Biochemistry Majors

Course Program for Biochemistry Majors

The major in Biochemistry is designed to educate students in both the breadth of subject matter encompassed by the chemical sciences and the rapidly advancing knowledge at the forefront of this discipline. For questions on this major, consult your academic advisor or the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Prof. Diana Glick (glickdc@georgetown.edu). 

Note: Effective Fall 2023, all main campus courses have been renumbered using a new 4-digit numbering system.

https://schedule.georgetown.edu/course-renumbering-crosswalk/c/#chem

 B.S. Biochemistry Course Requirements

The Biochemistry major is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of modern biochemistry and ample opportunities to explore more specialized “hands-on” interests in the research laboratory.

A typical undergraduate program looks like the following:

Year I

  • General Chemistry Lectures I & II for Majors (CHEM 055 & 056) with Laboratories I & II (CHEM 057 & 058). [General Chemistry Lectures I & II (chem 001 & 002) with Laboratories (Chem 009 & 010) may fulfill the requirements] 
  • Calculus (035 & 036)  
  • Introductory Biology (103 & 104)  
  • General Education Requirements and/or Electives

Year II

  • Organic Chemistry w/Lab (115/117 & 116/118) 
  • Multivariable Calculus (MATH 137) or Intro Math Statistics (MATH 140) 
  • Physics w/lab – (PHYS 101 & 102) OR (151 & 152)  
  • General Education Requirements and/or Electives

Year III

  • Biochemistry I & II (CHEM 419 & 520) 
  • Physical Chemistry (CHEM 221) 
  • Analytical Methods w/Lab (CHEM 211/213) 
  • Experimental Methods in Biochemistry (CHEM 408) 
  • Electives

Year IV

  • Experimental Biophysics Lab (CHEM 325)  
  • 2 Advanced Science Electives* 
  • 1 Advanced Biochemistry Elective**

*Advanced science electives include Introduction to Research (CHEM 361/362) or other chemistry courses numbered 400 or higher. They may also be courses taught in other departments (e.g. biology, computer science, math, pharmacology, physics). For courses which meet the advanced science elective status, check with the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Please note that CHEM 361/362 may be used to satisfy only one of the advanced science electives.

** Courses that can fulfill this requirement include (CHEM-503, -550, and -574). Upper-level courses in Biology and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Departments may count as electives with prior approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.  

Biochemistry majors interested in following a pre-medical program should pay attention to fulfilling both the degree requirements and the recommendations of Medical Schools. These are described more fully on the Pre-Med pages.

The Biochemistry major with Honors is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of modern biochemistry, as well as a significant research experience, resulting in the completion of a written senior thesis and a seminar presentation of the results. The Department will invite juniors to participate in the program generally at the beginning of October. Others are welcome to apply during the Fall semester of their Junior Year. Students in the Honors Program are required to maintain at least a B average both in their major and overall.

For a Biochemistry Honors degree, a student must complete the regular requirements of the Biochemistry major, two semesters of Honors Research (CHEM 364 & 365) and register for a final semester of Honors Thesis (CHEM 370). One of the Advanced Science Electives must be a graduate-level course, chosen in consultation with the research mentor.

A typical undergraduate program looks like the following:

Year I

  • General Chemistry Lectures I & II for Majors (CHEM 055 & 056) with Laboratories I & II (CHEM 057 & 058). [General Chemistry Lectures I & II (chem 001 & 002) with Laboratories (Chem 009 & 010) may fulfill the requirements] 
  • Calculus (035 & 036)  
  • Introductory Biology (103 & 104)  
  • General Education Requirements and/or Electives

Year II

  • Organic Chemistry w/Lab (115/117 & 116/118) 
  • Multivariable Calculus (MATH 137) or Intro Math Statistics (MATH 140) 
  • Physics w/lab – (PHYS 101 & 102) OR (151 & 152)  
  • General Education Requirements and/or Electives

Year III

  • Biochemistry I & II (CHEM 419 & 520) 
  • Physical Chemistry (CHEM 221) 
  • Analytical Methods w/Lab (CHEM 211/213) 
  • Experimental Methods in Biochemistry (CHEM 408) 
  • Honors Research I (CHEM 364) 
  • Electives

Year IV

  • Experimental Biophysics Lab (CHEM 325)  
  • Honors Research II (CHEM 365)
  • Honors Thesis (CHEM 370, 2-credit) 
  • 2 Advanced Science Electives* 
  • 1 Advanced Biochemistry Elective**

*One of the Advanced science electives must be a graduate course. Graduate courses in the chemistry department are those numbered 400 or higher. Graduate courses in other departments should be approved by the Director of Undergraduate studies. Please note that CHEM 361/362 may be used to satisfy only one of the advanced on December 10, 2012.

**Courses that can fulfill this requirement include CHEM-503, -550, and -574. Upper-level courses in the Biology Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Departments may count as electives with prior approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Biochemistry majors interested in following a pre-medical program should pay attention to fulfilling both the degree requirements and the recommendations of Medical Schools. These are described more fully on the Pre-Med pages.