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Biochemistry, B.S. to Chemical Biology, Master's Accelerated Program

ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÍø's bachelor's-to-master's program in chemical biology provides a strong foundation in chemistry and branches out into medicinal chemistry, pharmacology and molecular biology.

A five-year course schedule is provided to SLU undergraduates that demonstrates how to complete the undergraduate B.S. degree in biochemistry or biology together with a master’s degree in chemical biology. The master’s degree can either be a coursework-based M.A. degree or a thesis-based M.S. degree. This program provides excellent preparation for a career in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.

For additional information, see the catalog entries for the following SLU programs:

Biochemistry, B.S.

Chemical Biology, M.A.

Chemical Biology, M.S.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry has been continuously certified by the American Chemical Society since 2004.

Existing SLU undergraduates pursuing a B.S. in biochemistry may apply to the accelerated bachelor’s-master’s (ABM) program after completing 75 credits (typically during the spring semester of their third year) if they have a GPA of 3.00 or higher, commensurate with the admission standards for the master’s program in chemical biology. The application will include a personal statement and three letters of support, of which at least two must be from members of the SLU faculty.Ìý

If accepted into the program, students who have completed 90 undergraduate credits (typically during their fourth year) may apply up to 15 credits of graduate-level courses (5000-level and up) towards both the undergraduate and graduate degree requirements, assuming a grade of "B" or better. Students targeting a coursework-based M.A. degree will be mentored by the chemical biology program coordinator. Students targeting a thesis-based M.S. will take CHEB-5110 in the summer after having completed 90 credits (typically between years three and four) and select a research mentor.

Prior to 120 credits, students enrolled in the program will need to adhere to the continuation standards of their undergraduate major. After 120 credits (typically the fifthÌýyear), the chemical biology master’s level program continuation requirements apply.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollmentÌýunless otherwise noted. Ìý

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

M.A. in Chemical Biology OptionÌý

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
Critical course: ÌýBIOLÌý1240
&ÌýBIOLÌý1245
General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution
and Principles of Biology I Laboratory
4
Critical course: ÌýCHEMÌý1130
&ÌýCHEMÌý1115
General Chemistry 1 for Majors
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory
4
MATHÌý1510 Calculus I 4
Core course 3
ÌýCredits15
Spring
Critical course: ÌýBIOLÌý1260
&ÌýBIOLÌý1265
General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter
and Principles of Biology II Laboratory
4
Critical course: ÌýCHEMÌý1140
&ÌýCHEMÌý1125
General Chemistry 2 for Majors
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory
4
MATHÌý1520 Calculus II 4
Core course 3
ÌýCredits15
Year Two
Fall
Critical course: ÌýCHEMÌý2200
&ÌýCHEMÌý2205
Analytical Chemistry 1
and Analytical Chemistry 1 Laboratory
4
Critical course: ÌýCHEMÌý2430
&ÌýCHEMÌý2435
Organic Chemistry 1 for Majors
and Organic Chemistry 1 Lab for Majors
4
Critical course: ÌýPHYSÌý1310
&ÌýPHYSÌý1320
College Physics I
and College Physics I Laboratory
4
Core course 3
ÌýCredits15
Spring
Critical course: ÌýCHEMÌý2440
&ÌýCHEMÌý2445
Organic Chemistry 2 for Majors
and Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory for Majors
4
Critical course: ÌýPHYSÌý1330
&ÌýPHYSÌý1340
College Physics II
and College Physics II Laboratory
4
Core courses 6
ÌýCredits14
Year Three
Fall
CHEBÌý3970 Independent Research in Chemical Biology 1-3
CHEMÌý3100 The Chemical Literature 1
CHEMÌý3330 Physical Chemistry 1 3
Critical course: ÌýCHEMÌý4610
&ÌýCHEMÌý4615
Biochemistry 1
and Biochemistry 1 Laboratory
4
Core courses 6
ÌýCredits15-17
Spring
CHEBÌý3970 Independent Research in Chemical Biology 1-3
Critical course: ÌýCHEMÌý3340
&ÌýCHEMÌý3345
Physical Chemistry 2
and Physical Chemistry Laboratory
4
Critical course: ÌýCHEMÌý4620
&ÌýCHEMÌý4625
Biochemistry 2
and Biochemistry 2 Laboratory
4
Core courses 6
ÌýCredits15-17
Year Four
Fall
CHEBÌý3970 Independent Research in Chemical Biology 1-3
CHEMÌý5630 Introduction to Chemical Biology and Biotechnology 3
BIOLÌý3030 Principles of Genetics 3
CHEMÌý5500
or CHEMÌý4500
Inorganic Chemistry
or Inorganic Chemistry
3
Core courses 6
ÌýCredits16-18
Spring
CHEBÌý3970 Independent Research in Chemical Biology 1-3
CHEMÌý5470 Medicinal Chemistry 3
PPYÌý5410 Molecular Pharmacology 3
Elective or Core courses (if needed) 9
ÌýCredits16-18
Summer
CHEBÌý5980 Graduate Independent Study in Chemical Biology 3
ÌýCredits3
Year Five
Fall
CHEBÌý5970 Research Topics 3
BIOLÌý5700 Advanced Molecular Biology 3
Graduate Elective † 3
ÌýCredits9
Spring
Oral Examination Ìý
Critical course: ÌýGraduate Electives † 9
ÌýCredits9
ÌýTotal Credits142-150

M.S. in Chemical Biology Option

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
Critical course: ÌýBIOLÌý1240
&ÌýBIOLÌý1245
General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution
and Principles of Biology I Laboratory
4
Critical course: ÌýCHEMÌý1130
&ÌýCHEMÌý1115
General Chemistry 1 for Majors
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory
4
MATHÌý1510 Calculus I 4
Core course 3
ÌýCredits15
Spring
Critical course: ÌýBIOLÌý1260
&ÌýBIOLÌý1265
General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter
and Principles of Biology II Laboratory
4
Critical course: ÌýCHEMÌý1140
&ÌýCHEMÌý1125
General Chemistry 2 for Majors
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory
4
MATHÌý1520 Calculus II 4
Core course 3
ÌýCredits15
Year Two
Fall
Critical course: ÌýCHEMÌý2200
&ÌýCHEMÌý2205
Analytical Chemistry 1
and Analytical Chemistry 1 Laboratory
4
Critical course: ÌýCHEMÌý2430
&ÌýCHEMÌý2435
Organic Chemistry 1 for Majors
and Organic Chemistry 1 Lab for Majors
4
Critical course: ÌýPHYSÌý1310
&ÌýPHYSÌý1320
or PHYSÌý1610 and PHYSÌý1620
College Physics I
or University Physics I and University Physics I Laboratory
4
Core course 3
ÌýCredits15
Spring
Critical course: ÌýCHEMÌý2440
&ÌýCHEMÌý2445
Organic Chemistry 2 for Majors
and Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory for Majors
4
Critical course: ÌýPHYSÌý1330
&ÌýPHYSÌý1340
or PHYSÌý1610 and PHYSÌý1640
College Physics II
or University Physics I and University Physics II Laboratory
4
Core courses 6
ÌýCredits14
Year Three
Fall
CHEMÌý3100 The Chemical Literature 1
CHEMÌý3330 Physical Chemistry 1 3
CHEMÌý3970 Independent Research in Chemistry 1
Critical course: ÌýCHEMÌý4610
&ÌýCHEMÌý4615
Biochemistry 1
and Biochemistry 1 Laboratory
4
Core courses 6
ÌýCredits15
Spring
Critical course: ÌýCHEMÌý3340
&ÌýCHEMÌý3345
Physical Chemistry 2
and Physical Chemistry Laboratory
4
CHEMÌý3970 Independent Research in Chemistry 1
Critical course: ÌýCHEMÌý4620
&ÌýCHEMÌý4625
Biochemistry 2
and Biochemistry 2 Laboratory
4
Core courses 6
ÌýCredits15
Summer
CHEBÌý5110 Introduction to Chemical Biology Research I 1
ÌýCredits1
Year Four
Fall
BIOLÌý3030 Principles of Genetics 3
BIOLÌý5700 Advanced Molecular Biology 3
CHEMÌý5630 Introduction to Chemical Biology and Biotechnology 3
CHEMÌý3970 Independent Research in Chemistry 1
CHEMÌý5500
or CHEMÌý4500
Inorganic Chemistry
or Inorganic Chemistry
3
Core course 3
ÌýCredits16
Spring
CHEBÌý5120 Introduction to Chemical Biology Research II 1-3
CHEMÌý3970 Independent Research in Chemistry 1
PPYÌý5410 Molecular Pharmacology 3
Elective or Core courses (if needed) 9
ÌýCredits14-16
Summer
CHEBÌý5970 Research Topics 3
ÌýCredits3
Year Five
Fall
CHEBÌý5990 Thesis Research 3
Graduate Electives † 6
Submit Research Progress Report Ìý
ÌýCredits9
Spring
CHEMÌý5470 Medicinal Chemistry 3
CHEBÌý5990 Thesis Research 3
Submit and defend Master’s Thesis Ìý
ÌýCredits6
ÌýTotal Credits138-140
†

Elective must be selected from a 5000+ course. Electives should be selected in consultation with the chemical biology program coordinator from the chemistry, biology, pharmacology or biochemistry departments.