Biochemistry, B.S.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

The biochemistry program provides a rigorous and exciting preprofessional education for students interested in pursuing STEM careers or graduate school. To prepare students for a wide variety of career choices, instructional laboratories provide interdisciplinary, project-based experiments for students to explore. The laboratory curriculum also provides students hands-on experience operating analytical instrumentation. Students have opportunities to engage in research projects mentored by faculty within the department and to intern with local scientific firms in southern Maine.

Because the chemistry courses in each track are the same for the first two years, students may switch between the chemistry and biochemistry B.S. tracks through the junior year. Students considering a biochemistry major are strongly urged to consult with a member of the Department of Chemistry faculty to discuss the program.

Program Requirements

To graduate as a chemistry major or minor in any program, a student must earn a grade of C or higher in all chemistry courses and a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in all other courses required for the major. At least 12 credit hours beyond the 100-level must be taken within the Chemistry Department at USM.

Minimum number of credits in chemistry and related areas (exclusive of the University’s Core Curriculum) required for the major: 57.5.

In addition, choose one of the following five groups of courses:

Group One

BIO 311 - Microbiology Credits: 3
BIO 282 - Microbiology Laboratory Credits: 2

Group Two

BIO 107 - Biological Principles II: Evolution, Biodiversity, and Ecology Credits: 4.5
BIO 305 - Developmental Biology Credits: 3
BIO 306 - Developmental Biology Laboratory Credits: 2

Group Three

BIO 107 - Biological Principles II: Evolution, Biodiversity, and Ecology Credits: 4.5
BIO 109 - Biological Principles III: Functional Biology Credits: 3
BIO 409 - Cell and Molecular Biology Credits: 3
BIO 410 - Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory Credits: 2

Group Four

BIO 107 - Biological Principles II: Evolution, Biodiversity, and Ecology Credits: 4.5
BIO 109 - Biological Principles III: Functional Biology Credits: 3
BIO 321 - Neurobiology Credits: 3
BIO 322 - Neurobiology Laboratory Credits: 2

Group Five

BIO 201 - Genetics Credits: 3

Group Six

BIO 431 - Principles of Immunology Credits: 3
BIO 432 - Immunology Laboratory Credits: 2

USM Core Requirements

The USM Core Curriculum is a coherent, integrative, and rigorous liberal education that enables our graduates to be world-minded, intentional, life-long learners and captures your general education degree requirements.

Please Note: Core requirements may be part of your major and/or minor, and Core may have been fulfilled with transfer credit. Please consult your MaineStreet Degree Progress Report (DPR) and review your degree progress with your Advisor. For additional information, access the USM Core webpage.