Biochemistry, B.S. to Chemical Biology, Master's Accelerated Program
Saint Louis University's bachelor's-to-master's program in chemical biology provides a strong foundation in chemistry and branches out into medicinal chemistry, pharmacology and molecular biology.
A five-year course schedule is provided to SLU undergraduates that demonstrates how to complete the undergraduate B.S. degree in biochemistry or biology together with a master’s degree in chemical biology. The master’s degree can either be a coursework-based M.A. degree or a thesis-based M.S. degree. This program provides excellent preparation for a career in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.
For additional information, see the catalog entries for the following SLU programs:
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry has been continuously certified by the American Chemical Society since 2004.
Existing SLU undergraduates pursuing a B.S. in biochemistry may apply to the accelerated bachelor’s-master’s (ABM) program after completing 75 credits (typically during the spring semester of their third year) if they have a GPA of 3.00 or higher, commensurate with the admission standards for the master’s program in chemical biology. The application will include a personal statement and three letters of support, of which at least two must be from members of the SLU faculty.
If accepted into the program, students who have completed 90 undergraduate credits (typically during their fourth year) may apply up to 15 credits of graduate-level courses (5000-level and up) towards both the undergraduate and graduate degree requirements, assuming a grade of "B" or better. Students targeting a coursework-based M.A. degree will be mentored by the chemical biology program coordinator. Students targeting a thesis-based M.S. will take CHEB-5110 in the summer after having completed 90 credits (typically between years three and four) and select a research mentor.
Prior to 120 credits, students enrolled in the program will need to adhere to the continuation standards of their undergraduate major. After 120 credits (typically the fifth year), the chemical biology master’s level program continuation requirements apply.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
M.A. in Chemical Biology Option
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
Critical course: BIOL 1240 & BIOL 1245 |
General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution and Principles of Biology I Laboratory |
4 |
Critical course: CHEM 1130 & CHEM 1115 |
General Chemistry 1 for Majors and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory |
4 |
MATH 1510 | Calculus I | 4 |
Core course | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Critical course: BIOL 1260 & BIOL 1265 |
General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter and Principles of Biology II Laboratory |
4 |
Critical course: CHEM 1140 & CHEM 1125 |
General Chemistry 2 for Majors and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory |
4 |
MATH 1520 | Calculus II | 4 |
Core course | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
Critical course: CHEM 2200 & CHEM 2205 |
Analytical Chemistry 1 and Analytical Chemistry 1 Laboratory |
4 |
Critical course: CHEM 2430 & CHEM 2435 |
Organic Chemistry 1 for Majors and Organic Chemistry 1 Lab for Majors |
4 |
Critical course: PHYS 1310 & PHYS 1320 |
College Physics I and College Physics I Laboratory |
4 |
Core course | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Critical course: CHEM 2440 & CHEM 2445 |
Organic Chemistry 2 for Majors and Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory for Majors |
4 |
Critical course: PHYS 1330 & PHYS 1340 |
College Physics II and College Physics II Laboratory |
4 |
Core courses | 6 | |
Credits | 14 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
CHEB 3970 | Independent Research in Chemical Biology | 1-3 |
CHEM 3100 | The Chemical Literature | 1 |
CHEM 3330 | Physical Chemistry 1 | 3 |
Critical course: CHEM 4610 & CHEM 4615 |
Biochemistry 1 and Biochemistry 1 Laboratory |
4 |
Core courses | 6 | |
Credits | 15-17 | |
Spring | ||
CHEB 3970 | Independent Research in Chemical Biology | 1-3 |
Critical course: CHEM 3340 & CHEM 3345 |
Physical Chemistry 2 and Physical Chemistry Laboratory |
4 |
Critical course: CHEM 4620 & CHEM 4625 |
Biochemistry 2 and Biochemistry 2 Laboratory |
4 |
Core courses | 6 | |
Credits | 15-17 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
CHEB 3970 | Independent Research in Chemical Biology | 1-3 |
CHEM 5630 | Introduction to Chemical Biology and Biotechnology | 3 |
BIOL 3030 | Principles of Genetics | 3 |
CHEM 5500 or CHEM 4500 |
Inorganic Chemistry or Inorganic Chemistry |
3 |
Core courses | 6 | |
Credits | 16-18 | |
Spring | ||
CHEB 3970 | Independent Research in Chemical Biology | 1-3 |
CHEM 5470 | Medicinal Chemistry | 3 |
PPY 5410 | Molecular Pharmacology | 3 |
Elective or Core courses (if needed) | 9 | |
Credits | 16-18 | |
Summer | ||
CHEB 5980 | Graduate Independent Study in Chemical Biology | 3 |
Credits | 3 | |
Year Five | ||
Fall | ||
CHEB 5970 | Research Topics | 3 |
BIOL 5700 | Advanced Molecular Biology | 3 |
Graduate Elective † | 3 | |
Credits | 9 | |
Spring | ||
Oral Examination | ||
Critical course: Graduate Electives † | 9 | |
Credits | 9 | |
Total Credits | 142-150 |
M.S. in Chemical Biology Option
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
Critical course: BIOL 1240 & BIOL 1245 |
General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution and Principles of Biology I Laboratory |
4 |
Critical course: CHEM 1130 & CHEM 1115 |
General Chemistry 1 for Majors and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory |
4 |
MATH 1510 | Calculus I | 4 |
Core course | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Critical course: BIOL 1260 & BIOL 1265 |
General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter and Principles of Biology II Laboratory |
4 |
Critical course: CHEM 1140 & CHEM 1125 |
General Chemistry 2 for Majors and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory |
4 |
MATH 1520 | Calculus II | 4 |
Core course | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
Critical course: CHEM 2200 & CHEM 2205 |
Analytical Chemistry 1 and Analytical Chemistry 1 Laboratory |
4 |
Critical course: CHEM 2430 & CHEM 2435 |
Organic Chemistry 1 for Majors and Organic Chemistry 1 Lab for Majors |
4 |
Critical course: PHYS 1310 & PHYS 1320 or PHYS 1610 and PHYS 1620 |
College Physics I or University Physics I and University Physics I Laboratory |
4 |
Core course | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Critical course: CHEM 2440 & CHEM 2445 |
Organic Chemistry 2 for Majors and Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory for Majors |
4 |
Critical course: PHYS 1330 & PHYS 1340 or PHYS 1610 and PHYS 1640 |
College Physics II or University Physics I and University Physics II Laboratory |
4 |
Core courses | 6 | |
Credits | 14 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
CHEM 3100 | The Chemical Literature | 1 |
CHEM 3330 | Physical Chemistry 1 | 3 |
CHEM 3970 | Independent Research in Chemistry | 1 |
Critical course: CHEM 4610 & CHEM 4615 |
Biochemistry 1 and Biochemistry 1 Laboratory |
4 |
Core courses | 6 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Critical course: CHEM 3340 & CHEM 3345 |
Physical Chemistry 2 and Physical Chemistry Laboratory |
4 |
CHEM 3970 | Independent Research in Chemistry | 1 |
Critical course: CHEM 4620 & CHEM 4625 |
Biochemistry 2 and Biochemistry 2 Laboratory |
4 |
Core courses | 6 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Summer | ||
CHEB 5110 | Introduction to Chemical Biology Research I | 1 |
Credits | 1 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
BIOL 3030 | Principles of Genetics | 3 |
BIOL 5700 | Advanced Molecular Biology | 3 |
CHEM 5630 | Introduction to Chemical Biology and Biotechnology | 3 |
CHEM 3970 | Independent Research in Chemistry | 1 |
CHEM 5500 or CHEM 4500 |
Inorganic Chemistry or Inorganic Chemistry |
3 |
Core course | 3 | |
Credits | 16 | |
Spring | ||
CHEB 5120 | Introduction to Chemical Biology Research II | 1-3 |
CHEM 3970 | Independent Research in Chemistry | 1 |
PPY 5410 | Molecular Pharmacology | 3 |
Elective or Core courses (if needed) | 9 | |
Credits | 14-16 | |
Summer | ||
CHEB 5970 | Research Topics | 3 |
Credits | 3 | |
Year Five | ||
Fall | ||
CHEB 5990 | Thesis Research | 3 |
Graduate Electives † | 6 | |
Submit Research Progress Report | ||
Credits | 9 | |
Spring | ||
CHEM 5470 | Medicinal Chemistry | 3 |
CHEB 5990 | Thesis Research | 3 |
Submit and defend Master’s Thesis | ||
Credits | 6 | |
Total Credits | 138-140 |
- †
Elective must be selected from a 5000+ course. Electives should be selected in consultation with the chemical biology program coordinator from the chemistry, biology, pharmacology or biochemistry departments.