Program: Biochemistry [BCH] - SUNY Cortland - Modern Campus Catalog™

2013-14 Undergraduate Catalog

Apr 10, 2025

A major in biochemistry provides a strong foundation for post-graduate study in the field, and prepares students for health-science related careers including medicine, dentistry, allied health and pharmacy. Students with biochemistry degrees also go onto careers in business, forensics, and the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. For more information about this program, contact the Chemistry Department .

Career Potential

Industrial chemist
Health professions
Research scientist
Consultant
Law enforcement
Patent attorney
State and federal agency scientist and policymaker

A. Required Courses: 51 credit hours

BIO 201 - Biological Sciences I (4 cr. hr.)
BIO 202 - Biological Sciences II (4 cr. hr.)
BIO 210 - Cellular Biology (4 cr. hr.)
BIO 312 - Genetics (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 221 - General Chemistry I (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 222 - General Chemistry II (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 301 - Organic Chemistry I (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 302 - Organic Chemistry II (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 304 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (1 cr. hr.)
CHE 310 - Foundations of Analytical Chemistry (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 361 - Introduction to Research in Chemistry and Biochemistry (1 cr. hr.)
CHE 431 - Physical Chemistry I (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 451 - Introductory Biochemistry I (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 452 - Biochemistry II (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 453 - Introductory Biochemistry Lab II (1 cr. hr.)
CHE 461 - Senior Seminar in Chemistry and Biochemistry (1 cr. hr.)
CHE 477 - Advanced Laboratory I (3 cr. hr.)

B. Elective Course Option: 3 credit hours

CHE 432 - Physical Chemistry II (3 cr. hr.) or
BIO 521 - Molecular Biology (3 cr. hr.)

C. Related Courses in Science and Math: 14-16 credit hours

MAT 121 - Calculus A (3 cr. hr.) and
MAT 122 - Calculus B (3 cr. hr.)
or
MAT 135 - Calculus I (4 cr. hr.) and
MAT 236 - Calculus II (4 cr. hr.)
PHY 201 - Principles of Physics I (4 cr. hr.)
PHY 202 - Principles of Physics II (4 cr. hr.)

Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 120

Example of the Bachelor's Degree in Biochemistry over Four Years

First Year

Fall Total credit hours: 15-16

GE course

CHE 221 - General Chemistry I (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 224 - Problem-Solving in General Chemistry I (1 cr. hr.)
COR 101 - The Cortland Experience: A First Year Seminar (1 cr. hr.)
CPN 100 - Writing Studies I (3 cr. hr.) or
CPN 102 - Writing Studies in the Community I (4 cr. hr.)
MAT 121 - Calculus A (3 cr. hr.)

Spring Total credit hours: 15-16

BIO 201 - Biological Sciences I (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 222 - General Chemistry II (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 225 - Problem-Solving in General Chemistry II (1 cr. hr.)
CPN 101 - Writing Studies II (3 cr. hr.) or
CPN 103 - Writing Studies in the Community II (4 cr. hr.)
MAT 122 - Calculus B (3 cr. hr.)

Second Year

Fall Total credit hours: 16

Two GE courses

BIO 202 - Biological Sciences II (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 301 - Organic Chemistry I (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 305 - Problem-Solving in Organic Chemistry I (1 cr. hr.)
CHE 361 - Introduction to Research in Chemistry and Biochemistry (1 cr. hr.)

Spring Total credit hours: 16

GE course

BIO 210 - Cellular Biology (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 302 - Organic Chemistry II (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 304 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (1 cr. hr.)
CHE 306 - Problem-Solving in Organic Chemistry II (1 cr. hr.)
PHY 201 - Principles of Physics I (4 cr. hr.)

Third Year

Fall Total credit hours: 13

GE course
Elective course

CHE 451 - Introductory Biochemistry I (3 cr. hr.)
PHY 202 - Principles of Physics II (4 cr. hr.)

Spring Total credit hours: 17

GE course
Foreign Language course
Writing Intensive course

BIO 312 - Genetics (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 310 - Foundations of Analytical Chemistry (4 cr. hr.)

Fourth Year

Fall Total credit hours: 17

GE course
Elective course

BIO 521 - Molecular Biology (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 431 - Physical Chemistry I (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 461 - Senior Seminar in Chemistry and Biochemistry (1 cr. hr.)
CHE 477 - Advanced Laboratory I (3 cr. hr.)

Spring Total credit hours: 13-16

GE course
Elective courses

CHE 452 - Biochemistry II (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 453 - Introductory Biochemistry Lab II (1 cr. hr.)