https://www.uvm.edu/biochemistry
The interdisciplinary Biochemistry program is administered by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) in conjunction with the College of Medicine (COM). The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry can be pursued through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences or through the College of Arts and Sciences.
CALS Biochemistry Major
Biochemistry is the basic science that explores the chemical and physical properties of living organisms and the chemical changes that occur in these organisms. It is integral to the study of multiple disciplines within the life and biomedical sciences, including biology, chemistry, microbiology, genetics, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, nutrition and food sciences, animal sciences, plant biology, and plant sciences. The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry draws upon a broad set of university resources from CALS, CAS, and COM to provide students with a modern science-based education designed to emphasize fundamental knowledge of chemistry and biology along with advanced courses specializing in biochemistry and related life and biomedical sciences. The biochemistry curriculum offers students with a strong academic ability in the sciences an opportunity to explore upper-level courses in areas of modern biochemistry and is designed to meet the needs of students wishing to compete in the job market at the B.S. degree level as well as students planning to continue with advanced studies in a graduate or professional degree program.
Students may apply to the program either through CALS or CAS, which vary in their college distribution requirements. The distribution categories and the number of required courses in each category differ slightly. In CAS, students are required to fulfill distribution requirements in all of the following seven categories: foreign languages, fine arts, literature, humanities, social sciences, physical sciences, and mathematics, plus complete the University Approved Diversity requirements. In CALS, students are required to fulfill distribution requirements in science, humanities and fine arts, communication skills, information technology skills, quantitative skills, critical thinking skills, interpersonal skills, citizenship and social responsibility values, environmental stewardship values, and personal growth values. Regardless of the college through which students choose to apply, all students must take a core set of basic courses in chemistry, biology, and mathematics in their first two years followed by advanced courses in biochemistry, chemistry, and/or molecular biology in their third and fourth years. Since biochemistry is a “hands-on” science, involvement of students in undergraduate research projects, most of which qualify as Honors projects in either college, is strongly encouraged.