Biochemistry Program | Fredonia.edu

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Discover the Science Behind Life

Dive into the fascinating world where chemistry meets biology. Fredonia’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is certified by the American Chemical Society and housed in Fredonia's $60 million Science Center. Our Biochemistry Degree equips you with the technical and analytical skills needed to solve some of today’s biggest challenges in medicine, agriculture, and industry. With hands-on research and the flexibility to choose between tracks including: general chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, inorganic chemistry and physical chemistry. Earning your degree prepares you for graduate school, medical school, careers in biochemical research, and beyond..

What You'll Gain

Dual Focus – Choose between a chemical emphasis for molecular study or a biological emphasis to solve physiological problems.
Hands-On Research – Start conducting impactful research as early as your sophomore year on projects like anti-cancer drugs or environmental pollutants.
American Chemical Society Certified – Graduate with a biochemistry degree from a program recognized for its academic rigor and professional standards.
National Exam Success – Consistently outperform national averages on core course exams required for all students.
Career Flexibility – Pursue diverse careers in pharmaceuticals, environmental science, teaching, or even patent law.

Career Opportunities for Biochemistry

Biotech Executive
Environmental Analyst
Patent Lawyer
Pharmacist
Research & Development

Chemist
Medical Doctor
Pharmaceutical Research
Quality Control Analyst
Science Teacher/Professor

What does a 4-year degree look like?

First Year

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
BIOL 131	Introductory Ecology & Evolution	3
BIOL 132	Introductory Ecology & Evolution Lab	1
CHEM 100	Chemistry Freshman Seminar	1
CHEM 115	General Chemistry I	3
CHEM 125	General Chemistry Lab I	1
MATH 122	University Calculus I	4
FF	Course	3

	TOTAL	16

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
BIOL 133	Introductory Cell & Molecular Biology	3
BIOL 134	Introductory Cell & Molecular Biology Lab	1
CHEM 116	General Chemistry II	3
CHEM 126	General Chemistry Lab II	1
MATH 123	University Calculus II	4
FF	Course	3
		1
	TOTAL	16

Second Year

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
CHEM 215	Organic Chemistry I	3
CHEM 225	Organic Chemistry Lab	1
PHYS 230	University Physics I	3
PHYS 232	University Physics Lab I	1
BIOL 237	Genetics	3
BIOL 238	Genetics Lab	1
FF	Course	3

	TOTAL	15

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
CHEM 216	Organic Chemistry II	3
CHEM 230	Advanced Organic Lab	1
CHEM 317	Analytical Chemistry, Quantitative Analysis	3
CHEM 327	Analytical Chemistry Lab I	1
PHYS 231	University Physics II	4
PHYS 233	University Physics Lab II	1
FF	Course	3
	TOTAL	16

Third Year

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
BIOL 333	Biochemistry	3
BIOL 334	Biochemistry Lab	1
CHEM 315	Intro to Physical Chemistry	3
CHEM 325	Intro to Physical Chemistry Lab	1
BIOL 380	Cell and Molecular Biology	3
FF	Course	3

	TOTAL	14

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
CHEM 316	Advanced Physical Chemistry	3
CHEM 326	Advanced Physical Chemistry Lab	1
CHEM 465	Advanced Experimental Biochem. Lab	2
CHEM 475	Advanced Biochemistry	3
FF	Course	3
FF	Course	3

	TOTAL	15

Fourth Year

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
CHEM 497	Seminar: Advances in Chemistry	3
	BIOCHEM Major Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	TOTAL	15

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
CHEM 495	Seminar: Advances in Chemistry	1
	BIOCHEM Major Elective	3
FF	Course	3
	General Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	TOTAL	13

GRAND TOTAL:

This Sample Degree Map is based on the requirements published in the University Catalog.

First Year

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
BIOL 131	Introductory Ecology & Evolution	3
BIOL 132	Introductory Ecology & Evolution Lab	1
CHEM 100	Chemistry Freshman Seminar	1
CHEM 115	General Chemistry I	3
CHEM 125	General Chemistry Lab I	1
MATH 122	University Calculus I	4
FF	Course	3
	TOTAL	16

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
BIOL 133	Introductory Cell & Molecular Biology	3
BIOL 134	Introductory Cell & Molecular Biology Lab	1
CHEM 116	General Chemistry II	3
CHEM 126	General Chemistry Lab II	1
MATH 123	University Calculus II	4
FF	Course	3
		1
	TOTAL	16

Second Year

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
CHEM 215	Organic Chemistry I	3
CHEM 225	Organic Chemistry Lab	1
PHYS 230	University Physics I	3
PHYS 232	University Physics Lab I	1
BIOL 237	Genetics	3
BIOL 238	Genetics Lab	1
FF	Course	3

	TOTAL	15

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
CHEM 216	Organic Chemistry II	3
CHEM 230	Advanced Organic Lab	1
CHEM 317	Analytical Chemistry, Quantitative Analysis	3
CHEM 327	Analytical Chemistry Lab I	1
PHYS 231	University Physics II	4
PHYS 233	University Physics Lab II	1
FF	Course	3
	TOTAL	16

Third Year

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
BIOL 333	Biochemistry	3
BIOL 334	Biochemistry Lab	1
CHEM 315	Intro to Physical Chemistry	3
CHEM 325	Intro to Physical Chemistry Lab	1
BIOL 380	Cell and Molecular Biology	3
FF	Course	3

	TOTAL	14

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
CHEM 316	Advanced Physical Chemistry	3
CHEM 326	Advanced Physical Chemistry Lab	1
CHEM 465	Advanced Experimental Biochem. Lab	2
CHEM 475	Advanced Biochemistry	3
FF	Course	3
FF	Course	3
	TOTAL	15

Fourth Year

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
CHEM 497	Seminar: Advances in Chemistry	3
	BIOCHEM Major Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	TOTAL	15

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
CHEM 495	Seminar: Advances in Chemistry	1
	BIOCHEM Major Elective	3
FF	Course	3
	General Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	TOTAL	13

GRAND TOTAL:

This Sample Degree Map is based on the requirements published in the University Catalog.

First Year

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
CHEM 100	Chemistry Freshman Seminar	1
BIOL 131	Introductory Ecology & Evolution	3
BIOL 132	Introductory Ecology & Evolution Lab	1
CHEM 115	General Chemistry I	3
CHEM 125	General Chemistry Lab I	1
MATH 122	University Calculus I	4
FF	Course	3
	TOTAL	16

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
BIOL 133	Introductory Cell & Molecular Biology	3
BIOL 134	Introductory Cell & Molecular Biology Lab	1
CHEM 116	General Chemistry II	3
CHEM 126	General Chemistry Lab II	1
MATH 123	University Calculus II	4
FF	Course	3
	TOTAL	15

Second Year

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
BIOL 237	Genetics	3
BIOL 238	Genetics Lab	1
CHEM 215	Organic Chemistry I	3
CHEM 225	Organic Chemistry Lab	1
PHYS 230	University Physics I	4
PHYS 232	University Physics Lab I	1
FF	Course	3
	TOTAL	16

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
CHEM 216	Organic Chemistry II	3
CHEM 230	Advanced Organic Lab	1
CHEM 317	Analytical Chemistry, Quantitative Analysis	3
CHEM 327	Analytical Chemistry Lab I	1
PHYS 231	University Physics II	4
PHYS 233	University Physics Lab II	1
FF	Course	3
	TOTAL	16

Third Year

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
BIOL 333	Biochemistry	3
BIOL 334	Biochemistry Lab	1
CHEM 315	Intro to Physical Chemistry	3
CHEM 318	Analytical Chem Instrumental Analysis	3
FF	Course	3
FF	Course	3
	TOTAL	16

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
CHEM 465	Advanced Experimental Biochem. Lab	2
CHEM 475	Advanced Biochemistry	3
	BIOCHEM Major Elective	3
	Upper Level Elective	3
	Upper Level Elective	3

	TOTAL	14

Fourth Year

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
BIOL 336	Mammalian Physiology	3
BIOL 337	Mammalian Physiology Lab	1
BIOL 380	Cell and Molecular Biology	3
CHEM 497	Seminar: Advances in Chemistry	1
	BIOCHEM Major Elective	3
FF	Course	3
	TOTAL	14

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
CHEM 495	Seminar: Advances in Chemistry	1
	BIOCHEM Major Elective	3
	Upper Level Elective	3
	Upper Level Elective	3
	Upper Level Elective	3

	TOTAL	13

GRAND TOTAL:

This Sample Degree Map is based on the requirements published in the University Catalog.

What are all the required and elective courses offered to obtain these degrees?

View Full Curriculum

CHEM 481 Medicinal Chemistry

Focuses on discovery and development of new therapeutic agents. It involves chemical aspects of identification, and then systematic alteration of lead molecules in the development of a more effective drug suitable for therapeutic use.

BIOL 419 Genes and Genomes

The course will focus on the study of DNA and genes from the paper by Watson and Crick to the Human Genome Project. The genetic and molecular approaches used to identify genes and the impact of genome study on society and current scientific research will be discussed.

CHEM 465 Advanced Experimental Biochemistry

State-of-the art biochemical and molecular techniques are taught within the hands-on, laboratory-based course. Potential topics include the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), oligonucleotide synthesis, DNA/protein sequencing and analysis (BLAST, DNASIS), pulse-field gel electrophoresis, gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).

It's Different Here

$55K

Science Scholarships

Cut your college costs with dedicated departmental scholarships

Professional Equipment

SUNY's top chemistry lab technology - right h. Access pro-grade lab equipment other schools can't match.

Faculty Connection

Get personal attention in advanced science courses, preparing you for the professional world.

Why Biochemistry at Fredonia?

Students in a lab. Students with a biochemistry major make the most of their education as they prepare for amazing careers.

Design Your Degree

20+ Advanced courses across Biochemistry and Chemistry - You choose!

Biochemistry students working in a lab. Getting a biochemistry degree prepares students for a multitude of amazing and rewarding careers.

Research from Day One

Do real research as an undergrad. Launch your research career while others wait their turn.

Biochem student in a lab. When you earn a biochemistry degree, you set yourself up for success.

Pro-Grade Equipment

Master industry-standard tools in our updated labs, training on the same equipment you'll use in your career.

microscope. Fredon8ia students who earn biochemistry degrees enjoy many kinds of rewarding careers.

Chemists and Materials Scientists

Chemists and materials scientists research and analyze the chemical properties of substances to develop new materials, products, or knowledge.

Median Salary: $87,180 per year
Job Outlook 2023-2033: 8% growth
Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor's degree

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Researcher in lab. Graduates with a biochemistry degree can find rewarding careers in medicine or other STEM areas.

Medical Scientists

Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health.

Median Salary: $100,890 per year
Job Outlook 2022-2032: 11% growth
Typical Entry-Level Education: Doctoral or professional degree

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Surgeons operating. Fredonia students who major in biochemistry can go on to study to be a doctor or surgeon.

Physicians and Surgeons

Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses and address health maintenance.

Median Salary: $239,200 per year
Job Outlook 2022-2032: 4% growth
Typical Entry-Level Education: Doctoral or professional degree

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Science Center. Students who earn a degree in biochemistry prepare themselves for exciting, careers across a multitude of industries.

Cutting-Edge Facilities

$60 Million Science Center

Experience hands-on learning with $5 million of cutting-edge equipment in our Science Center. As a Biology or Chemistry student, you'll use professional-grade tools in both teaching and research labs.