Discover the Biochemistry Curriculum
Biochemistry at USD is a dynamic mixture of foundational chemistry and biology courses and a unique mixture of advanced specialized biochemistry classes. Biochemistry students experiment in biochemistry and learn about the chemical properties of biological molecules and systems. Majors are well prepared for careers in biochemistry, entry into the top graduate programs across the nation and are ready for medical school and other health professions.
Major
Biochemistry at USD is certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), national organizations that develop and administer guidelines defining high-quality undergraduate programs. Students earning a biochemistry major can become degree-certified by both the ACS and the ASBMB with the appropriate coursework.
Majors have course options in advanced biochemistry, chemistry, biology and physics topics like our new hybrid laboratory course, Molecular Biology Techniques.
Explore Biochemistry Courses
Learn more about what biochemistry has to offer on our Courses page! Not all courses offered below will be available every semester. Make sure to check course offerings on the registration portal for each upcoming semester.
Program Requirements
Each student declares their major(s) and minor(s) under a single catalog of record that is identified on the student's degree audit (available on Degree Works).
The program requirements below are based on the current course catalog and may not be applicable if a student is declared in an earlier catalog.
Find all previous course catalogs under on our Archived Catalogs of Record page.
66.5 units
Major
Major unit estimates include preparation for the major as well as major requirements.
- Major
- Learning Outcomes
Biochemistry BS Major
Preparation for the Major
CHEM 151 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
CHEM 152 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
CHEM 220 | Analytical Chemistry | 3 |
MATH 150 | Calculus I | 4 |
MATH 151 | Calculus II | 4 |
BIOL 240 | Bioenergetics and Systems | 4 |
BIOL 242 | Genomes and Evolution | 4 |
PHYS 270 | Introduction to Mechanics | 4 |
PHYS 271 | Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
Total Units | 35 | |
Major Requirements
BIOL 300 | Genetics | 3 |
CHEM 301 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
CHEM 302 | Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
CHEM 330 | Techniques in Molecular Biology | 3 |
CHEM 311 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
or CHEM 312 | Physical Chemistry II | |
CHEM 331 | Biochemistry | 3 |
CHEM 332 | Biochemistry II | 3 |
CHEM 396 | Methods of Chemical Research | 1.5 |
Select one elective - see note below for list | 3 | |
CHEM 435 | Biochemistry Laboratory | 4 |
Total Units | 31.5 | |
Electives may be chosen from upper-division chemistry courses or from the following list of restricted electives in biology and biophysics: BIOL 342, BIOL 376, BIOL 480, BIOL 482 or BIOL 484 or PHYS 340.
Majors must complete 31.5 units of upper division coursework in chemistry or the approved restricted electives. CHEM 496 or CHEM 498 may not be applied toward the 31.5 unit requirement. Those planning for graduate work are recommended to take additional Upper-Division Electives in chemistry, biochemistry or biology depending on the area of interest.
All USD biochemistry majors can attain certification or certification with distinction from ASBMB on their degree by completing the national ASBMB certification exam. To obtain a second certification from the ACS, biochemistry majors must complete CHEM 440, select one upper division chemistry course (as either the elective or an additional course) and complete a research report with their research mentor.