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Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry (B.S.)

(The content posted here may not be up to date. Please see the latest General Catalog for current degree requirements and course listings.)

In order to earn the bachelor of science degree with a major in biochemistry, students must complete a minimum of 124 units with a Pacific cumulative and major/program grade point average of 2.0.

I. General Education Requirements
Minimum 42 units and 12 courses, including:

  • PACS 001  Pacific Seminar I: What is a Good Society?
  • PACS 002  Pacific II Topical Seminar
  • PACS 003  Pacific Seminar III: The Ethics of Family, Work, and Citizenship

Note: 1) Pacific Seminars cannot be taken for Pass/No Credit. 2) Transfer students with 16 or more transfer units complete 2 additional General Education elective courses from below in place of taking PACS 001 and 002.

One course from each subdivision below:

  • The Individual and Society
    • IA. Individual and Interpersonal Behavior
    • IB. U.S. Studies
    • IC. Global Studies
  • Human Heritage
    • IIA. Literature, Letters and Language
    • IIB. Fundamental Human Concerns
    • IIC. Practice and Perspective in the Visual and Performing Arts
  • Natural World and Formal Systems of Thought
    • IIIA. Life and Physical Laboratory Sciences
    • IIIB. Formal Systems of Thought
    • IIIC. Science, Technology, and Society
      or  a second Life and Physical Laboratory Science


Note: 1) A complete list of the courses that satisfy the subdivisions above can be found in the front General Education section of this catalog and the online course search. 2) No more than two courses from a discipline may be applied to meet the requirements of the general education program. 

II.  Fundamental Skills
Demonstrate competence in:

  1. Reading
  2. Writing
  3. Math


Note: 1) A detailed description of how you can satisfy the fundamental skills above can be found in the front General Education section of this catalog.

III.  Breadth Requirement
Complete 64 units outside the primary discipline of the first major, regardless of the department who offers the course(s) in that discipline (Including general education courses, transfer courses, CPCE/EXTN units, internships, etc.)
 
IV. Major Requirements
Minimum 77 units and 18 courses, including:

  • CHEM 025  General Chemistry  (5)
  • CHEM 027  General Chemistry  (5)
  • CHEM 121  Organic Chemistry I  (5)
  • CHEM 123  Organic Chemistry II  (5)
  • CHEM 141  Analytical Chemistry  (4)
  • CHEM 151  Biochemistry I  (4)
  • CHEM 153  Biochemistry II  (3)
  • CHEM 157  Biochemistry Laboratory  (4)
  • CHEM  Elective (1 additional course)  (4)

One of the following two courses:  (4)

  • CHEM 159  Biophysical Chemistry
  • CHEM 161  Physical Chemistry I
  • BIOL 051  Principles of Biology  (4)
  • BIOL 061  Principles of Biology  (4)
  • BIOL 101  Genetics  (4)

One of the following two courses:  (4)

  • BIOL 145  Microbiology
  • BIOL 153  Cell Biology
  • MATH 051  Calculus I  (4)
  • MATH 053  Calculus II  (4)

One of the following two groups:  (10)

  1.  PHYS 023 General Physics I
    & PHYS 025 General Physics II
  2. PHYS 053 Principles of Physics I
    & PHYS 055 Principles of Physics II

 Note: 1) At least 4 of your major required courses must be taken at Pacific.
 2) In addition, students are encouraged to complete at least one other course
 in biology and at least one semester of research.