2013–2014 UNIVERSITY CATALOG - Florida Institute of Technology

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS
Biochemistry, B.S. _________________________
Major Code: 7028 Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science
Age Restriction: N Admission status: undergraduate
Delivery Mode/s: classroom only Location/s: main campus
Program Co-chairs
Michael W. Babich, Ph.D., Head, Department of Chemistry
Charles D. Polson, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
Biochemists, in studying all kinds of living organisms including
viruses, bacteria, fungi, plants and animals (including humans), have
found that many of the fundamental biochemical properties of living
systems are shared throughout the hierarchy of life forms. Because
biochemists try to unravel the complex chemical reactions that occur
in such a wide variety of life forms, biochemistry provides the basis
for practical advances in medicine, veterinary medicine, agriculture
and biotechnology. Biochemistry underlies and includes such exciting
fields as molecular biology and bioengineering. As the broadest of the
basic sciences, biochemistry includes many subspecialties, such as
inorganic biochemistry, bioorganic chemistry, physical biochemistry,
biochemical and molecular genetics, biomedical pharmacology and
immunochemistry. Recent advances in many areas of biochemistry
have created links among technology, chemical engineering and biochemistry.
More than ever, this is the age of biochemistry because
the techniques of so many different disciplines can now be applied
in studying the chemistry of living systems.
Career opportunities for biochemists are rapidly expanding in the areas
of agricultural research, biotechnology firms, governmental laboratories,
industrial research, and development and research institutes,
as well as university research and teaching. Far-reaching advances
in many areas of basic and applied research are projected over the
next few years. These areas include plant genetics; the biochemistry
of cell receptors for hormones and neurotransmitters; the diagnosis
and treatment of disease, particularly inherited diseases; and toxicology.
All require an understanding of biochemistry and the use of
biochemical techniques.
The course of study leading to a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
is an interdisciplinary program jointly administered by the Department
of Biological Sciences and the Department of Chemistry. The curriculum
has flexibility in that technical electives can be selected to
provide a strong emphasis in either biology or chemistry, and prepare
the biochemistry major for a variety of careers. All students take a
core curriculum of basic science and mathematics during the first
two years. During the junior and senior years, students take many
specialized courses that reflect their choice of emphasis between
biology and chemistry.
Students entering the biochemistry program as freshmen will normally
be assigned faculty advisers in the department of chemistry. A student
selecting an upper-division curriculum with a biological emphasis
should indicate this intention by the beginning of the second semester
of the sophomore year, at which time a new faculty advisor in the
department of biological sciences will be assigned. A student’s request
for a change of advisers from chemistry to biology, or vice versa, will
be honored at any time during the program.
182 Florida Tech 2013–2014
Admission Requirements
Students intending to apply for admission to study for a Bachelor of
Science in Biochemistry should complete at least one year each of high
school biology, chemistry and physics. Prospective students should
also have at least three years of high school mathematics, including
second-year algebra and trigonometry.
Florida Tech has articulation agreements with many of the community
colleges in Florida. Students contemplating transfer to Florida Tech
should consult with their counselors to determine transferability of
community college credits. If there is a question regarding specific
courses needed, either of the biochemistry program chairs listed above
should be contacted.
Degree Requirements
Candidates for a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry must complete
the minimum course requirements as outlined in the following curriculum
that includes a strong biology emphasis. See the Department
of Chemistry for the program plan with a strong chemistry emphasis.
Electives are selected in consultation with the faculty advisor to reflect
the knowledge a student needs either for employment or graduate
school. Deviation from the stipulated program may occur only under
unusual circumstances and requires approval of the chair. The bachelor’s
degree in biochemistry requires 129 credit hours for graduation.
Freshman Year
FALL CREDITS
ASC 1000 University Experience ............................................................ 1
BIO 1010 Biological Discovery 1 ............................................................ 4
CHM 1101 General Chemistry 1 .............................................................. 4
COM 1101 Composition and Rhetoric ...................................................... 3
MTH 1001 Calculus 1 ............................................................................... 4
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SPRING
BIO 1020 Biological Discovery 2 ............................................................ 4
CHM 1102 General Chemistry 2 .............................................................. 4
COM 1102 Writing about Literature ........................................................ 3
MTH 1002 Calculus 2 ............................................................................... 4
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Sophomore Year
FALL CREDITS
BIO 2110 General Genetics .................................................................... 4
CHM 2001 Organic Chemistry 1 .............................................................. 3
CHM 2011 Organic Chemistry Lab 1 ....................................................... 2
MTH 2001 Calculus 3 ............................................................................... 4
PHY 1001 Physics l .................................................................................. 4
PHY 2091 Physics Lab 1 .......................................................................... 1
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SPRING
BIO 2801 Biometry ................................................................................. 4
CHM 2002 Organic Chemistry 2 .............................................................. 3
CHM 2012 Organic Chemistry Lab 2 ....................................................... 2
HUM 2051 Civilization 1 .......................................................................... 3
PHY 2002 Physics 2 ................................................................................. 4
PHY 2092 Physics Lab 2 .......................................................................... 1
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Junior Year
FALL CREDITS
BIO 4010 Biochemistry 1 ........................................................................ 4
COM 2223 Scientific and Technical Communication .............................. 3
Humanities Core Course ....................................................... 3
Restricted Elective (BIO, CHM)............................................ 3
Technical Elective .................................................................. 3
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