Biochemistry Major

This information is part of the Colgate University catalog, 2026-27.

Major Requirements

The major program consists of the following requirements:

All of the Following

BIOL 182 - Molecules, Cells, and Genes and (usually taken by the sophomore year)
BIOL 361 - Biochemistry of Gene Expression (certain 300- or 400-level BIOL courses may be substituted with approval from chemistry department chair)
CHEM 101 - General Chemistry I and (usually completed in the first year)
CHEM 102 - General Chemistry II and (usually completed in the first year)
CHEM 263 - Organic Chemistry I and (usually completed in the sophomore year)
CHEM 264 - Organic Chemistry II and (usually completed in the sophomore year)
CHEM 336 - Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences (in rare cases, or may be substituted with department chair approval)
CHEM 353 - Proteins and Nucleic Acids
CHEM 385 - Biophysical Chemistry Methods
CHEM 481 - Advanced Chemistry Research (research conducted by biochemistry majors while participating in Colgate's Bethesda Biomedical Research in the fall of their senior year fulfills this requirement.)
CHEM 482 - Advanced Chemistry Research (usually completed in the spring of senior year)
Note: /, a one-term course designed for the well-prepared student, may substitute for / and / and facilitates an early entry into /

Chemistry Electives

Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of BCEL in the course offerings.

One of the following:

Integrated Laboratory Course

Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of BCIL in the course offerings.

At least one of the following CHEM 380-series integrated laboratory courses:

Half-Semester Courses

Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of BCHS in the course offerings.

At least one course credit from the half-semester courses:

Note

Independent Studies (, , and ) may not normally be substituted for one of the courses listed in the above requirements, but if it can be demonstrated that such a course provides sufficient breadth at the advanced level, the department will consider a petition for substitution.

Additional Requirements

Calculus Course Option

At least one course from the following:

MATH 162 - Calculus II
MATH 163 - Calculus III
MATH 214 - Linear Algebra
is the recommended starting point for students with minimal secondary school calculus experience.

Physics Sequence

One course in Classical Mechanics and one course in Electricity and Magnetism (usually taken by the sophomore year):

Seminar Series

Junior and senior majors are expected to attend a weekly seminar series at which students, faculty, and guests present topics from the current literature and their own research.

GPA Requirement

An overall GPA of at least 2.00 is required for the chemistry and biology courses (and associated labs) chosen to meet major requirements.

Honors and High Honors

Honors in biochemistry may be awarded to majors who accumulate an overall GPA of at least 3.00 and a combined GPA of at least 3.00 in all chemistry, biology, mathematics, and physics courses taken; complete approved honors projects; and present the results of their projects in both a written thesis and an oral defense to the department. The decision to award honors, high honors, or neither is based on the quality of the honors project, the quality of its presentation and defense, and other evidence of distinction.

Recommendations

Those who wish to major in biochemistry normally take / and / (or /) and the necessary math courses in the first year. The standard sophomore courses are / and /, plus the year of introductory physics or /. Typically, juniors will take and in the fall or spring semester, and in the spring semester. Students can elect to take either / in the fall term or and a CHEM 380-series integrated laboratory course , , or in the junior year. Seniors take , along with one course credit from , , , , or .

Chemistry Department

For more information about the department, including Faculty, transfer credit, awards, etc., please visit the catalog page.