Biochemistry

A bachelor's degree in biochemistry at UC Riverside allows three emphases depending on the professional or academic goals of the individual student—biology, chemistry, and medical sciences. Both B.A. and B.S. degrees can be achieved for this major. Our students benefit from substantial financial backing, with 85% of our undergraduates receiving some financial aid, and 70% receiving full fee coverage through grants and scholarships. Additionally, many undergraduates are involved in various on-campus research opportunities. Research within the department spans fields from molecular biology, physical biochemistry, molecular endocrinology, plant biochemistry & molecular biology, signal transduction, and biomedical research. In addition to the option of conducting interdisciplinary research with cooperating faculty, the recent addition of the School of Medicine allows more opportunities than ever for students to further their laboratory and research knowledge while pursuing their bachelor's degree. Students completing their degree can expect a solid foundation for those interested in pursuing professional degrees in the health sciences, graduate school in the sciences, or alternative science careers.

The three emphases areas within the Biochemistry major are Chemistry, Biology, and Medical Sciences. The Biology and Chemistry emphases are for students interested in postgraduate education or employment in the basic areas of the discipline of Biochemistry. The goal of the Medical Sciences emphasis is to prepare students for admission to postbaccalaureate education in the health professions. The Biology, Chemistry, and Medical Sciences emphases focus on the development of laboratory and critical thinking skills, and hands-on laboratory experience. In addition, participation in an independent research project (BCH 197) or research tutorial (BCH 190), carried out under the supervision of a faculty member, is encouraged. Internships in industry (BCH 198-I) are also available, and often lead to valuable job experience and employment opportunities. The department offers both B.A. and B.S. degrees. The major and emphasis requirements are the same for both, and most students choose the B.S. degree. The B.A. degree requires 12 additional units of Humanities and Social Sciences courses, and 16 units or a course 4 equivalency level of a foreign language 

• BCH 010 Introduction to Nutrition (4) Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): none. Introduction to the biological basis of human nutrition in the context of plant-animal-microorganism cycles and the characteristics of different food classes. The effects of nutritional needs, food availability, and the expanding human population are discussed. Students record and evaluate their own diet.
• BCH 095 Topics in Biochemistry for Career Planning (1) Seminar, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): lower-division standing in Biochemistry. Topics include analysis of academic aspects of career goals and options; curriculum planning; undergraduate research opportunities; preparation for postgraduate education; laboratory experiences and evaluation of data; ethics in education and research; research problems in contemporary biochemistry; and modern experimental approaches in biochemistry. Graded Satisfactory (S) or No Credit (NC). Credit is awarded for only one of BCH 095, NASC 091, or NASC 093.
• BCH 096 Introduction to Humanitarian and Healthcare Service (1) Lecture, 8 hours per quarter; consultation, 2 hours per quarter. Prerequisite(s): a major in Biochemistry with an emphasis in Medical Sciences. Acquaints students with opportunities for volunteer activities in the humanitarian and healthcare arenas in southern California. Provides students with the opportunity to validate their commitment to a career in the healthcare arena. Requires a term paper. Graded Satisfactory (S) or No Credit (NC).
• BCH 097 Research Tutorial in Biochemistry (1) Laboratory, 3 hours. Prerequisite(s): lower-division standing, minimum grade point average of 3.5, approval of undergraduate advisor and consent of instructor. Laboratory tutorial in Biochemistry. To provide biochemistry laboratory experience for exceptional lower-division students. A written report is required at the end of each quarter. Graded Satisfactory (S) or No Credit (NC). Course is repeatable to a maximum of 3 units.
• BCH 098-I Individual Internship in a Humanitarian or Healthcare Arena (1) Internship, 3 hours; term paper, 10 hours per quarter. Prerequisite(s): a major in Biochemistry with an emphasis in Medical Sciences; BCH 096. Gives Biochemistry majors with a Medical Sciences emphasis real-world experience providing community service in a humanitarian or healthcare arena. Requires a written report. Graded Satisfactory (S) or No Credit (NC). Course is repeatable to a maximum of 2 units. Upper-Division Courses
• BCH 100 Elementary Biochemistry (4) Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): BIOL 005A, with grade of “C-” or better, CHEM 12C with grade of “C-” or better (CHEM 12C may be taken concurrently). Introduction to chemistry and molecular biology of living organisms based on a study of the structure, function, and metabolism of small molecules and macromolecules of biological significance. Examines selected animals, plants, and microorganisms to develop a general understanding of structure-function relationships, enzyme action, regulation, bioenergetics, intermediary metabolism, and molecular biology. Credit is not awarded for BCH 100 if a grade of C- or higher has been awarded previously in BCH 110A, BCH 110B or BCH 110C.
• BCH 101 Introductory Biochemistry Laboratory (3) Lecture, 1 hour; discussion, 1 hour; laboratory, 3 hours. Prerequisite(s): CHEM 12A or CHEM 12HA with grade of “C-” or better (CHEM 12A or CHEM 12HA may be taken concurrently); or consent of instructor. Introduces basic biochemistry wet laboratory techniques for biological samples. Includes micropipetting, volumetric relationships, dilutions, pH measurement, buffer preparation, spectrophotometry, gel permeation chromatography, and ion-exchange chromatography. Explores the use of molecular graphics for investigation of macromolecular structure-function relationships.
• BCH 110A General Biochemistry (4) Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): BIOL 005A; CHEM 12C (or CHEM 12HC) with grades of “C-” or better. Considers the structure and function of biological molecules including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids.
• BCH 110B General Biochemistry (4) Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): BCH 110A with a grade of “C-” or better or consent of instructor. Consideration of metabolic pathways including mechanisms and regulation of catabolism, anabolism, and bioenergetics in living organisms.
• BCH 110C General Biochemistry (4) Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): BCH 100 with a grade of “C-” or better or BCH 110B with a grade of “C-” or better or consent of instructor; BIOL 102 or consent of instructor. Considers regulation of gene expression, genome replication, recombination, and repair.
• BCH 111 Molecular Biology and Genomics of Human Disease Vectors (3) Lecture, 2 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): BCH 110C or BIOL 107A. Covers molecular biology and genomics of human disease vectors, predominantly insects. Analyzes molecular aspects of immunity, blood digestion, reproduction, and other systems specific to arthropod vectors. Explores recent advances in vector-pathogen interactions and their potentials for control. Satisfactory (S) or No Credit (NC) grading is not available. Cross-listed with ENTM 111. Raikhel
• BCH 120 Topics in Human Biochemistry (4) Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): BCH 100 with a grade of “C+” or better or BCH 110B with a grade of “C-” or better or consent of instructor. Lectures on biochemical and molecular aspects of modern endocrinology, nutrition, metabolic diseases, and blood chemistry. Emphasis is on relation of the above topics to medicine. The discussion sections are used for presentations on topical medical problems.
• BCH 153 Plant Genomics and Biotechnology Laboratory (4) Lecture, 1 hour; discussion, 1 hour; laboratory, 6 hours. Prerequisite(s): BCH 110C or BIOL 107A; upper-division standing; consent of instructor. A study of modern techniques in plant genome modification. Topics include nucleic acid cloning and sequencing; plant tissue culture and genetic transformation; controlled-environment plant growth; gene mapping; and germplasm collections. Also explores the history of plant biotechnology; economic, agricultural, nutritional, medicinal, and societal relevance; and regulatory issues. Cross-listed with BIOL 153 and BPSC 153.
• BCH 162 Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory (5) Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 9 hours. Prerequisite(s): BCH 101; BCH 110B, BCH 110C all with grades of “C-” or better, or consent of instructor. Advanced biochemistry laboratory techniques including modern methods of protein engineering, purification, and characterization, enzyme assays, principles of various types of column chromatography, SDS gel and other methods of electrophoresis, centrifugation, and crystallization. Most experiments include quantitative reasoning through data manipulation, numerical sumulations, parametric evaluation, and detailed laboratory reports. Satisfactory (S) or No Credit (NC) grading is not available.
• BCH 180 (E-Z) Advanced Methods in Biochemistry (2) F, W Lecture, 1 hour; seminar, 1 hour; term paper, .5 hours; extra reading, 2 hours. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing, concurrent enrollment in BCH 197 or equivalent or BCH 110C with grade of “C-” or better or BIOL 107A with grade of “C-” or better; or consent of instructor. An introduction and discussion of the experimental approaches and modern techniques in the study of cell growth regulation, signal transduction, and cell death in cancer. E. Gene Regulation; F. Chromatin Research; G. Cell Signaling; I. Structural Biology; J. Biophysical Chemistry; K. Cryoelectron Microscopy; M. Biological Structure/Function; N. Genome Stability; O. Genomics and Proteomics; P. Regulation of Protein Synthesis; Q. Stem Cell Biology; R. Epigenetics; S. Molecular Biology of Genetic Diseases; T. Biochemistry of Development and Aging; U. Biochemistry of Stress Responses. Course is repeatable as content changes to a maximum of 6 units.
• BCH 183 Plant Biochemistry and Pharmacology of Plant Metabolites (4) Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): BCH 110A, BCH 110B; or BCH 100; or consent of instructor. Explores plant biochemistry and the significance of plant metabolites in medicine and pharmacology. Focuses on biotechnology, medicinal plants, and plant-derived drugs as well as the biochemical and pharmacological mode-of-action of secondary plant metabolites. Also addresses plant-specific biochemical processes such as photosynthesis. Cross-listed with BPSC 183.
• BCH 184 Topics in Physical Biochemistry (4) Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): BCH 100 with a grade of “C-” or better or BCH 110A with a grade of “C-” or better; BIEN 135 with grade of “C-” or better, or CHEM 109 with grade of “C-” or better or CHEM 110A with grade of “C-” or better; or consent of instructor. Explores modern biophysical methods determining the structures of biological macromolecules and relating structure to function. Covers x-ray crystallography, NMR, and cryoelectron microscopy. Addresses imaging and mass spectometry for determining structure and ultraviolet, visible, infrared, RAMAN, fluorescence, NMR, EPR, and other forms of spectroscopy for relating macromolecular structure to function.
• BCH 186 Topics in Molecular Bioenergetics (3) Lecture, 3 hours. Prerequisite(s): BCH 100 with a grade of “C-” or better or BCH 110B with a grade of “C-” or better; BCH 184 with a grade of “C-” or better; or consent of instructor. Introduction to biological energy transduction. Describes the coupling of oxidative phosphorylation and photosynthesis to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis and the coupling of ATP hydrolysis to ion transport, chemotaxis, molecular motors, biomimetics, and other biological processes on the basis of recent structural and mechanistic studies of the protein complexes involved.
• BCH 187 Fundamentals of Enzymology (3) Lecture, 3 hours. Prerequisite(s): BCH 100 or BCH 110A with a grade of C- or better. An introduction to the fundamental principles of enzymology. Specific topics include, acid-base catalysis, strain effects, transition state theory, enzyme kinetics (including isotope effects), enzyme dynamics and enzyme regulation. Considers in detail the reactions of several representative enzymes.
• BCH 189 Advanced Analysis of Biochemical Methods (2) Lecture, 1 hour; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): senior standing in a Biochemistry major, concurrent enrollment in BCH 162, and consent of instructor. Working with a faculty mentor, students investigate the use of a set of biochemical methods through research of the original literature. Includes a term paper that summarizes the current state of the technology/methodology of interest. Satisfactory (S) or No Credit (NC) grading is not available. 117 / Programs and Courses
• BCH 190 Special Studies (2-4) Individual study, 6-16 hours. Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing and consent of instructor. Literature review and tutorial in select modern biochemical topics. Course is repeatable. BCH 197 Research for Undergraduate Students (1-4) Prerequisite(s): junior status and consent of the instructor. Directed research and preparation of written report. Course is repeatable.
• BCH 198-I Internship in Biochemistry (1-12) Internship, 3-36 hours. Prerequisite(s): BCH 101, consent of instructor, upper-division standing. An internship to provide on-the-job biochemical experience in government, industrial, or clinical laboratories. Each individual project must be approved by the Biochemistry Department and the laboratory director where the internship is to be carried out. A written report is required. Graded Satisfactory (S) or No Credit (NC). Course is repeatable to a maximum of 12 units

Requirements

Applicants must complete a rigorous college preparatory program that includes the following academic subject requirements:

• History/Social Science: 2 years
• English/Language of School Instruction: 4 years
• Mathematics: 3 years (4 years recommended)
• Laboratory Science: 2 years (3 years recommended)
• Foreign Language (English must be the foreign language studied if it was not the language of instruction.): 2 years (3 years recommended)
• Visual and Performing Arts: 1 year
• College-Preparatory Elective: 1 year

UC Riverside is aware that not all educational systems include academic courses in these areas, which will be taken into consideration during the application review.

• The applicant must earn a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale, equivalent to an 85 percent on a 100 percent scale. The assessment of a qualifying GPA is based on “a-g” courses completed in 10th and 11th grades.
• If the secondary school offers a different curriculum, the applicant’s academic achievement will be based on that educational system’s grading scale.
• The ACT with Writing or the SAT Reasoning Test must be taken no later than December of the final year of secondary school.

English Language Proficiency

If English is not the applicant’s native language, or the language of instruction at the applicant’s school, then they must demonstrate English proficiency through one of the following options:

• Pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 80 or higher (iBT).
• Pass the International English Testing Language System (IELTS) with a score of 6.5 or higher.
• Achieve a score of 560 or higher on the “Writing” section of the SAT Reasoning Test.
• Achieve a score of 3, 4 or 5 on the AP Exam in English Language and Composition or English Literature and Composition.
• Achieve a score of 5, 6 or 7 on the International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level Examination in English (Language A).
• Complete a transferable college course in English Composition with a C grade or better.

Also

• Academic records
• Test scores
• Estimated household income (optional)
• Citizenship status
• Application payment method

Answer Personal Insight Questions

• The personal insight questions are an opportunity for applicants to tell us about themselves in their own words, and an opportunity for us to get to know them better.
• Freshmen must answer four out of eight questions.
• Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.
• Applicants should draft their answers in a word processing program first, then copy and paste them into the UC application. (Applicants are automatically logged out of the UC application after 30 minutes.)
• The personal insight questions are just one part that we consider when making our admission decision. The important thing is that applicants express who they are, what matters to them and what they want to share with UCR!

Scholarships

• Arthur and Jane Riggs Chancellor's Scholarships in Science
• CNAS Regents & Chancellor's Scholarship Fund
• John and Elizabeth Leonard Regent's Scholarship in Science
• Lynn & Sally Gref Regent's Scholarship in Science