Â鶹¹ú²ú

CSU San Marcos offers a program of courses leading to a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. Biochemistry focuses on the atomic and molecular level principles of chemical reactions in living systems. It is involved with elucidating the structure and function of biological molecules that control the basic processes in living organisms. It therefore plays an important role in understanding the chemical causes of disease, the development of medicines to control and cure illnesses, and the development of safe food supplies. Biochemistry majors are needed to help solve some of society’s most difficult technological problems through research, development, and teaching.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry will be able to:

• Carry out synthetic and analytical experiments in the laboratory; make careful and accurate observations and measurements; and organize and interpret experimental data. [Empirical basis of chemical knowledge]
• Explain how different chemical substances and mixtures are held together using covalent, coordinate, and ionic bonding, as well as intermolecular forces; identify the geometrical relationship of atoms and molecules within these combinations; and explain the importance of these geometries to chemical and physical properties. [Structure and Bonding]
• Analyze the different levels of protein structure and identify the covalent and non-covalent interactions involved in each level. [Protein Structure]
• Apply the ideas presented in the principal laws of thermodynamics to interpret and predict the behavior of chemical substances. [Thermodynamics]
• Analyze data from the rates of enzyme catalyzed chemical reactions to put forward models of how enzyme catalysis is carried out and how enzyme activity is regulated. [Mechanisms of Reactions]
• Explain how in living organisms nutrients are degraded and new substances synthesized; explain how energy is transferred; and explain how metabolism is regulated. [Biochemical Reactions]
• Plan and execute the purification of compounds from biological sources. [Analysis]
• Use modern chemical instrumentation to determine the physical and chemical properties of compounds from biological sources. [Chemical Instrumentation]
• Retrieve detailed information about chemical and physical properties of substances and accounts of other experimental or theoretical research; and communicate their own results in writing and speaking using