Overview

The Department of Chemistry is one of the oldest departments in the university and has a long record of preparing students for careers in science. Since a significant portion of America's chemical industry is centered in the Philadelphia region, there is a wide range of career opportunities locally available. Although most of our students have gone on to medicine, dentistry or the chemical industry, recent graduates have also gone on to careers in law, forensics and even art restoration.

The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry prepares students for excellence in graduate or medical school, and employment in the chemical, biotechnological or pharmaceutical industries. Students learn a wide array of topics in biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics. In upper-division studies, Biochemistry majors learn to apply biochemical principles to real-life situations via problem-based approaches in their courses. Laboratory courses give students the tools they will need as biochemists to pursue research. Accomplished majors are encouraged to pursue independent research with a professor, and to present their work internally and at national meetings.

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: ST-BIOC-BS

Distinction in Major

To graduate with distinction in this major, a student must achieve a minimum 3.33 GPA in all the Biology and Chemistry courses required for the major.

Accelerated Programs

Accelerated programs provide a pathway for students to pursue both an undergraduate degree and an advanced degree in a shorter amount of time. Below is a list of available accelerated programs for students in the BS in Biochemistry.

​Undergraduate Contact Information

Ann Valentine, Chair
Beury Hall, Room 130
215-204-7118
ann.valentine@temple.edu

Vince Voelz, Vice Chair
Beury Hall, Room 240
215-204-1973
vincent.voelz@temple.edu

Steven Fleming, Faculty Advisor (Last names A-C)
Beury Hall, Room 446
215-204-0359
sfleming@temple.edu

Roy Keyer, Faculty Advisor (Last names D-G)
Beury Hall, Room 440
215-204-7286
roy.keyer@temple.edu

Dan Strongin, Faculty Advisor (Last names H-K)
Beury Hall, Room 246
215-204-7119
dstrongi@temple.edu

Jonathan Smith, Faculty Advisor (Last names L-O)
Beury Hall, Room 213
215-204-2252
jmsmith1@temple.edu

Vladi Wilent, Faculty Advisor (Last names P-S)
Beury Hall, Room 344
215-204-7186
vladi.wilent@temple.edu

Graham Dobereiner, Faculty Advisor (Last names T-Z)
Beury Hall, Room 342
215-204-3185
dob@temple.edu

Daniele Ramella, Faculty Advisor (Undergraduate research)
Beury Hall, Room 126B
215-204-1931
daniele.ramella@temple.edu

Angela Bricker, Faculty Advisor (Biology)
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 248C
215-204-8578
abricker@temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2023-2024. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2023 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Bachelor of Science Requirements

Summary of Requirements for the Degree

  1. University Requirements (123 total s.h.)
    • Students must complete all University requirements including those listed below.
    • All undergraduate students must complete at least two writing-intensive courses for a total of at least six credits at Temple as part of their major. The specific writing-intensive course options for this major are:
      BIOL 2297Research Techniques in Genetics (S)3
      CHEM 4196Techniques of Chemical Measurement II5
      CHEM 4496Research Techniques in Biochemistry4
    • Students must complete the General Education (GenEd) requirements.
      • See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for the GenEd curriculum.
      • Students who complete CST majors receive a waiver for 2 Science & Technology (GS) and 1 Quantitative Literacy (GQ) GenEd courses.
    • Students must satisfy general Temple University residency requirements.
  2. College Requirements
    • A minimum of 90 total credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), and/or the College of Engineering (ENG). 
      • A minimum of 45 of these credits must be upper-level (courses numbered 2000 and above).
    • Complete a one-credit first-year or transfer seminar.
      • SCTC 1001 CST First Year Seminar for every entering first-year CST student.
      • SCTC 2001 CST Transfer Seminar for every entering transfer CST student.
  3. Major Requirements for Bachelor of Science (79-83 s.h.)
    At least 10 courses required for the major must be completed at Temple. At least 4 Biology and 4 Chemistry courses must be completed at Temple.
    Chemistry
    Select one of the following:4
    General Chemistry I
    and General Chemistry Laboratory I
    Honors General Chemical Science I
    and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory I (F)
    Select one of the following:4
    General Chemistry II
    and General Chemistry Laboratory II
    Honors General Chemical Science II
    and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory II (S)
    Select one of the following:4
    Organic Chemistry I
    and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
    Organic Chemistry for Majors I
    and Organic Majors Laboratory I (F)
    Organic Chemistry for Honors I
    and Organic Honors Laboratory I (F)
    Select one of the following:4
    Organic Chemistry II
    and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
    Organic Chemistry for Majors II
    and Organic Majors Laboratory II (S)
    Organic Chemistry for Honors II
    and Organic Honors Laboratory II (S)
    CHEM 3103
    CHEM 3105
    Techniques of Chemical Measurement I
    and Introduction to Chemical Research Techniques
    4
    CHEM 3405Physical Chemistry of Biomolecules3
    CHEM 4401Biochemistry I3
    CHEM 4496Research Techniques in Biochemistry4
    Biology
    BIOL 1111Introduction to Organismal Biology4
    or BIOL 1911 Honors Introduction to Organismal Biology
    Select one of the following:4
    Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
    Honors Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
    Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
    Honors Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
    BIOL 2207Genetics (S)3
    BIOL 2297Research Techniques in Genetics (S) 13
    BIOL 3204Cell Structure and Function (F)4
    BIOL 3324Molecular Biology (S)3
    BIOL 4376General Biochemistry II (F)3
    Biochemistry Electives
    Select three of the following: 19-13
    Genome Analytics
    Genomics and Infectious Disease Dynamics (F)
    Human Genetics (F)
    Introduction to Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
    Evolutionary Genetics (S)
    Behavioral Genetics (F)
    Parasitology (Not offered every year)
    Developmental Biology (F)
    Advanced Cell Biology (S)
    General Microbiology (S)
    Biology of Plants (F)
    Research Techniques in Molecular Biology (S)
    Immunology (S)
    Virology (F)
    Developmental Genetics (Not offered every year)
    Advanced Techniques in Microscopy (S)
    Mammalian Physiology (S)
    Systems Neuroscience
    Organization and Development of the Nervous System (S)
    Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (S)
    Molecular Neuropharmacology (Not offered every year)
    Endocrinology (F)
    Biology of Cancer (S)
    Cell Proliferation (S)
    Cell Signaling (S)
    Physical Biochemistry (S)
    Biotechnology (S)
    Contemporary Biology
    Scientific Writing for Biology: The Art of Communicating (S)
    Genomic Biology
    Epigenetics (Not offered every year)
    Genome Editing
    Biochemistry of Embryogenesis (F)
    Evolutionary Developmental Biology: Evo-Devo (S)
    Stem Cell Biology (F)
    General Biochemistry I (F)
    Accelerated Research in Biochemistry 2
    Research in Biochemistry 2
    Inorganic Chemistry
    Physical Chemistry Lecture I
    Physical Chemistry Lecture II
    Cooperative Research 2
    Undergraduate Research 2
    CHEM 4000-4800
    Cooperative Research 2
    Undergraduate Research 2
    Calculus III
    Honors Calculus III
    Mathematics
    MATH 1041Calculus I4
    or MATH 1941 Honors Calculus I
    MATH 1042Calculus II4
    or MATH 1942 Honors Calculus II
    Physics
    Select one of the following:4
    Elementary Classical Physics I
    Honors Elementary Classical Physics I (F)
    General Physics I
    Honors General Physics I (F)
    Select one of the following:4
    Elementary Classical Physics II
    Honors Elementary Classical Physics II (S)
    General Physics II
    Honors General Physics II (S)
    Total Credit Hours79-83
    (F) - Fall only course
    (S) - Spring only course
    1

    This course has a co-requisite of BIOL 2207.

    2

    A minimum of 6 credits of these research courses, in any combination, may be used to fulfill one of the Biochemistry Electives.

    Note: Grades of C- or higher are required unless otherwise specified in all courses for the major, including course prerequisites. Most research and Independent Study courses are not available for major credit, such as:

    BIOL 3091Research Methods3
    BIOL 3681Cooperative Studies2 to 4
    BIOL 3685Externship Studies3
    BIOL 4291Extradepartmental Research1 to 4
    BIOL 4391Accelerated Research in Biology1-4
    BIOL 4591Research in Neuroscience1 to 4

Suggested Academic Plan

All prospective majors should schedule an appointment with one of the departmental advisors (names of current faculty advisors are available in the Overview section) to plan a program of study. The recommended order of courses for the major is listed below; a different order is acceptable as long as the student adheres to prerequisite requirements.

Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2023-2024 Academic Year

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallCredit Hours
Select one of the following: 4
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry Laboratory I
Honors General Chemical Science I
and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory I (F)
MATH 1041
Calculus I
or Honors Calculus I
4
SCTC 1001 CST First Year Seminar 1
ENG 0802
Analytical Reading and Writing
or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL
or Honors Writing About Literature
4
Elective 2
 Credit Hours15
Spring
BIOL 1111
Introduction to Organismal Biology
or Honors Introduction to Organismal Biology
4
Select one of the following: 4
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry Laboratory II
Honors General Chemical Science II
and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory II (S)
MATH 1042
Calculus II
or Honors Calculus II
4
IH 0851
Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life
or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life
3
 Credit Hours15
Year 2
Fall
Select one of the following: 4
Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
or Honors Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
or Honors Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
Select one of the following: 4
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
Organic Chemistry for Majors I
and Organic Majors Laboratory I (F)
Organic Chemistry for Honors I
and Organic Honors Laboratory I (F)
Select one of the following: 4
Elementary Classical Physics I
Honors Elementary Classical Physics I (F)
General Physics I
Honors General Physics I (F)
IH 0852
Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good
or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good
3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
BIOL 2207 Genetics (S) 3
BIOL 2297 Research Techniques in Genetics (S) 3
Select one of the following: 4
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
Organic Chemistry for Majors II
and Organic Majors Laboratory II (S)
Organic Chemistry for Honors II
and Organic Honors Laboratory II (S)
Select one of the following: 4
Elementary Classical Physics II
Honors Elementary Classical Physics II (S)
General Physics II
Honors General Physics II (S)
Elective 2
 Credit Hours16
Year 3
Fall
BIOL 3204 Cell Structure and Function (F) 4
CHEM 3103 Techniques of Chemical Measurement I 1 3
CHEM 3105 Introduction to Chemical Research Techniques 1 1
Biochemistry Elective 2 3-4
GenEd Breadth Course 4-3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
CHEM 3405 Physical Chemistry of Biomolecules 2 3
CHEM 4401 Biochemistry I 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3-4
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Elective 3-2
 Credit Hours15
Year 4
Fall
BIOL 4376 General Biochemistry II (F) 3
Biochemistry Elective 2 3-4
Biochemistry Elective 2 3-5
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Elective 4-1
 Credit Hours16
Spring
CHEM 4496 Research Techniques in Biochemistry 4
BIOL 3324 Molecular Biology 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Elective 6
 Credit Hours16
 Total Credit Hours123
1

It is strongly encouraged that CHEM 3103/CHEM 3105 be taken prior to any laboratory courses numbered above CHEM 3105.

2

Biochemistry majors who want to take CHEM 4196 as a Biochemistry elective must take the CHEM 3301-CHEM 3302 sequence as CHEM 3405 does not serve as a prerequisite for these courses or any other course that has CHEM 3301 as a prerequisite or co-requisite.

(F) - Fall only course
(S) - Spring only course

Biochemistry Electives

Select three of the following:9-13
Genome Analytics
Genomics and Infectious Disease Dynamics (F)
Human Genetics (F)
Introduction to Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Evolutionary Genetics (S)
Behavioral Genetics (F)
Parasitology (Not offered every year)
Developmental Biology (F)
Advanced Cell Biology (S)
General Microbiology (S)
Biology of Plants (F)
Research Techniques in Molecular Biology (S)
Immunology (S)
Virology (F)
Developmental Genetics (Not offered every year)
Advanced Techniques in Microscopy (S)
Mammalian Physiology (S)
Systems Neuroscience
Organization and Development of the Nervous System (S)
Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (S)
Molecular Neuropharmacology (Not offered every year)
Endocrinology (F)
Biology of Cancer (S)
Cell Proliferation (S)
Cell Signaling (S)
Physical Biochemistry (S)
Biotechnology (S)
Contemporary Biology
Scientific Writing for Biology: The Art of Communicating (S)
Genomic Biology
Epigenetics (Not offered every year)
Genome Editing
Biochemistry of Embryogenesis (F)
Evolutionary Developmental Biology: Evo-Devo (S)
Stem Cell Biology (F)
General Biochemistry I (F)
Accelerated Research in Biochemistry 1
Research in Biochemistry 1
Inorganic Chemistry
Physical Chemistry Lecture I
Physical Chemistry Lecture II
Cooperative Research 1
Undergraduate Research 1
CHEM 4000-4800
Cooperative Research 1
Undergraduate Research 1
Calculus III
Honors Calculus III
1

A minimum of 6 credits of these research courses, in any combination, may be used to fulfill one of the Biochemistry Electives.