A.B. Biochemistry

The requirements for the A.B. biochemistry degree:  MATH 125 and 186, 161/165 and 162 ,or 161/165 and 186; PHYS 111/112 or 131/133 or 151/152; CHEM 103 or 107, 108, 221, 222, 231, 341 (or: 342 and 343)*, 352, 353, 354, either 365 or 366; BIOL 111 and 112 (or 101 and 102), 255, and at least one other advanced biology (200-level or above) course. In addition, “electives” listed below must include College-wide requirements for the Common Course of Study .

It is recommended that the following sequence of courses be scheduled:

Fall
 Spring
  • CHEM 103/107 (General I)
  • BIOL 111 (Unity and Diversity)
  • MATH 125 or 161/165 (Calculus I)
  • First-Year Seminar
 First Year
  • CHEM 108 (General II)
  • BIOL 112 (Biomol. Foundations)
  • MATH 186 or 162 (Calculus II)
  • Elective
  • CHEM 221 (Organic Chemistry I)
  • PHYS 111
  • Elective
  • Elective
 Sophomore Year
  • CHEM 222 (Organic II)
  • PHYS 112
  • BIOL 255 (Molecular Genetics)
  • Elective
  • CHEM 352 (Foundational Biochemistry)
  • CHEM 231 (Quantitative Chemical Methods)
  • Elective
  • Elective
 Junior Year
  • CHEM 353 Biochemistry II)
  • CHEM 354 (Experimental Biochem.)
  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Advanced Biology Elective
  • CHEM 366 (Course-based Research Experience in Chemistry)
  • Elective
  • Elective
 Senior Year
  • CHEM 341 (Survey of Physical Chemistry)1
  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Elective

See: Lafayette College Catalog or select course links at the top of this page for individual course descriptions.

Students considering graduate school in biochemistry should take MATH 161/165 and 162 in place of MATH 125 and 186, PHYS 113/114 in place of PHYS 111/112, and CHEM 342 and 343 in place of CHEM 341.

1There is variability in the options regarding Physical Chemistry and therefore only approximate guidelines are provided.