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BS Biochemistry

The current course catalog has a version of this page that includes hyperlinks to relevant resources. 
Click here for the 21-22 course catalog.

Biochemistry is the chemistry of life - the molecules, reactions, and energy transformations that underlie structure and function in all living organisms. The study of biochemistry combines knowledge from chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics (and sometimes other disciplines) to understand how life works at the molecular level. This integrated scientific knowledge will be essential for understanding the future of human health, sustainable energy, and the environment.

The BS Biochemistry program at CU Denver strongly emphasizes connections between basic science and human health. Required coursework covers much of the foundational knowledge and skills for graduate and health professions entrance exams. Several courses explore connections between cutting-edge biochemical research and different diseases.  Students are encouraged to take advantage of undergraduate research opportunities in biochemistry and related fields either at CU-Denver or on the nearby Anschutz Medical campus. Graduates learn skills in critical thinking, problem solving, and scientific communication for careers in the health and natural sciences.

A BS in Biochemistry stands out as a premiere accomplishment in applications for professional degree programs, including pharmacy, medicine, nursing, dentistry, medical technology, and many others. 

These degree requirements are subject to periodic revision by the academic department, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences reserves the right to make exceptions and substitutions as judged necessary in individual cases. Therefore, the College strongly urges students to consult regularly with their major advisor and CLAS advisor to confirm the best plans of study before finalizing them.

Qualified majors are strongly urged to participate in directed research and departmental honors programs. We also strongly encourage Biochemistry majors to participate in the Chemistry department by serving as learning assistants or teaching assistants.

The chemistry department offers two options for a chemistry degree. A BS Chemistry and a BS Biochemistry. Students may also double major in Biochemistry and Chemistry. Students interested in the Biochemistry major should consult regularly with the a Biochemistry Majors Advisor, Dr. Marta Maron.

Program Delivery

  • This is an on-campus program.

Program Learning Goals

  1. Students possess an adequate knowledge base in several sub-disciplines in chemistry, including biochemistry, as defined by the American Chemical Society.
  2. Students can rely on this knowledge base to link more than one biochemical principle to solve problems, both qualitatively and quantitatively, individually and in groups.
  3. Students can (a) recognize and define a general problem related to biochemistry, (b) design and carry out at least one significant experiment which addresses the problem, and (c) competently analyze and report their experimental results in oral and written form, adhering to proper conventions.
  4. Students can (a) identify when information is needed to solve a problem, (b) identify and locate appropriate sources of information, and (c) effectively extract and construct scientific meaning from critical reading of written material, including primary, secondary, and instructional literature. 
  5. Students understand the concepts of safe laboratory practice, use ethical reasoning to evaluate their practices in performing experiments and communicating results, and conduct themselves responsibly according to the ethical and safety standards of the profession. 

Declaring This Major

General Requirements

To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the three areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements.

  • CU Denver General Graduation Requirements  
  • CU Denver Core Curriculum   
  • College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Graduation Requirements 
  • Click Here for Information about Academic Policies 

Program Requirements

  1. Students must complete a minimum of 74 credit hours, including a minimum of 33 CHEM credit hours and minimum of 26 credit hours in ancillary coursework.
  2. Students must complete a minimum of 16 upper-division (3000-level and above) CHEM credit hours.
  3. Students must earn a minimum grade of C- (1.7) in all major courses taken at CU Denver and must achieve a minimum cumulative major GPA of 2.0.  All graded attempts in required and elective courses are calculated in the major GPA.  Students cannot complete major or ancillary course requirements as pass/fail.
  4. Students must complete a minimum of 14 credit hours with CU Denver faculty including CHEM 4518 or CHEM 4538 or CHEM 4548.

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Program Restrictions, Allowances, and Recommendations

  1. A student who has declared a Biochemistry major at CU Denver may not take additional chemistry courses outside of the department for the purpose of applying those credits toward meeting the requirements of the major without prior written approval of the undergraduate Biochemistry advisor. No more than 3 additional hours of such pre-approved transfer credits will be allowed.
  2. All courses applied to the Biochemistry major need to be taken within ten years of the graduation date with the exception of General Chemistry I and II Lecture and Laboratory (CHEM 2031/2038 and CHEM 2061/2068). In the event that the student would like to apply for expired credit for Organic I Lecture (CHEM 3481), the student will need to test at the 50th percentile on the ACS Standardized Exam for Organic Chemistry I.
  3. Intro Experimental Physics labs I and II (PHYS 2321 and PHYS 2341) are specifically designed for students in non-Physics majors and can be paired with either College Physics (PHYS 2010 and PHYS 2020) or General Physics (PHYS 2311 and PHYS 2331) lectures.  Students pursuing a second major in Physics should complete General Physics lectures (PHYS 2311 and PHYS 2331) and Applied Physics Labs (PHYS 2351 and PHYS 2361).
  4. Students may double major in Biochemistry and Chemistry. Students can apply the requirements for both majors, if the respective courses are a major requirement for both the Chemistry and Biochemistry major. Students must select unique Chemistry or Biochemistry elective courses to satisfy elective course credit requirements for both majors. A course cannot fulfill more than two requirement/ elective areas in a student’s degree.