Biochemistry is the basic science that explores the chemical and physical properties of living organisms and the chemical changes that occur in these organisms. It is integral to the study of multiple disciplines within the life and biomedical sciences, including biology, chemistry, microbiology, genetics, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, nutrition and food sciences, animal sciences, plant biology, and plant sciences. The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry degree is an interdisciplinary undergraduate degree program offered through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) in conjunction with the College of Medicine (COM). It draws upon a broad set of University resources from CALS, CAS, and COM to provide students with a modern science-based education designed to emphasize fundamental knowledge of chemistry and biology along with advanced courses specializing in biochemistry and related life- and biomedical- sciences. The Biochemistry curriculum offers students with a strong academic ability in the sciences an opportunity to explore upper-level courses in areas of modern biochemistry and is designed to meet the needs of students wishing to compete in the job market at the B.S. degree level as well as students planning to continue with advanced studies in a graduate or professional degree program.
Students may apply to the program either through CAS or CALS, which vary in their college distribution requirements. The distribution categories and the number of required courses in each category differ slightly. In CAS, students are required to fulfill distribution requirements in six of the following seven categories: foreign languages, fine arts, literature, humanities, social sciences, physical sciences and mathematics, plus complete the general requirements in non-European cultures and race relations and ethnicity in the U.S. In CALS, students are required to fulfill distribution requirements in science, humanities and fine arts, communication skills, information technology skills, quantitative skills, critical thinking skills, interpersonal skills, citizenship & social responsibility values, environmental stewardship values, and personal growth values. Regardless of the College through which students choose to apply, all students must take a core set of basic courses in chemistry, biology, and ma-thematics in their first two years followed by advanced courses in biochemistry, chemistry, and/or molecular biology in their third and fourth years. Since biochemistry is a "hands-on" science, involvement of students in undergraduate research projects, most of which qualify as honors projects in either College, is strongly encouraged. For more information, contact Professor Sylvie Doublie (Sylvie.Doublie@uvm.edu).
In addition to the CALS or CAS college distribution requirements, the Biochemistry core requires satisfactory completion of BIOL 001, BIOL 002 or BCOR 011, BCOR 012; MATH 021, MATH 022; PHYS 031, PHYS 042 with PHYS 021 / PHYS 022; CHEM 035, CHEM 036 (Introcudtory Chemistry); CHEM 143, CHEM 144 (Organic Chemistry); CHEM 162; BIOC 205 / CHEM 205 / MMG 205; BIOC 206 / CHEM 206 / MMG 206; BIOC 207 / CHEM 207 / MMG 207; CHEM 221; BCOR 101; MMG 102; BCOR 103; and advanced Biochemistry electives.
