Transfer or Change Major to Biochemistry
Change Major
Any UIUC student wishing to change their major to Biochemistry must first complete a Biochemistry Transfer Form and meet with Louise Cox, room 420A Roger Adams Lab. Please call (217) 333-7149 to schedule an appointment. If departmental approval to transfer is granted, you will receive written approval, which you must take to 270 Lincoln Hall (the LAS College Office) or to the LAS General Curriculum Center (912 South Fifth Street) to be officially placed into Biochemistry. This applies to both intercollegiate transfers and curriculum changes within LAS. Detailed information follows.
Transfer to Biochemistry Curriculum
Here is important information about transferring from a 2-year or 4-year college program to the Department of Biochemistry at Illinois. Please carefully review and consider the requirements for the degree and how best to prepare for studies in Biochemistry. More information on transferring to Illinois is available from the Office of Admissions and Records.
In contemplating transfer into the Biochemistry Curriculum, you should be aware of these points:
- A good background in qualitative and quantitative analysis is very important. Be prepared to take Chemistry 222 and Chemistry 223 if you have not taken an equivalent course or feel your background may be insufficient.
- A strong background in mathematics is required to understand the necessary concepts of physics and physical chemistry.
- If your background in general biology is limited, you may want to postpone MCB 354 and Biochemistry/MCB 406 until your senior year and take at least one course in the biological sciences during your junior year.
For specific transfer course information, see the Illinois Course Applicability System.
Below is a suggested two-year program that should prepare you for transferring to the University of Illinois. We urge you to contact the Biochemistry Student Affairs Office for assistance with the transfer process.
Preparation for the Biochemistry Major
| FIRST YEAR | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| General Chemistry I1 | 4–5 |
General Chemistry II1 | 4–5 |
| Analytical Geometry | 4 |
Calculus I3 | 3–5 |
| Foreign Language2 | 4 |
Foreign Language2 | 4 |
| Rhetoric and Composition | 4 |
Elective | 3–4 |
| Total | 16–17 |
Total | 14–18 |
| SECOND YEAR | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Calculus II3 | 3–5 |
Calculus III3 | 3–5 |
| Organic Chemistry Lecture | 3 |
Organic Chemistry II Lecture | 3 |
| Organic Chemistry Lab | 1–2 |
Molecular Biology II with Lab4 | 5 |
| Molecular Biology4 | 4–5 |
Elective2 | 4 |
| Total | 16–17 |
Total | 14–18 |
1General Chemistry sequences that contain qualitative and quantitative analysis are preferred. Students with mathematic weakness should schedule or plan on quantitative analytical chemistry if not available in general chemistry of the freshman year.
2Students who have completed three years of one language in High School or who complete the three-semester language requirement in less than three semesters in College should substitute calc-based physics and general education electives.
3A strong background in mathematics is required to understand the necessary concepts of physics and physical chemistry.
4It is important that students who transfer into Biochemistry after their sophomore year have completed a full year of molecular biology, with at least one semester including lab work (e.g., MCB 150 and MCB 250/251 or equivalent). Anatomy and microbiology courses cannot be substituted. See the MCB Course Catalog for detailed course information.