Biochemistry

Overview

Biochemistry explores the cell's molecular components and the chemical changes characteristic of living organisms. A thorough foundation in both biology and chemistry forms the core of biochemistry. Occidental's biochemists seek to use their scientific knowledge and broad education in the liberal arts to advance the public good and improve health care, economic opportunities, environmental stewardship, national security, as well as expanding human understanding through their teaching and research.

The core portion of the Biochemistry major includes BIO 130, the two biochemistry classes BIO 349 and CHEM 350, and the Biochemistry Senior Seminar, BICH 490. Classroom activities are supplemented by extensive laboratory experience involving the design, execution, and interpretation of experimental results. Biochemistry graduates generally elect to pursue graduate training toward a Ph.D. in Biochemistry or areas in Cell and Molecular Biology, a doctorate in the health professions, employment in the biotechnology field, or a career in education. Students planning on pursuing a Ph.D. are advised to take several more courses including the advanced Cell and Molecular offerings in Biology, and advanced Chemistry courses in Chemistry, to broaden their education. Biochemistry students are strongly encouraged to pursue their particular interests through an independent study-research project (BIO 395 or CHEM 395). The Biochemistry program is eager to accommodate the foreign study aspirations of its majors; however, due to the curriculum's sequential nature, careful advance planning is required.

Students wishing to declare the Biochemistry major should have completed two Biology and two Chemistry classes with at least a 2.7 GPA in these classes and arrange for the discussion of their schedule with one of the Program's advisors.

Requirements

Major

Biology Component

Students must complete five courses as detailed below:

Chemistry Component

Mathematics Component

Physics Component

Senior Seminar

Students are to enroll in BICH 490 (2 units) each semester of their senior year.

Honors in the Major

In addition to the requirements for College honors (see the Awards section), the student will successfully defend a written thesis based upon the outcome of his or her laboratory research effort as an undergraduate as detailed below.

Guidelines for College Honors in Biochemistry

Requirements

• Students typically will have worked on a research project for at least 2 semesters (or 1 semester + summer session), before applying for honors.
• Students must have an average GPA of 3.25 (college policy).

Application Process

• Students should discuss doing Honors with their research mentor, get their approval, and submit an official Letter of Intent to the Biochemistry Chairperson(s) by the beginning of their senior year, or sooner.
• Letters of intent should include a summary of research results (realized and projected), as well as significance of the research and any projects in progress at the time of submission.
• Applications will be evaluated by the biochemistry program faculty.
• Students nominated for honors will be notified by the Biochemistry Chairperson(s).

Completion Process

• After nomination, by September 30th each candidate will select an honors thesis committee of two Biochemistry program faculty members (excluding Chairperson(s)), in addition to their faculty mentor. This committee will be available for guidance and to help throughout the honors process.
• Mentors will check in with Chairperson(s) during the first week of classes in the Spring semester to confirm that honors candidates have enough content to proceed.
• Candidates will work with their mentor, committee members, and Chairperson(s) to establish a timeline for the completion of the written thesis and honors presentation. This timeline must conform to the guidelines below and any college requirements for the completion of honors. This timeline is due to the Chairperson(s) before March.
• Requirements for receiving honors:
  • The candidate must complete a written thesis of their work. Draft deadlines must allow ample time for revision. The final thesis must be completed before the honors presentation.
  • Honors candidates will give a presentation on their research. These presentations will last approximately 15-20 minutes, with 5-10 min for questions (20-30 minutes total). Honors presentations are typically scheduled during Senior Seminar in the middle of April.
• Honors are recorded as Pass/Fail and are reported to the registrar by the Chairperson(s). The Chairperson(s) will inform the students of their performance when it is decided upon by the committee. The deadline for submitting honors results is announced by the registrar in the yearly academic calendar (usually end of April).

Second-Stage Writing

Students should familiarize themselves with the second-stage writing requirement at the time of declaring the major. Students majoring in Biochemistry will satisfy this requirement by completing an in-depth research paper  during the fall semester of BICH 490 (Senior Seminar). This paper is evaluated by the instructors for BICH 490 and by members of the Biochemistry Advisory Committee. Students who do not fulfill this requirement during BICH 490 must consult with the Biochemistry program Chair about available alternatives. This may mean enrolling in CWP 201 (passing with a C or better).  Students can meet with the Biochemistry program Chair for more detailed information about the process of fulfilling the second-stage writing requirement.

Comprehensive Requirement

The student must pass the Graduate Record Examination in Biochemistry at the 50th percentile rank or the American Chemical Society undergraduate examination in Biochemistry at the 50th percentile rank. The student will also satisfactorily write a research paper and present a seminar during the senior year on an area of current research in the field of Biochemistry to an audience of Occidental students and faculty. A student can earn a Pass with Distinction in Biochemistry with a 75th percentile rank and a distinguished paper and seminar presentation.

Transfer Credit Policies

The Biochemistry Program policy on transfer credit conforms to College policy. Students should reference the Transfer Credit section for details.

Advising Information

Students interested in majoring in Biochemistry are strongly advised to initially take an introductory chemistry course based on their placement (see below): CHEM 100, CHEM 120, or CHEM 130. BIO 130 is usually taken the semester after CHEM 120 or CHEM 130, but it can also be taken at the same time. Typically, students working toward the Biochemistry degree take two math/science classes each semester and are advised to actively participate in the AMP and SSAP programs associated with their math/science classes. 

Students wishing to declare the Biochemistry major should have completed two Biology and two Chemistry classes with at least a 2.7 GPA in these classes and arrange for the discussion of their schedule with one of the Program's advisors. 

Placement Information

Students who are interested in majoring in Biochemistry should take the Chemistry Placement Exam during the summer prior to their first year. Students scoring a 4 or 5 on the Chemistry AP exam have the option of enrolling in CHEM 130 without taking the placement test, but are encouraged to contact a department chair if they have questions about this placement.

Students who are interested in majoring in Biochemistry should take the Calculus Placement Assessment (ALEKS) during the summer prior to their first year. You do not need to take the Calculus Placement Assessment if any of the following are true:

• You received a score of 4 or 5 on either the AP Calculus AB or BC exam; 

• You received an IB Calculus HL score of 5 or above;

• You have already taken a Calculus 1 course at another accredited college or university.  

An AP Calculus AB score of 4 or 5, or an IB Calculus HL score of 5 or above, fulfills the major’s Calculus 1 requirement. An AP Calculus BC score of 4 or 5 fulfills the Calculus 2 requirement. Students should make sure that their official score reports are sent to the Registrar’s Office for processing.

Sample 4-Year Plan

Curricular Notes

• For their Introductory Organismal biology course, students can choose from BIO 105, BIO 110, and BIO 115.

• CHEM 120 or CHEM 130 are prerequisites for BIO 130, though it is also possible to take the CHEM and BIO courses concurrently.

• To complete your core requirements by the end of the sophomore year at least one course may need to satisfy two core requirements.

Biochemistry Transfer Student Advice

Transfer Course Limit for Transfer Students: No Limit

Designated Transfer Adviser

Expected preparation for transfer students wanting to major in Biochemistry:

• Rising Juniors transferring to Occidental: Ideally should have completed all the 100- and 200- Biology and Chemistry courses, as well as the calculus requirement (Calculus 2). With enough Core completed upon arrival, they may still be able to make up one of the 100- or 200-level courses and complete the major in four semesters.

• Students starting mid way through their sophomore year: Ideally should have completed all the 100-level Biology and Chemistry courses, Organic Chemistry 1 (CHEM 220) and another of the 200-level Biology or Chemistry requirements. They can still make up some of the 100- or 200-level courses and still complete the major. They should also have finished the calculus requirement (Calculus 2).

• Students starting as Rising Sophomores should have completed at least one of the 100-level Biology courses and General Chemistry I (CHEM 120/ CHEM 130).

• Junior transfer students should have completed at least seven Core requirements prior to starting at Occidental. Students starting mid way through their sophomore year should have completed at least five Core requirements prior to starting at Occidental.

General advice for transfer students wanting to major in Biochemistry:

• The following courses must be taken at Occidental: all 300-level Biology and Chemistry classes (BIO 349, another 300-level Biology class, CHEM 300/ CHEM 301 and CHEM 350), and the Senior Seminar (BICH 490).

• Transfer students should meet with one of the co-chairs to introduce yourself as early as possible in the semester.

What courses should a transfer student take during their first semester at Occidental?

• Rising Junior transfer students starting Occidental in the fall must enroll in BIO 349 and another required class for the major. Rising Junior transfer students starting Occidental in the spring must take CHEM 350 this semester so that they will have at least one of the required Biochemistry courses (BIO 349 and CHEM 350) before starting Senior Seminar the following fall. In addition, for students starting in the spring: If they haven't taken Physics yet, they must also enroll in at least the first semester of Physics (preferably both semesters) to have met the prerequisites for Physical Chemistry (CHEM 300/ CHEM 301) in the following fall.

• Students starting mid way through their sophomore year, starting at Occidental in the fall, should enroll in Organic Chemistry 2 (CHEM 221) or General Chemistry II (CHEM 240) and Calculus 2 or a 200-level Biology class in their first semester. Those students starting in the spring must talk to their adviser and the co-chairs of the Biochemistry Program when setting up their spring schedule. 

• Students starting as Rising Sophomores in the fall should enroll in Organic Chemistry 1 and either Calculus or a Biology requirement. Those students starting in the spring must talk to their adviser and the co-chairs of the Biochemistry Program when setting up their spring schedule. 

Courses

Biochemistry Courses

Faculty

Tenure and Tenure Track Faculty

Gary Schindelman, co-chair; designated transfer adviser 

Resident Professor

B.S., State University of New York at Binghamton; Ph.D., New York University

Andrew K. Udit, co-chair

Professor

H.B.Sc., University of Toronto; Ph.D., California Institute of Technology

Other faculty associated with the Biochemistry program can be viewed here.