www.smu.edu/biochemistry
Professor Pia Vogel, Director
The B.S. degree in biochemistry reflects the interdisciplinary nature of modern biochemistry and includes courses in physics, mathematics, chemistry and biology. Undergraduate research is also highly recommended. These courses will prepare students for graduate study leading to a Ph.D. degree, for entrance to professional schools such as medicine, or for the chemical or biotechnology industry. The program includes a core of required courses but allows some flexibility in the choice of additional upper-division courses. Students planning to attend graduate school are advised to take at least three credits of undergraduate research (BIOL 3398 , BIOL 4398 or CHEM 4397 ).
Note: There are two options for choosing the additional courses. Option 1 has been certified by the American Chemical Society for professional training in biochemistry. Option 2 provides a more traditional curriculum for biochemistry majors.
Students obtaining a B.S. degree in biochemistry may not also obtain a major or minor in chemistry or biology.
Departmental Distinction
A biochemistry major may graduate with departmental distinction by successfully completing a special program of study that includes independent reading and research and a senior thesis under the direction of a member of the faculty. The student must submit an application to the biochemistry adviser by the first term of the junior year and must have completed at least 22 credit hours toward the biochemistry degree with a GPA of at least 3.500 in courses required for the major. Upon approval from the respective departments, the student must enroll in the following courses: BIOL 4398 , BIOL 4399 or CHEM 4397 . Upon completion of these courses, the student will write a senior thesis and present it orally before a public audience including a faculty committee composed of the student’s research adviser, the biochemistry adviser, and at least one additional faculty member. Upon successful completion of all degree requirements, the senior thesis and maintenance of a GPA of at least 3.500 in courses required for the major, the B.S. degree will be awarded with departmental distinction.
SMU Degree Requirements
An SMU undergraduate degree requires a minimum of 120 credit hours and must include completion of the University’s Common Curriculum , one major and a combination of electives and/or other majors or minors. Completion of certain majors requires more than 120 hours to finish the degree. The credit hours within this curriculum are distributed as follows: