Biochemistry, BA - Pre-med Option

Biochemistry, BA

Pre-med Option

Course Delivery

On Campus, Online, Hybrid

Total Credits

120 Credits

About the Program
Focus of Study
Program Requirements
Program Coursework
Admissions

About the Program

Students who wish to work as biochemists or pursue graduate studies in biochemistry should consider one of the other program options, especially the BS in biochemistry.

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.

Focus of Study

The BA in Biochemistry Pre-Med option has been designed specifically and carefully for students who are interested in a career in medicine. This 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.

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).
  • 25 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

This option is also appropriate for students interested in other health-related careers. The B.A. in Biochemistry Pre-Med option requires a minimum of 49 credit hours in chemistry. No more than 54 hours in chemistry may be counted toward the credit hours required for graduation. The following courses or their equivalents are required.

Chemistry & Biochemistry Requirements
  • CHEM 1401: General Chemistry I, 4 Credit Hours
  • CHEM 1402: General Chemistry Laboratory I, 1 Credit Hour
  • CHEM 1511: General Chemistry for Majors II, 4 Credit Hours
  • CHEM 1513: General Chemistry Laboratory Majors II, 1 Credit Hour
    • CHEM 1511/1513 is recommended, but students may elect to take the non-majors courses, CHEM 1411/1412.
  • CHEM 2201: Introduction to Biochemical Principles, 3 Credit Hours
  • CHEM 3101: Organic Chemistry I, 3 Credit Hours
  • CHEM 3103: Organic Chemistry Lab for Biochemistry Majors I, 1 Credit Hour
  • CHEM 3111: Organic Chemistry II, 3 Credit Hours
  • CHEM 3113: Organic Chemistry Lab for Biochemistry Majors II, 1 Credit Hour
    • Students may elect to take the sequence for chemistry majors, CHEM 3201/3203 and 3211/3213.
  • CHEM 4001: Analytical Chemistry, 3 Credit Hours
  • CHEM 4002: Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, 1 Credit Hour
  • CHEM 4201: Current Perspectives in Science and Medicine, 3 Credit Hours
  • CHEM 4221: Biochemistry I, 3 Credit Hours
  • CHEM 4222: Biochemistry Laboratory, 3 Credit Hours
  • CHEM 4231: Biochemistry II, 3 Credit Hours
  • CHEM 4701: Biophysical Chemistry, 3 Credit Hours
  • CHEM 4921: Biochemistry Capstone, 3 Credit Hours
     
  • Upper-division CHEM Electives: Up to 6 hours may be CHEM 4904/4905, 6 Credit Hours
    • CHEM 4904 Research: Upper Division and CHEM 4905 Internships are open to qualified students by arrangement with a faculty member.
    • Students electing these courses will plan a research project with the faculty member prior to registration and must submit a written report for each semester summarizing their research project.
Auxiliary Requirements
  • BIOL 1300/1310: General Biology I: Organismic Biology/Lab, 4 Credit Hours
  • BIOL 1350/1360: General Biology II: Introduction to the Cell/Lab, 4 Credit Hours
  • MATH 1330: Calculus for Life Sciences, 4 Credit Hours
  • PES 1110/1160: General Physics I/ Lab, 5 Credit Hours
  • PES 1120/2160: General Physics II / Lab, 5 Credit Hours
  • PHIL 3130: Ethics of Life and Health or PHIL 3160: Philosophical Issues in Death and Dying or PHIL 3180: Practical Ethics, 3 Credit Hours
LAS & Compass Requirements
  • GPS 1010: Gateway Program Seminar, 3 Credit Hours
  • ENGL 1310: Rhetoric & Writing I, 3 Credit Hours
  • ENGL 1410: Rhetoric & Writing II, 3 Credit Hours
  • PORT 3000: Writing Portfolio, 0 Credit Hours
  • HUM 3990: Special Topics in Humanities, 3 Credit Hours
  • Other LAS and Compass Requirements, 12 Credit Hours
  • Recommended electives include PHIL 3160 and 3180 and BIOL 4350
    • Please refer to the Majors and Minors Advising Guides for details.
  • General Electives, 15 Credit Hours
Total Credit Hours: 120 Credit Hours


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

Admission Details

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

Additional resources for Admissions:

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