Department of Chemistry

West Chester University

Chemistry Information
Office: 119 Schmucker
Science Center South
West Chester, PA 19383
Phone (610) 436-2631
Fax (610) 436-2890
Email: Department Chair


Bachelor of Science – Biochemistry

The B. S. in BIOCHEMISTRY (approved by the ACS) provides a comprehensive background in the major areas of chemistry with an emphasis in biochemistry. Students awarded this degree will be qualified for employment opportunities in chemistry and biochemistry. The program also prepares students for graduate study in chemistry and in biochemistry.


B. S. Biochemistry (ACS Approved)


1st Year

____ CHE 103 General Chemistry I 3 ____ CHE 104 General Chemistry II 3
____ CRL 103 Exp. Gen. Chem. I 1 ____ CRL 104 Exp. Gen. Chem. II 1
____ MAT 161 Calculus I 4 ____ MAT 162 Calculus II 4
____ WRT 120 Effective Writing I 3 ____ WRT XXX Writing Course ♣ 3
____ BIO 110 General Biology 3 ____ SPK XXX Communication Studies ♦ 3
        14         14

2nd Year
____ CHE 231 Organic Chemistry I 4 ____ CHE 232 Organic Chemistry II 3
____ CRL 231 Exp. Org. Chem. I 2 ____ CRL 232 Exp. Org. Chem. II 2
____ CHE 321 Analytical Chemistry I 3 ____ PHY 180 Physics II 4
____ CRL 321 Exp Analyt Chem I 2 ____ GEd XXX Humanities (1) 3
____ PHY 170 Physics I 4 ____ GEd XXX Interdisciplinary 3
        15         15

3rd Year
____ CHE 341 Physical Chemistry I 4 ____ CHE 342 Physical Chemistry II 3
____ CRL 341 Exp. Phys. Chem I 2 ____ CRL 342 Exp. Phys. Chemistry II 2
____ GEd XXX Humanities (2) 3 ____ GEd XXX Arts 3
____ BIO VVV Biology Elective ♥ 3 ____ GEd XXX Student Elective 3
____ CHE 418 Chemical Information 1 ____ CHE 424 Analytical Chemistry II 3
____ GEd XXX Student Elective 3 ____ CRL 424 Exp. Analyt. Chem II 2
        16         16

4th Year
____ CHE 476 Biochemistry I Experimental 3 ____ CHE 477 Biochemistry II Biochemistry Elective 3
____ CRL 476 Biochemistry I 2 ____ CHE YYY ♣§ Adv. Inorganic 4
____ Ged XXX Student Elective 3 ____ CHE 411 Chemistry 3
____ GEd XXX B/SS (1) 3 ____ CRL 411 Inorganic Syntheses 2
____ GEd XXX Diverse Communities 3 ____ GEd XXX B/SS (2) 3
____ CHE 491 Chemistry Seminar 1          
        15         15
    Total Credits 120

____ Department Safety Examination

♠ Students may take WRT 206, 208, or 220

♦ Choose from SPK 208 or 230

♥ This course is a biochemistry program elective in the Biology Department. Each student must complete one elective from the following selected courses: BIO 214 (General Microbiology), BIO 220 (Cell Physiology), or BIO 230 (Genetics).

♣ These courses are biochemistry program electives. Each student must complete an elective from the following selected courses: CHE 381 (Clinical Chemistry), CHE 479 (Chemical Toxicology), CHE 480 (Research in Biochemistry), or CRL 477 (Biochemistry Lab II).

§ Students must take sufficient elective credits to attain 120 credits. Two semesters of a foreign language and one extra biochemistry elective are strongly recommended for free electives.