B.A. in Biochemistry, 2021-2022 Catalog
This degree worksheet is intended to help you develop a balanced course schedule while completing your degree within 4 years. The same sequence of courses (with fewer courses each semester) is also recommended for students completing their degree in 5 or 6 years. This worksheet is not intended to replace academic advising with your assigned advisor. Students should consult with their assigned advisor to determine the appropriate sequence of required courses and electives based on their academic goals.
Please note that your Major Specific Requirements (MSRs) are bolded in the document and are also listed as an "MSR" in the notes column. These courses must be completed in order to declare your major. All students must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher in the STEM MSR suite.
Pre-chemistry and pre-biochemistry first-time freshmen must complete CHEM 111A and MATH 119A or higher within one year of matriculation. Some students may need to take courses during Summer Session to meet these requirements. Students who have not met the requirements by the required semester must either declare another major or meet with an Academic Advisor to determine if the student's performance in the courses merits an additional semester to complete.
CSULB Enrollment Services prepares the Academic Requirements Report, which is the official graduation verification.
Year 1 - Semester 1
| Course # | Course Title (Units) | Prerequisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM 111A | General Chemistry (5) | Appropriate Placement, Pre/Corequisite: MATH 112A or 112B or higher, CHEM 95 if needed | MSR |
| MATH 122 (area B4) | Calculus I (4) | Appropriate Placement; MATH 111 and either 112B or 113 | MSR |
| GE (area A2) | Written Communication (3) | MSR | |
| GE (area C,D,E,F) | Other Exploration (3) | ||
| NSCI 190A | Experience Success Program 1 (1) | Fall |
Year 1 - Semester 2
| Course # | Course Title (Units) | Prerequisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM 111B | General Chemistry (5)) | CHEM 111A or 112A; MATH 112B or higher | MSR |
| MATH 123 (area B4) | Calculus II (4) | MATH 122 | MSR |
| GE (area A1) | Oral Communication (3) | MSR | |
| GE (area A3) | Critical Thinking (3) | MSR |
Year 2 - Semester 3
| Course # | Course Title (Units) | Prerequisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM 220A | Organic Chemistry I (3) | MATH 122, CHEM 111B or 112B | |
| BIOL 211 | Intro. to Evolution and Diversity (4) | CHEM 111A or 112A | |
| GE (area C,D,E,F) | Other Exploration (3) | GE (area C, D, and E) | |
| Elective | Approved Elective (3) | ||
| Elective | Elective (3) |
Year 2 - Semester 4
| Course # | Course Title (Units) | Prerequisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM 220B | Organic Chemistry II (3) | CHEM 220A, Corequisite: CHEM 320L | |
| CHEM 320L | Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2) | CHEM 220A, Corequisite: CHEM 220B | |
| BIOL 212 | Intro. to Cell and Molecular Biology (4) | BIOL 211 and either CHEM 111A or 112A, Pre/Corequisite: CHEM 111B or 112B | |
| PHYS 151 OR PHYS 100A | Mechanics and Heat (4); OR General Physics (4) | MATH 122, 123, or 224; OR MATH 109, 111, 112A, 113, 119A, or 122 | |
| CHEM 241 | Explorations in Biochemistry (2) | BIOL 212, Pre/Corequisite: CHEM 220A |
Year 3 - Semester 5
| Course # | Course Title (Units) | Prerequisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM 441A | Biological Chemistry (3) | BIOL 212, CHEM 220B and 320L | |
| PHYS 152; OR PHYS 100B | Electricity and Magnetism (4); OR General Physics (4) | PHYS 151, Pre/Corequisite: MATH 123; OR PHYS 100A | |
| BIOL 340 | Molecular Cell Biology (3) | BIOL 211 and 212 | |
| GE (area C,D,E,F) | Other Exploration (3) | GE (area C, D, and E) | |
| GE Upper Division (area B-UD, C-UD, D-UD) | Upper Division (3) | GE Foundation |
Year 3 - Semester 6
| Course # | Course Title (Units) | Prerequisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM 379 | Physical Chemistry for the Biosciences (4) | CHEM 111B or 112B, and 220A, MATH 119B or 123, PHYS 100B or 152 | |
| CHEM 441B | Biological Chemistry (3) | CHEM 441A | |
| CHEM 361; OR NSCI 361 | Chemical Communications (3); OR Scientific Research Communication (3) | GE Foundation, Pre/Corequisite: CHEM 220A, GWAR score of 11 or higher; OR GE Foundation, GWAR score of 11 or higher | CHEM 361: GE AREA B-UD |
| GE (area C,D,E,F) | Other Exploration (3) | GE (area C, D, and E) | |
| GE (area C,D,E,F) | Other Exploration (3) | GE (area C, D, and E) |
Year 4 - Semester 7
| Course # | Course Title (Units) | Prerequisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM 442 | Methods in Biochemistry (2) | CHEM 441A and 361 | |
| Elective | Approved Elective (3) | ||
| Elective | Elective (3) | ||
| GE (area C,D,E,F) | Other Exploration (3) | GE (area C, D, and E) | |
| GE Upper Division (area B-UD, C-UD, D-UD) | Upper Division (3) | GE Foundation |
Year 4 - Semester 8
| Course # | Course Title (Units) | Prerequisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM 461 | Chemistry Capstone (1) | Take in final semester, file to graduate to get permit | |
| Elective | Approved Elective (3) | ||
| GE (area C,D,E,F) | Other Exploration (3) | GE (area C, D, and E) | |
| Elective | Elective (3) | ||
| Elective | Elective (3) |
