Biology, B.S. to M.A. in Chemical Biology Accelerated Program

Complete a bachelor's degree in biology and a master’s degree in chemical biology in five years through Saint Louis University's B.S. in Biology to M.S./M.A. in Chemical Biology accelerated program. 

This multi-disciplinary program in chemical biology provides a strong foundation in chemistry and branches out into medicinal chemistry, pharmacology and molecular biology. The master’s degree can either be a coursework 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 programs:

Biology, B.S.

Chemical Biology, M.A.

Chemical Biology, M.S.

Existing SLU undergraduates pursuing a B.S. in biology-biological chemistry 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 

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
BIOL 1240
BIOL 1245
General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution
and Principles of Biology I Laboratory
4
CHEM 1110
CHEM 1115
General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory
4
A&S Core 6
 Credits14
Spring
BIOL 1260
BIOL 1265
General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter
and Principles of Biology II Laboratory
4
CHEM 1120
CHEM 1125
General Chemistry 2
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory
4
MATH 1510 Calculus I 4
A&S Core 3
 Credits15
Year Two
Fall
BIOL 3020 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 3
CHEM 2410
CHEM 2415
Organic Chemistry 1
and Organic Chemistry 1 Laboratory
4
A&S Core 10
 Credits17
Spring
BIOL 3040 Cell Structure & Function 3
BIOL 4790 Biometry 4
CHEM 2440
CHEM 2445
Organic Chemistry 2 for Majors
and Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory for Majors
4
A&S Core 6
 Credits17
Year Three
Fall
BIOL 3030 Principles of Genetics 3
A&S Core 3
BIOL 4980 Advanced Independent Study 1
PHYS 1310
PHYS 1320
College Physics I
and College Physics I Laboratory
4
A&S Core 3
 Credits14
Spring
BIOL 4070 Advanced Biological Chemistry 3
BIOL Elective 3
PHYS 1330
PHYS 1340
College Physics II
and College Physics II Laboratory
4
BIOL 3260 Biology of Plants & Fungi 4
 Credits14
Year Four
Fall
BIOL 4050 Molecular Technique Lab 2
BIOL 4980 Advanced Independent Study 1
BIOL 5700 Advanced Molecular Biology 3
CHEB 5630Chemical Biology & Biotech 3
A&S Core 6
 Credits15
Spring
BIOL 3010 Evolutionary Biology 3
BIOL 3060 Cell Structure & Function Laboratory 1
BIOL 4980 Advanced Independent Study 1
CHEM 5470 Principles of Medicinal Chemistry 3
PPY 5410 Molecular Pharmacology 3
Elective or A&S Core (if needed) 6
 Credits17
Summer
CHEB-5980Graduate Reading 3
 Credits3
Year Five
Fall
CHEB 5970 Research Topics 3
Critical course:  Graduate Elective 6
 Credits9
Spring
CHEB 5970Research Topics 3
Graduate Elective 6
Oral examination  
 Credits9
 Total Credits144

M.S. in Chemical Biology Option 

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
BIOL 1240
BIOL 1245
General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution
and Principles of Biology I Laboratory
4
CHEM 1110
CHEM 1115
General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory
4
A&S Core 6
 Credits14
Spring
BIOL 1260
BIOL 1265
General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter
and Principles of Biology II Laboratory
4
CHEM 1120
CHEM 1125
General Chemistry 2
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory
4
MATH 1510 Calculus I 4
A&S Core 3
 Credits15
Year Two
Fall
BIOL 3020 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 3
CHEM 2410
CHEM 2415
Organic Chemistry 1
and Organic Chemistry 1 Laboratory
4
A&S Core 9
 Credits16
Spring
BIOL 3040 Cell Structure & Function 3
BIOL 4790 Biometry 4
CHEM 2440
CHEM 2445
Organic Chemistry 2 for Majors
and Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory for Majors
4
A&S Core 6
 Credits17
Year Three
Fall
BIOL 3030 Principles of Genetics 3
BIOL 4980 Advanced Independent Study 1
PHYS 1310
PHYS 1320
College Physics I
and College Physics I Laboratory
4
A&S Core 6
 Credits14
Spring
BIOL 3060 Cell Structure & Function Laboratory 1
BIOL 3260 Biology of Plants & Fungi 4
BIOL 4070 Advanced Biological Chemistry 3
BIOL Elective 3
PHYS 1330
PHYS 1340
College Physics II
and College Physics II Laboratory
4
 Credits15
Summer
CHEB 5110Intro to Chemical Biology Research I 1
 Credits1
Year Four
Fall
BIOL 4050 Molecular Technique Lab 2
BIOL 4980 Advanced Independent Study 1
BIOL 5700 Advanced Molecular Biology 3
CHEB 5630Chemical Biology & Biotech 3
A&S Core 6
 Credits15
Spring
BIOL 3010 Evolutionary Biology 3
BIOL 4980 Advanced Independent Study 1
CHEB 5120Intro to Chemical Biology Research II 2
PPY 5410 Molecular Pharmacology 3
Elective or A&S Core (if needed) 6
 Credits15
Summer
CHEB 5970Research Topics 3
 Credits3
Year Five
Fall
CHEB 5990Thesis Research 3
Graduate Elective 6
Submit Research Progress Report  
 Credits9
Spring
Critical course:  CHEM 5470 Principles of Medicinal Chemistry 3
CHEB 5990Thesis Research 3
Submit and defend Master’s Thesis  
 Credits6
 Total Credits140