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Explore more than 40 majors and minors.

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Biochemistry

Explore the World's Structures

Explore the living things around you, while you investigate the complexity of life processes in animals and plants. In your biochemistry major, you'll study the fields of biology, chemistry and genetics. You'll learn in the lab and in the great outdoors, and have a front-row seat as you discover the foundational structures of life.

What jobs can you do with a
biochemistry degree?

Studying the foundation of living things, biochemistry jump-starts many careers in areas such as:

Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science

Aquaculture and Agriculture

Research and Analysis

Explore which companies are currently looking for biochemists in South Dakota.

What’s the Difference at DWU?

• Travel and present your research findings with DWU faculty and community members.
• Work with your professor as a teaching assistant.
• Prepare for a career in medicine with pre-health opportunities.

Biochemistry Opportunities

Research
Dakota Wesleyan’s professors are continuously conducting research in our state-of-the-art facilities.

How can you participate?
• Apply to work in the lab, and have access to science equipment as a volunteer, teaching assistant or as a paid research assistant.
• Learn more about biochemistry and medicine. Shadow with the Sanford Medical Center.

Community Outreach
• As a biochemistry major, your involvement with the Chemistry Health And Other Sciences (CHAOS) club will lead to service learning projects on campus and in the community.

Teaching Assistantship
• Work hand-in-hand with your professors in the lab and the classroom as a teacher's assistant.
• Become comfortable and confident with preparation and disposal of chemicals.
• Offer a helping hand and lead your peers through challenging lessons.
• Enrich your learning experience with additional interactive learning opportunities.

Biochemistry Courses

Courses will include hands-on learning experiences and research opportunities.

BIO 120 Principles of Biology I

3 Hours
Students will examine concepts and theories in the following areas: the philosophy and methods of science, ecology, cell structure and function, genetics, and evolution. This course is intended to primarily serve majors in biological sciences.
Prerequisite or corequisite: BIO 120L

BIO 120L Principles of Biology I Lab

1 Hours
Laboratory to accompany BIO 120.
Corequisite: BIO 120

BIO 122 Principles of Biology II

3 Hours
This course includes the philosophy and methods of science, nutrition, gas exchange, internal transport, osmoregulation, chemical control, nervous control, reproduction, development, diversity and classification of organisms.
Prerequisite: BIO 120/120L
Corequisite: BIO122L

BIO 122L Principles of Biology II Lab

1 Hours
Laboratory to accompany BIO 122.
Prerequisite: BIO 120/120L
Prerequisite or corequisite: BIO 122

BIO 315 Genetics

3 Hours
This is an introduction to the study of genetics using classical and molecular approaches. Topics covered include transmission genetics, replication of DNA, gene expression and control, and population genetics.
Prerequisites: BIO 122/122L.
Prerequisite or corequisite BIO 315

BIO 315L Genetics Lab

1 Hours
This course is the laboratory component of BIO 315, providing hands-on activities demonstrating important genetic principles and techniques.
Prerequisites: BIO 120 and BIO 122, and prerequisite or corequisite BIO 315.

BIO 403 Research in Biochemistry

2 Hours
This course is designed to provide an introduction into the methodology and techniques used in the modern biochemistry research laboratory. Students are encouraged to design and investigate an individual research project within the instructor’s scope of research and to present their results.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

CHM 164 University Chemistry

3 Hours
This course covers the core concepts of general chemistry, maintaining the depth and relevance of a two-semester sequence. Topics covered include bonding, equilibrium, stoichiometry, chemical kinetics and oxidation-reduction.
Prerequisite: MTH 125 or equivalent is recommended.

CHM 166 University Chemistry Lab

1 Hours
This course is an introduction to experimental chemical methods of synthesis and characterization by quantitative and qualitative procedures. Experiments will relate to topics covered in CHM 164.
Prerequisite or corequisite: CHM 164

CHM 231 Organic Chemistry I

3 Hours
This is the first of a two-semester course sequence. It focuses on the structure and function of organic molecules. Topics include nomenclature, functional group analysis, stereochemistry, acid/base chemistry, organic chemistry reactions and mechanistic explanation of electron movement. Spectroscopic methods of structure determination are introduced.
Prerequisite: CHM 164/166.
Corequisite: CHM 231L

CHM 231L Organic Chemistry I Lab

1 Hours
This course is an introduction to fundamental laboratory techniques applicable to the analysis, separation, purification, and synthesis of organic compounds.
Prerequisite or corequisite: CHM 231

CHM 310 Inorganic Chemistry

3 Hours
This foundational inorganic course is an extension of general chemistry topics with a focus on symmetry, chemical equilibria, acid-base chemistry, electrochemistry, kinetics, solid-state chemistry, and complexation reactions.
Prerequisite: CHM 164

CHM 323 Analytical Chemistry

3 Hours
Students will study quantitative analytical methods, principles, details and applications, including the statistical treatment of data. Lab exercises cover the qualitative analysis scheme in the first half of the semester and more specific analytical problems in the second half.
Prerequisite: CHM 164/166 or CHM 174/174L.
Corequisite: CHM 323L

CHM 323L Analytical Chemistry Lab

1 Hours
This course is the experimental application of topics covered in CHM 323. Experiments develop basic analytical techniques, including spectroscopy and chromatography, while solving real-world problems.
Prerequisite or Corequisite: CHM 323

CHM 332 Organic Chemistry II

3 Hours
This is the second of a two-semester course sequence. It focuses on instrumentation related to analytical organic chemistry, as well as advanced reactions, synthesis, and retrosynthetic analysis.
Prerequisite: CHM 231/231L
Corequisite: CHM 332L

CHM 332L Organic Chemistry II Lab

1 Hours
This course further develops laboratory techniques applicable to the analysis, separation, purification, and synthesis of organic compounds.
Prerequisite or corequisite: CHM 332

CHM 341 Biochemistry I

3 Hours
This is the first semester of a comprehensive biochemistry course providing an introduction to the chemical and physical properties of biologically important molecules. Topics to be discussed in this course include carbohydras, proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and enzymes.
Prerequisite: CHM 174/174L or CHM 231/231L
Corequisite: CHM 341L

CHM 341L Biochemistry I Lab

1 Hours
This course introduces standard biochemical techniques such as the isolation, purification and characterization of proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids.
Prerequisite or corequisite: CHM 341

CHM 342 Biochemistry II

3 Hours
This is the second semester of a comprehensive biochemistry course with emphasis on metabolism, energy use, and synthesis of biologically important molecules.
Prerequisite: CHM 341/341L
Corequisite: CHM 342L

CHM 342L Biochemistry II Lab

1 Hours
This course further develops biochemical laboratory techniques through an independent, student-driven research project.
Prerequisite or corequisite: CHM 342

CHM 360 Physical Chemistry

3 Hours
This course introduces the basic theoretical concepts of the chemical sciences: thermodynamics, chemical and physical equilibria, chemical kinetics, and the behavior of matter in the solid, liquid, gaseous, and solution states.
Prerequisites: CHM 164 and MTH 210

CHM 403 Research in Chemistry

2 Hours
This course is designed to provide an introduction to the methodology and techniques used in the modern chemistry research laboratory. Students are guided through the design and investigation of an individual research project within the instructor’s scope of research. Students are required to present their findings.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

MTH 210 Calculus I

5 Hours
This course is an introduction to differential and integral calculus. Students will learn to calculate the rates of change of functions including trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions and how to solve initial value and optimization problems. Students will learn the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus and integration techniques.
Prerequisite: MTH 135 or math placement.

PHS 260 University Physics I

3 Hours
This is an introductory calculus-based course in the fundamentals of physics as applied to mechanics. Topics included are kinematics, vectors, Newton’s laws, energy, momentum, rotational dynamics, gravitation, simple harmonic motion and waves.
Prerequisite: MTH 210
Corequisite: PHS 260L

PHS 260L University Physics I Lab

1 Hours
This course illustrates fundamental concepts covered in PHS 260 such as mechanics, wave and sound through experimentation and analysis.
Prerequisite or corequisite: PHS 260

PHS 270 University Physics II

3 Hours
This a calculus-based course in the fundamentals of physics as applied to electricity and magnetism. Topics included are Coulomb’s law, electric fields, potential fields, capacitance, DC circuits, magnetic fields, induction, AC circuits and Maxwell’s laws.
Prerequisite or corequisite: PHS 260/206L
Corequisite: PHS270L

PHS 270L University Physics II Lab

1 Hours
This course illustrates fundamental concepts covered in PHS 270 such as electricity and magnetism through experimentation and analysis.
Prerequisite or corequisite: PHS 270

Get to Know Your Professors 

“Don’t be afraid to try new things and step out of the instruction booklet. We will help guide your learning experience and ensure you take your future into your own hands.”

- Dr. Bethany Melroe and Dr. Paula Mazzer

Bethany Melroe Lehrman, Ph.D.

Professor of Chemistry

Paula Mazzer, Ph.D.

Professor of Biochemistry

The Experience

You will have many career paths with a degree in biochemistry. Strength your future with a concentration in Forensic Science.

Concentration in Forensic Science

A concentration in forensic science is designed to prepare you for entry-level forensic analyses, laboratory work or advanced degree work in areas such as chemistry, biochemistry, forensics, molecular or cell biology, or related technology fields. You will be encouraged to seek internship opportunities to accompany the coursework.

Take classes like:

• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Criminal Law
• Criminal Investigation
• Business and Technical Writing
• Scholarly Research and Writing
• Statistical Methods

Related Majors & Minors

Chemistry

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    Forensic Science and Investigation

    Combine your interest in chemistry and criminal justice.

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      General Science

      Pursue your interest in biological and physical sciences.

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        Pre-medicine and Related Health Arts Professions

        Do you have a passion for healing? Our faculty are committed to your success in the health arts.

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          Wildlife Management

          Turn your love for the outdoors into a fulfilling career!

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