Biochemistry
Program Details
Biochemistry is the scientific study of the chemical processes and substances occurring within living organisms. As a student in the biochemistry major, you'll actively engage in mastering the fundamental principles of both chemistry and biology, with specialized training tailored to the intricacies of biochemistry. Graduating from our program equips you with the skills and knowledge necessary for advanced studies in biochemistry and related fields, opens doors to exciting opportunities in biochemical and biomedical research and sets a solid foundation for pursuing a career in medicine.
Xavier University, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, is nationally recognized as a top university by U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review. 99 percent of our students are working, volunteering or in graduate school within six months of graduation (Class of 2022). Additinally, Xavier students have a 86 percent acceptance rate to medical schools (5-year average, Class of 2022), compared to 40 percent nationally.
Degree Awarded
Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
Curriculum
The sample course sequence below illustrates class offerings for the Biochemistry major. Consult the official Xavier University course catalog for detailed registration and advising information.
Fall
- CHEM 160: General Chemistry I............ 3cr.
- CHEM 161: General Chemistry I Lab............ 1cr.
- BIOL 160: General Biology I............ 3cr.
- BIOL 161: General Biology I Lab............ 1cr.
- CHEM 180: Intro to Chemical Enterprise............ 3cr.
- MATH 140: Concepts of Calculus............ 4cr.
- CORE 100: First Year Seminar............ 0cr.
- CORE 101: First Year Co-curricular............ 0cr.
Spring
- CHEM 162: General Chemistry II............ 3cr.
- CHEM 163: General Chemistry Lab II............ 1cr.
- BIOL 162: General Biology II............ 3cr.
- BIOL 163: General Biology II Lab............ 1cr.
- MATH 146: Introductory Biostatistics............ 3cr.
- THEO 111: Theological Foundations............ 3cr.
- ENGL 101: Composition............ 3cr.
- CORE 102: Co-curricular............ 0cr.
Fall
- CHEM 240: Organic Chemistry I............ 3cr.
- CHEM 241: Organic Chemistry Lab I............ 1cr.
- PHYS 160 : College Physics I............ 3cr.
- PHYS 161: Introductory Physics Lab I............ 1cr.
- PHIL 100: Ethics as Intro to Philosophy............ 3cr.
- Second Language I............ 3cr.
Spring
- CHEM 242: Organic Chemistry II............ 3cr.
- CHEM 243: Organic Chemistry Lab II............ 1cr.
- PHYS 162: College Physics II............ 3cr.
- PHYS 163: Introductory Physics Lab II............ 1cr.
- PHIL 200: Philosophical Perspectives............ 3cr.
- Second Language II............ 3cr.
Fall
- CHEM 220: Principles of Physical Chemistry............ 3cr.
- CHEM 440: Biochemistry I............ 3cr.
- CHEM 300: Research Ethics............ 1cr.
- CHEM 221: BioAnalytical Lab............ 1cr.
- Biology Elective............ 3cr.
- HIST 199 - Historical Perspectives............ 3cr.
Spring
- CHEM 442: Biochemistry II............ 3cr.
- CHEM 445: Biochemistry Lab II............ 1cr.
- BIOL 230: Genetics............ 3cr.
- BIOL 231: Genetics Lab............ 1cr.
- CHEM 400: Research............ 1cr.
- ENGL 205: Literature and Moral Imagination............ 3cr.
- Humanities Elective............ 3cr.
Fall
- CHEM 340: Instrumental Analysis............ 3cr.
- CHEM 420: Inorganic Chemistry............ 3cr.
- CHEM 400: Research............ 1cr.
- Chemistry/Biology Elective............ 3cr.
- E/RS Elective............ 3cr.
- Social Science Elective............ 3cr.
Spring
- CHEM 341: Instrumental Analysis Lab............ 1cr.
- CHEM 400: Research............ 1cr.
- Biology Elective............ 3cr.
- CHEM/BIOL Elective Lab............ 1cr.
- Creative Perspectives............ 3cr.
- Theological Perspectives............ 3cr.
- Elective............ 3cr.
- CORE 499............ 0cr.
Sample Courses
Sample courses within the biochemistry major curriculum:
- Genetics Laboratory (BIOL 231) - Hands-on laboratory exercises designed to immerse students in the contemporary techniques of molecular genetics. Through practical experiments, students gain proficiency in manipulating and analyzing nucleic acids, fostering a deeper understanding of modern genetic methodologies.
- Bioanalytical Chemistry (CHEM 221)- Bioanalytical Chemistry is a combined lecture and laboratory course focusing on the practical application of both wet chemical and instrumental analytical methods. Emphasizing substances relevant to clinical contexts, this course provides hands-on experience in analyzing and interpreting various compounds of interest.
- Biochemistry (CHEM 440) - This course covers into the intricacies of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids. This course explores their structural components, distinctive properties, and their vital roles in cellular metabolism.
- Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM 420)- This course is an exploration of contemporary theories on bonding and structure, spectroscopic techniques, redox chemistry, and reaction mechanisms. The course covers a range of topics including coordination compounds, organometallic clusters and catalytic processes.
Career Outcomes
99% of Xavier students are working, volunteering or in graduate school within six months of graduation (Class of 2022). Additionally, Xavier students have a 86% acceptance rate to medical schools (5-year average, Class of 2022), compared to 40 percent nationally. Explore Xavier's Career Outcomes Dashboard to view career outcomes by major.
More: Xavier's Career Development Office assists students in their search for employment by offering individual career counseling sessions, conducting workshops and maintaining an employer database. More than 100 nationally known companies visit the campus annually to interview graduating seniors for open positions.
Student Clubs
- Alpha Epsilon Delta (Pre-Med Honor Society)- Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED) is a national pre-health honors organization for juniors and seniors. Their main focus is service to the Cincinnati community, with opportunities to serve at places like the Ronald McDonald House and Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
- Biology Club- The Biology Club is not exclusive to just biology majors or other related majors, but welcomes anyone and everyone who are interested biology. Past events have included hiking trips, Break Out Games, scavenger hunts and trips to the zoo and aquarium.
- Alchemyst Club- The Alchemyst Club was established to inform and educate the Xavier community about the merits of science, especially chemistry and to lend support to the Xavier chemistry community. The club's purpose is to facilitate the propagation of chemical knowledge and to assist in making the chemistry major a viable option.
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Find more information about how you can become a Musketeer.
Request InformationEarn an Optional ACS or ASBMB Certification
For a few extra credit hours, your degree will be certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS) or the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).
Research Alongside Xavier's Esteemed Chemistry Faculty
At Xavier you'll engage in hands-on research guided by faculty mentors, present your work at regional and national meetings and showcase your research at the annual Celebration of Student Research.
Kickstart Your Career in Cincinnati, Ohio
In Cincinnati, Ohio, students in the biochemistry major can access numerous internship and mentorship opportunities at major companies like Kroger and Procter & Gamble. Additionally, the city boasts some of the nation's premier hospitals and healthcare networks.