Biochemistry (BS)

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Offered by the Department of Chemistry , College of Arts and Sciences .

Admission to the Program

Formal admission to the major requires a grade point average of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale). The department counsels freshmen and transfer students, as well as declared biochemistry majors.

University Requirements

120 credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better
Completion of college writing requirement
Completion of university mathematics requirement

General Education Requirements

A total of ten courses, consisting of two courses from each of the five foundational areas
At least one course from Area Five: The Natural and Mathematical Sciences must include a laboratory science component
No more than two courses may be taken in the same discipline

Major Requirements

74 credit hours with grades of C or better

Course Requirements

University Honors Program

To graduate with University Honors in the major through the University Honors Program, students must meet the requirements detailed on the Honors website and have been enrolled as either a first-year student between Fall 1989 and Spring 2014, or as a transfer or self-nominated student through Spring 2015. The University Honors Program should not be confused with the AU Honors Program, which begins in Fall 2014 and has separate requirements, also detailed on the Honors website.

Combined BS in Biochemistry and MS in Chemistry

American University offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its combined bachelor’s/master’s programs. See Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for more information.

This program enables qualified students to earn, in a continuous plan of study, both the BS in Biochemistry and the MS in Chemistry.

Requirements

Undergraduate biochemistry majors should apply for admission to the BS/MS program by the end of the junior year. Admission is open to undergraduates whose overall grade point average and grade point average in chemistry courses is 3.00 or higher. Applications must be accompanied by two letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose.
- Students should discuss their interest in the program with members of the faculty before submitting a formal application. Interested students are encouraged to enroll in CHEM-490 Independent Study Project in Chemistry to conduct independent study research before applying.
All requirements for the BS in Biochemistry.
- Undergraduate students may apply up to 9 credit hours of approved graduate-level course work in chemistry and STAT-514 Statistical Methods to satisfy the requirements for both degrees.
All requirements for the MS in Chemistry, including a minimum of 18 credit hours completed in residence in graduate status after the undergraduate degree has been awarded. Students must finish the master’s degree requirements within three years from the date of first enrollment in the master’s program.