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Undergraduate Catalog 2022-2023

Chemistry B.S. – Biochemistry Concentration (ACS Certified)

Program Overview

College of Natural and Health Sciences

Contact: Michael Mosher, Ph.D., Chair

Location: Ross Hall 3480

Telephone: 970.351.2559

Website: www.unco.edu/nhs/chemistry

Advising Information:

Students must consult with their assigned major advisor each semester prior to registering.

To find your advisor, log into ursa.unco.edu; go to 'Student' tab and click 'View Student Information' link. If no advisor is listed, contact the major program for advisor information.

The program consists of three parts:

  1. Liberal Arts Curriculum (LAC) Credits
  2. Required Major Credits
  3. University-Wide Credits

Program Description:

This program is designed to give students a broad background in chemistry and biology. Students will have the opportunity to work with a faculty member on an independent research project in chemistry. Students receiving this degree can be certified by the American Chemical Society. See advisor for details.

Students graduating with this concentration will be prepared to pursue graduate study in chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, environmental health, professional schools (e.g., medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and other health-related areas) or obtain an entry position within the chemical or biotechnological industry.

Program Admission Requirements:

Academic Good Standing

Program Requirements:

  • All students in the program must take an assessment examination before graduation.
  • Students majoring in chemistry must earn a grade of “C” or better (C- is not acceptable) in all courses having a CHEM prefix which count toward the major.
  • In accordance with University Policies, coursework earned more than 10 years prior to the date of matriculation to UNC may not be used to satisfy any major or minor requirements.  Any exception to this policy is at the discretion of the academic program.

Program Recommendations:

  • Graduate level CHEM courses are recommended for juniors and seniors. Other recommended electives include MATH 221, MATH 335, STAT 150, PHYS 321 and PHYS 343.
  • It is recommended that students have a fundamental background in computers.
  • Juniors and seniors are required to participate in Chemistry and Biochemistry’s undergraduate research program.
  • Qualifying students may be eligible for a five-year program resulting in a B.S./M.S. degree. Consult your advisor early in your program for details.

Degree Requirements — 120 Credits

1. Liberal Arts Curriculum — 31 credits

To complete the degree in 120 credits as outlined, the program recommends the below LAC courses that also count toward the 89-91 required major credits.

Any additional coursework completed outside of the recommended list below may extend the length of the program of study.

Written Communication — 6 credits

SCI 291 (3) is recommended to fulfill the Intermediate Writing Course in the Written Communication requirement and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.

See Written Communication courses

Mathematics — 3 credits

MATH 131 (4) is recommended to fulfill Mathematics requirement and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.

See Mathematics courses

Arts & Humanities, History, Social & Behavioral Sciences, U.S. Multicultural Studies [MS], and International Studies [IS] — 15 credits

To complete the LAC in the minimum number of credits, be sure to choose at least one course with an IS designation and one course with an MS designation.

Select any courses to fulfill this requirement from the currently approved LAC course list.

See Arts & Humanities, History, and Social & Behavioral Sciences courses

Natural & Physical Sciences — 7 credits

CHEM 111 (4), CHEM 111L (1), and BIO 110 (4) are recommended to fulfill Natural & Physical Sciences requirement and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements. 

See Natural & Physical Sciences courses

See Liberal Arts Curriculum

2. Required Major — 89-91 credits

Take all of the following courses:

BIO 110Biology: Atoms to CellsLAS1LASL

4

BIO 210Cell Biology

3

CHEM 111Principles of Chemistry ILAS1

4

CHEM 111LPrinciples of Chemistry I LaboratoryLAS1LASL

1

CHEM 112Principles of Chemistry II

4

CHEM 112LPrinciples of Chemistry II Laboratory

1

CHEM 321Chemical Analysis

4

CHEM 331Organic Chemistry I

4

CHEM 331LOrganic Chemistry I Laboratory

1

CHEM 332Organic Chemistry II

4

CHEM 332LOrganic Chemistry II Laboratory

1

CHEM 441Inorganic Chemistry I

3

CHEM 481General Biochemistry I

3

CHEM 481LExperimental Biochemistry I

1

CHEM 482General Biochemistry II

3

CHEM 482LExperimental Biochemistry II

1

CHEM 499Seminar and Research in Chemistry

1- 3

MATH 131Calculus ILAX1

4

MATH 132Calculus IILAX1

4

MATH 233Calculus III

4

PHYS 240General Physics ILAS1LASL

5

PHYS 241General Physics II

5

SCI 291Scientific WritingLAW2

3

CHEM 499: Take 2 credits

Take two of the following courses (7-8 credits):

BIO 220Genetics

4

BIO 351Microbiology

4

BIO 450Cell Physiology

3

Take one of these two combinations (CHEM 451/451L and CHEM 452/452L) (5 credits):

CHEM 451Physical Chemistry I

4

CHEM 451LPhysical Chemistry I Laboratory

1

CHEM 452Physical Chemistry II

4

CHEM 452LPhysical Chemistry II Laboratory

1

Take two of the following four (lecture + lab) combinations (CHEM 421, CHEM 442/443, 451/451L, and CHEM 452/452L) (8-9 credits):

CHEM 421Instrumental Analysis

4

CHEM 442Inorganic Chemistry II

3

CHEM 443Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory

1

CHEM 451Physical Chemistry I

4

CHEM 451LPhysical Chemistry I Laboratory

1

CHEM 452Physical Chemistry II

4

CHEM 452LPhysical Chemistry II Laboratory

1

3. University-Wide Credits — 0 credits*

*Note: Students must apply the recommended courses to both the liberal arts curriculum requirements and the major requirements to complete this degree program in 120 credit hours. Students may have an increased number of university wide electives to apply to this degree depending on the number of credits applied to both the LAC and the major. See your advisor for details.

Program Notes

Students wishing to participate in the Honors Program should consult their advisors about Liberal Arts Curriculum selections and other requirements.