Chemistry - Biochemistry Emphasis, B.S.
Requirements
Biochemistry studies the chemical composition of living things. Biochemistry combines the study of biology with organic and inorganic chemistry as applied to topics such as enzymology, genetics, toxicology, pharmacology, food science, and medicine. Students with this degree may pursue graduate study or work in the field of biotechnology or in one of the many related areas or be eligible for many employment opportunities in chemistry and biology.
Total Program Credits: 124
| General Education Requirements: | 40 Credits | ||
| ENGL 1010 | Introduction to Writing | 3 | |
| ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Writing Humanities Social Sciences | 3 | |
| MATH 1210 | Calculus I | 5 | |
| Complete one of the following: | 3 | ||
| HIST 1700 | American Civilization (3.0) | ||
| HIST 2700 | US History to 1877 (3.0) | ||
| and | HIST 2710 | US History since 1877 (3.0) | |
| HIST 1740 | US Economic History (3.0) | ||
| POLS 1000 | American Heritage (3.0) | ||
| POLS 1100 | American National Government (3.0) | ||
| Complete the following: | 3 | ||
| PHIL 2050 | Ethics and Values | ||
| PHIL 205G | Ethics and Values | ||
| PHIL 205H | Ethics and Values | ||
| HLTH 1100 | Personal Health and Wellness (2.0) | ||
| or | PES 1097 | Fitness for Life | 2 |
| Distribution Courses: | |||
| BIOL 1610 | College Biology I | 4 | |
| CHEM 1210 | Principles of Chemistry I 1 | 4 | |
| CHEM 1220 | Principles of Chemistry II 2 | 4 | |
| Fine Arts | 3 | ||
| Complete one of the following sets of distribution courses, dependant on your choice of emphasis: 6.0 for the Professional Chemistry or Biochemistry Emphases: | 6 | ||
| For the Professional Chemistry or Biochemistry Emphases: | |||
| Humanities | |||
| Social/Behavioral Science | |||
| For the Forensic Chemistry Emphasis: | |||
| COMM 1020 | Public Speaking (3.0) | ||
| CJ 1010 | Introduction to Criminal Justice (3.0) | ||
| Discipline Core Requirements: | 49 Credits | ||
| CHEM 1215 | Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory 3 | 1 | |
| CHEM 1225 | Principles of Chemistry II Laboratory 4 | 1 | |
| CHEM 2310 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 | |
| CHEM 2315 | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 | |
| CHEM 2320 | Organic Chemistry II | 4 | |
| CHEM 2325 | Organic Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 | |
| CHEM 3000 | Analytical Chemistry | 2 | |
| CHEM 3005 | Analytical Chemistry Laboratory | 2 | |
| CHEM 3600 | Biological Chemistry | 3 | |
| CHEM 3605 | Biochemistry Laboratory | 1 | |
| CHEM 4000 | Instrumental Analysis | 2 | |
| CHEM 4005 | Instrumental Analysis Laboratory | 2 | |
| CHEM 4920 | Chemistry Capstone I | 1 | |
| CHEM 4930 | Chemistry Capstone II | 1 | |
| CHEM 4940 | Chemistry Capstone III | 1 | |
| CHEM 4950 | Chemistry Capstone IV | 2 | |
| CHEM 489R | Undergraduate Research in Chemistry | 2 | |
| CHEM 489R | Undergraduate Research in Chemistry | 2 | |
| CHEM 489R | Undergraduate Research in Chemistry | 2 | |
| MATH 1220 | Calculus II | 5 | |
| PHYS 2210 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers I | 4 | |
| PHYS 2220 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers II | 4 | |
| PHYS 2215 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers I Lab | 1 | |
| PHYS 2225 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers II Lab | 1 | |
| Emphasis Requirements: | 21 Credits | ||
| BIOL 1615 | College Biology I Laboratory | 1 | |
| BIOL 1620 | College Biology II | 3 | |
| BIOL 1625 | College Biology II Laboratory | 1 | |
| BIOL 3400 | Cell Biology | 3 | |
| BIOL 3405 | Cell Biology Laboratory | 1 | |
| CHEM 3060 | Physical Chemistry I | 4 | |
| CHEM 3065 | Physical Chemistry Laboratory | 1 | |
| CHEM 3100 | Advanced Inorganic Chemistry | 4 | |
| CHEM 3620 | Biological Chemistry II | 3 | |
| Emphasis Elective Requirements: | 14 Credits | ||
| Complete a minimum of 6 credits from the following: | 6 | ||
| CHEM 4030 | Radiochemistry (3.0) | ||
| CHEM 4600 | Structure Determination (2.0) | ||
| CHEM 4605 | Structure Determination Laboratory (1.0) | ||
| CHEM 4800 | Pharmacology (3.0) | ||
| CHEM 495R | Advanced Topics in Organic Chemistry (3.0) | ||
| CHEM 496R | Special Topics in Chemistry (1.0) | ||
| CHEM 499R | Independent Study and Research (1.0) | ||
| A minimum of 8 credits from the following: | 8 | ||
| BIOL 3300 | Developmental Biology (3.0) | ||
| BIOL 3500 | Genetics (3.0) | ||
| BIOL 3515 | Advanced Genetics Laboratory (1.0) | ||
| BIOL 3550 | Molecular Biology (3.0) | ||
| BIOL 4300 | Bioinformatics and Genome Analysis (4.0) | ||
| BIOL 4450 | Immunology (3.0) | ||
| BIOL 4455 | Immunology Laboratory (1.0) | ||
| BIOL 4550 | Molecular Evolution and Bioinformatics (3.0) | ||
| MICR 3450 | General Microbiology (3.0) | ||
| MICR 3455 | General Microbiology Laboratory (1.0) | ||
| ZOOL 2320 | Human Anatomy (3.0) | ||
| and | ZOOL 2325 | Human Anatomy Laboratory (1.0) | |
| ZOOL 2420 | Human Physiology (3.0) | ||
| and | ZOOL 2425 | Human Physiology Laboratory (1.0) | |
| ZOOL 4300 | Histology (4.0) | ||
| ZOOL 4700 | Advanced Anatomy (4.0) | ||
| ZOOL 4780 | Neuroscience (4.0) | ||
Graduation Requirements:
- Completion of a minimum of 124 semester credits with a minimum of 40 upper-division credits.
- Overall grade point average of 2.0 (C) or above with a minimum of 2.25 in Major.
- Residency hours -- minimum of 30 credit hours through course attendance at UVU, with at least 10 hours earned in the last 45 hours.
- Completion of GE and specified departmental requirements.
- A minimum of 54 credit hours must be in the major with a minimum of 20 credits taken at UVU. A minimum of 28 chemistry credits must be upper-division.
- Complete all chemistry and physics courses with a minimum grade of "C-" or better.
- Successful completion of at least one Global/Intercultural course.
| Footnote: | |
| 1-To be taken with CHEM 1215 Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory | |
| 2-To be taken with CHEM 1225 Principles of Chemistry II Laboratory | |
| 3-To be taken with CHEM 1210 Principles of Chemistry I | |
| 4-To be taken with CHEM 1220 Principles of Chemistry II | |
Graduation Plan
This graduation plan is a sample plan and is intended to be a guide. Your specific plan may differ based on your Math and English placement and/or transfer credits applied. You are encouraged to meet with an advisor and set up an individualized graduation plan in Wolverine Track.
Milestone courses (pre-requisites for a course in one of the subsequent semesters) are marked in red and Italicized.
| Semester 1 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| ENGL 1010 | Introduction to Writing | 3 |
| MATH 1210 | Calculus I* | 5 |
|
You Choose |
American Institutions | 3 |
|
You Choose |
Fine Arts | 3 |
|
You Choose |
Social/Behavioral Science | 3 |
| Semester total: | 17 | |
| Note: *MATH 1050 and MATH 1060 are not required for the major but are often completed as necessary pre-requisites for MATH 1210. | ||
| Semester 2 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|
BIOL 1610
|
College Biology I | 4 |
|
BIOL 1615
|
College Biology I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 1210 | Principles of Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 1215 | Principles of Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| MATH 1220 | Calculus II | 5 |
| ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Writing | 3 |
| Semester total: | 18 | |
| Semester 3 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| BIOL 1620 | College Biology II | 3 |
| BIOL 1625 | College Biology I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 1220 | Principles of Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 1225 | Principles of Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
|
You Choose |
Humanities | 3 |
| Semester total: | 12 | |
| Semester 4 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| CHEM 2310 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 2315 | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| PHYS 2210 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers I | 4 |
| PHYS 2215 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers I Lab | 1 |
|
You Choose |
Fitness for Life or Personal Health & Wellness | 2 |
|
You Choose |
Biology Electives ** | 4 |
| Semester total: | 16 | |
| Note:**Choose from BIOL 3300, BIOL 3500, BIOL 3515, BIOL 3550, BIOL 3650, BIOL 4450, BIOL 4455, BIOL 4550, MICR 3450, MICR 3455, ZOOL 2320, ZOOL 2325, ZOOL 2420, ZOOL 2425, ZOOL 4300, ZOOL 4700, or ZOOL 4780. | ||
| Semester 5 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| CHEM 2320 | Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 2325 | Organic Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 4920 | Chemistry Capstone I | 1 |
| PHIL 205G | Ethics and Values | 3 |
| PHYS 2220 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers II | 4 |
| PHYS 2225 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers II Lab | 1 |
|
You Choose |
Biology Electives ** | 4 |
| Semester total: | 18 | |
| Note:**Choose from BIOL 3300, BIOL 3500, BIOL 3515, BIOL 3550, BIOL 3650, BIOL 4450, BIOL 4455, BIOL 4550, MICR 3450, MICR 3455, ZOOL 2320, ZOOL 2325, ZOOL 2420, ZOOL 2425, ZOOL 4300, ZOOL 4700, or ZOOL 4780. | ||
| Semester 6 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| BIOL 3400 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 3405 | Cell Biology Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 3000 | Analytical Chemistry | 2 |
| CHEM 3005 | Analytical Chemistry Lab | 2 |
| CHEM 4930 | Chemistry Capstone II | 1 |
| CHEM 489R | Undergraduate Research in Chemistry | 2 |
|
You Choose |
Upper-Division Chemistry Electives *** | 3 |
| Semester total: | 14 | |
| Note:*** Choose from CHEM 3060, CHEM 3300, CHEM 4600, CHEM 4605, CHEM 4800, CHEM 495R, CHEM 496R or CHEM 499R. | ||
| Semester 7 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| CHEM 3060 | Physical Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 3065 | Physical Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 3600 | Biological Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 3605 | Biological Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 4940 | Chemistry Capstone III | 1 |
| CHEM 489R | Undergraduate Research in Chemistry | 2 |
|
You Choose |
Upper-Division Chemistry Electives *** | 3 |
| Semester total: | 15 | |
| Note:*** Choose from CHEM 3060, CHEM 3300, CHEM 4600, CHEM 4605, CHEM 4800, CHEM 495R, CHEM 496R or CHEM 499R. | ||
| Semester 8 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| CHEM 3100 | Advance Inorganic Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 3620 | Biological Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 4000 | Instrumental Analysis | 2 |
| CHEM 4005 | Instrumental Analysis Lab | 2 |
| CHEM 4950 | Chemistry Capstone IV | 1 |
| CHEM 489R | Undergraduate Research in Chemistry | 2 |
| Semester total: | 14 | |
| Degree total: | 124 | |
Department
| Name: | Chemistry |
| Location: | PS 230 |
| Telephone: | 801-863-6295 |
| Email: | hancocke@uvu.edu |
| Web Address: | www.uvu.edu/chemistry/ |
| Chair: | Fern Caka |
Mission Statement
The Chemistry Department is dedicated to providing a high quality chemistry education for the students at Utah Valley University. The department offers a wide variety of classes to support other departments and to provide excellent training leading to a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry or a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Education. The chemistry faculty is committed to encouraging students to learn and to do research not only in their course work, but in their lifelong careers.
Chemistry
- Department Chair: Fern Caka
- Telephone: 801-863-8581
- Email: FernC@uvu.edu
- Administrative Support: Kellie D. Hancock
- Telephone: 801-863-6295
- Email: hancocke@uvu.edu
Advisors:
- Cody Peterson
- Office: PS 201b
- Telephone: 801-863-5642
- Email: cody.peterson@uvu.edu
Pre-Health Professions Counseling:
- Office: LC 402
- Telephone: 801-863-6484
- Email: prehealth@uvu.edu
Staff:
Chemical Hygiene/Safety Officer: Craig Moore
Lab Manager/Instructor, Inorganic Chemistry: Tom Strangfeld
Lab Manager/Instructor, Organic Chemistry: Bryan Cunningham
Manager, Central Stock Room: Keshar Tamrakar
Career Opportunities
Graduates with a bachelor degree in Chemistry will be prepared to work in industry or pursue a graduate degree in chemistry. Current employment opportunities for graduates in Chemistry programs are good. Additionally, the Biochemistry emphasis is an excellent degree for those preparing to attend medical school, dental school, pharmacy school or other advanced degrees in the health professions.
Graduates with a bachelor degree in Chemistry Education will be prepared to teach chemistry in junior and senior high. Current employment opportunities for graduates from Chemistry Education programs are excellent.
Programs
Students may receive:
- Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with an Emphasis in Biochemistry
- Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with an Emphasis in Forensic Chemistry
- Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with an Emphasis in Professional Chemistry
- Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Education
Admission Requirements
A student who wants to pursue a chemistry major should meet with the department chair or chemistry advisor for advisement.
Faculty
Calvin Bond(2001)
Associate Professor
Department: Chemistry
Faculty
Fern Caka(2001)
Associate Professor
Department: Chemistry
Department Chair, Faculty
Stephen Chamberland(2015)
Assistant Professor
Department: Chemistry
Faculty
Asmahan El Ezzi(2009)
Professor
Department: Chemistry
Faculty
Gamini Gunawardena(1996)
Associate Professor
Department: Chemistry
Faculty
Merrill Halling(2012)
Assistant Professor
Department: Chemistry
Faculty
Young Ham(2012)
Associate Professor
Department: Chemistry
Faculty
Moana Hopoate-Sitake(2013)
Lecturer
Department: Chemistry
Faculty
Matthew Horn(2002)
Associate Professor
Department: Chemistry
Faculty
Elena Laricheva(2015)
Assistant Professor
Department: Chemistry
Faculty
Sally Rocks(2017)
Assistant Professor
Department: Chemistry
Faculty
James Shurtleff(2012)
Assistant Professor
Department: Chemistry
Faculty
Craig Thulin(2006)
Professor
Department: Chemistry
Faculty
Mark Wathen(2014)
Associate Professor
Department: Chemistry
Faculty
Lilia White(2016)
Lecturer
Department: Chemistry
Faculty
Bruce Wilson(2001)
Associate Professor
Department: Chemistry
Faculty
Ming Yu(2016)
Assistant Professor
Department: Chemistry
Faculty
Careers
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