Biochemistry

Chemistry is often called the central science because of the pivotal role it plays in the biological and physical sciences, as well as in engineering, agriculture, medicine, and allied health disciplines. Bachelor's degree chemists choose from diverse paths for their short-term and lifetime careers, including graduate study in a variety of programs, rewarding employment in industry or government laboratories, professional or law school, or much-needed teaching in high schools.

About this Program

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

Department Information

The Department of Chemistry is a comprehensive department granting bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees with specialization in all areas including biochemistry, nanochemistry, analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, polymer, synthetic, and theoretical chemistry. The University of Florida ranks in the top five chemistry departments nationally in PhD production and is among the top 20 in bachelor’s graduates.
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CONTACT

Email | 352.392.0541 (tel) | 352.392.8758 (fax)

P.O. Box 117200
214 LEIGH HALL
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-7200
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Curriculum

Students can choose the Chemistry specialization, which is comparable to that offered in any major university, or the Biochemistry specialization, which is designed to give more flexibility to students wanting to pursue courses with biological focus. The department encourages students in either specialization to include undergraduate research with one of the department's internationally recognized faculty as a component of the undergraduate experience. Undergraduate research will frequently result in journal publications and presentations at scientific meetings.

Coursework for the Major

For either specialization, all required courses must be completed within two attempts with minimum grades of C. Any foreign language acceptable to the college can be taken with this minimum program and language courses can be taken S/U. ENC 3254 is suggested to fulfill part of the university Writing Requirement.

Required Coursework

Required coursework will depend upon the program chosen. Coursework for each specialization can be found below under Critical Tracking and Model Semester Plan.

Course Details

Introduction to General Chemistry

CHM 1025, a two-credit course, is offered for students who need to strengthen their understanding of basic concepts of atomic structure and stoichiometry before beginning the general chemistry sequence:

CHM 2045
2045L
General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory
4
CHM 2046
2046L
General Chemistry 2
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory
4

A placement exam is offered via ONE.UF and the score achieved determines whether CHM 1025 or CHM 2045 is the appropriate first course in chemistry.

General Chemistry

The following general chemistry offerings are available:

  • CHM 1030/CHM 1031 is a terminal sequence for non-science students that presents chemistry from a medical and nursing perspective
  • CHM 1020 is a terminal general education course that explores chemistry in terms of society
  • CHM 2045/CHM 2045L and CHM 2046/CHM 2046L is the chemistry sequence and is an acceptable preprofessional requirement for many science and engineering majors. Students are presumed to have good backgrounds in high school chemistry and mathematics (through MAC 1147) and are expected to pass the placement exam offered via ONE.UF before registering for CHM 2045.
  • CHM 2095/CHM 2045L and CHM 2096/CHM 2046L is an alternative general chemistry sequence especially designed for engineering majors.
  • CHM 2047/CHM 2047L is a one-semester program for entering first-year students with strong backgrounds in chemistry, normally reflected by high AP or IB chemistry test scores. This program enables students to move more quickly into advanced work.
  • CHM 2051 is offered as an alternative to CHM 2046 for students who have done particularly well in CHM 2045
  • CHM 2054L is a 2-credit, inquiry-based lab focusing on major concepts in chemistry and their application to quantitative life-sciences research. This course is equivalent to CHM 2045L and CHM 2046L or CHM 2047L.

Placement

For placement into the appropriate first course in chemistry, please refer to the Academic Advising section or consult a chemistry advisor. All students should complete their general chemistry studies at the same institution.
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Minors and Certificates

UFTeach Program

There is a severe shortage of qualified high school chemistry teachers in Florida and nationwide. Students interested in becoming part of this high-demand profession should see a chemistry advisor about the UFTeach program. UFTeach students complete the UFTeach minor in science teaching with their BS in Chemistry and have the coursework and preparation for professional teacher certification in Florida when they graduate.
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Related Chemistry Programs

Biochemistry

The Chemistry major with Biochemistry specialization requires 61-69 credits, including the following coursework. With approval, this may include equivalent transfer coursework.

Required Foundation Coursework
BSC 2010
2010L
Integrated Principles of Biology 1
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 1
4
BSC 2011
2011L
Integrated Principles of Biology 2
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 2
4
Select one option:5-8
Option A 1
General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory
General Chemistry 2
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory
Option B
General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory
Honors General Chemistry 2
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory
Option C
One-Semester General Chemistry
and One-Semester General Chemistry Laboratory 1
MAC 2311
MAC 2312
Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
and Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2
8
Select one option:8-10
Option A
Physics 1
and Laboratory for Physics 1
Physics 2
and Laboratory for Physics 2
Option B
Physics with Calculus 1
and Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 1
Physics with Calculus 2
and Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 2
Required Core Coursework
Select one:4-6
Organic Chemistry 1 for Majors
and Organic Chemistry 2 for Majors
Organic Chemistry 1
and Organic Chemistry 2
Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry 1
CHM 2211LOrganic Chemistry Laboratory2
CHM 3120
3120L
Introduction to Analytical Chemistry
and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
4
CHM 3218Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry 24
CHM 3610Inorganic Chemistry3
CHM 3400
CHM 4413L
Physical Chemistry for the Biosciences
and Biophysical Chemistry Laboratory
5
CHM 4300LLaboratory in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology2
MCB 3020Basic Biology of Microorganisms3
Required Biochemistry Electives6
Total Credits62-69
1

CHM 2054L can substitute for the CHM 2045L/CHM 2046L sequence or for CHM 2047L.

ISC 2400L can substitute for the CHM 2045L, BSC 2010L and PHY 2053L requirements. ISC 2401L can substitute for the CHM 2046L, BSC 2011L and PHY 2054L requirements.

Required Exit Exam

Students must also complete the exit exam (Diagnostic of Undergraduate Chemistry Knowledge) with a minimum score of 30 out of 60.

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

  • Complete one CHM course and one MAC course
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

  • Complete BSC 2011/BSC 2011L
  • 2.75 critical-tracking GPA and any additional CHM courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 5

Semester 6

Semester 7

  • Complete CHM 3218 and at least 1 of the remaining CHM 3XXX/4XXX or Biochemistry elective required courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 8

  • Complete all of the remaining CHM 3XXX/4XXX and Biochemistry elective required courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Students are expected to complete the Writing Requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the General Education International (GE-N) and Diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another General Education requirement (typically, GE-C, H, or S).

MAC 2312, MCB 3020, PHY 2049, PHY 2049L, PHY 2054, PHY 2054L, and Biochemistry electives outside of the Chemistry department count towards 3000 level or above electives outside of the major.

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) 3
CHM 2045
2045L
General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Physical Sciences)
4
MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Mathematics) 4
State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 3
 Credits14
Semester Two
BSC 2010
2010L
Integrated Principles of Biology 1
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences)
4
CHM 2046
2046L
General Chemistry 2
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences)
4
MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics) 4
State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
 Credits15
Semester Three
BSC 2011
2011L
Integrated Principles of Biology 2
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 2 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences)
4
CHM 2212 Organic Chemistry 1 for Majors (Critical Tracking) 3
State Core Gen Ed Humanities 3
Foreign language 4-5
 Credits14-15
Semester Four
Quest 2 (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) 3
CHM 2211L Organic Chemistry Laboratory (Critical Tracking) 2
CHM 2213 Organic Chemistry 2 for Majors (Critical Tracking) 3
PHY 2053
2053L
Physics 1
and Laboratory for Physics 1 (Gen Ed Physical Sciences)
5
Foreign language 3-5
 Credits16-18
Semester Five
CHM 3120
3120L
Introduction to Analytical Chemistry
and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (Critical Tracking)
4
CHM 3218 Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry 2 (Critical Tracking) 4
PHY 2054
2054L
Physics 2
and Laboratory for Physics 2 (Gen Ed Physical Sciences)
5
Elective (or foreign language if 4-3-3 option) 3
 Credits16
Semester Six
CHM 3400 Physical Chemistry for the Biosciences 3
CHM 4300L Laboratory in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2
MCB 3020 Basic Biology of Microorganisms 3
Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 3
Gen Ed Humanities 3
 Credits14
Semester Seven
CHM 3610 Inorganic Chemistry 3
CHM 4413L Biophysical Chemistry Laboratory 2
Approved biochemistry elective 3
Electives 7
 Credits15
Semester Eight
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
Approved biochemistry elective 3
Electives 10
 Credits16
 Total Credits120

BCH 5413Mammalian Molecular Biology and Genetics3
CHM 3610LInorganic Chemistry Laboratory2
CHM 4034Advanced Biochemistry and Chemical Biology4
CHM 4412Physical Chemistry: Chemical Bonding and Spectroscopy4
CHM 4611Advanced Inorganic Chemistry3
CHM 4671Bioinorganic Chemistry3
CHM 4130
4130L
Instrumental Analysis
and Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
5
CHM 4230Organic Spectroscopy2
CHM 4272The Organic Chemistry of Polymers2
CHM 4304Chemical Aspects of Cellular Control3
MCB 4203Bacterial Pathogens3
MCB 4304Genetics of Microorganisms3
MCB 4403Prokaryotic Cell Structure and Function3
MCB 4503General Virology3
PCB 3063Genetics4
PCB 3134Eukaryotic Cell Structure and Function3
PCB 4233Immunology3
PCB 4522Molecular Genetics3
PHZ 4710Introduction to Biological Physics3

Chemistry is the study of matter: the structure and properties of matter, the transformations from one form of matter to another, and the energy transformations associated with these transformations.

Before Graduating Students Must

  • Achieve at least 50% on the Diagnostic of Undergraduate Chemistry Knowledge (DUCK) exam.
  • Obtain minimum grades of C in laboratory courses:
    CHM 2211Organic Chemistry 23
    CHM 3120LAnalytical Chemistry Laboratory1
    CHM 4130LInstrumental Analysis Laboratory2
    CHM 4411LPhysical Chemistry Laboratory2
    or CHM 4413L Biophysical Chemistry Laboratory
  • Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by the chemistry faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

  1.  
    • Standard Chemistry
      Explain and apply facts, theories and concepts in
      1. physical
      2. organic
      3. inorganic
      4. analytical chemistry
    • Biochemistry
      Explain and apply facts, theories and concepts in
      1. physical
      2. organic
      3. inorganic
      4. analytical chemistry
      5. biochemistry
  2.  
    • Standard Chemistry
      Demonstrate and safely apply laboratory skills in
      1. synthetic
      2. quantitative
      3. instrumental methods as scientific approaches to gathering and verifying knowledge
    • Biochemistry
      Apply laboratory skills in
      1. synthetic
      2. quantitative
      3. instrumental
      4. biochemical methods as scientific approaches to gathering and verifying knowledge

Critical Thinking

  1. Standard Chemistry and Biochemistry
    Interpret, evaluate, explain and critically assess theories and experimental results in chemistry or biochemistry.

Communication

  1. Standard Chemistry and Biochemistry
    Collect, analyze and articulate results clearly and effectively in both oral and written formats.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Standard Chemistry

Courses SLO 1-A SLO 1-B SLO 1-C SLO 1-D SLO 2-A SLO 2-B SLO 2-C SLO 2-D SLO 3 SLO 4
CHM 2045 and CHM 2046 I I I
CHM 2211L I, A I
CHM 2212 and CHM 2213 I
CHM 3120 and CHM 4130 R
CHM 3120L I, A I I
CHM 3610 R
CHM 4130L R R, A I R, A
CHM 4411 and CHM 4412 R
CHM 4411L R R R R, A
DUCK Exam A A A A

Biochemistry

Courses SLO 1-A SLO 1-B SLO 1-C SLO 1-D SLO 1-E SLO 2-A SLO 2-B SLO 2-C SLO 2-D SLO 3 SLO 4
CHM 2045 and CHM 2046 I I I
CHM 2211L I, A I
CHM 2212 and CHM 2213 I
CHM 3120 R
CHM 3120L I, A I I
CHM 3218 I
CHM 3400 R
CHM 3610 R
CHM 4300L I
CHM 4413L R R R R, A
DUCK Exam A A A A

Assessment Types for Both Specializations

  • Oral tests or reports
  • Written reports
  • Lab practicals