Biochemistry, B.S.

Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry.

The Bachelor of Science degree 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.

Undergraduate Contact Information:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bachelor of Science 

Summary of Requirements for the Degree

  1. University Requirements (123 total s.h.)
    • Students must complete all University requirements including those listed below.
    • All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses at Temple as part of their major. The specific writing-intensive course options for this major are:
      BIOL 2296Genetics (S)4
      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
    • 45 Upper Level (2000+) credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) or the College of Engineering (ENG).
    • 90 credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) or the College of Engineering (ENG).
    • All students in the College of Science and Technology are required to take a one credit first year seminar. SCTC 1001 CST First Year Seminar is the appropriate course option for every entering first year CST major. Transfer students should use SCTC 2001 CST Transfer Seminar to fulfill this requirement. Other courses that fulfill this requirement may be found on the CST College Requirements page.

  3. Major Requirements for Bachelor of Science (77-81 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
    BIOL 2112Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology4
    or BIOL 2912 Honors Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
    BIOL 2296Genetics (S)4
    BIOL 3096Cell 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)
    Molecular Biology
    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
    Physical Chemistry Laboratory I
    and Physical Chemistry Laboratory II
    Cooperative Research 1
    Undergraduate Research 1
    CHEM 4000-4800
    Cooperative Research 1
    Undergraduate Research 1
    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 Hours77-81
    (F) - Fall only course
    (S) - Spring only course

    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

Calculation of Major GPA

Courses listed under the major requirements for the degree will be included in the calculation of the major GPA. Courses that could not apply toward the major as an elective or required course would not be counted in the calculation of the major GPA. This would include BIOL 1011, for example.

Distinction in Major

To graduate with Distinction in Major, students are required to achieve a 3.33 GPA or higher in all the Biology and Chemistry courses in their major.

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 About 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

Requirements for New Students starting in the 2022-2023 Academic Year

Year 1
FallCredit Hours
Select one of the following:4
General Chemistry I 
Honors General Chemical Science I (F) 
MATH 1041 or 1941Calculus I4
SCTC 1001CST First Year Seminar1
ENG 0802, 0812, or 0902Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]4
Elective 2
 Term Credit Hours15
Spring
BIOL 1111 or 1911Introduction to Organismal Biology4
Select one of the following:4
General Chemistry II 
Honors General Chemical Science II (S) 
MATH 1042 or 1942Calculus II4
IH 0851 or 0951Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]3
 Term Credit Hours15
Year 2
Fall
BIOL 2112 or 2912Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology4
Select one of the following:4
Organic Chemistry I 
Organic Chemistry for Majors I (F) 
Organic Chemistry for Honors 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 or 0952Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]3
 Term Credit Hours15
Spring
BIOL 2296Genetics [WI] (S)4
Select one of the following:4
Organic Chemistry II 
Organic Chemistry for Majors II (S) 
Organic Chemistry for Honors 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) 
GenEd Breadth Course3
 Term Credit Hours15
Year 3
Fall
BIOL 3096Cell Structure and Function [WI] (F)4
CHEM 3103Techniques of Chemical Measurement I13
CHEM 3105Introduction to Chemical Research Techniques11
Biochemistry Elective23-4
GenEd Breadth Course4-3
 Term Credit Hours15
Spring
CHEM 3405Physical Chemistry of Biomolecules23
CHEM 4401Biochemistry I3
GenEd Breadth Course3-4
Elective7-6
 Term Credit Hours16
Year 4
Fall
BIOL 4376General Biochemistry II (F)3
Biochemistry Elective23-4
Biochemistry Elective23-5
GenEd Breadth Course3
Elective4-1
 Term Credit Hours16
Spring
CHEM 4496Research Techniques in Biochemistry [WI]4
BIOL 3324Molecular Biology3
GenEd Breadth Course3
Elective6
 Term Credit Hours16
 Total Credit Hours: 123
(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)
Molecular Biology
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
Physical Chemistry Laboratory I
and Physical Chemistry Laboratory II
Cooperative Research 1
Undergraduate Research 1
CHEM 4000-4800
Cooperative Research 1
Undergraduate Research 1
Calculus III
Honors Calculus III