Career options are limitless with an academic background in biochemistry. Biochemists develop vaccinations, conduct forensic investigations, create more effective consumer products and contribute to scientific journals.
Program Overview
Study the substances and molecules that make up all living organisms.
Biochemistry is a blend of both the Biological Sciences and Chemistry that seeks to understand the molecules and processes that make up living organisms. Chemical concepts are applied to the biological reactions that extract energy from foods we eat, as well as the biological reactions used to synthesize the large biological macromolecules that we are made of.
Our Biochemistry curriculum examines the structure, function and chemical reactions that take place in living systems. In our program, you will explore how biochemical research is performed and gain experience with analytical instruments and molecular separation techniques. Using these techniques, our students learn how to quantify and evaluate enzyme-catalyzed reactions that occur within a cell. Students are also exposed to many molecular biology techniques including DNA manipulations, PCR, cloning, transformations, protein expression and purification.
Hands-on labs
Biochemistry students explore the critical chemical reactions required to synthesize the macromolecules that make up cells. Understanding these processes is critical for the individualized patient care and medical research that are the future of the healthcare industries.
Program Requirements
At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.
Program Requirements
A minimum of 67 credits is required including the 26-credit Chemistry Nucleus:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Chemistry Nucleus | ||
CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I (GT-SC2) | 3 |
CHEM 112 | General Chemistry Laboratory I (GT-SC1) | 1 |
CHEM 113 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
CHEM 114 | General Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
CHEM 302 | Chemical Information Literacy and Communication | 3 |
CHEM 306 | Analytical Chemistry (with laboratory) | 4 |
CHEM 331 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
CHEM 332 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
CHEM 334 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
CHEM 335 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
CHEM 451 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
Total Credits | 26 |
And the following supporting courses:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
BIOL 150 | Biological Principles (with laboratory) (GT-SC1) | 4 |
BIOL 151 | Diversity and Patterns of Life (with laboratory) | 4 |
BIOL 310 | Cell Biology | 3 |
BIOL 312 | Genetics (with recitation) | 4 |
CHEM 471 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
CHEM 472 | Biochemistry II | 3 |
CHEM 474 | Biochemistry Laboratory | 2 |
CHEM 494 | Research Problem in Chemistry | 2-4 |
MATH 151 | Calculus I (GT-MA1) | 4 |
MATH 251 | Calculus II | 4 |
PHYS 190 & PHYS 185 | General Physics I (GT-SC2) and Laboratory Physics I (GT-SC1) | 4 |
PHYS 191 & PHYS 186 | General Physics II (GT-SC2) and Laboratory Physics II (GT-SC1) | 4 |
Total Credits | 41-43 |
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
BIOL 150 | Biological Principles (with laboratory) (GT-SC1) | 4 |
CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I (GT-SC2) | 3 |
CHEM 112 | General Chemistry Laboratory I (GT-SC1) | 1 |
ENG 102 | Writing and Rhetoric I (GT-CO1) | 3 |
HWTR 100 | First Year Seminar | 1 |
MATH 140 | College Algebra (GT-MA1) | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Arts & Humanities GE | 3 | |
BIOL 151 | Diversity and Patterns of Life (with laboratory) | 4 |
CHEM 113 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
CHEM 114 | General Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
MATH 141 | Precalculus (GT-MA1) | 4 |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
BIOL 310 | Cell Biology | 3 |
ENG 103 | Writing and Rhetoric II (GT-CO2) | 3 |
CHEM 331 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
CHEM 334 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
MATH 151 | Calculus I (GT-MA1) | 4 |
Credits | 14 | |
Spring | ||
CHEM 302 | Chemical Information Literacy and Communication | 3 |
CHEM 332 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
CHEM 335 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
MATH 251 | Calculus II | 4 |
Social Science GE | 3 | |
Credits | 14 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
Arts & Humanities GE | 3 | |
CHEM 471 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
CHEM 474 | Biochemistry Laboratory | 2 |
PHYS 190 | General Physics I (GT-SC2) | 3 |
PHYS 185 | Laboratory Physics I (GT-SC1) | 1 |
Elective | Elective | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Arts & Humanities GE | 3 | |
CHEM 472 | Biochemistry II | 3 |
PHYS 191 | General Physics II (GT-SC2) | 3 |
PHYS 186 | Laboratory Physics II (GT-SC1) | 1 |
Elective | Elective | 6 |
Credits | 16 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
CHEM 306 | Analytical Chemistry (with laboratory) | 4 |
CHEM 451 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
Social Science GE | 3 | |
Elective | Elective | 6 |
Credits | 16 | |
Spring | ||
BIOL 312 | Genetics (with recitation) | 4 |
CHEM 494 | Research Problem in Chemistry | 2 |
Social Science GE | 3 | |
Elective | Elective | 6 |
Credits | 15 | |
Total Credits | 120 |
Spotlight
Careers
Take the first steps toward your academic and personal growth.
Fostering your intellectual development is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling and enriched life after graduation. Wondering how you can apply your program of choice to your intellectual and personal journey? Check out our “What Can I Do With This Major?” tool to explore the diverse opportunities and pathways within any degree program.
Scholarships
Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your ScholarshipsWestern’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your ScholarshipsAlumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship
The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.
Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.
- This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
- Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
- GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).
Due date has been extended to April 30 for 2024. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.
Alumni Legacy Scholarship
The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).
Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:
- This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
- Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
- The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
- GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).
The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.
Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship
The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.
Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).
- Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
- The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
- The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.
The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.
For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.
For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.
Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.
For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.
Note: Students enrolled in a Western-CU Boulder Partnership Program (i.e. major) do not qualify for Western Merit Scholarship programs. See the Rady Merit Scholarship section above for scholarship opportunities.
Get Involved
Take advantage of everything Western Colorado University has to offer.
A college education is more than just taking courses. Meet new people, apply your skills and stretch beyond your comfort zone. Make your education an experience.
- Chemistry Club: Members share their love of chemistry with the community in an annual demonstration that draws hundreds of people from campus and beyond.
- Lab Assistantships: Students commonly obtain positions helping their professors with fieldwork and research.
- Pre-Health Club: Brings together students with a common interest in health fields to network and to provide career preparation, advice and peer support.
- Thornton Biology Research Program: Students work with faculty mentors on funded, original research.
Sharing chemistry with the community
Western Chemistry Club students and faculty put on a magic show for kids in the local community.
News & Research
Additional Resources
Department Information
Natural & Environmental Sciences (NES) Department
Department Chairperson
Anne W. Ryter, Ph.D.Professor of Chemistry
Administrative Assistant
Lori ClementNES Administrative Assistant
Campus Location
Western Colorado University
Hurst Hall 128
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231