Biochemistry Minor
The biochemistry minor has four required courses taken from biological sciences and chemistry. These are: Genetics (BISC 2539 and BISC 2549) and Molecular Biology (BISC 3752 or NSCI 4176 and NSCI 4876) and Biochemistry I and II (CHEM 4221, CHEM 4231, and CHEM 4222). Two elective courses outside of a student's major complete the six course total that corresponds to a minor. (Note that the required laboratory co-requisites are not counted).
Research opportunities are subject to respective departmental policies. Interested students should contact faculty members or the program director.
Learning Goals and Expected Outcomes
The biochemistry program provides students with a solid foundation to pursue a career in medicine/dentistry or other allied health related professions; pursue research at a top ranked graduate school; forensic science; cosmetic chemistry and beyond. For the major, students can pursue a track of their choice (American Chemical Society track or General track). The biochemistry minor also helps students develop an in-depth understanding of fundamental biochemical concepts and techniques.
- Learn about the structure, and function of biological building blocks such as amino acids, lipids and fats; carbohydrates and their implications in metabolism and disease.
- Students should be able to decipher how biomolecules interact chemically and biologically; and understand their key role in molecular interactions at the cellular level.
- Understand basic concepts of drug design.
- Apply thermodynamic and kinetic principles to elucidate molecular driving forces in biochemical reactions and mechanisms of enzymes.
- Learn about biological pathways implicated in diseases including cancer, diabetes and obesity; and neurodegenerative diseases.
- Be able to work on a research plan/ proposal, conduct investigations and perform analyses. Students will learn to analyze and interpret data, including critically analyze experimental design and data interpretation in the biochemical literature.
- Develop effective biochemical laboratory skills and design experiments that entail the use of biochemical/biophysical and bioanalytical methods.
- Become familiar with the use instrumentation in modern biochemistry.
- Be able to demonstrate quantitative analysis and biocomputational skills.
- Effectively communicate the language of biochemistry through written and oral communication skills.
The biochemistry minor requires six (6) courses:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CHEM 4221 & CHEM 4231 | Biochemistry I and Biochemistry Lab I | 4 |
| CHEM 4222 | Biochemistry II | 3 |
| One of the following: | 5 | |
| General Genetics and General Genetics Lab | ||
| Genetics Lecture and Genetics Lab | ||
| One of the following: | 3 to 5 | |
| Molecular Biology | ||
| Molecular Biology Lecture and | ||
| Electives | 6 to 10 | |
| Select two courses that do not count towards a major: | ||
| BISC 3643 & BISC 3653 | Microbiology and Microbiology Lab | 5 |
| BISC 3754 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| CHEM 3622 | Physical Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 3721 | Quantitative Analysis | 4 |
| CHEM 4241 | Biomimetic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 4621 | Bionanotechnology and Introduction to Nanomedicine | 4 |
| CHEM 4625 | Computational Chemistry | 3 |
| NSCI 2122 & NSCI 2822 | Immunology Lecture and Immunology Lab | 5 |
| NSCI 4080 | Medicinal Chemistry: A Case Studies Approach | 3 |
| NSCI 4081 | Neurochemistry | 3 |
| NSCI 3154 | Cell and Development Biology Lecture 1 | 3 |
| NSCI 4143 & NSCI 4843 | Advanced Microbiology Lecture and Advanced Microbiology Lab | 5 |
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NSCI 3854 Cell and Development Biology Lab may, optionally, be taken with this course.
The pre-requisites for the biochemistry minor core, namely General and Organic Chemistry, are required courses for biological sciences, chemistry, and natural science majors, as well as for students associated with the pre-health program. Of the allied interdisciplinary STEM programs whose students are most likely to pursue a biochemistry minor, nearly all require General Chemistry and some require a semester of Organic Chemistry. The four core courses represent a complete, full-year course in fundamental biochemistry complemented by courses providing a thorough foundation in molecular biology.
Availability
The minor in biochemistry is available at Fordham College at Rose Hill and Fordham College at Lincoln Center. Students in Fordham's School of Professional and Continuing Studies may minor in biochemistry only if they receive the approval of their advising dean and/or department, and their schedules are sufficiently flexible to permit them to take day courses at the Rose Hill or Lincoln Center campuses.