Biochemistry
Mission Statement
The mission of the biochemistry program is to prepare students for employment and/or the pursuit of advanced degrees in biochemistry or health related professional schools by educating them in the fundamental knowledge, laboratory techniques, and skills of the biochemistry discipline.
Students will not be allowed to take any 400-level biology or chemistry courses prior to admission into the biology/biochemistry major.
Biochemistry Major Admission Requirements and Procedures
Admission to Cumberland University with declaration of biochemistry major.
Completion of all pre-biochemistry coursework during or before the semester of application for admission to the major.
A letter of intent to enter the biochemistry major must be submitted to the Office of Admissions at least one month prior to the semester entering the major.
Official transcript(s) must be on file with the Office of Admissions.
Admission to the Biochemistry major is determined by the following criteria
- Successful completion of pre-biology or pre-biochemistry coursework (including BIO 111, BIO 111L, BIO 165, CHEM 111, CHEM 111L, CHEM 112, and CHEM 112L).
- A minimum GPA requirement is 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), with no grade below a "C" in the pre-biology or pre-biochemistry coursework as outlined above.
- Present grades of a "C" or better in all math and science courses.
Academic Dishonesty/Disciplinary Provisions
A committee of biology and chemistry faculty will review each academic dishonesty and/or disciplinary action taken against a student on an individual basis. The committee reserves the right to deny admission into and/or expel from the Biochemistry major based upon any violation.
Special Admission Provisions
A committee of biology and chemistry Faculty will review student petitions for admission on an individual basis. The Committee reserves the right to attach certain stipulations to admissions (e.g., by limiting the total number of hours in which a student may enroll during a semester and/or requiring specific developmental coursework and/or requiring a peer tutor).
Transfer Policies
Students must first meet the requirements for admission to Cumberland University. The Biology and Chemistry Committee will evaluate each student who transfers from another accredited program on an individual basis. Students who have earned a grade lower than "C" in a biology or chemistry course at another college or university will be evaluated by the committee which will determine admission on an individual basis. Requests to transfer biology and/or chemistry courses from another college or university will also be considered by the committee on an individual basis. Students who desire to transfer from another biology or biochemistry major must meet the following requirements:
- A letter of good standing from the previous program.
- A minimum grade of "C" in any science course the student desires to transfer. A written request for transfer credit must be forwarded to the Biology and Chemistry Committee for a ruling.
- Completion of a minimum of 25% or 30 credit hours toward a degree earned at Cumberland University
Progression Requirements for all Biochemistry Students
- Achievement of a minimum grade of "C" in all science courses, and a minimum overall GPA of 3.0.
- Students who receive two final course grades of "D" or lower in any science course or combination of science courses will be dismissed from the program. Once dismissed, the student may appeal for Special Admission Provisions.
- All biochemistry majors are expected to achieve satisfactory scores on standardized comprehensive examinations during their senior year.
- Any biochemistry student who has broken enrollment for more than one semester may not continue in the program but must apply for reinstatement into the major. The Biology and Chemistry Committee will review each student's case individually to determine placement in the Program of Study.
Letter of Intent
Please address the typed letter to the Biology/Biochemistry Admissions Committee and include the following in letter format:
- Date written
- Your name and address
- Request for admission to the Biochemistry major
- This part of the letter is an informal way to introduce yourself. Explain why you want to be in the biochemistry major and why you feel you should be admitted.
- Courses in which you are currently enrolled
- Required lower division coursework that you still need
- Your signature
Degree Requirements
Area I – Foundation Skills - 3 hours
| FSL 101 | Foundations of Scholarship and Learning | 3 |
| | or | |
| HON 101 | First Year Honors Seminar | 3 |
FSL 101 is required only for new and transferring freshmen with less than 24 credit hours. Students must earn a "C" or higher in FSL 101 or HON 101.
Area I - Rhetoric and Communication - 9 hours
Students must earn a "C" or higher in ENG 101 and ENG 102 or HON 110.
Area I – Mathematics - 4 hours
Students must earn a "C" or higher in MATH 121.
Area I- Computer Literacy - 3 hours
| CIS 170 | Introduction to Microcomputer Applications | 3 |
| | or | |
| ED 190/CIS 190 | Introduction to Computers for Instruction | 3 |
Area II - The Arts - 3 hours
Choose one from the following:
Area II - Literature in English - 3 hours
Choose one from the following:
Area II - Social Science and Humanities - 6 hours
Choose two different disciplines from the following:
| ANTH 210/SOC 210 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ECON 241 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| | or | |
| ECON 242 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| GEOG 200 | World Regional Geography | 3 |
| HON 221 | Humanities & Social Sciences Honors Seminar | 3 |
| PHIL 201 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| POLSC 223 | Introduction to American National Government & Politics | 3 |
| | or | |
| POLSC 224 | Introduction to American State and Local Government & Politics | 3 |
| PSY 201 | General Psychology | 3 |
| | or | |
| PSY 211 | Psychology of Human Growth & Development | 3 |
| SOC 221 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| | or | |
| SOC 223 | Social Problems | 3 |
| | or | |
| SOC 243 | Peoples and Cultures of the World in Sociological Perspective | 3 |
Area II - History - 6 hours
Choose one sequence from the following:
| HIS 111 | History of Western Civilization I | 3 |
| | and | |
| HIS 112 | History of Western Civilization II | 3 |
| | or | |
| HIS 191 | World Civilization to 1500 | 3 |
| | and | |
| HIS 192 | World Civilization since 1500 | 3 |
| | or | |
| HIS 201 | History of the United States I | 3 |
| | and | |
| HIS 202 | History of the United States II | 3 |
Area II - The Natural Sciences - 8 hours
Students must earn a "C" or higher in BIO 111, CHEM 111, and CHEM 111L.
Required Chemistry Core Courses - 31 hours
Students must earn a "C" or higher in all Required Chemistry Courses.
Additional Requirements for Major - 30 hours
AND Choose one sequence from the following:
Students must earn a "C" or higher in all courses in the "additional requirements for major".
Required Science Electives - 8 hours
Choose 8 hours from the following designations at the 200 level or above:
Biology
Chemistry
Engineering
Mathematics
Physics
Students must earn a "C" or higher in Required Science electives.
General Electives - 6-9 hours
Select sufficient courses from any academic discipline to bring the total hours for graduation to a minimum of 120.
Total GEC Credit Hours (42-45 hours)
Total Required Chemistry Core Courses (31 hours)
Total Additional Requirements for Major (30 hours)
Total Required Science Electives (8 hours)
Total General Electives (6-9 hours)
120 minimum hours required for graduation.