BS in Biochemistry
The BS in Biochemistry is intended for those with an interest in the chemistry of living systems. It is an interdepartmental major for students interests in the chemistry of living systems, and is offered jointly by the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Biology.
Program Requirements and Policies
- Sixteen courses and their accompanying labs are required to complete the major.
- No major course may be taken Pass/Fail.
- If you have more than one major, please see Bulletin for rules on double-counting courses across majors.
- If you have a minor, no more than two course credits used toward the minor may be used toward foundation, distribution, major, or other minor requirements.
- To be eligible for a summa cum laude degree, a student majoring in biochemistry must have completed biology or chemistry research equivalent to Biology 93 or Chemistry 81.
Course Requirements
Chemistry Courses
- Chemistry 1: Chemical Fundamentals w/lab OR Chemistry 11: General Chemistry
- Chemistry 2: Chemical Principles w/lab OR Chemistry 12: General Chemistry
- Chemistry 31: Physical Chemistry I*
- Chemistry 42: Quantitative Analysis OR Chemistry 43: Bioanalytical Chemistry
- Chemistry 51: Organic Chemistry I
- Chemistry 53: Organic Chemistry I Lab
- Chemistry 52: Organic Chemistry II
- Chemistry 54: Organic Chemistry II Lab
- Chemistry 171: Biochemistry I
- Chemistry 172: Biochemistry II
Biology Courses
- Biology 13: Cells and Organisms w/ Lab
- Biology 41: General Genetics
- Biology 50: Experiments in Molecular Biology or Biology 54: Molecular Genetics Project Lab or Chemical & Biological Engineering 163: Recombinant DNA Technology
- Biology 105: Molecular Biology
Other Required Courses
- Math 34: Calculus II*
- Physics 2: Introduction to Physics II w/ Lab or Physics 12: General Physics II w/ Lab
* The Biochemistry major requires Chemistry 31: Physical Chemistry, which has Math 34 and Phys 2 as prerequisites. Thus, the timing for completion of Math 32, Math 34, Phys 1 and Phys 2 (or their equivalents, such as AP credit) is flexible, but must be completed in the first three years.
Suggested Course Sequences for Biochemistry Majors
Chem UL = intermediate or upper-level chemistry course
| Option 1 | ||
| Year | Fall | Spring |
| 1 | Chem 1 or 11 Math 32 |
Chem 2 or 12 Math 34 |
| 2 | Chem 51/53 Bio 13 | Chem 52/54 Chem 171 |
| 3 | Chem 43 Chem 172 Phys 1 or 11 |
Bio 41 Phys 2 or 12 |
| 4 | Chem 31 Bio 50* Bio 105 | |
| Option 2 | ||
| Year | Fall | Spring |
| 1 | Bio 13 Math 32 |
Bio 41 Math 34 |
| 2 | Chem 1 or 11 Bio 50* Phys 1or 11 |
Chem 2 or 12 Phys 2 or 12 |
| 3 | Chem 51/53 Bio 105 | Chem 52/54 Chem 171 |
| 4 | Chem 31 Chem 43 Chem 172 |
|
| Option 3 | ||
| Year | Fall | Spring |
| 1 | Chem 1 or 11 Bio 13 |
Chem 2 or 12 Math 32 |
| 2 | Chem 51/53 Phys 1 or 11 Math 34 |
Chem 52/54 Chem 171 Phys 2 or 12 |
| 3 | Chem 172 Chem 43 (or 42 in Spring) |
Bio 41 |
| 4 | Chem 31 Bio 50* Bio 105 | |
* For seniors graduating after Spring 2022, the Bio50 requirement can be fulfilled with Bio 50, Bio 54, ChBE 163, or a graded independent research course. ChBE 163 is a summer course and it is not offered every summer. To fulfill the Bio 50 requirement, independent research must: 1) include a graded research-for-credit course such as Bio193 and Chem82 (but not Chem81), 2) involve molecular or cellular biology, and 3) be pre-approved. For questions about pre-approval, please email Prof. Kritzer at joshua.kritzer@tufts.edu
* For students graduating on or before Spring 2022, the Bio50 requirement can be fulfilled with additional alternatives. In addition to the options listed above, these students may take Bio49, Bio52, Bio55, Bio133, or Bio143 to fulfill the Bio50 requirement.