Biochemistry and Biophysics Undergraduate Major (BS, HBS)
This program is available at the following location:
- Corvallis
Options available:
Administered by the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics under the School of Life Sciences.
Accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
The BS degree in Biochemistry and Biophysics provides a degree path centered on the chemistry and physics of life processes with training that integrates the principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, statistics, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, and biological sequence analysis. Biochemists explore the chemical structure of living matter and the chemical reactions occurring in living cells. Biophysicists use the methods of physical science to study the structure and functions of macromolecules. Biochemistry and Biophysics majors receive excellent training for careers in medicine and related health professions, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, or for graduate study in biochemistry and biophysics. Training in biophysics is especially valuable for students who are interested in drug design. Majors must select an option either in Advanced Biophysics, Neuroscience, or Pre-Medicine/Biochemistry and Biophysics. The first two options are designed for students interested in careers in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries or graduate work in biochemistry and biophysics, with the second especially well-suited for students interested in neuroscience. The third option is ideal for students interested in careers in medicine and related health professions.
Major Code: 506
Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate a core knowledge base in the theory and practice of modern Biochemistry and Biophysics.
- Demonstrate experimental design and laboratory skills relevant to biochemistry and molecular biology, including preparation, experimental design, evaluation of data, and safe laboratory practices.
- Critically evaluate data and design experiments to test hypotheses relevant to the practice of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
- Read and evaluate primary literature in the discipline.
- Effectively communicate scientific data and ideas, using various formats appropriate for different target audiences.
- Use databases, computational tools and other online resources effectively.
- Demonstrate awareness of ethical issues in the practice of science.
Students majoring in Biochemistry and Biophysics cannot seek a double major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biology, BioHealth Sciences, Botany, Microbiology or Zoology.
Students are required to declare one of three options in Advanced Biophysics, Neuroscience, or Pre-Medicine/Biochemistry and Biophysics. For further information, see MyDegrees or the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics website.
Grade Requirements
Biochemistry and Biophysics majors must complete the following courses with a grade of C- or better: BB 314, BI 221Z, BI 222Z, BI 223Z, CH 221Z, CH 222Z, CH 223Z, CH 227Z, CH 228Z, CH 229Z, CH 334, CH 335, CH 336, MTH 251Z, MTH 252Z, MTH 254.
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Sciences | ||
| BI 221Z & BI 222Z & BI 223Z | +*PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: CELLS and *PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: ORGANISMS and *PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION | 15 |
| Mathematics and Statistics | ||
| MTH 251Z | +*DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS | 4 |
| MTH 252Z | INTEGRAL CALCULUS | 4 |
| MTH 254 | VECTOR CALCULUS I | 4 |
| ST 351 | INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICAL METHODS | 4 |
| Chemistry | ||
| CH 221Z & CH 227Z | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I and +*GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY | 5 |
| CH 222Z & CH 228Z | GENERAL CHEMISTRY II and *GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY | 5 |
| CH 223Z & CH 229Z | GENERAL CHEMISTRY III and *GENERAL CHEMISTRY III LABORATORY | 5 |
| CH 334 & CH 335 & CH 336 | ORGANIC CHEMISTRY and ORGANIC CHEMISTRY and ORGANIC CHEMISTRY | 9 |
| CH 361 & CH 362 | EXPERIMENTAL CHEMISTRY I and EXPERIMENTAL CHEMISTRY I | 6 |
| Physical Sciences | ||
| PH 211 & PH 212 & PH 213 | +*GENERAL PHYSICS WITH CALCULUS and *GENERAL PHYSICS WITH CALCULUS and *GENERAL PHYSICS WITH CALCULUS | 12 |
| Biochemistry and Biophysics | ||
| BB 111 | INTRODUCTION TO BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS RESEARCH | 1 |
| BB 211 | +PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT I FOR BIOCHEMISTS AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENTISTS | 1 |
| BB 314 | CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY | 4 |
| BB 315 | MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LABORATORY | 3 |
| BB 317 | ^SCIENTIFIC THEORY AND PRACTICE | 3 |
| BB 332 | +*MOLECULAR MEDICINE | 3 |
| or BI 344 | +*DNA, IDENTITIES, AND SOCIETIES | |
| or CH 380 | +CHEMISTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM | |
| or GEOG 333/ENSC 333 | +*ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE | |
| BB 345 | PYTHON FOR MOLECULAR BIOLOGISTS | 3 |
| BB 470 | CELL BIOPHYSICS | 3 |
| or CH 440 | PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY | |
| BB 490 | BIOCHEMISTRY 1: STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION | 3 |
| BB 491 | BIOCHEMISTRY 2: METABOLISM | 3 |
| BB 492 | BIOCHEMISTRY 3: GENETIC BIOCHEMISTRY | 3 |
| BB 481 | MACROMOLECULAR STRUCTURE | 3 |
| BB 482 | BIOPHYSICS | 3 |
| BB 483 | ADVANCED BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS: CAPSTONE | 3 |
| BB 494 | BIOCHEMISTRY LABORATORY MOLECULAR TECHNIQUES | 4 |
| BB 498 | +PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT II FOR BIOCHEMISTS AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENTISTS | 1 |
| Required Option | ||
| Complete one of three options in Advanced Biophysics, Neuroscience, or Pre-Medicine/Biochemistry and Biophysics | 22 | |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| Remaining Core Ed and Electives | 41 | |
| Total Credits | 180 | |
- *
Baccalaureate Core course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in a catalog year up to 2024-2025
- +
Core Education course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in catalog year 2025-2026 and beyond
- ^
Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC) course
Major Code: 506
Degree plans are subject to change and the following is only an example of how students may complete their degree in four years. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best degree plan for them. Contact details for advisors can be found on the Academic Advising page.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| BB 111 | INTRODUCTION TO BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS RESEARCH | 1 |
| BI 221Z | +*PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: CELLS | 5 |
| CH 221Z & CH 227Z | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I and +*GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY | 5 |
| MTH 251Z | +*DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS | 4 |
| Core Ed: Transitions | 2 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Winter | ||
| BI 222Z | *PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: ORGANISMS | 5 |
| CH 222Z & CH 228Z | GENERAL CHEMISTRY II and *GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY | 5 |
| MTH 252Z | INTEGRAL CALCULUS | 4 |
| WR 121Z | +*COMPOSITION I | 4 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| BI 223Z | *PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION | 5 |
| CH 223Z & CH 229Z | GENERAL CHEMISTRY III and *GENERAL CHEMISTRY III LABORATORY | 5 |
| MTH 254 | VECTOR CALCULUS I | 4 |
| Core Ed: Communication, Media & Society | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BB 211 | +PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT I FOR BIOCHEMISTS AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENTISTS | 1 |
| BB 314 | CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY | 4 |
| CH 334 | ORGANIC CHEMISTRY | 3 |
| PH 211 | +*GENERAL PHYSICS WITH CALCULUS | 4 |
| Core Ed: Social Science | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| CH 335 | ORGANIC CHEMISTRY | 3 |
| PH 212 | *GENERAL PHYSICS WITH CALCULUS | 4 |
| Core Ed: Arts & Humanities General | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| BB 315 | MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LABORATORY | 3 |
| CH 336 | ORGANIC CHEMISTRY | 3 |
| PH 213 | *GENERAL PHYSICS WITH CALCULUS | 4 |
| Core Ed: Difference, Power & Oppression Foundations | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BB 345 | PYTHON FOR MOLECULAR BIOLOGISTS | 3 |
| BB 490 | BIOCHEMISTRY 1: STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION | 3 |
| BB 470 or CH 440 | CELL BIOPHYSICS or PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY | 3 |
| CH 361 | EXPERIMENTAL CHEMISTRY I | 3 |
| Elective | 2 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Winter | ||
| BB 491 | BIOCHEMISTRY 2: METABOLISM | 3 |
| CH 362 | EXPERIMENTAL CHEMISTRY I | 3 |
| Core Ed: Writing Elevation | 3-4 | |
| Option Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| BB 317 | ^SCIENTIFIC THEORY AND PRACTICE | 3 |
| BB 332 | +*MOLECULAR MEDICINE or +*DNA, IDENTITIES, AND SOCIETIES or +CHEMISTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM or +*ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE | 3 |
| BB 492 | BIOCHEMISTRY 3: GENETIC BIOCHEMISTRY | 3 |
| ST 351 | INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICAL METHODS | 4 |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BB 481 | MACROMOLECULAR STRUCTURE | 3 |
| Core Ed: Arts & Humanities Global | 3-4 | |
| Option Course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Winter | ||
| BB 482 | BIOPHYSICS | 3 |
| BB 494 | BIOCHEMISTRY LABORATORY MOLECULAR TECHNIQUES | 4 |
| BB 498 | +PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT II FOR BIOCHEMISTS AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENTISTS | 1 |
| Option Course | 4 | |
| Option Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| BB 483 | ADVANCED BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS: CAPSTONE | 3 |
| Core Ed: Seeking Solutions | 3-4 | |
| Option Course | 4 | |
| Option Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Total Credits | 180 | |
- *
Baccalaureate Core course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in a catalog year up to 2024-2025
- +
Core Education course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in catalog year 2025-2026 and beyond
- ^
Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC) course