Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, Comprehensive Major

Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, Comprehensive Major, B.S. - (Starting in CHEM 115)

The following is a sample degree plan, based on the current catalog. It is based on the 120-credit graduation requirement and assumes no transferred credits, no requirements waived by placement tests, no courses taken in the summer or winter, no repeated courses, and no remedial courses that may be required. This sample degree plan is intended for first-year students entering UW-Eau Claire in the fall semester. Your own degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). UW-Eau Claire cannot guarantee all courses will be offered as shown, but will provide a range of courses that may enable prepared students to fulfill their requirements in a timely period. This sample degree plan is just a guide. Please consult your advisor, your degree audit, and the catalog to create your own degree plan. Note: In order to earn the required minimum of 120 credits for the degree in four years, you should plan to take 15 credits each semester or 30 credits each year.

To earn a degree, students must fulfill all University Graduation Requirements, including the Liberal Education (LE) Core.  LE Core course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as LE-K1, LE-S2, LE-R3, and LE-I1 to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of their liberal education course work.  Please click here for a description of the Liberal Education Core outcomes and requirements. Note that the LE Core may be completed through both course and non-course experiences.

Students in this major have the option to pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.  The degrees are distinguished by foreign language competency for the B.A. and a higher level of mathematics competency for the B.S.

FIRST YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
CHEM 115Chemical Principles (LE-K1L) a6
BIOL 221Foundations of Biology I (LE-K1L) b4
MATH 114Calculus I (LE-S2) c4
SECOND SEMESTER
CHEM 213Quantitative Analysis (LE-S3)4
BIOL 222Foundations of Biology II d3
BIOL 223Foundations of Biological Inquiry (LE-S3) d2
WRIT 114Intensive Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1)5
OR
Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1)
TOTAL FIRST YEAR28
SECOND YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
CHEM 325Organic Chemistry I with Laboratory4
PHYS 211General Physics (LE-K1L) c5
BIOL 323Genetics3
LE Option: Knowledge 2 (LE-K2) Social Sciences3
SECOND SEMESTER
CHEM 326Organic Chemistry II with Laboratory4
PHYS 212General Physics c4
BIOL 324Genetics Inquiry2
LE Option: Knowledge 3 (LE-K3) Humanities3
TOTAL SECOND YEAR28
THIRD YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
CHEM 452Biochemistry I (Fall Only)3
BIOL 305Molecular and Cell Biology4
LE Option: Skills 1 (LE-S1) Written and Oral Communication3
LE Option: Responsibility 1 (LE-R1, DDIV) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity with Design for Diversity3
LE Option: Knowledge 4 (LE-K4) Fine Arts3
SECOND SEMESTER
CHEM 454Biochemistry II (Spring Only)3
CHEM 453Biochemistry Laboratory2
LE Option: Knowledge 3 (LE-K3) Humanities3
LE Option: Responsibility 3 (LE-R3) Civic and Environmental Issues3
LE Option: Responsibility 1 (LE-R1) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity3
TOTAL THIRD YEAR30
FOURTH YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
CHEM 406Biophysical Chemistry (Fall Only) b4
BIOL 409Molecular Genetics (Fall Only)4
LE Option: Responsibility 2 (LE-R2) Global Perspectives3
LE Option: Knowledge 3 (LE-K3) Humanities3
ELECTIVES e3
SECOND SEMESTER
BIOL 405Advanced Cell and Molecular Lab (Spring Only)4
LE Option: Integration (LE-I1)3
LE Option: Knowledge 2 (LE-K2) Social Sciences3
ELECTIVES e5
TOTAL CREDITS FOURTH YEAR32

Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits 

a

CHEM 105, CHEM 106 (K1) and CHEM 109 may be taken in place of CHEM 115, but only 6 of the 9 credits will count towards the major. 

b

Prerequisites: MATH 109 or placement into math course above MATH 109: CHEM 105 and CHEM 106, or CHEM 115, or concurrent enrollment.

c

Students interested in pursuing graduate studies in biochemistry or biophysical chemistry are encouraged to take Calculus II (MATH 215) along with substituting the calculus-based sequence, PHYS 231 and PHYS 232 for PHYS 211 and PHYS 212. These students may also want to consider substituting Physical Chemistry I (CHEM 433) for Biophysical Chemistry (CHEM 406).

d

A grade of C or above in BIOL 221.

e

Electives need to be carefully selected to ensure that a student’s degree comprises at least 39 credits of upper division courses (300-400 level). While students are encouraged to take additional courses in chemistry, electives can be selected from any discipline as long as the student meets the course prerequisites.

Note:  All students must complete the 30-hour Service-Learning Requirement via a non-credit or credit option (see University Graduation Requirements). 

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES (HIPs) 
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire encourages all students to participate in High Impact Practices.  The following information identifies any specific recommendations that faculty in this major have concerning which HIPs might be most beneficial to students, and any recommendations about when those HIPs best fit into the degree plan. Students should also consult their faculty advisor for information on HIPs. There are many additional high impact opportunities available. Talk to your academic advisor for more information about incorporating HIPs like Study AbroadIntercultural ImmersionInternship, and/or Student/Faculty Collaborative Research into your time at UW-Eau Claire.

Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, Comprehensive Major, B.S. - (Starting in CHEM 105, 106, 109)

The following is a sample degree plan, based on the current catalog. It is based on the 120-credit graduation requirement and assumes no transferred credits, no requirements waived by placement tests, no courses taken in the summer or winter, no repeated courses, and no remedial courses that may be required. This sample degree plan is intended for first-year students entering UW-Eau Claire in the fall semester. Your own degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). UW-Eau Claire cannot guarantee all courses will be offered as shown, but will provide a range of courses that may enable prepared students to fulfill their requirements in a timely period. This sample degree plan is just a guide. Please consult your advisor, your degree audit, and the catalog to create your own degree plan. Note: In order to earn the required minimum of 120 credits for the degree in four years, you should plan to take 15 credits each semester or 30 credits each year.

To earn a degree, students must fulfill all University Graduation Requirements, including the Liberal Education (LE) Core.  LE Core course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as LE-K1, LE-S2, LE-R3, and LE-I1 to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of their liberal education course work.  Please click here for a description of the Liberal Education Core outcomes and requirements. Note that the LE Core may be completed through both course and non-course experiences.

Students in this major have the option to pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.  The degrees are distinguished by foreign language competency for the B.A. and a higher level of mathematics competency for the B.S.

FIRST YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
CHEM 105General Chemistry I Lecture a3
CHEM 106General Chemistry I Laboratory (LE-K1L) a2
MATH 109Algebra for Calculus (LE-S2)4
LE Option: Knowledge 2 (LE-K2) Social Sciences3
LE Option: Knowledge 3 (LE-K3) Humanities3
SECOND SEMESTER
CHEM 109General Chemistry II with Lab a4
BIOL 221Foundations of Biology I (LE-K1L) b4
WRIT 114Intensive Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1)5
OR
Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1)
MATH 113Trigonometry2
TOTAL FIRST YEAR30
SECOND YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
CHEM 213Quantitative Analysis (LE-S3)4
CHEM 325Organic Chemistry I with Laboratory4
BIOL 222Foundations of Biology II d3
BIOL 223Foundations of Biological Inquiry (LE-S3) d2
LE Option: Knowledge 4 (LE-K4) Fine Arts3
SECOND SEMESTER
CHEM 326Organic Chemistry II with Laboratory4
BIOL 323Genetics3
BIOL 324Genetics Inquiry2
MATH 114Calculus I c4
LE Option: Responsibility 1 (LE-R1, DDIV) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity with Design for Diversity3
TOTAL SECOND YEAR32
THIRD YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
CHEM 452Biochemistry I (Fall Only)3
PHYS 211General Physics (LE-K1L) c5
LE Option: Skills 1 (LE-S1) Written and Oral Communication3
LE Option: Responsibility 2 (LE-R2) Global Perspectives3
SECOND SEMESTER
CHEM 454Biochemistry II (Spring Only)3
BIOL 305Molecular and Cell Biology4
PHYS 212General Physics c4
LE Option: Responsibility 3 (LE-R3) Civic and Environmental Issues3
LE Option: Responsibility 1 (LE-R1) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity3
TOTAL THIRD YEAR31
FOURTH YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
CHEM 406Biophysical Chemistry (Fall Only) c4
BIOL 409Molecular Genetics (Fall Only)4
LE Option: Integration (LE-I1)3
LE Option: Knowledge 2 (LE-K2) Social Sciences3
SECOND SEMESTER
CHEM 453Biochemistry Laboratory2
BIOL 405Advanced Cell and Molecular Lab (Spring Only)4
LE Option: Integration (LE-I1)3
LE Option: Knowledge 3 (LE-K3) Humanities3
Elective1
TOTAL FOURTH YEAR27

Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits 

a

CHEM 105, CHEM 106 (K1) and CHEM 109 may be taken in place of CHEM 115, but only 6 of the 9 credits will count towards the major. 

b

Prerequisites: MATH 109 or placement into math course above MATH 109: CHEM 105 and CHEM 106, or CHEM 115, or concurrent enrollment.

c

Students interested in pursuing graduate studies in biochemistry or biophysical chemistry are encouraged to take Calculus II (MATH 215) along with substituting the calculus-based sequence, PHYS 231 and PHYS 232 for PHYS 211 and PHYS 212. These students may also want to consider substituting Physical Chemistry I (CHEM 433) for Biophysical Chemistry (CHEM 406).

d

A grade of C or above in BIOL 221.

e

Electives need to be carefully selected to ensure that a student’s degree comprises at least 39 credits of upper division courses (300-400 level). While students are encouraged to take additional courses in chemistry, electives can be selected from any discipline as long as the student meets the course prerequisites.

Note:  All students must complete the 30-hour Service-Learning Requirement via a non-credit or credit option (see University Graduation Requirements). 

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES (HIPs) 
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire encourages all students to participate in High Impact Practices.  The following information identifies any specific recommendations that faculty in this major have concerning which HIPs might be most beneficial to students, and any recommendations about when those HIPs best fit into the degree plan. Students should also consult their faculty advisor for information on HIPs. There are many additional high impact opportunities available. Talk to your academic advisor for more information about incorporating HIPs like Study AbroadIntercultural ImmersionInternship, and/or Student/Faculty Collaborative Research into your time at UW-Eau Claire.

Liberal Education (LE) Core Guidance

Liberal Education Core (LE Core) 

The LE Core comprises 17 learning experiences across 11 learning outcomes. Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits in courses approved for the LE Core. 

  • K1 – Natural Sciences; two experiences (one lab science experience is required in K1 or K2). 

  • K2 – Social Sciences; two experiences (one lab science experience is required in K1 or K2). 

  • K3 – Humanities; two experiences. 

  • K4 – Fine Arts; one experience. 

  • S1 – Written and Oral Communication; two experiences (one experience must satisfy the University writing requirement). 

  • S2 – Mathematics; one experience (must satisfy the University math competency requirement). 

  • S3 – Creativity; one experience (can be fulfilled in a student’s major). 

  • R1 – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity; two experiences (one experience must meet the UW System Design for Diversity (DD) requirement). 

  • R2 – Global Perspectives; one experience. 

  • R3 – Civic and Environmental Issues; one experience. 

  • I1 – Integration; two experiences (one experience can be fulfilled in a student’s major). 

  • SL—Service Learning; 30 hours 

Additional LE Core Information 

  • Most LE Core learning experiences are course based, and many courses meet more than one learning outcome (e.g., K3 and R2 or K1 and R3). 

  • Some learning experiences can also be met outside of a traditional course (e.g., undergraduate research (S3), study abroad (I1)). 

  • S1 – An English placement score that fulfills the University writing requirement fulfills one S1 experience. 

  • S1 – A foreign Language placement score that qualifies the student to enter the 102 level satisfies one S1 experience. 

  • S1, R2 – A foreign language placement score that qualifies the student to enter the 202 level satisfies one experience in S1 and the R2 experience. 

  • S2 – A math placement score that qualifies the student to enter Math 111, 112, 113 or 114 fulfills the S2 experience. 

  • S3 – Completion of two credits from any approved music ensemble fulfills the S3 experience. 

  • I1 – Any semester long study abroad program can fulfill one I1 experience.