Biochemistry (B.S.)/Medicinal Chemistry (B.S.) - STEM Designated
Chicago, USA
DURATION
126 up to 138 Hours
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
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STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
Earn bachelor’s degrees in both biochemistry and medicinal chemistry through this new dual degree program.
The newly-launched Biochemistry (B.S.)/Medicinal Chemistry (B.S.) dual degree helps students hone expertise in two complementary fields of study, leading to expanded career and educational possibilities. Graduates of this program will possess a strong knowledge of both the biomolecular processes and chemical reactions occurring in living organisms and systems, as well as an advanced understanding of drug design, drug synthesis, and pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis. The B.S. in Medicinal Chemistry is also the only program of its kind in Illinois, and one of just a handful in the country, making this dual degree a rare opportunity for a highly-customized education.
Students will be immersed in theoretical and laboratory courses and will conduct cutting-edge research under the direction of our faculty, paving the way for careers in clinics, research, and biotechnology. This dual degree is also well-suited for students planning to attend medical school and/or pursue a graduate degree. Featured courses include biochemistry, cell biology, chemistry, human biology, genetics, microbiology, and more. Students will also study the application of biological, chemical, and data science to computer-aided design, synthesis, evaluation, and analysis of structurally diverse drugs for the detection, treatment, and cure of human diseases.
Program Overview
This new dual degree offers students a competitive edge and expanded career and educational possibilities through its in-depth focus on the complementary fields of biochemistry and medicinal chemistry.
Why Illinois Tech is one of the best value universities in the country
As an Illinois Tech student, you’ll automatically be considered for our university’s generous institutional scholarships. On average, this adds up to a savings of $107,472 on tuition and housing for every student during your four years at Illinois Tech ($134,340 for five years, based on fall 2021 figures).
We’re committed to dramatically reducing the cost of your degree, so you can focus on learning at one of the most dynamic and innovation-driven universities in the country.
Want some more great reasons?
- On top of our institutional scholarship, on average, Illinois Tech awards our students an additional $34,412 each in need-based tuition aid over four years ($43,015 for five years). (among FAFSA filers, fall 2021)
- We’re the #44 Best Value School in the nation (U.S. News & World Report)
- 98% of our students receive some form of financial aid
- The mean starting salary of our undergraduates is $63,938
Gallery
Facilities
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Curriculum
Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
Required Courses
Biology Requirements ---- ---- (34-35)
- BIOL 100 ---- ---- Introduction to Profession ---- ---- 2
- BIOL 107 ---- ---- General Biology Lecture ---- ---- 3
- BIOL 109 ---- ---- General Biology Lab ---- ---- 1
- BIOL 115 ---- ---- Human Biology ---- ---- 3
- BIOL 117 ---- ---- Human Biology Lab ---- ---- 1
- BIOL 210 ---- ---- Microbiology ---- ---- 3
- BIOL 214 ---- ---- Genetics ---- ---- 3
- BIOL 401 ---- ---- Introductory Biochemistry ---- ---- 3
- BIOL 402 ---- ---- Metabolic Biochemistry ---- ---- 3
- BIOL 404 ---- ---- Biochemistry Laboratory ---- ---- 3
- BIOL 445 ---- ---- Cell Biology ---- ---- 3
Select one course from the following: ---- ---- 3
- BIOL 431 ---- ---- Animal Physiology Laboratory ---- ---- 3
- BIOL 446 ---- ---- Cell Biology Laboratory ---- ---- 3
- BIOL 455 ---- ---- Macromolecular Techniques ---- ---- 3
- BIOL 451 ---- ---- Biological Literature ---- ---- 2-3
or
- CHEM 451 ---- ---- Undergraduate Seminar ---- ---- 2-3
- BIOL 495 ---- ---- Biology Colloquium ---- ---- 1
Chemistry Requirements (27-28)
- CHEM 124 ---- ---- Principle of Chemistry I with Lab ---- ---- 4
- CHEM 125 ---- ---- Principle of Chemistry II with Lab ---- ---- 4
- CHEM 237 ---- ---- Organic Chemistry I ---- ---- 4
- CHEM 239 ---- ---- Organic Chemistry II ---- ---- 3
- CHEM 240 ---- ---- Organic Chemistry Lab ---- ---- 2
- CHEM 247 ---- ---- Analytical Chemistry ---- ---- 3
- CHEM 343 ---- ---- Physical Chemistry I ---- ---- 3
- CHEM 344 ---- ---- Physical Chemistry II ---- ---- 3-4
or
- CHEM 438 ---- ---- Physical Biochemistry ---- ---- 3-4
- CHEM 485 ---- ---- Chemistry Colloquium ---- ---- 1
Biochemistry Technical Electives ---- ---- (11)
Select 11 credit hours from the following courses: ---- ---- 11
- BIOL 225 ---- ---- Microbiology Laboratory ---- ---- 2
- FDSN 401 ---- ---- Nutrition, Metabolism & Health ---- ---- 3
- MATH 252 ---- ---- Introduction to Differential Equations ---- ---- 4
- PHYS 410 ---- ---- Molecular Biophysics ---- ---- 3
Any 300+ level BIOL or CHEM course ---- ---- 3
Physics Requirements (8)
- PHYS 123 ---- ---- General Physics I: Mechanics ---- ---- 4
- PHYS 221 ---- ---- General Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism ---- ---- 4
Mathematics Requirements (17)
- MATH 151 ---- ---- Calculus I ---- ---- 5
- MATH 152 ---- ---- Calculus II ---- ---- 5
- MATH 251 ---- ---- Multivariate & Vector Calculus ---- ---- 4
- MATH 425 ---- ---- Statistical Methods ---- ---- 3
Computer Science Requirement (2)
- CS 105 ---- ---- Introduction to Computer Programming ---- ---- 2
or
- CS 110 ---- ---- Computing Principles ---- ---- 2
or
- CS 115 ---- ---- Object-Oriented Programming I ---- ---- 2
Interprofessional Projects (IPRO) ---- ---- (6)
See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, section E ---- ---- 6
Humanities and Social Science Requirements ---- ---- (21)
See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, sections B and C ---- ---- 21
Total Credit Hours ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 126-128
Bachelor of Science in Medicinal Chemistry
Required Courses
Medicinal Chemistry Requirements ---- ---- (51)
- CHEM 100 ---- ---- Introduction to the Profession ---- ---- 2
- CHEM 124 ---- ---- Principle of Chemistry I with Lab ---- ---- 4
- CHEM 125 ---- ---- Principle of Chemistry II with Lab ---- ---- 4
- CHEM 237 ---- ---- Organic Chemistry I ---- ---- 4
- CHEM 239 ---- ---- Organic Chemistry II ---- ---- 3
- CHEM 240 ---- ---- Organic Chemistry Lab ---- ---- 2
- CHEM 247 ---- ---- Analytical Chemistry ---- ---- 3
- CHEM 321 ---- ---- Instrumental Analysis ---- ---- 4
- CHEM 343 ---- ---- Physical Chemistry I ---- ---- 3
- CHEM 344 ---- ---- Physical Chemistry II ---- ---- 4
- CHEM 415 ---- ---- Inorganic Chemistry ---- ---- 3
- CHEM 434 ---- ---- Specifications of methods in Id and Analysis ---- ---- 4
- CHEM 456 ---- ---- Computational Biochemistry/Drug Design ---- ---- 3
- CHEM 463 ---- ---- Analytical Method Develop Lab ---- ---- 3
- CHEM 467 ---- ---- Medicinal Chemistry ---- ---- 3
- CHEM 485 ---- ---- Chemistry Colloquium ---- ---- 1
- CHEM 495 ---- ---- Seminar in Special Topics ---- ---- 1
Medicinal Chemistry Electives ---- ---- (6)
Select two courses from the following: ---- ---- 6
- CHEM 416 ---- ---- Advanced Chemistry Lab ---- ---- 3
- CHEM 452 ---- ---- Cheminformatics ---- ---- 3
- CHEM 455 ---- ---- Advanced Organic Chemistry ---- ---- 3
- CHEM 460 ---- ---- Bioanalytical Chemistry ---- ---- 3
- CHEM 461 ---- ---- Bioanalytical Chemistry Lab ---- ---- 3
- CHEM 473 ---- ---- Environmental Analytical Chem ---- ---- 3
- CHEM 476 ---- ---- Forensic Chemistry Laboratory ---- ---- 3
- CHEM 513 ---- ---- Chemometrics & Statistics ---- ---- 3
- CHEM 538 ---- ---- Physical Biochemistry ---- ---- 3
Biology Requirements (6-7)
- BIOL 107 ---- ---- Biology Lecture ---- ---- 3
or
- BIOL 115 ---- ---- Human Biology ---- ---- 3
- BIOL 401 ---- ---- Introductory Biochemistry ---- ---- 3-4
or
- BIOL 403 ---- ---- Biochemistry ---- ---- 3-4
Mathematics Requirements ---- ---- (18)
- MATH 151 ---- ---- Calculus I ---- ---- 5
- MATH 152 ---- ---- Calculus II ---- ---- 5
- MATH 251 ---- ---- Multivariate & Vector Calculus ---- ---- 4
- MATH 252 ---- ---- Introduction to Differential Equations ---- ---- 4
Physics Requirements ---- ---- (8)
- PHYS 123 ---- ---- General Physics I: Mechanics ---- ---- 4
- PHYS 221 ---- ---- General Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism ---- ---- 4
Computer Science Requirement ---- ---- (2)
- CS 105 ---- ---- Introduction to Computer Programming ---- ---- 2
or
- CS 110 ---- ---- Computing Principles ---- ---- 2
Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements ---- ---- (21)
See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, sections B and C ---- ---- 21
Interprofessional Projects (IPRO) ---- ---- (6)
See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, section E ---- ---- 6
Free Electives ---- ---- (9)
Select nine credit hours1 ---- ---- 9
Total Credit Hours ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 127-128
1Suggested electives include BIOL 210, BIOL 445, BIOL 514, BIOL 527, BIOL 550, ITMD 521, ITMD 525, and ITMD 527.
Career Opportunities
Degrees in biochemistry and medicinal chemistry offer a wide range of career possibilities in addition to serving as a springboard to graduate-level education and careers in academia, such as:
- Biochemist
- Health care scientist
- Laboratory technician
- Molecular biologist
- Toxicologist
- Biotechnologist
- Chemical engineer
- Health care scientist
- Pharmacologist
- Research scientist