Notes

Major

Academic Standards

Test-out & Credit-by-Exam Policy

Courses

Biochemistry
(College of Letters and Science)
Chris Yahnke, Chair of Biology Department
Room 167A, College of Natural Resources Building
Phone: 715-346-2455
Email: biology@uwsp.edu
Web: www.uwsp.edu/biology

James G. Brummer, Chair of Chemistry Department
Room D129A, Science Building
Phone: 715-346-2888
E-mail: chemistry@uwsp.edu
Web: www.uwsp.edu/chemistry
 

Chemistry Faculty: R Badger, S Bondeson, J Brummer, D Chitharanjan, L Cole, K Czerwinski, J Droske, P Hladky, E Johnson, CM Lang, P O’Connor, J Reed, D Showalter, GJ Shulfer, K Taft, R Tanke, A Timerman, S Wright, T Zamis.

Definiion:  Biochemistry combines the knowledge of biology and chemistry to explain life processes in terms of molecular structure and chemical reactions within living cells. 

This interdisciplinary major has a chemistry-based curriculum coupled with a significant biology component.  The role of a biochemist is to work for understanding of organismal function and diversity in the principles and concepts of chemistry and physics, as well as in the structure, mechanisms and chemical processes that are common to all organisms.  The biochemistry major links biological sciences like molecular biology and genetics to physical sciences like chemistry and physics.  In addition the biochemistry major combines the interdisciplinary foundation inherent to biochemistry with all the advantages of a liberal arts education.

NOTES:

1. Please read all the NOTES under the biology AND chemistry sections of this catalog. All items under both sections apply to the biochemistry major.

2. The biochemistry major is the same regardless of the type of degree you earn (BA or BS) or the college from which you graduate. If you have a single major (biochemistry), you will graduate from the College of Letters and Science. If you are in education, you may graduate from either the College of Letters and Science or from the College of Professional Studies. If you have a double major, such as biochemistry and natural resources, you may graduate from the College of Letters and Science or the College of Natural Resources.
3. Courses in biochemistry, biology, and chemistry are open to all students who meet the prerequisites.

Biochemistry Major
Consists of a minimum of 82 total credits, 25 of which count toward general degree requirements including 3 credits of writing emphasis.

1. Required biochemistry core and collateral courses, 74 credits:
        a.  Biology 130, 160, 210, 281 or 285, 314.
        b.  Chemistry 105 or 115, 106 or 116, 248, 325, 326, 333.
        c.  Biochemistry: BCHE 318, 319, 365, 490.
        d.  Mathematics 120, 355.
        e.  Physics 203, 204.
2. Required electives, 8 credits from: Biology 310, 312, 333, 351, 399, 415, 498 (immunology), 498 (protein purification); Chemistry 335, 336, 395, 425, 499 (2 cr max); Math 121, 222.  These courses may apply to one of the emphasis areas below.
3. Areas of emphasis (optional): You may use these recommended course groupings to personalize your program after consulting with your advisor.
        a.  Biochemistry/chemistry/biophysics: Chemistry 335, 336; Math 121, 222.
        b.  Biotechnology/molecular biology/genetics: Biology 310, 312, 333, 415, 498 (immunology), 498 (protein purification).
        c.  Medical/dental/pharmacology/toxicology: Biology 285, 312, 333, 498.
        d.  Veterinary: Biology 281, 333, 498.

Academic Standards and Policies
To be admitted, retained, and approved for graduation as a biochemistry major, you must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 for all courses taken within the major, including collateral courses and regardless of a declaration of academic bankruptcy.  If you are a transfer student, you meet this requirement by having at least a 2.50 GPA in the total major (UWSP and transfer credits). 

No more than 6 credits of D work in biology, chemistry, and biochemistry courses will be counted toward the completion of the biochemistry major.  All grades of D or F are used to compute the cumulative GPA in the major.  If a course is repeated, the last grade is the grade used in the GPA calculation. Courses with grades of D or F may be repeated only with the consent of the chair of the Biology or Chemistry Departments and only if a seat is available after the regular registration period.

Test-Out and Credit-by-Exam Policy
The credit-by-exam and Advanced Placement (AP) exam policies of the Biology Department pertain to biology courses. The credit-by-exam policies of the Chemistry Department apply to chemistry courses. You may take a test-out exam only once.

Courses in Biochemistry

BCHE 318/518. Principles of Molecular Biology. 3 cr. Study of gene structure, function and control at the molecular level. Use molecular techniques to analyze nucleic acid and protein activity and diversity. 3 hrs lec per wk. Prereq: Biology 210; Chemistry 106 or 116; or cons instr. (1)

BCHE 319/519. Techniques in Molecular Biology. 1 cr. Laboratory to apply molecular techniques to investigate a variety of biological questions. Techniques include cloning, DNA/protein fingerprinting, RFLP, blotting, PCR, and DNA sequencing. 3 hrs lab per wk. Prereq: Biology 210; Chemistry 106 or 116; or cons instr. (1)

BCHE 333. Biophysical Chemistry. 3 cr. Examine physiochemical principles underlying structure and chemical properties of macromolecules of biological importance, including principles of thermodynamics, equilibrium, kinetics, and dynamics. Includes methods for separation and isolation of macromolecules and their spectroscopic characterization. 3 hrs lec per wk. Prereq: Math 120, Physics 204 or 250, CHEM 365, and accepted biochemistry major, or cons chair. (See note 4.) (II)

BCHE 365/565. Biochemistry. 4 cr. Structure of principal biomolecules, nature and mechanism of cellular reactions, and central pathways of metabolism. 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab per wk. Prereq: 248 and 326; accepted chemistry major/minor, biochemistry major, or cons chair. (See note 4.) (I, II)

BCHE 490/690. Seminar in Molecular Biology. 1 cr. Studies and discussions of biological problems. Only one 490 credit counts toward the major. (I, II).