BS in Biochemistry

Azusa Pacific’s biochemistry major is interdisciplinary, offering courses biology, chemistry, physiology, and cell and molecular biology.

70-75 units

Biochemistry is an interdisciplinary field of study that includes topics within chemistry and biology, with a focus on understanding chemical processes in living systems. 

The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry provides a rigorous curriculum and strong foundation in core chemistry and biology courses, with the option of the Pre-Health Professions Emphasis or the Research Emphasis. Additional course requirements provide a foundation in related fields (physics and mathematics), as well as breadth to the study of biochemistry.

The Pre-Health Professions Emphasis involves additional focus on genetics and physiology, with options to study anatomy, neurobiology, and advanced chemistry topics. This emphasis provides excellent preparation for graduate and professional studies in a variety of health fields, including but not limited to medicine, dentistry, optometry, chiropractic medicine, veterinary science, and pharmacy.

The Research Emphasis involves additional focus on physical chemistry and molecular biology, with options to study other advanced chemistry and biology topics. This emphasis provides excellent preparation for entry-level positions as a researcher or laboratory technician, and for graduate studies in fields such as, but not limited to, biochemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, biotechnology, food science, forensic science, and environmental science. Students who attend graduate school and obtain a master’s or doctoral degree may find employment at a university or in the private or government sectors.

Students in the BS in Biochemistry major are strongly encouraged to collaborate with science faculty in a research project or participate in an off-campus internship.

BS in Biochemistry Requirements

All of the following requirements must be met to continue as an allied health, biological sciences, biochemistry, or chemistry major. A student’s failure to maintain these requirements will result in him or her being dropped from the major. Reentry to the major is by petition only.

  • Must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all biology, chemistry, biochemistry, math, and physics courses required for the major.
  • Must complete each course required for the major with a C- or higher for the course to meet a degree requirement in the Department of Biology and Chemistry.
  • Any single course within the major can be taken only two times at APU; students must change to a major outside the department after two unsuccessful (below C-) attempts in a single required course.
  • Only two courses total within the major can be repeated; students must change to a major outside the department after unsuccessful (below C-) attempts in any three required courses.
Biochemistry
BIOC 270Biomolecular Chemistry4
BIOC 370Biomolecular Metabolism4
Biology
BIOL 151General Biology I 14
BIOL 280Cell Biology4
BIOL 496Writing 3: Ethics and the Sciences 23
Chemistry
CHEM 151General Chemistry I 34
CHEM 152General Chemistry II 44
CHEM 251Organic Chemistry: Theory I3
CHEM 261Organic Chemistry - Lab1
CHEM 252Organic Chemistry: Theory II3
CHEM 262Organic Chemistry - Lab1
CHEM 300Quantitative Chemical Analysis - Theory2
CHEM 310Quantitative Chemical Analysis - Laboratory2
Math
MATH 165Calculus I 43
MATH 166Calculus II 43
Physics
PHYC 145Physics Laboratory I 31
PHYC 146Physics Laboratory II1
Select one of the following course pairs:6-8
Physics for Life Sciences I
and Physics for Life Sciences II 3
Physics for Science and Engineering: Mechanics
and Physics for Science and Engineering: Electricity and Magnetism 3
Research Emphasis: Additional Required Courses
BIOC 390Physical Biochemistry3
or CHEM 401 Physical Chemistry I
BIOL 410Molecular Biology4
Pre-Health Professions Emphasis: Additional Required Courses
BIOL 152General Biology II4
BIOL 300Genetics 54
BIOL 350Mammalian Physiology4
BIOL 396Topics in Biology and Christian Thought 61
Required Elective Courses (see lists below)7-10
Total Units70-75
Upper-Division Electives for the Biochemistry Major
Research Emphasis: Select 10+ elective units from below (must include at least one 4-unit course and at least one CHEM course):
Genetics 5
Instrumental Analysis: Theory
and Instrumental Analysis - Lab (Theory/Lab) 5
Physical Chemistry II
and Physical Chemistry II Lab
Physical Chemistry I Lab
Advanced Organic Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
Advanced Topics in Chemistry
Select no more than one of the following:
Neurobiology 5
Regional Human Anatomy
Mammalian Physiology
Cancer Biology
Immunology
Up to 3 units combined of BIOL 311, BIOL 312, BIOL 313, BIOL 394, BIOL 395, CHEM 311, CHEM 312, CHEM 313, CHEM 394, or CHEM 395 may count toward major elective units:
Teaching and Learning in STEM
STEM Education Research Seminar
STEM Teaching Practicum
Directed Research Internship
Biological Science Internship
Directed Research Internship
Chemical Science Internship
Pre-Health Professions Emphasis: Select 7+ elective units from below (must include at least one 4-unit course):
Physical Biochemistry
Physical Chemistry I
Instrumental Analysis: Theory
and Instrumental Analysis - Lab 5
Physical Chemistry II
Physical Chemistry I Lab
Advanced Organic Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
Advanced Topics in Chemistry
Only one of the following courses may count toward major elective units:
Neurobiology 5
Vertebrate Biology
Regional Human Anatomy
Molecular Biology
Cancer Biology
Immunology
Up to 3 units combined of either BIOL 311, BIOL 312, BIOL 313, BIOL 394, BIOL 395, CHEM 311, CHEM 312, CHEM 313, CHEM 394, or CHEM 395 may count toward major elective units:
Teaching and Learning in STEM
STEM Education Research Seminar
STEM Teaching Practicum
Directed Research Internship
Biological Science Internship
Directed Research Internship
Chemical Science Internship
1

Meets the General Education Natural Sciences requirement.

2

Meets the General Education Writing 3 requirement.

3

CHEM 151, PHYC 145, PHYC 155, and PHYC 165 meet the General Education Natural Sciences requirement and may be waived with an appropriate Advanced Placement test score.

4

This course may be waived with an appropriate Advanced Placement test score.

5

Meets the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement.

6

BIOL 152 meets this requirement if taken at APU.