Jun 07, 2026  
Working Undergraduate Catalog 2026-2027 
    
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Working Undergraduate Catalog 2026-2027

Biochemistry (BS)

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The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biochemistry is a comprehensive undergraduate program of intensive course work in chemistry and biochemistry with a laboratory emphasis. It provides for flexibility in the selection of in-depth biology course electives to complement the rigorous chemistry foundation of the program.

Please see the UNLV College of Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry web page for information about department programs, faculty and facilities. Degree worksheets and 4/5 year plan for the major are available on the UNLV Degrees Directory.

Advising

Please see advising information at the UNLV College of Sciences Advising Center.

Accreditation

For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please head over to Academic Program Accreditations.

Transfer Policy

Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics transfer courses require a minimum grade of C to satisfy major requirements.

University Graduation Requirements

Please see Graduation Policies  for complete information.

Biochemistry (BS) Degree Requirements - Total Credits: 120

General Education Requirements - Credits: 33-36

First-Year Seminar - Credits: 2-3

English Composition - Credits: 6

 

Second-Year Seminar - Credits: 3

 

Constitutions - Credits: 3-6

Mathematics - Credits: 0

  • Automatically satisfied by Major requirements

Distribution Requirements - Credits: 18-19

Please see Distribution Requirements  for more information

Humanities and Fine Arts - Credits: 9
  • Two courses 3 credits each from two different humanities areas - 6 credits
  • One course in fine arts- 3 credits
Social Science - Credits: 9
  • One course each from three different fields
Natural Science and Analytical Thinking - Credits: 0
  • Automatically satisfied by Major requirements

Multicultural and International - Credits: 0-6

  • Multicultural, one 3 credit course required
  • International, one 3 credit course required

These courses may overlap with general education and major requirements.  A single course may not meet the multicultural and international requirements simultaneously. List of approved Multicultural and International courses.

Major Requirements - BS in Biochemistry - Credits: 86

Mathematics Core - Credits: 8

Physics Core - Credits: 8

(See Note 1)

Biology Core - Credits: 12

Biology Upper-Division Electives - Credits: 10

Make certain the prerequisites for each course selected are met before registration, some prerequisites may not be among those courses listed.

Chemistry Core - Credits: 48

General Electives: 0-2 Credits

The number of general electives necessary for each student varies based on how many credits a student uses to satisfy the requirements identified above. The minimum credits required to earn a degree from College of Sciences is 120.

Total Credits: 120

 

Notes

  1. The following are physics sequences can substitute for PHYS 151A , PHYS 151L , PHYS 152A  and PHYS 152L :
  2. At least 40 credits must be earned at the upper-division level (300 and above).
  3. CHEM 355  and CHEM 355L  are Milestone Experience courses for Biochemistry B.S.

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