Biochemistry, Forensic Chemistry emphasis

 Bison image - General Education Course

 Cap graduation image - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

The Core Curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking skills and introduce students to basic domains of thinking that transcend disciplines. The Core applies to all majors. Information on specific classes in the Core can be found at https://www.marshall.edu/gened/.

Course Requirements

 Bison image - General Education Course

 Cap graduation image - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

The Core Curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking skills and introduce students to basic domains of thinking that transcend disciplines. The Core applies to all majors. Information on specific classes in the Core can be found at https://www.marshall.edu/gened/.

Core Curriculum
Core I: Critical Thinking
FYS 100First Yr Sem Critical Thinking3
MTH 229 Bison image Calculus/Analytic Geom I (CT)5
Critical Thinking Course3
Core II
ENG 101 Bison image Beginning Composition3
ENG 201 Bison image Advanced Composition3
CMM 103 Bison image Fund Speech-Communication3
MTH 229 Bison image Calculus/Analytic Geom I (CT)5
BSC 120 Bison image Principles of Biology I3
BSC 120L Bison image Principles of Biology I Lab1
Core II Humanities
Core II Social Science
Core II Fine Arts
Additional University Requirements
Writing Intensive (CHM 357 or 358)3
Writing Intensive3
Multicultural or International3
CHM 491 Bison image Capstone Experience2
or CHM 490 Bison image Internship
Major-Specific
CHM 211 Bison image Principles of Chemistry I3
CHM 217 Bison image Principles of Chem Lab I2
CHM 212 Bison image Principles Chemistry II3
CHM 218 Bison image Principles of Chem Lab II2
CHM 305Research Methods Chem1
CHM 355Organic Chemistry I3
CHM 356Organic Chemistry II3
CHM 361Intro Organic Chm Lab3
Select one of the following:4
Physical Chemistry: Quantum
Physical Chemistry: Thermo.
CHM 365Introductory Biochemistry3
CHM 366Intro Biochemistry Lab2
CHM 467Intermediate Biochemistry3
CHM 491 Bison image Capstone Experience2
or CHM 490 Bison image Internship
CHM 432Chemistry Seminar0
FSC 224 Bison image Intro to Forensic Science4
BSC 121 Bison image Principles of Biology4
BSC 121L Bison image Prin of Biology II Lab1
BSC 322Principles Cell Biology4
BSC 324Principles of Genetics4
PHY 201 Bison image College Physics I3
PHY 202 Bison image General Physics I Laboratory1
PHY 203 Bison image College Physics II3
PHY 204 Bison image General Physics 2 Laboratory1
Emphasis in Forensic Chemistry
CHM 345Intro to Analytical Chem4
CHM 411Modern Instrument Methods4
CJ 200 Bison image Intro to Criminal Justice3
or CJ 211 Bison image Intro to Law Enforcement
Select one of the following:3
Crime Scene Investigation
Criminal Procedure
Law of Evidence
CS 110Computer Science I3
Biochemistry Electives 1
Select ten to twelve hours from the following. At least one course must be 4 credit hours, and at least one course must be a CHM course. 10-12
Principles of Microbiology
Principles of Human Anatomy
Principles of Human Physiology
Animal Physiology
Neuroscience
Microbial Genetics
Introductory Immunology
Molecular Biology
Genes and Development
Physical Chemistry: Quantum
Physical Chemistry: Thermo.
Adv Inorganic Chemistry I
Biological Mass Spectrometry
Adv Organic Chemistry I
Adv Organic Chemistry II
Free Elective2
Free Elective2
Free Elective3
1

Students interested in careers in technical sales, management and marketing in the chemical industry are encouraged to take the following courses as electives:

ECN 250 Principles Microeconomics

ECN 253 Principles Macroeconomics

MKT 340 MKT Concepts and Applications

MKT 440 Sales Management

MGT 320 Principles of Management

Major Information 

  • Students are required to know and track their degree requirements for graduation or for entrance to a professional school.

  • In addition to the Core General Education requirements, the College of Science requires 3 hours of Calculus, and 40 hours of upper level credit. 

  • Coursework listed as "elective" may vary for each student. Students are encouraged to use elective hours toward a minor or toward prerequisites. 

  • Students are strongly encouraged to select courses that meet two or more core or college requirements. For example, a writing intensive literature course could satisfy the Core II Humanities requirement as well as the university writing intensive requirement. 

  • Course offerings and course attributes are subject to change semesters. Please consult each semester's Schedule of Courses for availability and attributes. 

  • Math is based on an ACT Mathematics score of 27 or higher. Students with an ACT Mathematics score of less than 27 will be placed in the appropriate prerequisite mathematics and science courses. 

  • A Grade Point Average of 2.0 is required:

    1. overall, 

    2. at MU, 

    3. in all required Chemistry courses, 

    4. in all Chemistry courses, and 

    5. in all required Chemistry courses taken at MU. 

Semester Plan

Students completing the Biochemistry major will be prepared for career opportunities in the biotechnology, forensics, environmental, pharmaceutical, agricultural and medical fields. Students will also be well prepared for graduate-level study in biochemistry, biotechnology, genetics and molecular biology. Additionally, Biochemistry is an excellent choice for students desiring to attend professional training in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, law or engineering.

 Bison image - General Education Course

 Cap graduation image - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First SemesterCredit Hours
BSC 120 Bison image Principles of Biology I 3
BSC 120L Bison image Principles of Biology I Lab 1
CHM 211 Bison image Principles of Chemistry I 3
CHM 217 Bison image Principles of Chem Lab I 2
ENG 101 Bison image Beginning Composition 3
FYS 100 First Yr Sem Critical Thinking 3
UNI 100 Freshman First Class 1
 Credit Hours16
Second Semester
BSC 121 Bison image Principles of Biology 3
BSC 121L Bison image Prin of Biology II Lab 1
CHM 212 Bison image Principles Chemistry II 3
CHM 218 Bison image Principles of Chem Lab II 2
MTH 229 Bison image Calculus/Analytic Geom I (CT) 5
 Credit Hours14
Second Year
First Semester
Core I: Critical Thinking course 3
CHM 355 Organic Chemistry I 3
ENG 201 Bison image Advanced Composition 3
BSC 324 Principles of Genetics 4
Free Elective 2
 Credit Hours15
Second Semester
CHM 356 Organic Chemistry II 3
CHM 361 Intro Organic Chm Lab 3
CMM 103 Bison image Fund Speech-Communication 3
PHY 201 Bison image College Physics I 3
PHY 202 Bison image General Physics I Laboratory 1
Core II Fine Arts 3
 Credit Hours16
Third Year
First Semester
BSC 322 Principles Cell Biology 4
CHM 305 Research Methods Chem 1
CHM 365 Introductory Biochemistry 3
PHY 203 Bison image College Physics II 3
PHY 204 Bison image General Physics 2 Laboratory 1
Core II: Social Science (MC/I) 3
 Credit Hours15
Second Semester
CHM 366 Intro Biochemistry Lab 2
CHM 467 Intermediate Biochemistry 3
Core II: Humanities 3
CHM 411 Modern Instrument Methods (Emphasis course) 4
Free Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Fourth Year
First Semester
CHM 491 Bison image
or CHM 490 Bison image
Capstone Experience
or Internship
2
Writing Intensive course 3
CHM 345 Intro to Analytical Chem (Emphasis course) 4
FSC 224 Bison image Intro to Forensic Science (Emphasis course) 4
CJ 211 Bison image
or CJ 200 Bison image
Intro to Law Enforcement (PR for CJ 314; Emphasis course)
or Intro to Criminal Justice
3
 Credit Hours16
Second Semester
CHM 432 Chemistry Seminar 0
Select from one of the following: 3
Physical Chemistry: Quantum
Physical Chemistry: Thermo.
CS 110 Computer Science I (Emphasis course) 3
Select one of the following: (Emphasis course) 3
Crime Scene Investigation
Criminal Procedure
Law of Evidence
Free Elective 2
Biochemistry Elective 3
 Credit Hours14
 Total Credit Hours121