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DEDMAN COLLEGE
BIOCHEMISTRY
Professor Steven Vik, Director
The Biochemistry Program at SMU offers courses leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry. This program reflects the interdisciplinary nature of modern biochemistry and includes courses in physics, mathematics, chemistry and biology. Undergraduate research is also highly recommended. These courses will prepare students for graduate study leading to a Ph.D. degree, for entrance to professional schools such as medicine, or for the chemical or biotechnology industry.
The program at SMU includes a core of required courses but allows some flexibility in the choice of additional upper-division courses. Note that there are two options for choosing the additional courses. Option 1 has been certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS) for professional training in biochemistry. Option 2 allows a stronger emphasis on biology, but does not qualify a student for ACS certification. Students planning to attend graduate school are advised to take at least three credits of Undergraduate Research (BIOL 3398, 4398 or CHEM 4397).
Core Courses (57 credits)
Chemistry (25 credits):
- CHEM 1303, 1304; 1113, 1114 General Chemistry
- CHEM 3351 Quantitative Analysis
- CHEM 3371, 3372; 3117, 3118 Organic Chemistry
- CHEM 5383, 5384 Physical Chemistry
Biological Sciences (11 credits):
- BIOL 1401, 1402 Introductory Biology
- BIOL 3304 Genetics
Biochemistry (4 credits):
- BIOL/CHEM 5310 Biological Chemistry: Macromolecular Structure and Function
- BIOL/CHEM 5110 Biological Chemistry: Laboratory
Mathematics (9 credits):
-
MATH 1337, 1338, 2339 Calculus
Physics (8 credits):
-
PHYS 1105, 1106, 1303/1307, 1304/1308 General Physics
Additional Courses (choose either Option 1 or Option 2)
Option 1 (11 credits)
Required (5 credits):
- CHEM 5185 Laboratory Methods in Physical Chemistry
- CHEM 5192 Inorganic Synthesis Laboratory
- CHEM 5392 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
Electives (choose 6 credits, one of which must be BIOL/CHEM 5311 or BIOL/CHEM 5312):
- BIOL/CHEM 5311 Biological Chemistry: Metabolism
- BIOL/CHEM 5312 Physical Biochemistry
- BIOL 5304 Molecular Biology: Control and Expression of Genetic Information
- CHEM 5397 Biotransformations and Biocatalysis
- CHEM 5398 Medicinal Chemistry
Option 2 (9 credits)
Required (6 credits):
- BIOL 3350 Cell Biology
- BIOL/CHEM 5311 Biological Chemistry: Metabolism
Electives (choose 3 credits):
- BIOL/CHEM 5312 Physical Biochemistry
- BIOL 5304 Molecular Biology: Control and Expression of Genetic Information
The Departmental Distinction Program. A biochemistry major may graduate “with departmental distinction” by successfully completing a special program of study that includes independent reading and research and a senior thesis under the direction of a member of the faculty. The student must submit an application to the biochemistry adviser by the first term of the junior year. At this time the student must have completed at least 22 hours toward the biochemistry degree, with a G.P.A. of at least 3.50 in courses required for the major.
Upon approval from the respective departments, the student must enroll in the following courses: BIOL 4398, 4399 or CHEM 4397. Upon completion of these courses, the student will write a senior thesis and present it orally before a public audience including a faculty committee composed of the student’s research adviser, the biochemistry adviser, and at least one additional faculty member. Upon successful completion of the senior thesis and maintenance of a G.P.A. of at least 3.50 in courses required for the major, the B.S. degree will be awarded with departmental distinction.
