Why choose Biochemistry & Molecular Biology?

Our Biochemistry and Molecular Biology degree is a combined degree offered through the Chemistry and Biology departments. This program prepares students for careers in the dynamic life science industry.  It is also ideal for students who plan to pursue advanced degrees in graduate, medical, dental or pharmacy schools.

ACS Certification in Biochemistry

Our American Chemical Society approved option is the most comprehensive program available. If you are working toward an advanced degree in chemistry, biochemistry or planning a career in the chemical industry, Missouri Western’s ACS track in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is strongly recommended.

American Chemical Society

OUR GRADUATES

CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION

Graduates often go on to attain one of our masters degrees in chemistry or industrial life science. Others can be found in Ph.D. programs at the University of Iowa, the University of Kansas, the University of Illinois, Baylor College of Medicine and more.

OUR GRADUATES

ENTER THE WORKFORCE

Missouri Western graduates can be found working in the laboratories of many regional life science employers in the Kansas City and St. Joseph area including Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Midwest Research Institute and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Two students working in the chemistry lab

Students who choose this bachelor degree program will have no more than 6 years from admission or subsequent declaration to meet the requirements listed below. If certification, accreditation or statutory requirements change and additional requirements become effective during this time, the new requirements take precedence.

General Studies
42
Major Requirements
BIO 105Principles of Organismal Biology4
BIO 106Principles of Cell Biology4
BIO 205Genetics4
BIO 225Ecology4
BIO 310Molecular Cell Biology4
or BIO 430 Molecular Basis of Disease
CHE 111General Chemistry I5
CHE 120General Chemistry II with Qualitative Analysis5
CHE 310Organic Chemistry I3
CHE 311Organic Chemistry Laboratory I2
CHE 321Quantitative Analysis4
CHE 340Foundations of Physical Chemistry4
CHE 370Biochemistry I4
CHE 470Biochemistry II3
PHY 110College Physics I4
PHY 111College Physics II4
MAT 167Calculus with Analytic Geometry I5
Select one of the following:
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (No Certification)
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ACS Certification)

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (No Certification)

Select a minimum of twelve credit hours from Biology or Chemistry courses numbered 300 or higher12

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ACS Certification)

Students are eligible to receive certification in the area of Biochemistry from the American Chemical Society (ACS) if the following course work is completed.

Certification Requirements
CHE 312
& CHE 313		Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II		5
CHE 326Instrumental Analysis4
CHE 441Advanced Inorganic Chemistry3
CHE 480Advanced Physical Chemistry4
MAT 177Calculus with Analytic Geometry II3
or MAT 287 Multivariable Calculus

Program Graduation Requirement

  1. Earn an overall GPA of at least 2.0 and a major GPA of at least 2.0.

University Graduation Requirements 

  1. Earn a minimum of 120 credit hours (100 level and higher, maximum of 6 CED credit hours applicable).
  2. Earn a minimum of 30 credit hours in upper-division courses.  Lower-division transfer courses accepted as meeting upper-division departmental course requirements cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.
  3. Earn 30 of the last 45 credit hours at MWSU in institutional coursework (exclusive of credit by examination).
  4. Participate in required departmental and campus wide assessments. 
  5. Fulfill the Missouri Constitution requirement.
  6. Successfully pass the Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement exam. 

Are you ready to declare this major? Download, sign and submit the form(s) to the Chemistry Department.

Mapping your degree plan is important. Consult with your academic advisor to create a plan and monitor it regularly.