About

Do you want to learn about the chemistry of life? Do you want to be well prepared for medical or dental school, to do graduate work, or to seek employment in industry?

The bachelor of science in biochemistry degree can be applied to many disciplines and professions that include medicine, pharmacology, drug research and development, biotechnology, agricultural research, and genetic engineering. Biochemistry is a core discipline that provides the foundation for nearly all advances in all fields related to health professions, biotechnology, and agriculture. The program offers a combination of biology, chemistry, math, and physics classes that prepare students especially well for successful entry into the work force.

Many of our biochemistry majors are involved in research projects in their areas of interest. Independent research projects with biology, chemistry, or medical school faculty provide students with valuable hands on experience in the laboratory. A large percentage of our students present their research at regional and/or national meetings. Most of our biochemistry majors graduate with a double major: a BS in biochemistry and a BA in chemistry. They are highly employable.

ECU Advantage

We believe that what makes our department special is our students and our faculty. Our faculty have been widely recognized by ECU and the UNC system with numerous awards, nationally with competitive grants, and internationally through publications in prestigious journals and awards from professional societies. We are united by an enthusiasm for research, a commitment to serving our community and region, and a passion for communicating our knowledge and skills to students.

Students graduating with a degree in biochemistry from ECU gain admission to the most competitive graduate programs.

As an ECU student, you can research your future career in Steppingblocks. Explore real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with data-powered career exploration tools designed for doers like you.

What You Will Study

Program Coordinator: Grace Chen (2515 Life Sciences and Biotechnology Building; 252-328-9769; chenf21@ecu.edu) Chemistry Concentration Program Coordinator: Lisa Bennett (416 Science and Technology Building; 252-328-9727; bennettl@ecu.edu)

The purpose of the Biochemistry, BS program is to prepare our students with the knowledge and confidence to apply the scientific method in biochemical research; train our students to communicate scientific discoveries in standard scientific formats; educate our students so they understand, and are able to apply, foundational biochemical concepts necessary for graduate education or a career in the biochemical sciences.

The degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h. as follows:

1. General education requirements including those listed below - 40 s.h.

(For information about courses that carry general education credit view the General Education Program section.)

  • CHEM 1150 - General Chemistry I
  • CHEM 1151 - General Chemistry Laboratory I

  • MATH 1065 - College Algebra or approved general education calculus course
2. Core - 32 s.h.

(Students are required to take BIOL and CHEM core courses.)

    Biology (15 s.h.)
    • BIOL 1100 - Principles of Biology I
    • BIOL 1101 - Principles of Biology Laboratory I
    • BIOL 1200 - Principles of Biology II
    • BIOL 1201 - Principles of Biology Laboratory II
    • BIOL 4880 - Principles of Biochemistry I
    • BIOL 4890 - Principles of Biochemistry II
    • BIOL 4891 - Principles of Biochemistry Laboratory
    Chemistry (17 s.h.)
    • CHEM 1160 - General Chemistry II
    • CHEM 1161 - General Chemistry Laboratory II
    • CHEM 3250 - Quantitative and Instrumental Analysis
    • CHEM 3251 - Quantitative and Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
    • CHEM 2750 - Organic Chemistry I
    • CHEM 2753 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
    • CHEM 2760 - Organic Chemistry II
    • CHEM 2763 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
3. Cognates - 25 s.h.
  • MATH 1083 - Precalculus
  • MATH 2171 - Calculus I
  • MATH 2172 - Calculus II
  • MATH 2173 - Calculus III
  • PHYS 1251 - General Physics Laboratory I
  • PHYS 1261 - General Physics Laboratory II
  • PHYS 2350 - University Physics I
  • PHYS 2360 - University Physics II
4. Concentrations - 20-22 s.h.

(Choose one of the following.)

    Biology (22 s.h.)
      Required courses - 6 s.h.
      • BIOL 2300 - Principles of Genetics
      • BIOL 3260 - Cell and Developmental Biology
      Electives - 16 s.h.

      (Choose from the following.)

      • BIOL 2100 - Biotechnology I
      • BIOL 2101 - Biotechnology Laboratory I
      • BIOL 3110 - Biotechnology II
      • BIOL 3220 - Microbiology
      • BIOL 3221 - Microbiology Laboratory
      • BIOL 3310 - Cellular Physiology
      • BIOL 3311 - Cellular Physiology Discussion
      • BIOL 3820 - Plant Biotechnology
      • BIOL 4030 - Principles of Toxicology
      • BIOL 4230 - Concepts in Cell Biology
      • BIOL 4260 - Cell Biology
      • BIOL 4420 - Microbial Biotechnology
      • BIOL 4490 - Applied Cell Biology
      • BIOL 4491 - Applied Cell Biology Laboratory
      • BIOL 4650 - Biology of Cancer
      • BIOL 4830 - Topics in Biochemistry
      • BIOL 4860 - Research Experience in Cell Biology
      • BIOL 5870 - Molecular Biology of the Gene
      • BIOL 5900 - Biotechniques
      • BIOL 5901 - Biotechniques Laboratory
      • CHEM 4522 - Pharmaceutical Industry Skills Laboratory: Good Manufacturing Practices
      • MATH 3331 - Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations
      • Research hours
      • 3 hours of research in biology or chemistry (BIOL 3504, BIOL 3550; CHEM 4505, CHEM 4506, CHEM 4507, CHEM 4515, CHEM 4516, CHEM 4517)
    Chemistry (20 s.h.)
      Required courses - 10 s.h.
      • CHEM 3950 - Physical Chemistry I
      • CHEM 3951 - Physical Chemistry I Laboratory
      • CHEM 3960 - Physical Chemistry II
      • CHEM 3961 - Physical Chemistry II Laboratory
      Electives - 10 s.h.

      (Choose from the following.)

      • BIOL 2300 - Principles of Genetics
      • BIOL 4830 - Topics in Biochemistry
      • CHEM 3450 - Elementary Inorganic Chemistry
      • CHEM 3451 - Elementary Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
      • CHEM 4350 - Instrumental Analysis
      • CHEM 4351 - Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
      • CHEM 4522 - Pharmaceutical Industry Skills Laboratory: Good Manufacturing Practices
      • CHEM 4550 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
      • CHEM 5760 - Organic Structure Elucidation
      • MATH 3331 - Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations
      • 3 hours of research in biology or chemistry
      • 3 hours of research in biology or chemistry (BIOL 3504, BIOL 3550; CHEM 4505, CHEM 4506, CHEM 4507, CHEM 4515, CHEM 4516, CHEM 4517)
5. Electives to complete requirements for graduation
    For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
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