Program: Chemistry (Premedical/Biomedical Science and Technology Concentration), B.S. - Western Carolina University

Apr 02, 2025

ARCHIVED 2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog

Total number of hours for the program: 120.

This concentration is intended for those students wishing to pursue a career in the biomedical or biotechnology fields, including students wishing to pursue a degree from a medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary, or optometry school. Specific courses within the concentration should be chosen carefully, based on the intended career path. Students anticipating obtaining a professional degree (such as an M.D. or Pharm.D.) should also judiciously choose their electives to satisfy admissions preferences and fully prepare for entrance exams.

Liberal Studies Hours: 42

Liberal Studies Program Requirements

Major Requirements

The major requires 45 hours in Chemistry as follows:

CHEM 139 - General Chemistry I Credits: 4
CHEM 140 - General Chemistry II Credits: 4
CHEM 232 - Quantitative Analysis Credits: 4
CHEM 241 - Organic Chemistry I Credits: 4
CHEM 242 - Organic Chemistry II Credits: 4
CHEM 352 - Physical Chemistry I Credits: 3
CHEM 361 - Principles of Biochemistry Credits: 3
CHEM 370 - Instrumental Analysis I Credits: 4
CHEM 371 - Physical Chemistry Laboratory Credits: 2
CHEM 495 - Seminar in Chemistry Credits: 1, R4
MATH 153 - Calculus I Credits: (4)
PHYS 130 - Introductory Physics I Credits: (4)
and
PHYS 131 - Introductory Physics II Credits: (4)
or
PHYS 230 - General Physics I Credits: (4)
and
PHYS 231 - General Physics II Credits: (4)

Premedical/Biomedical Science and Technology Concentration

Concentration Requirements

The concentration requires 22 hours as follows:

BIOL 140 - Principles of Biology I Credits: 4
BIOL 141 - Principles of Biology II Credits: 4
BIOL 240 - Introduction to Genetics Credits: 4
BIOL 333 - Cell and Molecular Biology Credits: 4
CHEM 321 - Inorganic Chemistry Credits: 3

and 3 hours selected from the following:

BIOL 311 - Animal Physiology Credits: 3
BIOL 412 - Cellular and Molecular Immunology Credits: 3
BIOL 413 - Principles of General Microbiology Credits: 3
BIOL 419 - Cell Biology Credits: 3
BIOL 424 - Pharmacology Credits: 3
CHEM 435 - Instrumental Analysis II Credits: 3
CHEM 453 - Physical Chemistry II Credits: 3
CHEM 462 - Molecular Bioinformatics Credits: 3
CHEM 463 - Molecular Biotechnology Credits: 3
CHEM 464 - Genomics Credits: 3

General Electives

General electives (12-20 hours) are required to complete the program depending on the number of hours in the major that double count for Liberal Studies. Students must take at least 30 hours at the junior-senior level at WCU in order to satisfy general university degree requirements. Pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-pharmacy, pre-veterinary, and pre-optometry students should discuss with their advisers the most appropriate electives for their intended professional school. Some examples of electives that may aid in professional school entrance exams and/or satisfy admissions preferences are included below:

BIOL 291 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 4
BIOL 292 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: 4
CS 150 - Problem Solving and Programming I Credits: 4
MATH 255 - Calculus II Credits: (4)
MATH 270 - Statistical Methods I Credits: (3)
PAR 230 - Legal, Scientific, & Critical Reasoning Credits: (3)

Additional Information

Visit the department’s website at http://www.wcu.edu/4409.asp to view the 8 semester curriculum guide.