Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, BS

Introduction

Biochemistry/Molecular Biology (BCMB) represents a rapidly growing discipline that bridges the chemical and biological sciences. It focuses on how cells solve various biological problems and the role of chemical components. Knowledge of this field is imperative for those interested in various medical professions. The program offerings as well as the faculty expertise reflect the combined chemical and biological basis for this field. Since it is such an experimental science, the program emphasizes laboratory skills, use of instruments and research skills to prepare students for employment or for study toward a variety of advanced degrees. American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) has accredited the BCMB major. In addition, graduates have the opportunity to earn certification by this organization. Refer to the ASBMB website for more information about accreditation. For students interested in attending pharmacy school, there is an articulation agreement with the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers that allows students the opportunity to earn an advanced degree in pharmacy combined with a baccalaureate degree from Stockton.  This program is only open to high school seniors who meet certain admission criteria. 

 Admission to the Program

All interested students are welcome. Mathematics provides tools and a foundation to our science programs. Before students can begin science courses as a biochemistry major, they must demonstrate math readiness in ONE of the following ways.

• SAT MATH score of 570 or above.

• ACT MATH score of 24 or above.

• Transfer of college-level algebra course (or college-level Precalculus/Calculus).

• AP scores (refer to the AP credits policy) 

• 4 and 5 on the Calculus AB test place students into Calculus II.

• 4 and 5 on the Calculus BC test place students into Calculus III.

• Accuplacer Advanced Algebra score of 260 or above.

• Successfully complete a sequence of math courses at Stockton to become eligible to take Pre-calculus.

Stockton University stands ready to assist students without this math preparation to develop a strong math foundation with our introductory and intermediate courses in Mathematics. These math courses are in addition to the courses required to complete a degree in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology and may require additional time for a student to complete their degree. A student with math preparatory needs may have to take math courses during summer to expedite progress toward the degree.

Students are encouraged to take at least three years of high school mathematics as well as college preparatory science including biology, chemistry and physics. The development of oral and written communication skills is also encouraged. It is advisable to be assigned to a preceptor in the major early at Stockton.

Graduation Requirements

In addition to the University’s general education requirements, students must meet the graduation requirements for a B.S. in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology (BCMB). The curriculum includes introductory courses in biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics as well as intermediate and advanced courses in biochemistry, biology and chemistry. The culmination is the senior project or internship. In some cases, the senior project or internship may require more than one semester to complete, and students are encouraged to begin planning early and allow ample time for completion. All students will make an oral presentation of the Senior Project or Internship at a Senior Symposium, as well as submit a written report.

The minimum requirement for the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology is 80 credits of program and cognate courses. These program credits, in combination with the University’s General Studies requirements and At-Some-Distance (ASD) courses, constitute the minimum of 128 credits necessary for a Stockton degree. University’s General Studies course requirements include the G-course distribution (32 credits), W, Q, and R course requirements and AHVI attributes. For details on General Studies requirements, visit the relevant section in this Bulletin. The ASD course requirement for the B.S. degree is 16 credits. These courses are not directly related to the program and include G-courses or courses from other programs. W, Q, R and AHVI requirements could be met via G-course requirements, program course requirements, or ASD course requirements. Courses should be chosen carefully with frequent guidance from preceptor, to meet graduation requirements and each student’s career goals. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all graduation requirements are met in a timely manner.

In order to be able to graduate, a student must meet all University graduation requirements, including a minimum overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0. University requirements for graduation can also be found in the relevant section of this Bulletin. Special graduation requirements apply to transfer students as detailed in the relevant pages of this Bulletin. All Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NAMS) majors are required to meet a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 in all NAMS courses. In addition, a student must satisfy the Biochemistry/Molecular Biology program course distribution requirements and have a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in BCMB and cognate courses. Additionally, a minimum grade of C is required for all program core courses. 

Students are expected to meet prerequisites specified for each required course. Students with deficiencies in incoming preparation may need to take additional courses as prerequisites, which may or may not count toward the degree requirements. Some transfer students may take longer to fulfill degree requirements. Also, continuously maintaining good standing as a student, including academic achievements and code of conduct as per university requirements, is imperative to the success of a student in any major. 

Graduation with Distinction

Those with GPA of 3.5 in the BCMB major will be considered for graduation with distinction by the BCMB faculty members. Additional considerations include demonstrated excellence in research as determined by BCMB program faculty as well as completion of the national assessment test (currently, the ASBMB certification exam). 

Special Opportunities

For the senior research project, students have the opportunity to conduct research on campus in the laboratory of a faculty member. This might result in publication of work as well as presentation at a conference. There are several sources of financial support for students to attend conferences. For the senior internship, students may choose to perform off-campus work in government, university or industrial laboratories. Examples of these have included regional internships at the Federal Aviation Administration Technical Center and State Police Crime Lab as well as research projects carried out by students through the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates program. Students can apply for this program and be paid a stipend to carry out a research project at a university. In addition, Stockton’s Washington Internship program offers opportunities for placement in institutions such as National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation and Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital. Academic credit will be granted for such experience, provided it contributes significantly to the student’s intellectual development. Another outstanding opportunity is participation in Stockton’s International Education experience.

Stockton also has an articulation agreement with the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers, The State University, so that students can complete courses in the BCMB major for two or three years and then transfer to Rutgers to complete a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. Students apply as seniors in high school and earn a B.S. degree in BCMB from Stockton and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Rutgers. There is a selective admissions process with specified requirements for those students accepted into the dual-degree program with the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers. Certain requirements must be met in order to be accepted and students can only apply in their senior year of high school. Application deadline for the dual degree application is November 30.

All BCMB graduates are expected to take a national exam from American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. With a high enough score, ASBMB accredits the degree of the student. This opportunity is only available to students in majors that have been accredited by ASBMB and is contingent upon funding.

 BCMB does not offer a minor. BCMB majors cannot minor in either chemistry or biology.

 BCMB majors cannot double-major in biology. 

Curriculum

It is essential in this major that students complete the lower-level courses in Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics in a timely fashion. Four semesters of chemistry (Chemistry I through Chemistry IV), three semesters of Biology (Biodiversity and Evolution along with Cells and Molecules, and Genetics) and Calculus I should be completed in the first two years. All of these courses are offered every semester and there is some flexibility in the order of chemistry courses. Consult the prerequisites for chemistry courses for more information. The curriculum allows much more flexibility in the junior and senior years. 

Career Opportunities

Students who earn degrees in this field have a variety of options for employment or higher education. Students with a degree in this field could also pursue advanced study in Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy among others.  Another option is to complete an advanced graduate degree in a variety of fields such as biochemistry, microbiology, or chemistry among others.  Some graduates elect to seek employment with their bachelor’s degrees and have found opportunities in pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries among others.  Other graduates have become high school teachers as the BCMB curriculum is well matched for certification to teach both Biology and Chemistry at the high school level. 

Full degree curriculum and transfer audits for the biochemistry/molecular biology program can be explored using the Degree Works web-based tool. Full details about the curriculum are accessible on the BCMB website.