The biochemistry program has been structured to provide a comprehensive, focused, and modern educational experience for students by providing them with the necessary background in biology and chemistry, a solid introduction to biochemistry (through BCM360, BCM461, BCM463, BCM470 and BCM475) and molecular biology (BIO308), and the opportunity, through a wide choice of electives, to explore many areas that contribute to a molecular approach to living things.
What could you do with a BS in Biochemistry?
This major allows you to enter
- Graduate school in Biochemistry
- Dental, medical, optometry, veterinary or pharmacy school
- Law school
- Training program to become an allied health care professional
- Pharmaceutical, chemical or a biotechnology firm
Other potential employers include
- Agricultural, cosmetic, or food manufacturers
- Educational institutions
- Environmental organizations and labs
- Independent research firms
Our program emphasizes
- Small classes
- Accessible faculty
- Renovated, new laboratory/classroom building
- State-of-the-art laboratory equipment
- Extensive undergraduate research opportunities
What makes us unique?
Our innovative curriculum provides two unique biochemistry courses (besides the standard biochemistry courses BCM461, BCM463 and BCM470)
Protein Structure and Function: Introduces students to modern computer-intensive applications of biochemistry. This course includes extensive use of public databases and software that allows 3D visualization of biological macromolecules.
Experimental Biochemistry : Intensive, research type interdisciplinary laboratory experience.
What courses to take as Biochemistry major?
The major consists of 74 credit hours within the 120-credit hour B.S. program (remaining credits are obtained from the cognate courses).Math Placement Level of 4 is required.
Required Biochemistry Courses
BCM360* Protein Structure & Function 3cr Year 2
BCM461* Biochemistry 1 3cr Year 3
BCM463* Biochemistry Lab 1cr Year 3
BCM470* Biochemistry 2 3cr Year 3
BCM475* Advanced Biochemistry Lab 3cr Year 4
Required Biology Courses
BIO201 General Biology 1 3cr Fall Year 1
BIO211 General Biology 1 Lab 1cr Fall Year 1
BIO202 General Biology 2 3cr Spring Year 1
BIO212 General Biology 2 Lab 1cr Spring Year 1
BIO320 Genetics 4cr Year 2
BIO308 Basic Molecular Biology 4cr Fall Year 2-3
Required Chemistry Courses
CHE201 General Chemistry 1 3cr Fall Year 1
CHE211 Gen. Chemistry 1 Lab 1cr Fall Year 1
CHE202 General Chemistry 2 3cr Spring Year 1
CHE212 Gen. Chemistry 2 Lab 1cr Spring Year 1
CHE318 Organic Chemistry 1 3cr Fall Year 2
CHE306 Organic Chem. 1 Lab 1cr Fall Year 2
CHE319 Organic Chemistry 2 3cr Spring Year 2
CHE309 Organic Chem. 2 Lab 1cr Spring Year 2
Biology Elective (choose one, 4cr) Chemistry Elective (choose one, 3cr)
BIO309 Basic Cell Biology 4cr CHE303 Intro to Analytical Chemistry 3cr
BIO313 Developmental Biology 4cr CHE314 Inorganic Chemistry 3cr
BIO350 General Microbiology 4cr CHE321 Physical Chemistry 1 3cr
BIO417 Animal Physiology 4cr CHE322 Physical Chemistry 2 3cr
Approved Electives (Min. 6cr)
May be from electives above, independent study, or otherwise approved by advisor.
_____ ___________________ __ Years 3-4
_____ ___________________ __ Years 3-4
Required Cognates
Math Requirements (8 Credits)
MAT251 Calculus 1 4cr Year 1-2
MAT252 Calculus 2 4cr Year 1-2
Physics Requirements (8 Credits)
PHY201 General Physics 1 3cr Year 2-3
PHY211 Gen. Physics 1 Lab 1cr Year 2-3
PHY202 General Physics 2 3cr Year 2-3
PHY212 Gen. Physics 2 Lab 1cr Year 2-3
Min. Credits 74cr
* = Proposed numbering/re-numbering of core Biochemistry courses
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Required Biochemistry courses
BCM360 Protein Structure and Function (3)
Introduces students to modern computer-intensive applications of biochemistry and includes extensive use of public databases and software that allows 3D visualization of biological macromolecules.
BCM461 Biochemistry I (3)
Examination of the chemistry of cellular constituents, especially biopolymers. Metabolic reactions leading to biologically useful energy production. Control of intermediary metabolism at the molecular level.
Prerequisites
CHE319
BCM463 Biochemistry Lab (1)
Introduction to biochemical techniques with emphasis on protein biochemistry. Will provide an experimental experience that will reinforce concepts covered in lecture BCM 461.
Prerequisites
CHE318 and CHE319
Corequisites
BCM461
BCM470 Biochemistry (3)
Structure of biomolecules and their assemblies and the chemical reactions of metabolic processes. Molecular aspects of gene replication, transcription and translation.
Prerequisites
BCM461
BCM475 Advanced Biochemistry Lab (3)
Provides an intensive, research type interdisciplinary laboratory experience.
Prerequisites
BCM463
Required Biology Courses
BIO201 General Biology I (4)
An introduction to modern biology: molecular and cellular organization of living systems, energy transformations and metabolism, the principles of classical and molecular genetics, and the basic embryological changes during the development of an organism.
Recommended MPL of at least 4.
BIO202 General Biology II (4)
An introduction to modern biology: diversity of life forms, the process of evolution, and the interactions of organisms with their environment and with each other.
Prerequisites
BIO201
BIO320 Genetics (4)
A study of the principles of heredity from classical experiments with Drosophila to current research in molecular genetics utilizing recombinant DNA and gene cloning methodologies. The organization, function, and behavior of the genetic material are discussed on the molecular, chromosomal and population levels. The laboratory examines the genetic systems of a variety of organisms.
Prerequisites
BIO201 and BIO202 or BIO210
BIO308- Basic Molecular Biology (4)
Background, theory and techniques of molecular biology with the analysis of published research. Class discussions, independent research, written and oral presentations required.
Prerequisites
BIO201 and BIO202 and CHE201 and CHE202
Required Chemistry Courses
CHE201 General Chemistry I (3)
Principles governing chemical change in relation to the atomicity of matter, atomic structure and the periodic system of the elements.
and the periodic system of the elements
Prerequisites
Math Placement Level 4 or (Undergraduate level MAT152 Minimum Grade of C-) or (Undergraduate level MAT193 Minimum Grade of C-) or (MAT153)
Corequisites
Must be taken with: CHE211
CHE211 General Chemistry I Lab (1)
Laboratory work complements the lecture material covered in CHE 201.
Corequisites
Must be taken with: CHE201
CHE202 General Chemistry II (3)
Kinetics, thermodynamics, equilibria and electrochemistry.
Prerequisites
(Undergraduate level CHE201 Minimum Grade of C-) and (Undergraduate level CHE211 Minimum Grade of C- ) and Math Placement Level 4 or (MAT152 ) or (MAT193) or (MAT153) and (CHE212*)
* May be taken at the same time
Corequisites
Must be taken with: CHE212
CHE212 General Chemistry II Lab (1)
Laboratory work complements the lecture material covered in CHE202.
Prerequisites
Math Placement Level 4 and (CHE201) or MAT152 or MAT193 or MAT153
Corequisites
Must be taken with: CHE202
CHE318 Organic Chemistry I (3)
Structural theory and its application to the study of the properties of carbon compounds.
Prerequisites
(Undergraduate level CHE202 Minimum Grade of C-) and (CHE306*)
* May be taken at the same time
CHE306 Organic Chemistry I Lab (1)
Laboratory meets once a week and will provide practical experience in some fundamental techniques of organic chemistry.
Prerequisites
CHE202
CHE319 Organic Chemistry II (3)
Continuation of Organic Chemistry I.
Prerequisites
Undergraduate level CHE318 Minimum Grade of C-and (CHE306 and CHE309*)
* May be taken at the same time
CHE309 Organic Chemistry II Lab (1)
Laboratory work will utilize the microscale techniques employed in Organic Chemistry I to the study of organic reactions.
Prerequisites
CHE202
Corequisite
Must be taken with: CHE319
Biology Electives
Go to the Biology course catalog
http://www.newpaltz.edu/biology/programs.html
Chemistry Electives
Go to the Chemistry course catalog
http://www.newpaltz.edu/chemistry/courses.cfm
Cognate Courses:
Math Requirements
Go to the Math course catalog
http://www.newpaltz.edu/math/courses.php?level=Undergraduate
Physics Requirements
Go to the Physics course catalog
http://www.newpaltz.edu/physics/courses.html
Biochemistry Advisory Committee
Frantz Andersen
Preeti Dhar
Tom Nolen
Jeff Reinking
Pamela St. John
Undergraduate Research
Alison Pletch
Raneen Rahhal
For more information, contact:
Dhar, Preeti
Associate Professor
Department: Chemistry
Phone: (845) 257-3797
E-mail: dharp@newpaltz.edu
