2011–2012 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 Cochairs
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
adviser 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.
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 adviser 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
16
SPRING
BIO 1020 Biological Discovery 2 ............................................................. 4
CHM 1102 General Chemistry 2 ............................................................... 4
COM 1102 Writing about Literature ......................................................... 3
MTH 1002 Calculus 2 ............................................................................... 4
15
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
18
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
17
Junior Year
FALL CREDITS
BIO 4010 Biochemistry 1 ........................................................................ 4
COM 2223 Scientific and Technical Communication ............................... 3
HUM 2052 Civilization 2 ........................................................................... 3
Restricted Elective (BIO, CHM) ............................................ 3
Technical Elective ................................................................... 3
16
SPRING
BIO 4110 Biochemistry 2 ........................................................................ 4
Humanities Elective ................................................................ 3
Restricted Electives (BIO, CHM) ........................................... 6
13
Degree Programs—College of Science 169