Biochemistry, BA - Pre-Med Option

Biochemistry, BA

Pre-Med Option

Course Delivery

On Campus, Online, Hybrid

Total Credits

120 Credits

About the Program

Admission to medical school is a difficult and highly competitive process. Additionally, medical schools are looking for candidates who not only excel academically but who also demonstrate high-level interpersonal skills and have a good grasp of current issues in science and medicine. The BA in Biochemistry Pre-Med option has been designed specifically and carefully for students who are interested in a career in medicine.


Focus of Study

The BA in Biochemistry Pre-Med option satisfies the latest course requirements of most medical schools, provides the breadth of classes needed to prepare students for the MCAT, and allows candidates to develop strengths in critical thinking and communication that lead to success. This option is also appropriate for students interested in other health-related careers.


Program Requirements

General Information
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Biochemistry - Pre-med Option requires the following:

  • A minimum of 49 credit hours of CHEM course work. At least 16 of those hours must be upper division (courses numbered 3000 or higher).
  • 35 additional hours of auxiliary course work.
  • A grade of C or better in all CHEM and auxiliary course work.
  • A minimum 2.0 GPA must be maintained in all CHEM course work.
  • No more than 60 credit hours of CHEM course work may apply to the bachelor’s degree.
  • Additional course work is required to complete the Biochemistry, BA degree. Please see the advising guide on the Academic Advising website for more information.

Program Coursework

For details on program coursework, please visit the Academic Catalog.

Biochemistry Core Courses

  • CHEM 1401: General Chemistry I
  • CHEM 1402: General Chemistry Laboratory I
  • CHEM 1511: General Chemistry for Majors II
  • CHEM 1513: General Chemistry Laboratory Majors II
    • CHEM 1511/1513 is recommended, but students may elect to take the non-majors courses, CHEM 1411/1412.
  • CHEM 2201: Introduction to Biochemical Principles
  • CHEM 3101: Organic Chemistry I
  • CHEM 3103: Organic Chemistry Lab for Biochemistry Majors I
  • CHEM 3111: Organic Chemistry II
  • CHEM 3113: Organic Chemistry Lab for Biochemistry Majors II
    • Students may elect to take the sequence for chemistry majors, CHEM 3201/3203 and 3211/3213.
  • CHEM 4001: Analytical Chemistry
  • CHEM 4002: Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
  • CHEM 4201: Current Perspectives in Science and Medicine
  • CHEM 4221: Biochemistry I
  • CHEM 4222: Biochemistry Laboratory
  • CHEM 4231: Biochemistry II
  • CHEM 4701: Biophysical Chemistry
  • CHEM 4921: Biochemistry Capstone
Biochemistry Electives

Complete 6 hours of upper-division (3000 + level) Chemistry Electives. Up to 6 hours may be from CHEM 4904 or 4905.

  • CHEM 4904 - Research: Upper Division
  • CHEM 4905 - Internship: Undergraduate
Auxiliary Required Courses
  • BIOL 1300/1310: General Biology I: Organismic Biology/Lab
  • BIOL 1350/1360: General Biology II: Introduction to the Cell/Lab
  • MATH 1330: Calculus for Life Sciences
  • PES 1110/1160: General Physics I/ Lab
  • PES 1120/2160: General Physics II / Lab
  • PHIL 3130: Ethics of Life and Health or PHIL 3160: Philosophical Issues in Death and Dying or PHIL 3180: Practical Ethics
LAS & Compass Requirements
  • GPS 1010: Gateway Program Seminar
  • ENGL 1310: Rhetoric & Writing I
  • ENGL 1410: Rhetoric & Writing II
  • HUM 3990: Special Topics in Humanities
  • Other LAS and Compass Requirements (3 Credit Hours)
  • General Electives (21 Credit Hours)
    • Recommended electives include SOC 4670, PHIL 3160 and 3180, and BIOL 4350

Admission Details

To learn more about admission requirements and the application process, please visit the UCCS Admissions page.

Additional resources for Admissions: