Biochemistry BS

Graduates will be prepared for employment at government laboratories, grant-funded university research facilities, industrial laboratories, and pharmaceutical laboratories, Graduates will also be prepared for entry into biochemistry master’s and doctoral programs including medical school.
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The Bachelor of Science in biochemistry is a rigorous science degree requiring requisite backgrounds and mathematics and science. It is a B.S. level program which will prepare students for direct employment in biomedical, environmental, and defense areas; or, any fields that utilize B.S. level scientists and for entry into biochemistry graduate schools. The degree includes 32 hours of core courses in chemistry, biochemistry and sciences. The B.S. Biochemistry program will prepare students for direct employment in biomedical, environmental, and defense areas; or, any fields that utilize baccalaureate level scientists. Graduates will be prepared for employment at government laboratories, grant-funded university research facilities, industrial laboratories, and pharmaceutical laboratories, Graduates will also be prepared for entry into biochemistry master’s and doctoral programs including medical school. The biochemistry major provides a foundation for acceptance into professional programs and serves as a pre-professional track for pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary, environmental, marine sciences programs.

The biochemistry program is broad. The program can be completed within 120 credit hours. The curriculum includes (a) 36 hours of general education coursework; (b) common prerequisites in biology, general and organic chemistry, and calculus,(c) 21 hours of required courses in the major; (d) 21 hours of electives in the major; and (d) 3 hours of IDS 3920 University Colloquium. The B.S. in Biochemistry includes courses that integrate chemistry with the life sciences (biochemistry, physical chemistry for the life sciences, and a bio-inorganic or medicinal chemistry courses) which make this program unique in Florida.

The program is also suited for students who wish to teach chemistry at the high school level after graduation but who prefer to study chemistry and biology more in-depth than a traditional education major. Graduates would be qualified to teach chemistry, although additional certification requirements may be necessary. Information on teaching certification requirements can be obtained in the College of Education.

Pedagogically, lectures are combined with group problem-solving activities with an emphasis on highly collaborative student-centered, interactive learning environment for General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry courses rather than the traditional lecture format. Upper level lectures are combined with group problem-solving activities with an emphasis on lab-centered learning. Laboratories are designed to include the latest technology and to allow collaborative experimental experiences. Instructors use active learning techniques to allow students to experience and understand chemical principles. The biochemistry major allows students to participate in undergraduate research. Students will learn the process of science, and in doing so will learn how to solve problems.

Department Contacts

Brown, David

Program Coord Biochemistry BS/Professor Biochemistry

SH 0436

239-590-7483

davidb@fgcu.edu

Accreditation
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Admissions Information
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Admissions Information for the 2024-2025 Catalog Year
If you are not yet an FGCU student, visit the Admissions Office Website
If you are a newly-admitted FGCU student please be sure to sign up for an Eagle View Orientation session. As part of this session you will be meeting with an academic advisor who will assist you in registering for classes for your major.
Admission Deadlines
Visit the Admissions Office Web site for information on admission deadlines of the university.
Program Requirements
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Program Requirements for the 2024-2025 Catalog Year
The General Education Program Website is located at https://www.fgcu.edu/academics/undergraduatestudies/generaleducation/
Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements
For timely degree completion, students must complete all program milestones. The following actions occur when milestone are missed: first occurrence—warning and advising hold; second occurrence—advising hold and counseling regarding progression requirements; and third occurrence—counseling and change to a major outside of the Department of Chemistry and Physics or Department of Biology that is more appropriate to student goals and academic performance. Appeals are handled through the relevant department. The decision of the appeal committee is final. Program milestones include the following:
- CHM 1045/L (or CHM 1045C) minimum grade of C completed one calendar year from admission as first time in college (FTIC) or 30 credits earned, whichever is earlier.
- CHM 1046/L (or CHM 1046C) minimum grade of C completed by end of fifth semester (including summers) from admission as FTIC or 60 credits earned, whichever is earlier.
- CHM 2210/L (or CHM 2210C) minimum grade of C completed by end of seventh semester (including summers) from admission as FTIC or 75 credits earned, whichever is earlier.
- CHM 2211/L (or CHM 2211C) minimum grade of C completed by end of eighth semester (including summers) from admission as FTIC or 90 credits earned, whichever is earlier.
- CHM 3120/L (or CHM 3120C) minimum grade of C completed by end of eighth semester (including summers) from admission as FTIC or 90 credits earned, whichever is earlier.
Transfer students may declare the major after they have completed CHM 1045/L, CHM 1046/L, and CHM 2210/L with grades of C or better in each course. CHM 2211/L and CHM 3120/L must be completed with a grade of C or better within three semesters (including summer) of declaring the major.

In addition to the program requirements, students must:
- Complete a minimum of 120 credits.
- Complete a minimum of 48 of the 120 credits at the upper division (3000 - 4999 level).
- Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all coursework attempted at FGCU.
- Satisfy the College-Level Skills and foreign language entrance requirements.
- Satisfy the Service-Learning requirement.
- Satisfy the Civic Literacy requirement.
- Satisfy the residency requirement: 30 of the last 60 credits must be completed at FGCU.
- Complete the summer course enrollment requirement.
- Submit an Application for Graduation by the deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
Program Requirements
1. FGCU General Education Program (https://www.fgcu.edu/academics/undergraduatestudies/generaleducation/)
  To prevent or minimize excess hours, select general education courses that satisfy common prerequisite requirements for your intended major.
2. Common Prerequisites
  For this major, common prerequisite courses with an asterisk (*) require prior knowledge and skills demonstrated through degree acceleration programs (e.g., the College Board's Advanced Placement Program [AP], International Baccalaureate Program [IB], College-Level Examination Program [CLEP], Advanced International Certificate of Education Program [AICE]); dual enrollment; placement exam; or college coursework.
  
  FGCU Course: BSC 1010C General Biology I w/lab (4) Minimum grade of C
  Acceptable Substitute: (BSCX010 and BSCX010L) or BSCX010C or BSCX040C
  
  FGCU Course: BSC 1011 General Biology II (3) and BSC 1011L General Biology II Laboratory (1) Minimum grade of C
  Acceptable Substitute: (BSCX011 and BSCX011L) or BSCX011C or BSCX041C
  
  FGCU Course: *CHM 1045 General Chemistry I (3) and CHM 1045L General Chemistry I Laboratory (1) Minimum grade of C
  Acceptable Substitute: (CHMX045 and CHMX045L) or CHMX045C or (CHMX040 AND CHMX041)
  [Prerequisites of MAT 1033 minimum grade of C then MAC 1105 minimum grade of C; or relevant accelerated credit; or placement exam]
  
  FGCU Course: CHM 1046 General Chemistry II (3) and CHM 1046L General Chemistry II Lab (1) Minimum grade of C
  Acceptable Substitute: (CHMX046 and CHMX046L) or CHMX046C
  
  FGCU Course: CHM 2210 Organic Chemistry I (3) and CHM 2210L Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1) Minimum grade of C
  Acceptable Substitute: (CHMX210 and CHMX210L) or (PHYX048 and PHYX048L) or (PHYX053 and PHYX053L)
  
  FGCU Course: CHM 2211 Organic Chemistry II (3) and CHM 2211L Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (1) Minimum grade of C
  Acceptable Substitute: (CHMX211 and CHMX211L) or (PHYX049 and PHYX049L) or (PHYX054 and PHYX054L)
  
  FGCU Course: *MAC 2311 Calculus I (4) Minimum grade of C
  Acceptable Substitute: MACX311 or MACX233 or MACX253 or MACX281
  [Prerequisites of MAT 1033 minimum grade of C then MAC 1105 minimum grade of C then MAC 1147 minimum grade of C; or relevant accelerated credit; or placement exam]
  
  FGCU Course: MAC 2312 Calculus II (4) Minimum grade of C
  Acceptable Substitute: MACX312
3. Required Courses in the Major (38 credits)
  A minimum grade of C is required in each course
  
  BCH 4033 Advanced Biochemistry I (3)
  BCH 4033L Advanced Biochemistry I Lab (1)
  BCH 4034 Advanced Biochemistry II (3)
  BCH 4034L Advanced Biochemistry II Lab (1)
  CHM 3120 Analytical Chemistry (3)
  CHM 3120L Analytical Chemistry Lab (1)
  CHM 3410 Physical Chemistry I (3)
  CHM 3410L Physical Chemistry I Lab (1)
  CHM 3610 Inorganic Chemistry (3)
  CHM 3610L Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (1)
  CHM 4130 Instrumental Analysis (3)
  CHM 4130L Instrumental Analysis Lab (1)
  CHM 4230C Practical NMR Spectroscopy (3)
  CHM 4932 Chemistry Senior Seminar (3)
  PHY 2048 General Physics I (3) and PHY 2048L General Physics I Laboratory (1)^
  PHY 2049 General Physics II (3) and PHY 2049L General Physics II Laboratory (1)^^
  
  ^Or PHY 2053 College Physics I (3) and PHY 2053L College Physics I Laboratory (1). If PHY 2048/L or PHY 2053/L were completed as common prerequisites, then CHM 2210/L must be taken to fulfill the required courses in the major.
  ^^ Or PHY 2054 College Physics II (3) and PHY 2054L College Physics II Laboratory (1). If PHY 2049/L or PHY 2054/L were completed as common prerequisites, then CHM 2211/L must be taken to fulfill the required courses in the major.
4. Restricted Electives in the Major (19 credits)
  A minimum grade of C is required in each course
  
  Chemistry electives (13 credits)
  BCH 3025C Analytical Biochemistry (3)
  CHM 3411 Physical Chemistry II (3)
  CHM 3411L Physical Chemistry II Lab (1)
  CHM 3940 Internship in Chemistry (0-4)^^^
  CHM 4080C Adv Environmental Chemistry (3)
  CHM 4174C Lasers in Physical Sciences (3)
  CHM 4220C Advanced Organic Chemistry (3)
  CHM 4254C Medicinal Organic Synthesis (3)
  CHM 4300 Bio-Organic Chemistry (3)
  CHM 4431 Statistical Thermodynamics (3)
  CHM 4512 Computational Modeling (3)
  CHM 4671 Bioinorganic Chemistry (3)
  CHM 4714C Materials Chemistry (3)
  CHM 4905C Dir Ind Study/Res in Chem (1-4)^^^
  CHM 4910C Senior Project in Chemistry (2)^^^
  CHM 4912C Senior Thesis/Pres. Chemistry (2)^^^
  CHM 4930 Special Topics in Chemistry (2-4)
  CHS 4533C Forensic Biochemistry (3)
  CHS 4544C Forensic Chemistry (3)
  ^^^A maximum number of 4 credits combined from these courses can be used to fulfill the elective requirement.
  
  Biology electives (6 credits)
  BSC 4422C Methods in Biotechnology (3)
  MCB 3020C General Microbiology (4)
  PCB 3023C Cell Biology (4)
  PCB 3063C Genetics (4)
  PCB 4233C Immunology (3)
  PCB 4522C Molecular Genetics (3)
5. University Requirements (3 credits)
  Select one of the following:
  IDS 3920 University Colloquium (3)
  Or at least 3 credits in sustainability coursework (SCGR Attribute)
6. Additional Electives - as needed to reach total credits required for the degree
Total Credits Required: 120
Degree Map
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Degree Maps are to be used as a general guideline for students. Some students scheduling needs may vary based upon completed courses and transfer credits. Please see your advisor for assistance and verification.
2024-2025 Biochemistry BS Degree Map

Additional Graduation Requirements include:
- A minimum of 120 credit hours.
- A minimum of 48 of the 120 hours must be at the upper division (3000 - 4999) level.
- A cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all coursework attempted at FGCU.
- A minimum grade of C for each course used to satisfy the following categories: common prerequisites, required courses in the major, and courses in the concentration.
- Satisfaction of the College-Level Skills and foreign language entrance requirements.
- Satisfaction of the Service Learning requirement (See www.fgcu.edu/connect).
- Satisfaction of the residency requirement: thirty of the last sixty credits must be completed at FGCU.
- Completion of the summer course enrollment requirement.
- Submit an online Application for Graduation via Gulfline by the deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
Transfer Notes and Acceptable Substitutes

For All Majors: Students are strongly recommended to select required lower division electives that will enhance their General Education coursework and that will support their intended baccalaureate degree program. Students should consult with an academic advisor in their major degree area.
Course Description
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Official Course Descriptions

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Go to the Course Descriptions Search Web page, then follow these steps:
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2. Select a course prefix from one of the SUBJECT dropdowns (required)
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Course Schedule
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Getting Started With the Course Schedule Search

Search for program courses by using the Course Schedule Search utility.

Go to the Course Schedule Search Web page, then follow these steps:
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2. Select one or more of the search options to narrow your results (for example, CAMPUS, COLLEGE, DEPARTMENT, LEVEL, PREFIX*, COURSE ATTRIBUTE**). For virtual or web courses, select VIRTUAL in the CAMPUS field.
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*A course prefix is a three-letter designator for a major division of an academic discipline (for example, ACG for Accounting , BSC for Biological Science, ENC for English Composition). See the Degree Requirements page for a list of courses (with prefix and number) that can be used to fulfill degree requirements.

**A course attribute identifies specific characteristics of courses that can be used in a Degree Evaluation to satisfy a degree requirement. (Course attribute examples are Humanities courses - GEHM and Social Science courses - GESO.)
Learning Outcomes
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Academic Learning Compact

Consistent with its mission and guiding principles, Florida Gulf Coast University is committed to academic excellence and continuous quality improvement, as supported by a sound teaching-learning process. Within this process, students and instructors share responsibility for learning that is a movement from the simple to the complex, the concrete to the abstract, and the dependent to the independent. The Academic Learning Compact (ALC) initiative supports the teaching-learning process by clearly identifying expected core student learning outcomes in the areas of content/discipline knowledge and skills, communication skills, and critical thinking skills; aligning curricula with expectations; and using assessment to guide continuous improvement.

Content/Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Graduates will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of chemical structure and properties.
2. Possess a broad and fundamental understanding of biology and chemistry with particular focus on how molecules found in biological systems influence the properties of living organisms.
Content/Discipline Knowledge and Skills objective #1 is assessed through final exams in CHM 3120 Analytical Chemistry and CHM 3610 Inorganic Chemistry, as well as, through poster/oral presentations and other completed projects in CHM 4932 Chemistry Senior Seminar. Objective #2 is assessed through the final exam in BCH 4034C Advanced Biochemistry II.
Communication Skills
Graduates will be able to:
1. Be able to effectively communicate scientific information from the chemical literature and/or from experimental results.
Communication Skills are assessed through poster/oral presentations and other completed projects in CHM 4932 Chemistry Senior Seminar.
Critical Thinking Skills
Graduates will be able to:
1. Be able to interpret and evaluate scientific information from the chemical literature and/or from experimental results.
Critical thinking skills are assessed in CHM 4932 Senior Seminar.
Tuition, Fees, and Financial Assistance
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Tuition and Fees

Information on Tuition, Fees and estimated total Cost of Attendance is available on the Office of the Bursar web site.

Financial Aid Opportunities

Visit FGCU's Financial Aid Web site for information about grants, additional scholarships, loans, and student employment.