Biochemistry

This is an archived copy of the 2019-2020 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://e-catalog.sewanee.edu.

Website: Biochemistry

Students in the interdisciplinary field of biochemistry explore life’s molecular building blocks and the intersections of biology and chemistry. Majors complete six required courses in biology and chemistry, then choose electives from such courses as cell biology, organic chemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics, genetics, immunology, microbiology, environmental physiology and biochemistry of animals, inorganic chemistry, chemical analysis, and advanced biochemistry.

Science students pursue their work in Spencer Hall, Sewanee’s LEED-certified $22 million science facility.

Associate Professors: Kikis, Seballos (Chair), R. Summers

Assistant Professor: C. Smith

The interdisciplinary major in Biochemistry is administered by the Departments of Biology and Chemistry.

Requirements for the Major in Biochemistry

The major requires successful completion of the following:

Course Requirements
BIOL 133Introductory Molecular Biology and Genetics4
BIOL 233Molecular Cell Biology4
BIOL 243Molecular Methods (Lab)4
BIOL/CHEM 316Biochemistry of Metabolism and Molecular Biology (Lab)4
or BIOL 317 Biochemistry of Metabolism and Molecular Biology
or BIOL 236 Biochemistry
CHEM 120General Chemistry (Lab)4
or CHEM 150 Advanced General Chemistry (Lab)
CHEM 201Organic Chemistry I (Lab)4
CHEM 202Organic Chemistry II (Lab)4
CHEM/BIOL 307Mechanistic Biochemistry (Lab)4
CHEM 352Thermodynamics and Kinetics (Lab)4
MATH 102Calculus II4
PHYS 101General Physics I (Lab)4
Select at least two of the following: 18
Genetics (Lab)
Genetics
Molecular Genetics (Lab)
Molecular Revolutions in Medicine
Cancer Cell Biology (Lab)
Cancer Cell Biology
Biology of Aging
Immunology
Microbiology (Lab)
Microbiology
Environmental Physiology and Biochemistry of Animals
Virology
Epigenetics
Epigenetics (Lab)
Inorganic Chemistry (Lab)
Instrumental Analysis (Lab)
Advanced Biochemistry
Total Semester Hours52
Additional Requirements
A comprehensive examination 2

Honors

In order to receive honors in the biochemistry program, a student must have a 3.20 or higher GPA in the major courses and must complete a research project that the biochemistry committee considers worthy of honors. The research project may be done as part of a course (usually BIOL 444 or CHEM 494), or it may be done in the context of a summer research program at University of the South or at another institution. The honors project must involve some original work. A formal written report and seminar presentation on the research are required. Students must inform the biochemistry committee of their intention to seek honors no later than October 1 of their senior year.

Requirements for the Minor in Biochemistry

The minor requires successful completion of the following:

Course Requirements
BIOL 316Biochemistry of Metabolism and Molecular Biology (Lab)4
CHEM 307Mechanistic Biochemistry (Lab)4
Select at least three of the following:12
Genetics (Lab)
Genetics
Molecular Cell Biology
Molecular Genetics (Lab)
Molecular Revolutions in Medicine
Immunology
Microbiology (Lab)
Microbiology
Epigenetics
Epigenetics (Lab)
Organic Chemistry I (Lab)
Organic Chemistry II (Lab)
Advanced Biochemistry
Total Semester Hours20