BIOCHEMISTRY
College: Arts & Sciences
Degree: B. S. or B. A.
Limited Access: NO
Contact: Dr. Bill Cooper (jr/sr)
             Ms. Katie Garcia (fr/soph)
Address: 415 Dittmer Laboratory of Chemistry, FSU (Cooper)
             320 HCB (Garcia)
             Tallahassee, FL 32306-4390
Phone: 850.644.6875 (Cooper); 850.645.7943 (Garcia)
E-Mail: cooper@chem.fsu.edu ; kgarcia@admin.fsu.edu

Description of Major
Biochemistry, as a science, attempts to understand the chemical basis for all life processes. It draws information from, and has an impact on many fields: chemistry, zoology, botany, microbiology, virology, physiology, pharmacology, genetics, medicine, agriculture, and even ecology. No undergraduate major could possibly encompass all of the subject matter dealt with in this field. The major, therefore, is intended to provide the student with a strong background in chemistry, in physics, and in math, together with a broad introduction to biochemistry and biology, which will equip him or her with the tools needed for more specific applications or for advanced, more specialized study.

Prerequisite Coursework
Students must complete the following prerequisites (or acceptable substitutes) for admission in preparation for the upper division major.  All may also apply toward Liberal Studies (general education) and/or major coursework.
BSC X010/X010L (4) Biological Sciences l and Lab
BSC X011L (1) Biological Sciences II Lab
CHM X045, X045L (3,1) General Chemistry I with Lab
CHM X046, X046L (3,1) General Chemistry II with Lab
CHM X210/X210L (4) Organic Chemistry I with Lab
CHM X211/X211L (4) Organic Chemistry II with Lab
MAC X312 (4) Calculus II (note:  MAC 2311 Calculus I is a prerequisite to this course)
Other courses might serve as acceptable alternatives to these common program prerequisites.  Please see http://www.facts.org/cgi-bin/eaglec for a current list of approved substitutes.

Requirements for graduation in the College of Arts and Sciences include: a minimum of six hours each in written communication, humanities, and natural science, and three hours each in history and mathematics. These should be completed as part of the general education/Liberal Studies program. In addition, students must be proficient in a foreign language through the intermediate (2220 or equivalent) level or sign language through the advanced (2614 or equivalent) level.

Admission Requirements to Major Program of Studies
Students must complete at least 52 hours of credit with a minimum grade point average of 2.0, at least half the required Liberal Studies hours including English and mathematics, or an A.A. Degree.

Mapping
Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system.  Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion.  Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors.  You may view the map for this major at
www.academic-guide.fsu.edu/.

Departmental policy on grades and progress in the major.
No required course in which a student has earned a grade below "C-" may be applied toward any of the degrees in chemistry. Students must also make a "C-" or better in the first semester of a year sequence course (or obtain the instructor's permission) to continue the sequence. A student who has received more than five unsatisfactory grades (U, F, D-, D, D+) in courses required for a major offered by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (chemistry, mathematics, physics, biological science, or approved outside elective) and their prerequisites at Florida State University or elsewhere, whether or not repeated, will not be permitted to graduate with a degree in that major.

Major Program of Studies at FSU:  70-72 hours.
CHM 1045, 1045L or 1050, 1050L (3,1) General Chemistry I and Laboratory
CHM 1046, 1046L, or 1051, 1051L (3,1) General Chemistry II and Laboratory
CHM 3120, 3120L (2,2) Analytical Chemistry
CHM 4130, 4130L (3,1) Advanced Analytical Chemistry
CHM 2210 (3) Organic Chemistry I
CHM 2211, 2211L (3, 3) Organic Chemistry II and Laboratory
CHM 4410, 4411 (3, 3) Physical Chemistry I and II
BCH 4053, 4054 (3, 3) General Biochemistry I and II
BSC 2010 (3) Biological Sciences I
BSC 2010L (1) Biological Sciences I Lab
BSC 2011 (3) Biological Sciences II
BSC 2011L (2) Biological Sciences II Lab
PCB 3063 (3) General Genetics
XXX XXXX (4) Biological Science Electives (see website or consult advisor)
MAC 2311 (4) Calculus with Analytic Geometry I
MAC 2312 (4) Calculus with Analytic Geometry II
PHY 2048C (5) General Physics A
PHY 2049C (5) General Physics B
Select one of the following:
CHM 4410L, 4411L (1, 2) Physical Chemistry Laboratory
BCH 4053L (3) Biochemistry Laboratory
CHM 4906 (3) Honors Work

Computer Skills Competency:  0 beyond major coursework.  CHM 3120L (2).    

Oral Communication Competency:  0-3 hours
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly.  This requirement may be met through appropriate high school speech training or with an approved college-level course.

Minimum Program Requirements - Summary
Total Hrs. Required 120
Liberal Studies 36*
Prerequisites 0 beyond other requirements
Major Coursework 71-73*
Minor Coursework  0
Foreign Language 0-12 (depending on placement)
Computer Skills 0 beyond major
Oral Communication Competency 0-3
Electives to bring total hours to 120
*Some coursework required for the major may also be applied towards Liberal Studies and/or minor requirements.

Remarks:
1. 60 hours must be earned at a senior institution.
2. The final 30 hours must be in residence at FSU.
3. A minimum of 40 hours must be earned at the 3000/4000 (junior/senior) level. (Note:  calculus, organic chemistry and physics courses apply toward meeting this requirement.)
4. The B. A. Degree requires an additional 9 hours in the fields of history and humanities beyond Liberal Studies.
5. All 4000-level courses must be taken at FSU.
6. Students with more then five grades below ”C-”in required courses or their prerequisites, including transfer courses, will be dropped from the program.

Employment Information
Representative Job Titles Related to this Major: Baccalaureate level – Laboratory Assistant/Technician, Laboratory Tester/Analyst, Inspector (ex: food & drug), Medical Technologist, Environmental Analyst, Crime Laboratory Analyst, Technical/Scientific Writer, Technical Sales and/or Service Representative, Teacher - high school (with appropriate education preparation), Consumer Safety Officer. With further study: Biochemist/Researcher/Engineer, Physician, Pharmacist, Veterinarian, Dentist, Chemist/Researcher/Engineer, Food Scientist, Teacher - college, university, Geneticist.