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Saint Louis University's B.S. in chemical biology and pharmacology is an interdisciplinary degree in which students gain a strong foundation in chemistry, biology and pharmacology. The degree is customizable to align with students' interests in medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, or molecular biology.
Chemical biology is the application of chemistry towards solving biological problems and pharmacology is the study of the action of drug molecules. The B.S. in chemical biology and pharmacology provides excellent preparation for students seeking employment in industry (biotechnology, pharmaceutical, agriculture, etc.), as well as for those wishing to continue their studies in professional school (medical, pharmacy, dental, veterinary, law, etc.) and graduate school.
Other highlights include:
This program places a great emphasis on undergraduate research. Thus, students in this major have ample opportunity to pursue research projects under the close mentorship of a full-time faculty member in the Department of Chemistry, Department of Biology and the School of Medicine’s Department of Pharmacology and Physiology. Students use a variety of specialized equipment and computers in their laboratories and in their research. Students in upper-level courses enjoy small classes and personalized attention.
Benefits of this program also include internship and career opportunities. Selected undergraduate students can apply to work with faculty in undergraduate laboratories as laboratory assistants. Internships in the St. Louis area are also available.
Undergraduates who study chemical biology at SLU can attend professional meetings and present their research results. In recent years, SLU students have presented numerous talks and poster presentations at regional and national meetings of the American Chemical Society and other scientific conferences.
Career options in chemical biology and pharmacology include:
This degree will provide excellent preparation for medical, veterinary and pharmacy school. Other graduates continue through law school and specialize in patent law. The public health sector is also a common area to work.
Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply. Saint Louis University also accepts the Common App.
All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory course work is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.
To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, the applicant must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test. Beginning with the 2021-22 academic year, undergraduate applicants will not be required to submit standardized test scores (ACT or SAT) in order to be considered for admission. Applicants will be evaluated equally, with or without submitted test scores.
Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply.
Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED. An official high school transcript and official test scores are required only of those students who have attempted fewer than 24 transferable semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit. Those having completed 24 or more of college credit need only submit a transcript from previously attended college(s). In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the office of admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University.
Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply.
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:
For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at https://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.
Chemical biology and pharmacology students must complete a minimum total of 78 credits for the major. Twelve hours from the math and science college core requirements are satisfied within the required major coursework.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Core Requirements | ||
College core requirements | 57-66 | |
For additional information about core courses | ||
Required Courses | ||
BIOL 1240 & BIOL 1245 | General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution and Principles of Biology I Laboratory | 4 |
BIOL 1260 & BIOL 1265 | General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter and Principles of Biology II Laboratory | 4 |
CHEB 3970 | Undergraduate Research † | 3 |
CHEM 1130 & CHEM 1115 | General Chemistry 1 for Majors and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory | 4 |
CHEM 1140 & CHEM 1125 | General Chemistry 2 for Majors and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory | 4 |
CHEM 2200 & CHEM 2205 | Analytical Chemistry 1 and Analytical Chemistry 1 Laboratory | 4 |
CHEM 2430 & CHEM 2435 | Organic Chemistry 1 for Majors and Organic Chemistry 1 Lab for Majors | 4 |
CHEM 2440 & CHEM 2445 | Organic Chemistry 2 for Majors and Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory for Majors | 4 |
CHEM 3330 | Physical Chemistry 1 | 3 |
or CHEM 3340 | Physical Chemistry 2 | |
CHEM 3100 | The Chemical Literature | 1 |
CHEM 4470 | Medicinal Chemistry | 3 |
CHEM 4610 & CHEM 4615 | Biochemistry 1 and Biochemistry 1 Laboratory | 4 |
CHEM 4620 & CHEM 4625 | Biochemistry 2 and Biochemistry 2 Laboratory | 4 |
MATH 1510 | Calculus I | 0,4 |
MATH 1520 | Calculus II | 0,4 |
PHYS 1310 & PHYS 1320 | Physics I and Physics I Laboratory | 4 |
or PHYS 1610 & PHYS 1620 | Engineering Physics I and Engineering Physics I Laboratory | |
PHYS 1330 & PHYS 1340 | Physics II and Physics II Laboratory | 4 |
or PHYS 1630 & PHYS 1640 | Engineering Physics II and Engineering Physics II Laboratory | |
PPY 2540 | Human Physiology | 4 |
PPY 4410 | Molecular Pharmacology | 3 |
Chemical Biology Electives | 9 | |
Nine credit hours selected from courses with the 'Chemical Biology Elective' attribute. | ||
Total Credits | 127-144 |
† | Students take 3 semesters, 1 credit per semester |
All undergraduate majors must complete an exit interview with the department chair during their final semester.
The following standards apply to all new freshmen and transfer students:
Students who do not earn a C- in any of the identified courses must retake the course at SLU in the following semester. If a C- is not earned on the second attempt the student will be dismissed from the major. A student who withdraws from one of these courses on the first attempt will only have one more attempt to earn a C-.
Students must maintain a 2.00 grade point average (GPA) in their major (CHEB or CHEM) and required related courses (BIOL, PHYS, MATH, etc.). If a student falls below a 2.00 major GPA, the student must meet with the program coordinator to review their academic performance. If the student cannot raise the major GPA to 2.00 in two semesters, the student will be dismissed from the major.
Bachelor of Science Core Curriculum Requirements
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Core Components and Credits | ||
Foundations of Discourse | 3 | |
Diversity in the U.S. | 3 | |
Global Citizenship | 3 | |
Foreign Language | 0-6 | |
Fine Arts | 3 | |
Literature | 6 | |
Mathematics | 4 | |
Science | 8 | |
Philosophy | 6 | |
Social Science | 6 | |
Theology | 6 | |
World History | 6 | |
Total Credits | 54-60 |
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.
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 |
A&S Core | 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 |
Critical course: MATH 1520 | Calculus II | 4 |
A&S Core | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
Critical course: CHEM 2430 & CHEM 2435 |
Organic Chemistry 1 for Majors and Organic Chemistry 1 Lab for Majors |
4 |
PHYS 1310 & PHYS 1320 |
Physics I and Physics I Laboratory |
4 |
Critical course: CHEM 2200 & CHEM 2205 |
Analytical Chemistry 1 and Analytical Chemistry 1 Laboratory |
4 |
A&S Core | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Critical course: CHEM 2440 & CHEM 2445 |
Organic Chemistry 2 for Majors and Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory for Majors |
4 |
PHYS 1330 & PHYS 1340 |
Physics II and Physics II Laboratory |
4 |
A&S Core | 3 | |
A&S Core | 3 | |
Credits | 14 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
CHEM 3100 | The Chemical Literature | 1 |
Critical course: CHEM 4610 & CHEM 4615 |
Biochemistry 1 and Biochemistry 1 Laboratory |
4 |
CHEM 3330 | Physical Chemistry 1 | 3 |
PPY 2540 | Human Physiology | 4 |
A&S Core | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Critical course: CHEM 4620 & CHEM 4625 |
Biochemistry 2 and Biochemistry 2 Laboratory |
4 |
Critical course: CHEB 3970 | Undergraduate Research | 1 |
Critical course: PPY 4410 | Molecular Pharmacology | 3 |
A&S Core | 6 | |
Credits | 14 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
Critical course: Chemical Biology Electives | 6 | |
Critical course: CHEB 3970 | Undergraduate Research | 1 |
A&S Core | 9 | |
Credits | 16 | |
Spring | ||
Critical course: Chemical Biology Elective | 3 | |
CHEM 4470 | Medicinal Chemistry | 3 |
Elective or A&S Core (if needed) | 10 | |
Credits | 16 | |
Total Credits | 120 |