Program: Chemistry - Biochemistry Concentration, (B.S.) - University of Memphis

Apr 03, 2025

UofM 2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog

Program objectives for a B.S. in Chemistry and a B.S.Ch. in Chemistry are: (a) to have a satisfactory knowledge and comprehension of core concepts of analytical, organic, physical, inorganic and bioorganic chemistry; (b) to develop the ability to critically assess and solve problems relating to theoretical and practical aspects of chemistry; (c) to have satisfactory laboratory skills; (d) to have satisfactory presentation skills to communicate chemical concepts and the results of investigations into chemical phenomena, through oral and written discourse and by way of mathematical sciences (e) to have satisfactory basic computer and computational skills; (f) will be satisfactorily prepared for entry level positions in the field, or for admission to graduate or professional school; (g) to demonstrate an understanding of professional ethics and the importance of chemistry in its impact on society.

University General Education Program (41 hours)

See Graduation from the University for the University General Education Program requirements.

Note: The following requirements are general education courses that are required for the Chemistry, B.S. Major:

Mathematics:

MATH 1830 Elementary Calculus** ** Credit Hours: (3)

MATH 1910 - Calculus I ** Credit Hours: (4)

Natural Science:

CHEM 1110 - General Chemistry I Credit Hours: (3)
CHEM 1111 - General Chemistry I Lab Credit Hours: (1)
CHEM 1120 - General Chemistry II Credit Hours: (3)
CHEM 1121 - General Chemistry II Lab Credit Hours: (1)

The Major (46-47 hours)

General Education (11-12 hours)

Mathematics:
MATH 1830 Elementary Calculus** ** Credit Hours: (3)

MATH 1910 - Calculus I ** Credit Hours: (4)
Natural Science:
CHEM 1110 - General Chemistry I Credit Hours: (3)
CHEM 1111 - General Chemistry I Lab Credit Hours: (1)
CHEM 1120 - General Chemistry II Credit Hours: (3)
CHEM 1121 - General Chemistry II Lab Credit Hours: (1)

Core Requirements (31 hours):

CHEM 3111 - Foundations/Inorganic CHEM Credit Hours: (3)
CHEM 3201 - Foundation/Analytical CHEM lab Credit Hours: (2)
CHEM 3211 - Foundations/Analytical CHEM Credit Hours: (3)
CHEM 3301 - Foundations/Organic Chem Lab Credit Hours: (1)
CHEM 3310 - Foundations/Organic Chemistry Credit Hours: (3)
CHEM 3411 - Foundations/Physical Chemistry Credit Hours: (3)
CHEM 3501 - Foundation/Bioorganic Chem Lab Credit Hours: (1)
CHEM 3511 - Foundations/Bioorganic CHEM Credit Hours: (3)
CHEM 4999 - Senior Survey Credit Hours: (1)
PHYS 2110 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers I Credit Hours: (3)
PHYS 2111 - Sci/Engr Phys Lab I Credit Hours: (1)
PHYS 2120 - Physics For Scientists and Engineers II Credit Hours: (3)
PHYS 2121 - Sci/Engr Phys Lab II Credit Hours: (1)
or
PHYS 2010 - General Physics I Credit Hours: (3)
PHYS 2011 - General Physics Lab I Credit Hours: (1)
PHYS 2020 - General Physics II Credit Hours: (3)
PHYS 2021 - General Physics Lab II Credit Hours: (1)
Plus One of the Following Upper Division Ethics Courses:
PHIL 3512 - Science/Technology/Human Values Credit Hours: (3)
PHIL 3514 - Biomedical Ethics ** Credit Hours: (3)
PHIL 3515 - Environmental Ethics ** Credit Hours: (3)
PHIL 3806 - Data Ethics Credit Hours: (3)

Biochemistry Concentration (22 hours)

MATH 4611 - Intro Applied Statistics Credit Hours: (3)
CHEM 4511 - Biochemistry I Credit Hours: (3)
CHEM 4501 - Lab Tech In Biochem Credit Hours: (2)
BIOL 1110 - General Biology I Credit Hours: (3)
BIOL 1111 - General Biology I Lab Credit Hours: (1)
BIOL 1120 - General Biology II Credit Hours: (3)
BIOL 1121 - General Biol II Lab Credit Hours: (1)

Plus one of the Following Courses:

CHEM 4512 - Biochemistry II Credit Hours: (3)
BIOL 3500 - Micro I/Fundmntl Aspect Credit Hours: (3)
BIOL 3130 - Cell Biology Credit Hours: (3)
and
three (3) additional upper division hours in CHEM.

NOTE:

Students must earn a grade of at least “C-” in all CHEM courses applied toward the major or minor, and in all required BIOL, PHYS, and MATH courses. Students must earn a grade of at least “C-” in CHEM 1110 and CHEM 1120 before enrolling in any upper-division CHEM course, and in CHEM 1111 and CHEM 1121 before enrolling in any upper-division CHEM laboratory course.

Any CHEM (or cross-listed) course may be repeated once at the student’s option to earn a minimum grade of “C-.” To repeat a CHEM (or cross-listed) course a second time, a student may apply for and receive special permission from the Chemistry department. Application information is available in the Chemistry Department Office, Room 213, J.M. Smith Chemistry Building. No student may take a CHEM (or cross-listed) course more than three times in order to earn a minimum grade of “C-” without extraordinary departmental permission.

Electives

Electives must be chosen to bring the total number of hours to 120.

Graduating with Honors in Chemistry

Applies to both the B.S.Ch. and the B.S. with a major in Chemistry

In order to graduate with Honors in Chemistry, the student must have an overall GPA of 3.25 and a GPA of 3.25 in all science and mathematics courses required for the major.
The student must earn honors credit in a minimum of three 3-credit hour upper-division chemistry lecture courses if honors have not been previously earned in CHEM 1110 /CHEM 1120 , or in a minimum of two 3-credit hour upper-division chemistry lecture courses if honors have been previously earned in CHEM 1110 /CHEM 1120 . Honors may be contracted in courses not offering a formal Honors section. A minimum grade of B is required in order to earn honors credit.
The student must successfully complete CHEM 4901 /CHEM 4902 /CHEM 4903 with a formal paper required in CHEM 4903 serving as the equivalent of an honors thesis.
The student must present his/her research to an audience external to the Department of Chemistry.