Biochemistry

Program Description

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry embraces and supports the overall mission of La Salle University. We strive to create and maintain a nurturing, supportive environment for both students and faculty as we advance our understanding of biochemistry and its application to the world around us. Our goal is to establish a community of curious and knowledgeable active learners. Implicit in the mission is a profound respect for the individual learner and an emphasis on the ethical responsibility of scientific inquiry towards the broader local, national and global communities.

Why take this major?

Our graduates have attended some of the best graduate schools in the country including Princeton, Harvard, Berkeley, Johns Hopkins, Georgetown, and Caltech. Many of our students have become physicians, laywers, or teachers, while other graduates have obtained lucrative employment in the biochemical industry.

No matter what their chosen career path, our graduates excel because our department trains them in the critical thinking and problem solving. As a liberal arts university, La Salle has a curriculum that offers a solid background in the fundamentals of chemical and biochemical sciences coupled with a broad-based education. Students are made aware of the interconnections of biochemistry with the other sciences and also with the social sciences, business, and the humanities. With such an education, our graduates leave La Salle as dynamic, adaptable, and prepared individuals ready for almost anything they will face in the future.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will execute biochemical experimental laboratory techniques.
  • Students will communicate scientific ideas and research both orally and in writing to both general and scientific audiences.
  • Students will persist, think critically, and problem solve in tackling complex scientific problems.
  • Students will explain the importance of biochemistry in addressing societal issues.
  • Students will explain, visualize, and interpret biochemistry at a macroscopic or (molecular) microscopic level.

Program Contact Information

William Price

Chair

Holroyd Hall 345

price@lasalle.edu

(215) 951-1261

Degree Earned

B.S.

Number of Courses Required for Graduation

Major: 19 Courses: 9-11 Chemistry, 3-5 Biology, 2 Math, 2 Physics, 1 Computer Science

Total: 38

Number of Credits Required for Graduation

Major: 73

Total: minimum of 130

GPA Required for Graduation

Major: 2.0

Cumulative: 2.0

Progress Chart

Level One - Core Courses

12 courses and 2 modules required

Universal Required Courses (4 Courses)

Students must complete the following 4 courses.

ILO 8.1: Written Communication

ENG 110 - College Writing I: Persuasion

ILO 5.1: Information Literacy

ENG 210 - College Writing II: Research

ILO 1.1: Understanding Diverse Perspectives

FYS 130 - First-Year Academic Seminar **

NOTE. The following students use Level 2 Capstone Experience in Major instead of FYS 130: Honors, BUSCA, Core-to-Core, Transfer, and Non-Traditional/Evening.

ILO 2.1: Reflective Thinking and Valuing

REL 100 - Religion Matters

Elective Core Courses (4 Courses)

Students must complete 1 course in each of the following 4 ILOs.

ILO 3.1a: Scientific Reasoning

CHM 111 General Chemistry I

ILO 3.1b: Quantitative Reasoning

MTH 120 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I

ILO 6.1: Technological Competency

CSC 152 Introduction to Computing: Mathematics/Science Applications

ILO 8.1a/12.1: Oral Communication/ Collaborative Engagement

Choose course within ILO

Distinct Discipline Core Courses (4 Courses)

Students must complete 1 course in each of the following 4 ILOs. Each course must be from a different discipline. (A "discipline" is represented by the 3- or 4-letter prefix attached to each course.)

ILO 4.1: Critical Analysis and Reasoning

Choose course within ILO

ILO 9.1: Creative and Artistic Expression

Choose course within ILO

ILO 10.1: Ethical Understanding and Reasoning

Choose course within ILO

ILO 11.1: Cultural and Global Awareness and Sensitivity

Choose course within ILO

Universal Required Modules (2 Courses)

Students must complete the following 2 non-credit modules.
The Modules are not required for Transfer Students, Core-to-Core Students, or BUSCA Students. BUSCA students are required to take modules if/when they pursue a bachelor’s degree.

ILO 7.1a

Health Literacy Module

ILO 7.1b

Financial Literacy Module

Major Requirements

Major requirements include 4 Level Two ILO requirements, fulfilled through the major.

Students in this major must complete 38 courses in total in order to graduate. 19 Courses: 9-11 Chemistry, 3-5 Biology, 2 Math, 2 Physics, 1 Computer Science courses will be from this major program.

Level Two (4 Courses)

Students must complete 1 course/learning experience in each of the 4 commitments.

ILO 2.2: Broader Identity (Capstone Course/Experience)

Fulfilled within major

Choose one ILO from 3.2a, 3.2b, 4.2, 5.2, 6.2, 7.2a, or 7.2b: Expanded Literacies

Fulfilled within major

ILO 8.2b: Effective Expression (Writing-Intensive Course)

Fulfilled within major

Choose on ILO from 10.2, 11.2, or 12.2: Active Responsibility

Fulfilled within major

All Other Required Courses

BIO 210 - Cellular Biology and Genetics
BIO 402 - Cell Biology
BIO 413 - Molecular Biology
CHM 111 - General Chemistry I
CHM 112 - General Chemistry II
CHM 201 - Organic Chemistry I
CHM 202 - Organic Chemistry II
CHM 212 - Quantitative Analysis
CHM 331 - Thermodynamics & Kinetics
CHM 411 - Biochemistry I
CHM 412 - Biochemistry II
CHM 499 - Capstone
CSC 152 - Introduction to Computing: Mathematics/Science Applications
MTH 120 - Calculus I
MTH 121 - Calculus II
PHY 105 - General Physics I
PHY 106 - General Physics II

 

Two Elective courses from the list below:
   For students double majoring in Biology and Biochemistry, the two electives must be Chemistry courses.
   For students double majoring in Chemistry and Biochemistry, the two electives must be Biology courses.

 

BIO 306 - Neurobiology
BIO 310 - Genetics
BIO 430 - Biology of Cancer
CHM 311 - Instrumental Chemistry
CHM 320 - Organic Laboratory Methods
CHM 332 - Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy
CHM 403 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

CSC 152 - Introduction to Computing; Mathematics/Science Applications

Free Electives

In addition to the requirements listed above, students must take enough courses to the fulfill graduation credit requirements for their School and major.

Dual Major Requirements

Biology majors wishing to double major with Biochemistry need to take two Chemistry courses as their electives.

Chemistry majors wishing to double major with Biochemistry need to take two Biology courses as their electives.

Freshman Year:

   Fall:  CHM 111, MTH 120

   Spring:   CHM 112, MTH 221, CSC 152

Sophomore Year:

  Fall:   CHM 201, PHY 105

  Spring:   CHM 202, PHY 106, BIO 210

Junior Year:

  Fall:   BIO 402, Elective

  Spring:   CHM 212, CHM 331, BIO 413

Senior Year:

  Fall:   CHM 411, Elective

  Spring:   CHM 412, CHM 499

Course Descriptions

All course descriptions may be found in the main menu under Undergraduate > Courses: A-Z.