Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, B.S.

Admissions

Entrance Requirements

New freshmen who meet University admissions standards are eligible for admission to degree programs offered by the college. A student who wishes to enter the College of Arts and Sciences from another college on the Columbia campus must be in good standing and have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher. A student who wishes to enter the College of Arts and Sciences from another USC campus must fulfill one of the following requirements:

  1. Be in good standing, meet the admission requirements for a baccalaureate degree on the Columbia campus, and have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher.
  2. Be in good standing and have completed 30 semester hours with a GPA of 2.00 or higher on a USC campus.

Some programs in the College of Arts and Sciences have special admission requirements established by the department or committee that supervises the specific degree program, for example, Cardiovascular Technology, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Economics, Environmental Science, the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, and the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. These requirements are listed in the sections of this bulletin that describe department and special degree programs.

Degree Requirements (128 hours)

Program of Study

Requirements Credit Hours
1. Carolina Core Requirements 34-46
2. College Requirements 15-18
3. Program Requirements 3-16
4. Major Requirements 63-67

Founding Documents Requirement

All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade in the subject areas of History, Political Science, or African American Studies that covers the founding documents including the United State Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Emancipation Proclamation and one or more documents that are foundational to the African American Freedom struggle, and a minimum of five essays from the Federalist papers.  This course may count as a requirement in any part of the program of study including the Carolina Core, the major, minor or cognate, or as a general elective.  Courses that meet this requirement are listed here.

1. Carolina Core Requirements (34-46 hours)

CMW – Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Written (6 Hours) 

must be passed with a grade of C or higher.

ARP – Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving (8 hours) 

must be passed with a grade of C or higher

SCI – Scientific Literacy (8 hours)

must be passed with a grade of C or higher

GFL – Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language  (0-6 hours)

Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the minimal passing grade on the exit examination in the 122 course is required. Students can demonstrate this proficiency by successfully completing Phase II of the Proficiency Test or by successfully completing the 122 course, including the exit exam administered as part of that course. It is recommended that students complete the foreign language requirement with French, German, Japanese, Russian, or Spanish.

​It is strongly recommended that students continuing the study of a foreign language begin college-level study of that language in their first semester and continue in that language until their particular foreign language requirement is completed.

GHS – ​Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking (3 hours) 

GSS – Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences (3 hours) 

AIU – Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding (3 hours)

CMS – Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Spoken Component1 (0-3 hours)

INF – Information Literacy1 (0-3 hours)

VSR – Values, Ethics, and Social Responsibility1 (0-3 hours)

1

Carolina Core Stand Alone or Overlay Eligible Requirements — Overlay-approved courses offer students the option of meeting two Carolina Core components in a single course. A maximum of two overlays is allowed. The total Carolina Core credit hours must add up to a minimum of 31 hours. Some programs may have a higher number of minimum Carolina Core hours due to specified requirements.

2. College Requirements (15-18 hours)

Foreign Language (0-3 hours) 

  • only if needed to meet 122-level proficiency

Analytical Reasoning (6 hours)

Course Title Credits
CSCE 102Web Design and Development using AI Tools (*)3
STAT 201Elementary Statistics (*)3
Total Credit Hours6

History (3 hours) 

The College of Arts and Sciences requires one additional GHS course beyond the Carolina Core GHS requirement. 

  • If the Carolina Core GHS requirement is fulfilled by a U.S. history course, the College of Arts and Sciences history requirement must be fulfilled by a non-U.S. history course.
  • If the Carolina Core GHS requirement is fulfilled by a non-U.S. history course, the College of Arts and Sciences history requirement must be fulfilled by a U.S. history course. 

Please select the College of Arts and Sciences history requirement from the approved list of U.S. and non-U.S. history courses.

Social Science and Fine Arts or Humanities (6 hours) 

  • Social Science (3 hours)
  • Fine Arts/Humanities (3 Hours)

3. Program Requirements (3-16 hours)

Supporting Courses (3 hours)

must be passed with a grade of C or higher

Cognate or Minor (0-18 hours) 

This major does not require a cognate or minor.

An optional minor may be added to a student’s program of study. A minor is intended to develop a coherent basic preparation in a second area of study. Courses applied toward general education requirements cannot be counted toward the minor. No course may satisfy both major and minor requirements. All minor courses must be passed with a grade of C or higher. At least half of the courses in the minor must be completed in residence at the University. A list of minor programs of study can be found at Programs A-Z. An optional additional major may also be added to a student’s program of study. Additional majors must include all major courses as well as any prescribed courses noted (*) in the bulletin.  Prescribed courses noted in the bulletin may be shared with Carolina Core, College requirements, and Program requirements in the primary program.

A list of minor programs of study can be found at Programs A-Z.

Electives (0-13 hours)

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major requires electives only if needed to meet 128 credit hours.

120 (or 128) degree applicable credits are required to complete any degree at UofSC. After the cognate, minor or second major is complete, any additional credits needed to reach 120 (or 128) total credits can be fulfilled by electives. No courses of a remedial, developmental, skill-acquiring, or vocational nature may apply as credit toward degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences. The College of Arts and Sciences allows the use of the Pass-Fail option on elective courses. Further clarification on inapplicable courses can be obtained from the College of Arts and Sciences.

4. Major Requirements (63-67 hours)

a minimum grade of C is required in all major courses

Major Courses (54 hours)

Course Title Credits
BIOL 101Biological Principles I3
BIOL 101LBiological Principles I Laboratory1
BIOL 102Biological Principles II3
BIOL 102LBiological Principles II Laboratory1
BIOL 302Cell and Molecular Biology3
BIOL 302LCell and Molecular Biology Laboratory1
BIOL 303Fundamental Genetics3
BIOL 550Bacteriology3
BIOL 550LBacteriology Laboratory1
CHEM 141Principles of Chemistry I4
CHEM 142Principles of Chemistry II4
CHEM 322Analytical Chemistry3
CHEM 322LAnalytical Chemistry Laboratory1
CHEM 333Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 331LEssentials of Organic Chemistry Laboratory I1
CHEM 334Organic Chemistry II3
CHEM 332LEssentials of Organic Chemistry Laboratory II1
CHEM 541Physical Chemistry I: Thermodynamics and Kinetics3
CHEM 541LPhysical Chemistry Laboratory I: Thermodynamics and Kinetics2
CHEM 545Physical Biochemistry3
CHEM 555Protein Biochemistry and Metabolism3
or BIOL 545 Protein Biochemistry and Metabolism
CHEM 556Molecular Biochemistry of the Cell3
or BIOL 546 Molecular Biochemistry of the Cell
CHEM 550LBiochemistry Laboratory1
or BIOL 541L Biochemistry Laboratory
Total Credit Hours54

Note: Students transferring in to the major can substitute CHEM 111/CHEM 111L (or transfer equivalent) for CHEM 141 and CHEM 112/CHEM 112L (or transfer equivalent) for CHEM 142.

Major Electives (9 hours)

Select 9 hours from 400-600 level electives in Biology or Chemistry. 

Note: No more than 3 credits of research (BIOL 399 or CHEM 496) can be used to satisfy the elective requirement.

American Chemical Society Certification Concentration (13 hours) Optional

Students may choose to complete the American Chemical Society Certification Concentration in place of the Major Electives for an additional 4 credit hours and a total of 67 major requirements hours.

Course Title Credits
CHEM 511Inorganic Chemistry3
CHEM 621Instrumental Analysis3
CHEM 621LInstrumental Analysis Lab1
Select 6 hours of the following:6
CHEM 496
Undergraduate Research
CHEM 497
Undergraduate Research
CHEM 498
Undergraduate Research
CHEM 499
Undergraduate Research
Total Credit Hours13

Major Map

A major map is a layout of required courses in a given program of study, including critical courses and suggested course sequences to ensure a clear path to graduation.

Major maps are only a suggested or recommended sequence of courses required in a program of study. Please contact your academic advisor for assistance in the application of specific coursework to a program of study and course selection and planning for upcoming semesters.

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, B.S.

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, B.S. American Chemical Society Certificate Concentration

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, B.S.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredit Hours
ENGL 101 Critical Reading and Composition 3
MATH 141 Calculus I 3 4
BIOL 101 Biological Principles I 3
BIOL 101L Biological Principles I Laboratory 1
CHEM 141 Principles of Chemistry I 4 3
CHEM 141L Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory 4 1
Foreign language or other Carolina Core Requirement 6 3
 Credit Hours18
Spring
ENGL 102 Rhetoric and Composition 3
MATH 142 Calculus II 4
BIOL 102 Biological Principles II 3
BIOL 102L Biological Principles II Laboratory 1
CHEM 142 Principles of Chemistry II 4 3
CHEM 142L Principles of Chemistry II Laboratory 4 1
Foreign language or other Carolina Core Requirements 5,6 3
 Credit Hours18
Second Year
Fall
CHEM 333 Organic Chemistry I 3
CHEM 331L Essentials of Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 7 1
CHEM 322 Analytical Chemistry 3
CHEM 322L Analytical Chemistry Laboratory 1
PHYS 211 Essentials of Physics I 3
PHYS 211L Essentials of Physics I Lab 1
Foreign language or Carolina Core Requirement 5,6 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
BIOL 302 Cell and Molecular Biology 3
BIOL 302L Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory 1
CHEM 334 Organic Chemistry II 3
CHEM 332L Essentials of Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 7 1
PHYS 212 Essentials of Physics II 3
PHYS 212L Essentials of Physics II Lab 1
MATH 241 Vector Calculus 3
 Credit Hours15
Third Year
Fall
CHEM 555 Protein Biochemistry and Metabolism 3
CHEM 550L Biochemistry Laboratory 1
CHEM 541 Physical Chemistry I: Thermodynamics and Kinetics 3
CHEM 541L Physical Chemistry Laboratory I: Thermodynamics and Kinetics 2
BIOL 303 Fundamental Genetics 3
History 8 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
CHEM 545 Physical Biochemistry 3
CHEM 556 Molecular Biochemistry of the Cell 3
STAT 201 Elementary Statistics 3
Social Science 3
Carolina Core Requirement 6 3
 Credit Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall
BIOL 550 Bacteriology 3
BIOL 550L Bacteriology Laboratory 1
BIOL/CHEM Elective (400-600-level) 10 3
BIOL/CHEM Elective (400-600-level) 10 3
Humanities or Fine Arts 3
Carolina Core Requirement 6 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
BIOL/CHEM Elective (400-600-level) 10 3
CSCE 102 Web Design and Development using AI Tools 3
Carolina Core Requirement or Elective 6,11 3
Carolina Core Requirement or Elective 6,11 3
Carolina Core Requirement or Elective 6,11 3
Elective 11 1
 Credit Hours16
 Total Credit Hours128
1

Regardless of individual course grades, students must maintain a minimum 2.000 cumulative GPA. 

2

Some colleges require a minimum GPA for major courses. 

3

Students who do not place into MATH 141 will be required to successfully complete MATH 115 before taking MATH 141. 

4

CHEM 111 and CHEM 111L may be taken in place of CHEM 141 and CHEM 141L, and CHEM 112 and CHEM 112L may be taken in place of CHEM 142 and CHEM 142L. 

5

Students in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences are required to demonstrate proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the 122 course through course credit or the corresponding foreign language placement score. 

6

The Carolina Core provides the common core of knowledge, skill and academic experience for all Carolina undergraduate students. 

7

CHEM 333L and CHEM 334L are also accepted in place of CHEM 331L and CHEM 332L, respectively. 

8

The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences requires one U.S. History and one non-U.S. History course, both of which must be chosen from the approved Carolina Core GHS courses.  Whichever is not fulfilled through the Carolina Core GHS requirement must be fulfilled through this college requirement. 

9

If CHEM 111, CHEM 112, CHEM 322, and CHEM 322L are all completed at USC, STAT 201 is not required.  Also, if CHEM 621 and CHEM 621L are completed, STAT 201 is not required.  Students who exempt STAT 201 through this process will be required to take an approved elective to reach minimum hours for graduation. 

10

Students are encouraged to start undergraduate research as early as possible to allow for participation in long-term projects.  No more than 3 hours of research (BIOL 399 or CHEM 496) can be used to satisfy the elective requirement.  Extramural Research opportunities, such as REU’s may qualify for CHEM 496 credit; however, a request form must be submitted and preapproved by the Department of Chemistry. 

11

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major requires electives only if needed to meet 128 credit hours. No courses of a remedial, developmental, skill-acquiring, or vocational nature may apply as credit toward degrees in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences.  The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences allows the use of the Pass-Fail option on elective courses.  Further clarification on inapplicable courses can be obtained from the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. 

Program Notes:

  • ENGL 101 and ENGL 102 must be completed in the student’s first 60 semester hours of work in order for these courses to be credited toward graduation.
  • All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade that covers the founding documents. This course may fulfill any requirement in the program of study. Courses that meet this requirement are listed in the academic bulletin.
  • Any Chemistry or Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major can qualify for ACS certification by taking additional courses as listed: CHEM 511, CHEM 621, CHEM 621L, and 6 credits of undergraduate research, CHEM 496-499.
  • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology majors may enroll in a biology or chemistry course a maximum of twice to earn the required grade of C or higher.
  • A Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major must receive a grade of C or higher in any major, college, or program requirement course in order for it to serve as the required prerequisite for any higher-level course.
  • The last 30 credit hours toward your degree must be earned in residence at the University of South Carolina-Columbia. 

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, B.S., American Chemical Society Certificate Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredit Hours
ENGL 101 Critical Reading and Composition 3
MATH 141 Calculus I 3 4
BIOL 101 Biological Principles I 3
BIOL 101L Biological Principles I Laboratory 1
CHEM 141 Principles of Chemistry I 4 3
CHEM 141L Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory 4 1
Foreign language or other Carolina Core Requirement 5,6 3
 Credit Hours18
Spring
ENGL 102 Rhetoric and Composition 3
MATH 142 Calculus II 4
BIOL 102 Biological Principles II 3
BIOL 102L Biological Principles II Laboratory 1
CHEM 142 Principles of Chemistry II 4 3
CHEM 142L Principles of Chemistry II Laboratory 4 1
Foreign language or other Carolina Core Requirement 5,6 3
 Credit Hours18
Second Year
Fall
CHEM 333 Organic Chemistry I 3
CHEM 331L Essentials of Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 1
CHEM 322 Analytical Chemistry 3
CHEM 322L Analytical Chemistry Laboratory 1
PHYS 211 Essentials of Physics I 3
PHYS 211L Essentials of Physics I Lab 1
Foreign language or Carolina Core REquirement 5,6 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
BIOL 302 Cell and Molecular Biology 3
BIOL 302L Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory 1
CHEM 334 Organic Chemistry II 3
CHEM 322L Analytical Chemistry Laboratory 7 1
PHYS 212 Essentials of Physics II 3
PHYS 212L Essentials of Physics II Lab 1
MATH 241 Vector Calculus 3
 Credit Hours15
Third Year
Fall
CHEM 555 Protein Biochemistry and Metabolism 3
CHEM 550L Biochemistry Laboratory 1
CHEM 541 Physical Chemistry I: Thermodynamics and Kinetics 3
CHEM 541L Physical Chemistry Laboratory I: Thermodynamics and Kinetics 2
BIOL 303 Fundamental Genetics 3
History 8 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
CHEM 545 Physical Biochemistry 3
CHEM 556 Molecular Biochemistry of the Cell 3
STAT 201 Elementary Statistics 9 3
Undergraduate Research (CHEM 496, CHEM 497, CHEM 498, or CHEM 499) 10 3
Social Science 3
Carolina Core Requirement 6 3
 Credit Hours18
Fourth Year
Fall
BIOL 550 Bacteriology 3
BIOL 550L Bacteriology Laboratory 1
Undergraduate Research (CHEM 496, CHEM 497, CHEM 498, or CHEM 499) 10 3
CHEM 511 Inorganic Chemistry 3
Humanities or Fine Arts 3
Carolina Core Requirement 6 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
CHEM 621 Instrumental Analysis 3
CHEM 621L Instrumental Analysis Lab 1
CSCE 102 Web Design and Development using AI Tools 3
Carolina Core Requirement or Elective 6,11 3
Carolina Core Requirement or Elective 6,11 3
 Credit Hours13
 Total Credit Hours128
1

Regardless of individual course grades, students must maintain a minimum 2.000 cumulative GPA. 

2

Some colleges require a minimum GPA for major courses.  

3

Students who do not place into MATH 141 will be required to successfully complete MATH 115 before taking MATH 141. 

4

CHEM 111 and CHEM 111L may be taken in place of CHEM 141 and CHEM 141L, and CHEM 112 and CHEM 112L may be taken in place of CHEM 142 and CHEM 142L. 

5

Students in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences are required to demonstrate proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the 122 course through course credit or the corresponding foreign language placement score. 

6

The Carolina Core provides the common core of knowledge, skill and academic experience for all Carolina undergraduate students. 

7

CHEM 333L and CHEM 334L are also accepted in place of CHEM 331L and CHEM 332L, respectively. 

8

The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences requires one U.S. History and one non-U.S. History course, both of which must be chosen from the approved Carolina Core GHS courses.  Whichever is not fulfilled through the Carolina Core GHS requirement must be fulfilled through this college requirement. 

9

If CHEM 111, CHEM 112, CHEM 322, and CHEM 322L are all completed at USC, STAT 201 is not required.  Also, if CHEM 621 and CHEM 621L are completed, STAT 201 is not required.  Students who exempt STAT 201 through this process will be required to take an approved elective to reach minimum hours for graduation. 

10

Students are encouraged to start undergraduate research as early as possible to allow for participation in long-term projects.  No more than 3 hours of research (BIOL 399 or CHEM 496) can be used to satisfy the elective requirement.  Extramural Research opportunities, such as REU’s may qualify for CHEM 496 credit; however, a request form must be submitted and preapproved by the Department of Chemistry. 

11

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major requires electives only if needed to meet 128 credit hours. No courses of a remedial, developmental, skill-acquiring, or vocational nature may apply as credit toward degrees in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences.  The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences allows the use of the Pass-Fail option on elective courses.  Further clarification on inapplicable courses can be obtained from the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. 

Program Notes:

  •  ENGL 101 and ENGL 102 must be completed in the student’s first 60 semester hours of work in order for these courses to be credited toward graduation.
  • All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade that covers the founding documents. This course may fulfill any requirement in the program of study. Courses that meet this requirement are listed in the academic bulletin.
  • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology majors may enroll in a biology or chemistry course a maximum of twice to earn the required grade of C or higher.
  • A Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major must receive a grade of C or higher in any major, college, or program requirement course in order for it to serve as the required prerequisite for any higher-level course.
  • The last 30 credit hours toward your degree must be earned in residence at the University of South Carolina-Columbia.