIOS 334
Genetics
and Laboratory in Genetics
4
CHEM 301
CHEM 311
Organic Chemistry I
and Laboratory in Organic Chemistry I
4
CHEM 302
CHEM 312
Organic Chemistry II
and Laboratory in Organic Chemistry II
4
CHEM 350
CHEM 351
Analytical Chemistry
and Analytical Chemistry Lab
4
CHEM 380Introduction to Physical Chemistry3
or CHEM 402 Physical Chemistry I
CHEM 410Instrumental Analysis2
CHEM 411General Biochemistry I3
CHEM 412General Biochemistry II3
CHEM 413Laboratory in General Biochemistry2
PHSC 460Capstone Seminar1
BBST 4653Integration Seminar: Christianity and the Natural Sciences 33
Select 9 credits of electives from the following: 4,59
Fundamentals of Organismal Biology
and Fundamentals of Organismal Biology Laboratory
Physiology
Microbiology
Neurobiology
Laboratory in Cell and Molecular Biology
Developmental Biology
Immunology
Environmental Chemistry
Fundamentals of Material Science
Inorganic Chemistry
Physical Chemistry II
Physical Chemistry Lab
Special Topics in Chemistry
Seminar in Advanced Chemistry and Biochemistry
Internship
Directed Research
Calculus II
Biostatistics
General Physics III: Waves, Optics and Modern Physics
Computer Techniques in Science and Engineering
Program Course Requirements: 70-73 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 654-58
Total Credits124-131
1

CHEM 107 is waived for students who meet the qualifications to enter CHEM 105. See the current Placement Options for CHEM 105 for more information.

2

All students who do not meet one of the Physics 111 Placement Options must enroll in PHSC 100.

3

Fulfills the BBST 465 Biblical and Theological Studies Integration Seminar requirement.

4

3 credits must be upper-division.

5

The following courses do not count as major electives: BIOS 100, BIOS 105, BIOS 130.

6

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

Concentration

Pre-Medical Studies

Biochemistry majors with a concentration in Pre-Medical Studies meet the Core Curriculum requirement of 12 credits in integration seminar, science, mathematics, and behavioral science within the major. The foreign language requirement is met by two years of high school study in the same language or four credits of college foreign language.
Program Courses
Required lower-division courses (32-35 credits) include:
BIOS 111
BIOS 113
Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Biology
and Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory
4
BIOS 112
BIOS 114
Fundamentals of Organismal Biology
and Fundamentals of Organismal Biology Laboratory
4
CHEM 107Introduction to Chemistry 13
CHEM 105
CHEM 115
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab
4
CHEM 106
CHEM 116
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Lab
4
MATH 150Calculus I4
PHSC 124Data Analysis and Presentation1
PSYC 200Introduction to Psychology (waived for Torrey Honors students) 23
Select one of the following two options:8
Option 1:
Physics I
and Physics I Laboratory 3
Physics I with Foundations
and Physics I Laboratory
Physics II
and Physics II Laboratory
Option 2:
General Physics I: Mechanics and Heat
and General Physics I Laboratory
General Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism
and General Physics II Laboratory
Required upper-division courses (38 credits) include:
BIOS 312Cell and Molecular Biology3
BIOS 322Laboratory in Cell and Molecular Biology1
BIOS 332
BIOS 334
Genetics
and Laboratory in Genetics
4
BIOS 381Advanced Physiology4
CHEM 301
CHEM 311
Organic Chemistry I
and Laboratory in Organic Chemistry I
4
CHEM 302
CHEM 312
Organic Chemistry II
and Laboratory in Organic Chemistry II
4
CHEM 350
CHEM 351
Analytical Chemistry
and Analytical Chemistry Lab
4
CHEM 410Instrumental Analysis2
CHEM 411General Biochemistry I3
CHEM 412General Biochemistry II3
CHEM 413Laboratory in General Biochemistry2
PHSC 460Capstone Seminar1
BBST 4653Integration Seminar: Christianity and the Natural Sciences 43
Select 5 credits of electives from the following: 55
Human Anatomy
Microbiology
Neurobiology
Nutrition and Metabolism
Nutrition and Metabolism Lab
Advanced Microbiology
Developmental Biology
Immunology
General Virology
Environmental Chemistry
Fundamentals of Material Science
Inorganic Chemistry
Introduction to Physical Chemistry
Introduction to Food Chemistry
Physical Chemistry I
Physical Chemistry II
Physical Chemistry Lab
Special Topics in Chemistry
Seminar in Advanced Chemistry and Biochemistry
Internship
Directed Research
Calculus II
Biostatistics
Computer Techniques in Science and Engineering
Circuits and Instrumentation I
Special Topics in Physical Science
Program Course Requirements: 75-78 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 651-55
Total Credits126-133
1

CHEM 107 is waived for students who meet the qualifications to enter CHEM 105. See the current Placement Options for CHEM 105 for more information.

2

Fulfills the Behavioral Science Core Curriculum requirement.

3

All students who do not meet one of the Physics 111 Placement Options must enroll in PHSC 100.

4

Fulfills the BBST 465 Biblical and Theological Studies Integration Seminar requirement.

5

3 credits must be upper-division.

6

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

NOTE: The course sequence table is designed by the major department and is one way that the classes will work out properly in sequence for your major. However, there are alternative or flexible ways to rotate some of the classes within the same year/level and sometimes between year levels. Please contact your major department advisor to discuss flexible alternatives in scheduling the sequence of your classes.

Taking coursework during the summer session may also be an option to accelerate your degree path.

See Core Curriculum Program section for a list of approved Core Curriculum courses.

Biochemistry, B.S. (BCHM)

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 103 or 1653BBST 103 or 1653
CHEM 105
CHEM 115 (or CHEM 107 if needed per Department)
4BIOS 111
BIOS 113
4
ENGL 100 or 1123CHEM 106
CHEM 116
4
GNST 1021HIST 200, 201, or POSC 2253
MATH 1504KNES 1071
PHSC 1241 
 16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 209 or 2103BBST 209 or 2103
CHEM 301
CHEM 311
4BBST 2513
PHSC 111
PHSC 117 (or PHSC 132 & 134)
4CHEM 302
CHEM 312
4
Fine Arts (see Core Curriculum)3PHSC 112
PHSC 118 (or PHSC 233 & 237)
4
 14 14
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 3653BBST 3543
BIOS 3123CHEM 4123
CHEM 380 or 4023CHEM 4132
CHEM 4113CHEM, BIOS, MATH, or PHSC Elective (upper-division; see catalog for list)3
CHEM, BIOS, MATH, or PHSC Elective (see catalog for list)3ENGL 3133
Literature (see Core Curriculum)3Behavioral Science (see Core Curriculum)3
Writing Competency RequirementGraduation Application due in Registrar's Office
 18 17
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 300/400 Bible Elective3BBST 300/400 Bible Elective3
BIOS 332
BIOS 334
4BBST 4653 (fulfills BBST 465 Integration Seminar requirement)3
CHEM 350
CHEM 351
4CHEM 4102
Communication (see Core Curriculum)3CHEM, BIOS, MATH, or PHSC Elective (see catalog for list)3
KNES Activity (see Core Curriculum)1PHSC 4601
 Philosophy (see Core Curriculum)3
 15 15
Total Credits 124

Note: If you have taken 2 years of the same language in high school, you have fulfilled your foreign language requirement. Otherwise, contact the Modern Language Department for placement test instructions. 

Biochemistry, B.S. Pre-Medical Studies (BCPM)

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 103 or 1653BBST 103 or 1653
CHEM 105
CHEM 115 (or CHEM 107 if needed per Department)
4BIOS 111
BIOS 113
4
ENGL 100 or 1123CHEM 106
CHEM 116
4
GNST 1021KNES 1071
MATH 1504PSYC 200 (fulfills Behavioral Science Core Curriculum requirement)3
PHSC 1241 
 16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 209 or 2103BBST 209 or 2103
BIOS 112
BIOS 114
4BBST 2513
CHEM 301
CHEM 311
4CHEM 302
CHEM 312
4
HIST 200, 201, or POSC 2253PHSC 112
PHSC 118 (or PHSC 233 & 237)
4
PHSC 111
PHSC 117 (or PHSC 132 & 134)
4Fine Arts (see Core Curriculum)3
 18 17
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 3653BBST 3543
BIOS 3123BIOS 3814
BIOS 3221CHEM 4123
CHEM 4113CHEM 4132
CHEM, BIOS, MATH, or PHSC Elective (upper-division; see catalog for list)3ENGL 3133
KNES Activity (see Core Curriculum)1Graduation Application due in Registrar's Office
Literature (see Core Curriculum)3 
Writing Competency Requirement 
 17 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 300/400 Bible Elective3BBST 300/400 Bible Elective3
BIOS 3323BBST 4653 (fulfills BBST 465 Integration Seminar requirement)3
BIOS 3341CHEM 4102
CHEM 350
CHEM 351
4CHEM, BIOS, MATH, or PHSC Elective (see catalog for list)2
Communication (see Core Curriculum)3PHSC 4601
 Philosophy (see Core Curriculum)3
 14 14
Total Credits 126

Note: If you have taken 2 years of the same language in high school, you have fulfilled your foreign language requirement. Otherwise, contact the Modern Language Department for placement test instructions.  

NOTE: The course sequence table is designed by the major department and is one way that the classes will work out properly in sequence for your major. However, there are alternative or flexible ways to rotate some of the classes within the same year/level and sometimes between year levels. Please contact your major department advisor to discuss flexible alternatives in scheduling the sequence of your classes.

Taking coursework during the summer session may also be an option to accelerate your degree path.

See Core Curriculum Program section for a list of approved Core Curriculum courses.

Biochemistry, B.S. (BCHM)

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 1014HNRS 1054
HNRS 1024HNRS 1064
CHEM 105
CHEM 115 (or CHEM 107 if needed per Department)
4BIOS 111
BIOS 113
4
GNST 1021CHEM 106
CHEM 116
4
MATH 1504KNES 1071
PHSC 1241 
 18 17
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 2104HNRS 2304
HNRS 2154HNRS 2314
CHEM 301
CHEM 311
4CHEM 302
CHEM 312
4
PHSC 111
PHSC 117 (or PHSC 132 & PHSC 134)
4PHSC 112
PHSC 118 (or PHSC 233 & PHSC 237)
4
 16 16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 3244HNRS 3374
HNRS 3262HNRS 3392
BIOS 3123CHEM 4123
CHEM 380 or 4023CHEM 4132
CHEM 4113Major Elective (upper-division)3
 ENGL 3133
 15 17
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 4434HNRS 4584
BIOS 332
BIOS 334
4BBST 4653 (fulfills BBST 465 Integration Seminar requirement)3
CHEM 350
CHEM 351
4CHEM 4102
Major Elective3PHSC 4601
KNES Activity (see Core Curriculum)1Major Elective3
 16 13
Total Credits 128

Note: If you have taken 2 years of the same language in high school, you have fulfilled your foreign language requirement. Otherwise, contact the Modern Language Department for placement test instructions. 

Biochemistry, B.S. Pre-Medical Studies (BCPM)

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 1014HNRS 1054
HNRS 1024HNRS 1064
CHEM 105
CHEM 115 (or CHEM 107 if needed per Department)
4BIOS 111
BIOS 113
4
GNST 1021CHEM 106
CHEM 116
4
MATH 1504KNES 1071
PHSC 1241 
 18 17
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 2104HNRS 2304
HNRS 2154HNRS 2314
CHEM 301
CHEM 311
4CHEM 302
CHEM 312
4
PHSC 111
PHSC 117 (or PHSC 132 & PHSC 134)
4PHSC 112
PHSC 118 (or PHSC 233 & PHSC 237)
4
KNES Activity (see Core Curriculum)1 
 17 16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 3244HNRS 3374
HNRS 3262HNRS 3392
BIOS 112
BIOS 114
4BIOS 3814
BIOS 3123CHEM 4123
CHEM 4113CHEM 4132
 ENGL 3133
 16 18
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 4434HNRS 4584
BIOS 3221BBST 4653 (fulfills BBST 465 Integration Seminar requirement)3
BIOS 332
BIOS 334
4CHEM 4102
CHEM 350
CHEM 351
4PHSC 4601
 Major Elective2
 Major Elective (upper-division)3
 13 15
Total Credits 130

Note: If you have taken 2 years of the same language in high school, you have fulfilled your foreign language requirement. Otherwise, contact the Modern Language Department for placement test instructions.