| BIOCHEMISTRY CERTIFICATE
The Biochemistry Certificate provides students with a theoretical
background in the biochemical sciences, and also with laboratory
experiences that will equip them for research positions in academia
or the private sector. Our biochemistry lab track of two courses
exposes students to all aspects of classical and modern biochemical
techniques. This includes the development of quantitative skills,
an aspect often overlooked. In addition to having students experience
a wide variety of laboratory techniques, we also expose students
to (a) techniques that are on the "cutting edge" and just
being implemented in private industry (e.g., green chemistry) and,
(b) use of specialized equipment (HPLC, MASS Spec, NMR, etc.). Combined
with the theoretical background provided in the lecture courses,
students receive training that prepares them for post-baccalaureate
careers in academia or industry.
The Biochemistry Certificate offered by the University of Massachusetts
Boston is the only biochemistry certificate program offered in the
United States which does not require that students be Biochemistry
majors, Biology majors, or Chemistry majors. Individuals who obtained
a college degree, either within a science or a non-science discipline,
are eligible to apply to the Biochemistry Certificate Program. Typically,
such an individual is working in a biochemistry related job, or
thinking of obtaining a job in a biochemistry related area, and
they may want documentation to show that they have studied biochemistry.
Some individuals may be seeking a career change or a position advancement
within a biomedical, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or other related
company. This would also include those have been in the business
part of the industry and wish to acquire practical knowledge of
the science. The certificate provides them with a more tangible
result than simply enrolling in a group of courses and having only
a transcript.
Those seeking a career change may be in a non-biochemistry position
at a company, but have a science background. They would wish to
obtain a position in a biochemistry group at their company, or to
pursue employment with a company that is conducting biochemical
research. Individuals seeking to upgrade their position may view
the Biochemistry Certificate as a means to acquire the necessary
background and laboratory expertise to pursue a more intellectually
stimulating and financially favorable position. It is not unusual
for individuals in the business aspect of the industry to need knowledge
of the science they are representing.
The Biochemistry Certificate offers individuals an opportunity to
enroll in five courses over a one year period, and receive documentation
of their successful completion of a core group of courses in the
biochemistry discipline. If they have fulfilled the prerequisite
requirements, consisting of the courses Introductory Biology, General
Chemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics, and Organic Chemistry, they could
then complete the 300-level required courses, and obtain the Biochemistry
Certificate, in 1 year. Students needing to complete the above listed
prerequisite courses could complete the program in two years, although
a realistic plan would be three years.
To receive the Biochemistry Certificate a student must complete,
at the University of Massachusetts-Boston, the following courses:
Biochemistry 383 - Biochemistry I lecture 3 credits / 3 hours
Biochemistry 385 - Biochemistry I lab 3 credits / 7 hours
Biochemistry 384 - Biochemistry II lecture 3 credits / 3 hours
Biochemistry 386 - Biochemistry II lab 3 credits / 5 hours
Biology 372 - Molecular Biology 3 credits / 3 hours
Successful completion of a course requires a minimum grade of C.
The Grade Point Average (GPA) for all completed required courses
must be 2.5 or higher.
It is expected that students enrolling to complete this Biochemistry
Certificate will have completed the pre-requisites for the above
courses. The pre-requisites are listed in the University of Massachusetts
Course Description catalog. Evidence of successful completion of
these pre-requisites elsewhere should be presented, prior to enrolling
in Biochemistry 383 and Biochemistry 385, to the Biochemistry Director,
in the form of an official University transcript. A grade of C or
better is required, and the decision on whether to accept a course
from another institution resides with the Biochemistry Director,
in consultation with appropriate colleagues in Biology and Chemistry.
For students lacking the appropriate pre-requisite courses, any
or all of the following courses may be completed at the University
of Massachusetts-Boston:
Biology 111 - General Biology I Chemistry 103 - Chemical Principles
I
Biology 112 - General Biology II Chemistry 104 - Chemical Principles
II
Biology 212 - Cell Biology (lecture) Chemistry 253 - Organic Chemistry
I
Biology 254 - Genetics (lecture) Chemistry 254 - Organic Chemistry
II
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