Biochemistry, B.S. to Chemical Biology, M.S. Accelerated Program

Saint Louis University's bachelor's-to-master's program in chemical biology provides a strong foundation in chemistry and branches out into medicinal chemistry, pharmacology and molecular biology.

A five-year course schedule is provided to SLU undergraduates that demonstrates how to complete the undergraduate B.S. degree in biochemistry or biology together with a master’s degree in chemical biology. The master’s degree can either be a coursework-based 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:

Biochemistry, B.S.

Chemical Biology, M.A.

Chemical Biology, M.S.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry has been continuously certified by the American Chemical Society since 2004.

Existing SLU undergraduates pursuing a B.S. in biochemistry 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
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
Critical course:  MATH 1510 Calculus I 4
A&S Core 3
 Credits15
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
 Credits15
Year Two
Fall
Critical course:  CHEM 2200
CHEM 2205
Analytical Chemistry 1
and Analytical Chemistry 1 Laboratory
4
Critical course:  CHEM 2430
CHEM 2435
Organic Chemistry 1 for Majors
and Organic Chemistry 1 Lab for Majors
4
Critical course:  PHYS 1310
PHYS 1320
College Physics I
and College Physics I Laboratory
4
A&S Core 3
 Credits15
Spring
Critical course:  CHEM 2440
CHEM 2445
Organic Chemistry 2 for Majors
and Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory for Majors
4
Critical course:  PHYS 1330
PHYS 1340
College Physics II
and College Physics II Laboratory
4
A&S Core 6
 Credits14
Year Three
Fall
Critical course:  CHEB 3970Undergraduate Research 1
Critical course:  CHEM 3100 The Chemical Literature 1
Critical course:  CHEM 3330 Physical Chemistry 1 3
Critical course:  CHEM 4610
CHEM 4615
Biochemistry 1
and Biochemistry 1 Laboratory
4
A&S Core 6
 Credits15
Spring
Critical course:  CHEB 3970Undergraduate Research 1
Critical course:  CHEM 3340
CHEM 3345
Physical Chemistry 2
and Physical Chemistry Laboratory
4
Critical course:  CHEM 4620
CHEM 4625
Biochemistry 2
and Biochemistry 2 Laboratory
4
A&S Core 6
 Credits15
Year Four
Fall
Critical course:  CHEB 3970Undergraduate Research 1
Critical course:  CHEB-5630Chemical Biology & Biotech 3
Critical course:  BIOL 3030 Principles of Genetics 3
Critical course:  CHEM 5500
Inorganic Chemistry
or Inorganic Chemistry
3
A&S Core 6
 Credits16
Spring
Critical course:  CHEB 3970Undergraduate Research 1
Critical course:  CHEM 5470 Principles of Medicinal Chemistry 3
PPY 5410 Molecular Pharmacology 3
Elective or A&S Core (if needed) 9
 Credits16
Summer
Critical course:  CHEB-5980Graduate Reading 3
 Credits3
Year Five
Fall
Critical course:  CHEB 5970 Research Topics 3
Critical course:  BIOL 5700 Advanced Molecular Biology 3
Graduate Elective 3
 Credits9
Spring
Oral Examination  
Critical course:  Graduate Elective 9
 Credits9
 Total Credits142

M.S. in Chemical Biology Option

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
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
Critical course:  MATH 1510 Calculus I 4
A&S Core 3
 Credits15
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
 Credits15
Year Two
Fall
Critical course:  CHEM 2200
CHEM 2205
Analytical Chemistry 1
and Analytical Chemistry 1 Laboratory
4
Critical course:  CHEM 2430
CHEM 2435
Organic Chemistry 1 for Majors
and Organic Chemistry 1 Lab for Majors
4
Critical course:  PHYS 1310
PHYS 1320
College Physics I
or University Physics I and University Physics I Laboratory
4
A&S Core 3
 Credits15
Spring
Critical course:  CHEM 2440
CHEM 2445
Organic Chemistry 2 for Majors
and Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory for Majors
4
Critical course:  PHYS 1330
PHYS 1340
College Physics II
or University Physics I and University Physics II Laboratory
4
A&S Core 6
 Credits14
Year Three
Fall
Critical course:  CHEM 3100 The Chemical Literature 1
Critical course:  CHEM 3330 Physical Chemistry 1 3
Critical course:  CHEM 3970 Undergraduate Research 1
Critical course:  CHEM 4610
CHEM 4615
Biochemistry 1
and Biochemistry 1 Laboratory
4
A&S Core 6
 Credits15
Spring
Critical course:  CHEM 3340
CHEM 3345
Physical Chemistry 2
and Physical Chemistry Laboratory
4
CHEM 3970 Undergraduate Research 1
Critical course:  CHEM 4620
CHEM 4625
Biochemistry 2
and Biochemistry 2 Laboratory
4
A&S Core 6
 Credits15
Summer
Critical course:  CHEB 5110Intro to Chemical Biology Research I 1
 Credits1
Year Four
Fall
Critical course:  BIOL 3030 Principles of Genetics 3
BIOL 5700 Advanced Molecular Biology 3
Critical course:  CHEB-5630Chemical Biology & Biotech 3
Critical course:  CHEM 3970 Undergraduate Research 1
Critical course:  CHEM 5500
Inorganic Chemistry
or Inorganic Chemistry
3
A&S Core 3
 Credits16
Spring
Critical course:  CHEB 5120Intro to Chemical Biology Research II 2
Critical course:  CHEM 3970 Undergraduate Research 1
PPY 5410 Molecular Pharmacology 3
Elective or A&S Core (if needed) 9
 Credits15
Summer
Critical course:  CHEB 5970Research Topics 3
 Credits3
Year Five
Fall
Critical course:  CHEB-5990Thesis Research 3
Graduate Elective 6
Submit Research Progress Report  
 Credits9
Spring
Critical course:  CHEM 5470 Principles of Medicinal Chemistry 3
Critical course:  CHEB-5990Thesis Research 3
Submit and defend Master’s Thesis  
 Credits6
 Total Credits139

Elective must be selected from a 5000+ course. Electives should be selected in consultation with the chemical biology program coordinator from the chemistry, biology, pharmacology or biochemistry departments.