BIOCHEMISTRY

Biochemistry Major and Degree Requirements

Undergraduate students can pursue one of four options for the biochemistry major:

• Biochemistry, Bachelor of Arts Degree (College of Letters & Science)
• Biochemistry, Bachelor of Science Degree (College of Letters & Science)
• Biochemistry, Bachelor of Science Degree (College of Agricultural and Life Sciences)
• Biochemistry major as an additional major in conjunction with a degree from a different school/college (Business, Education, Engineering, etc.)

For all options, the major biochemistry coursework required for the degree is identical. See the links above for more specific requirements for each degree, such as differences in GPA requirements and non-major coursework. One degree does not “look” better than the other for purposes of employment, medical school, or graduate school, so students are encouraged to select the option that fits best given their academic interests, advanced standing credit, courses already taken, and/or courses they’d like to take in the future. 

Key differences between L&S and CALS include:

• amount and type of breadth requirements (humanities, social sciences, literature, etc.)
• GPA requirements to graduate
• access to different scholarships and career advising resources
• academic policies regarding items like double majoring or probation status 

Students who add on the biochemistry major while pursuing a degree in Business, Education, Engineering, etc. (meaning, not in CALS or L&S) will follow the breadth and degree requirements for their school or college, and for biochemistry will complete just the major-specific requirements.

Students may also set up an appointment with the undergraduate advisor to go over requirements in detail and processes for switching colleges/degrees.

Honors in the Biochemistry Major

Honors is available for all majors, regardless of the specific degree they are pursuing. However, the requirements differ. Find information under Degree Requirements for each specific degree in the Guide.