Biochemistry (B.S.)
For information call:
Tel: (818) 677-3381
Fax: (818) 677-4068
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
http://www.csun.edu/chemistry
Or write:
Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8262
THE MAJOR
Biochemistry is the application of chemistry to the study of biomolecules and biological processes at the
cellular and molecular level, and as such is both a life science and a chemical science. It uses the methods of
chemistry, physics, molecular biology and immunology to study the structure and behavior of the complex
molecules found in biological systems.
Biochemists are interested, for example, in the mechanism of electron transport in DNA and proteins, in
mechanisms of brain function, cellular multiplication and differentiation, communication within and between
cells and organs, and the chemical bases of inheritance and disease. The biochemist seeks to determine how
specific molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, vitamins and hormones function in such processes.
Particular emphasis is placed on regulation of chemical reactions in living cells.
CAREERS
A B.S. degree in biochemistry will prepare you for: (a) medical, dental, pharmacy or veterinary schools; (b)
graduate study in biochemistry, or (c) careers in the life sciences that require an understanding of biological
phenomena at the molecular level (genetic engineering, biotech, etc.).
For additional information on the program, see the current university catalog.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN BIOCHEMISTRY
Students should consult course descriptions to determine whether course prerequisites have been met.
Entry of any student into Chemistry 101/101L is subject to a satisfactory score on the Chemistry Placement
Test (see catalog section on the Chemistry Placement Test). Passing Chem 100 course at CSUN only
with a grade of “C” or better may also satisfy this requirement. (A grade of "C-" is unacceptable.)
LOWER DIVISION REQUIRED COURSES (32 UNITS)
CHEM 101/L
General Chemistry I/Lab .......................................................................................5
CHEM 102/L
General Chemistry II/Lab ......................................................................................5
BIOL 106/L
Biological Principles I/Lab ....................................................................................4
BIOL 107/L
Biological Principles II/Lab...................................................................................4
MATH 255A/255B
Calculus I and II.....................................................................................................6
PHYS 220A/L
Mechanics/Lab.......................................................................................................4
PHYS 220AR
Recommended Mechanics recitation .....................................................................(1)
PHYS 220B/L
Electricity and Magnetism/Lab..............................................................................4
PHYS 220BR
Recommended Electricity and Magnetism recitation ............................................(1)
UPPER DIVISION REQUIRED COURSES (43 UNITS)
CHEM 321/L
Chemical Analysis I/Lab .......................................................................................4
CHEM 422/L
Chemical Analysis II/Lab ......................................................................................4
CHEM 333/L/R
Principles of Organic Chemistry I/Lab/Rec...........................................................5
CHEM 334/L/R
Principles of Organic Chemistry II/Lab/Rec .........................................................5
CHEM 351
Physical Chemistry I ..............................................................................................4
CHEM 351L
Recommended Physical Chemistry I Lab..............................................................(1)
CHEM 352
Physical Chemistry II.............................................................................................4
CHEM 401
Inorganic Chemistry ..............................................................................................3
CHEM 461
Biochemistry I........................................................................................................4
CHEM 462
Biochemistry II ......................................................................................................4
CHEM 465
Topics in Biochemistry ..........................................................................................3
BIOL 380
Cell Biology ...........................................................................................................3
UPPER DIVISION ELECTIVES (9 UNITS)
A minimum of 3 units of upper division electives selected from the following courses:
CHEM
411
Synthesis
CHEM
433
Organic Analysis
CHEM
471
Chemical Literature and Presentation
CHEM
481
Nuclear and Radiochemistry
CHEM
495 A-C Directed Undergraduate Research
CHEM
499 A-C Independent Study
CHEM
538
Natural Products
A minimum of 6 units of upper division electives is required. Because many of these courses have
prerequisites, please check with the instructor to make sure that you have an acceptable background for the
course. Other appropriate courses may also fulfill this elective requirement, but can be taken only with the
approval of your advisor. Possible elective courses:
BMPH 304
Introductory Biomedical Physics
BMPH 405
Biomedical Physics I
BMPH 406
Biomedical Physics II
BIOL
360
Genetics
Catalog year 2008-2010
BIOL
381
Cell Biology Laboratory
BIOL
410/L Medical Microbiology
BIOL
417/L Microbial Physiology
BIOL
468
Human Genetics
BIOL
470
Biotechnology
BIOL
482/L Animal Physiology
BIOL
485/L Immunology
BIOL
544
Biology of Viruses
BIOL
561
Molecular Genetics of Microorganisms
BIOL
562
Molecular Genetics of Eukaryotic Organisms
BIOL
564
Human Biochemical Genetics
BIOL
567
Medical Genetics
BIOL
571
Molecular Diagnostics
BIOL
572/L Recombinant DNA Techniques
BIOL
577/L Cell and Tissue Culture
BIOL
580/L Cellular Physiology
BIOL
582/L Principles of Neurophysiology
TOTAL UNITS IN THE MAJOR (84 UNITS)
GENERAL EDUCATION (36 UNITS)
Basic Skills Mathematics and the entire Natural Sciences section are fulfilled by required courses in the major.
TITLE 5 (6 UNITS)
TOTAL UNITS REQUIRED FOR B.S. DEGREE IN BIOCHEMISTRY: 120
Catalog year 2008-2010
EVALUATION-BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN BIOCHEMISTRY
Nam e
Student File Num ber
Course Number
Street Address
City
Course Name
Units
Required
LOWER DIVISION
Zip
Units &
Institution
Name of Course
Transferred
Need
32
Chem 101/101L
General Chemistry I & Lab
5
Chem. 102/102L
General Chemistry II & Lab
5
Biol 106 & 106L
Biological Principles I & Lab
4
Biol 107 & 107L
Biological Principles II & Lab
4
Math 255A*
Calculus I
3
Math 255B*
Calculus II
3
Phys 220A/L
Mechanics & Lab
4
Phys 220AR
Recommended Mechanics Recitation
Phys 220B/L
Electricity and magnetism & Lab
Phys 220BR
Recommended Elec and Magn Recitation
(1)
4
(1)
UPPER DIVISION
43
Biol 380
Cell Biology
3
Chem 321/L
Chemistry Analysis I & Lab (Fall only)
4
Chem 422/L
Chemistry Analysis II & Lab (Spring only)
4
Chem 333/L/R
Organic Chemistry I & Lab & Rec
5
Chem 334/L/R
Organic Chemistry II & Lab & Rec
5
Chem 351
Physical Chemistry I (Fall only)
4
Chem 351L
Recommended Physical Chemistry I Lab
Chem 352
Physical Chemistry II (Spring only)
4
Chem 401
Inorganic Chemistry (Spring only)
3
Chem 461/L
Biochemistry I & Lab (Fall only)
4
Chem 462/L
Biochemistry II & Lab (Spring only)
4
Chem 465
Topics in Biochemistry (Spring only)
3
(1)
UPPER DIVISION ELECTIVE
9
Chemistry elective
3
Biology or biophysics elective
6
*Math 150A and Math 150B may substitute for Math 255A and 255B respectively.
Student Signature
Advisor Signature
Degree Requirements: A total of 120 units, including 84 major units, 30 additional G.E. units, and 6 units of American History
and Government.
Catalog year 2010-2012
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.S.) DEGREE IN BIOCHEMISTRY
A total of 120 units must be completed with at least a 2.0 grade point average in all college work attempted, all units attempted at CSUN and all upper
division units in the major. Alternatively, students interested in physical biochemistry can obtain BS in Chemistry. This program will provide additional
math, physics and physical chemistry topics that would be helpful for physical biochemistry.
SUGGESTED FOUR-YEAR SEQUENCE FOR BIOCHEMISTRY B.S. MAJORS
Fall Semester
Units
Spring Semester
Units
FRESHMAN YEAR
Chem 101/L (General Chemistry I & Lab)
5
Chem 102/L (General Chemistry II Lab)
5
Biol 106/L (Biological Principles I & Lab)
4
Biol 107/L (Biological Principles II Lab)
4
Math 255A (Calculus I)
3
Math 255B (Calculus II)
3
General Education
3
15
1
General Education
3
15
1
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Chem 333/L/R (Organic Chemistry I & Lab & Rec)
Phys 220A/L (Mechanics & Lab)
Phys 220AR (Recommended recitation)
5
Chem 334/L/R (Organic Chemistry II & Lab & Rec)
4
Phys 220B/L (Electricity and Magnetism & Lab)
(1)
Phys 220BR (Recommended recitation)
Chem 321/L (Chemical Analysis I) (Fall only)
4
Biol 380 (Cell Biology)
General Education
3
General Education
1
5
4
(1)
3
3
1
17
17
JUNIOR YEAR
Chem 461/L (Biochemistry I & Lab) (Fall only)
4
Chem 462/L (Biochemistry II & Lab) (Spring only)
4
Chem 351 (Physical Chemistry I) (Fall only)
4
Chem 352 (Physical Chemistry II) (Spring only)
4
Chem 352L (Recommended Lab) (Fall only)
(1)
Chem 422/L (Chemical Analysis II) (Spring only)
4
General Education1
6
15
General Education1
3
15
SENIOR YEAR
Bio or biophysics Elective (300-400 level)
7
Chem 465 (Topics in Biochemistry) (Spring only)
3
Chem Elective
3
Chem 401 (Inorganic Chemistry) (Spring only)
3
6
General Education
9
General Education
1
1
16
1
15
General Education units must include 6 units of American History and government.
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR B.S. BIOCHEMISTRY MAJORS
The following may be used as a guide and worksheet to select courses to satisfy G.E. requirements. Consult your advisor and the G.E. section of the CSUN catalog before
selecting courses. Enter your courses selections in the spaces provided. Chemistry courses may not be used by chemistry majors to satisfy G.E. requirements. Science and
Mathematics courses which do satisfy G.E. requirements for the Biochemistry B.S. program have been inserted in the appropriate spaces below.
Nine (9) units of G.E. requirements must be upper division selected from two different sections (A through F). Title V requirements (6 units) must be satisfied in
addition to these requirements.
SECTION A: BASIC SUBJECTS
(12 units / 3
units minimum from each subsection)
SECTION B: NATURAL SCIENCE
A-1
B-1
A-2
B-2
A-3
SECTION C: HUMANITIES
(6 units / 3 units minimum
from each subsection)
(8 units)
Physics 220A/L & 220B
C-1
C-2
Math 255A
C-3
A-4
SECTION D: SOCIAL SCIENCES
6 units from at
least 2 disciplines
SECTION E: APPLIED ARTS AND SCIENCES
SECTION F: COMPARATIVE CULTURAL
STUDIES (6 units / 3 units minimum from each
(3 units)
subsection)
(6 units)
3 units from at
least 2 disciplines
F-1
F-2
F-3
Catalog year 2010-2012
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.S.) DEGREE IN BIOCHEMISTRY
A total of 120 units must be completed with at least a 2.0 grade point average in all college work attempted, all units attempted at CSUN and all
upper division units in the major. Students who do not pass the Mathematics Placement Test or Chemistry Placement Test may need to take
preparatory courses such as Math 102/104 (or Math 105) and Chem 100. Alternatively, students interested in physical biochemistry can obtain
BS in Chemistry. This program will provide additional math, physics and physical chemistry topics that would be helpful for physical biochemistry.
SUGGESTED FIVE-YEAR SEQUENCE OF REQUIRED COURSES FOR B.S. BIOCHEMISTRY MAJORS
Fall Semester
Units
Spring Semester
Units
FIRST YEAR
Chem 101/L (General Chemistry I & Lab)
Math 255A (Calculus I)
General Education1
5
3
6
Chem 102/L (General Chemistry II & Lab)
Math 255B (Calculus II)
General Education1
13
5
3
6
13
SECOND YEAR
Biol 106/L (Biological Principles I & Lab)
Phys 220A/L (Mechanics & Lab)
Phys 220AR (Recommended recitation)
General Education1
4
4
(1)
3
Biol 107/L (Biological Principles II & Lab)
Phys 220B/L (Electricity and Magnetism & Lab)
Phys 220BR (Recommended recitation)
General Education1
13
4
4
(1)
3
13
THIRD YEAR
Chem 333/L/R (Organic Chemistry I & Lab & Rec)
Chem 334/L/R (Organic Chemistry II & Lab & Rec)
5
4
4
Chem 321/L (Chemical Analysis I & Lab) (Fall only)
General Education1
Chem 422/L (Chemical Analysis II & Lab) (Spring only)
General Education1
13
4
4
6
14
FOURTH YEAR
Chem 461/L (Biochemistry I & Lab) (Fall Only)
Chem 351 (Physical Chemistry I) (Fall Only)
Chem 351 (Recommended Physical Chemistry I Lab)
General Education1
4
4
(1)
4
Chem 462/L (Biochemistry II & Lab) (Spring Only)
Chem 352 (Physical Chemistry) (Spring Only)
Biol 380 (Cell Biology)
General Education1
13
4
3
3
3
13
FIFTH YEAR
Chemistry Elective
Biology or biophysics Elective
General Education1
3
6
3
Chem 401 (Inorganic Chemistry) (Spring only)
Chem 465 (Topics in Biochemistry) (Spring only)
General Education1
12
1
3
3
5
12
General Education units must include 6 units of American History and Government.
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR B.S. BIOCHEMISTRY MAJORS
The following may be used as a guide and worksheet to select courses to satisfy G.E. requirements. Consult your advisor and the G.E. section of the CSUN catalog
before selecting courses. Enter your course selections in the spaces provided. Biochem majors may not be use by chemistry courses to satisfy G.E. requirements.
Science and Mathematics courses, which satisfy G.E. requirements for the B.S. Biochemistry program has been inserted in the appropriate spaces below.
Nine units of G.E. requirements must be upper division selected from two different sections (A through F). Title V requirements (6 units) must be satisfied in addition
to these requirements.
SECTION A: BASIC SUBJECTS
SECTION B: NATURAL SCIENCE
SECTION C: HUMANITIES
(12 units / 3 units minimum from each subsection)
(8 units)
A-1
B-1
A-2
B-2
A-3
Physics 220A/L & 220B
(6 units / 3 units minimum from each
subsection)
C-1
C-2
Math 255A
C-3
A-4
SECTION D: SOCIAL SCIENCES
SECTION E: APPLIED ARTS AND SCIENCES
(3 units)
(6 units)
6 units from at
least 2 disciplines
3 units from at
least 2 disciplines
SECTION F: COMPARATIVE
CULTURAL STUDIES
(6 units / 3 units minimum from each
subsection)
F-1
F-2
F-3
Catalog year 2010-2012