Jun 06, 2025  
2025-2026 UH Mānoa Catalog 
  
2025-2026 UH Mānoa Catalog

Biochemistry, BA


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Admissions: Open

Process: Declaration

Min. Total Credits: 120 (107 in core & major + 13 in electives)

UHM General Education Core Requirements


Foundations


Written Communication (FW)


(3 credits)

Quantitative Reasoning (FQ)


Note: This requirement changed in Fall 2018. If you entered the UH System prior to that, please see your college/school advisor.

Global and Multicultural Perspectives (FG)


(FGA, FGB, FGC; 6 credits)

  • Group A (FGA) courses cover the time period prehistory to 1500
  • Group B (FGB) courses cover the time period 1500 to modern times
  • Group C (FGC) courses cover the time period prehistory to modern times

Diversification


* See degree, college and major requirements for courses that can also fulfill these.

Arts (DA), Humanities (DH), and Literatures (DL)


(6 credits from 2 categories)

  • Arts (DA*)
  • Humanities (DH*)
  • Literatures (DL*)

Natural Sciences


Biological Science (DB)

Physical Science (DP)

Laboratory (science) (DY)

Social Sciences (DS)


(DS*; a total of 6 credits from 2 different departments)

UHM Graduation Requirements


Focus


**The STAR Degree Check indicates Focus classes by “E,” “H,” “O,” and “W.” Class Availability indicates Focus sections with “ETH,” “HAP,” “OC,” and “WI.”

Hawaiian, Asian, and Pacific Issues (H)


(H or HAP**; 1 course, any level)

Contemporary Ethical Issues (E)


(E or ETH**; 1 course, 300- or 400-level)

Oral Communication (O)


(O or OC**; 1 course, 300- or 400-level)

Writing Intensive (W)


(W or WI**; 5 courses, at least two of which are at the 300- or 400-level)

Hawaiian Or Second Language (HSL)


  • competence at the 202 level

*Recommended: German, French, Russian, or Japanese

Credit Minimums


  • 120 total applicable
  • 30 UH Mānoa credits
  • 35 major-required lower division/25 upper division (300+ level) credits

Grade Point Average


  • 2.0 cumulative or higher (Note: Other GPAs may be required.)
  • Good academic standing

College Requirements


Credit Maximums


  • 8 KRS activity
  • 9 Directed Reading / Research
  • 12 Practicum / Internship

Note


This was prepared to provide information and does not constitute a contract. See below for major requirements. Meet regularly with your major advisor.

Major Requirements for BA in Biochemistry


  • Admission: Open
  • Application: NA
  • Min. major credits: 66 (74 with related requirements)
  • Min. C grade (not C-) in prerequisite CHEM courses.

Requirements


Note: Please consult with your Chemistry advisor regarding minimum grade and GPA requirements and projected changes to course offerings. A minimum major GPA of 2.0 is required, and the major GPA calculation will include all CHEM courses numbered 200 and up, BIOL 402 , and all BIOL,  MICR, MBBE, PHYL, and ZOOL courses counted towards the major elective requirements.

Biochemistry Prerequisites (8 credits)


Biochemistry Core Courses (55 credits)


Biochemistry Electives


11 credits including one laboratory course from the approved list of courses:

Recommended languages: German, French, Russian, or Japanese

Approved Courses:

Notes


College of Natural Sciences Student Academic Success Center; Hamilton Library 002K; (808) 956-5911; cnsadvis@hawaii.edu; natsci.manoa.hawaii.edu/sasc
Chemistry Department: Bilger 239; (808) 956-5904; chemdept@hawaii.edu; manoa.hawaii.edu/chem
Registration Inquiries: chemreg@hawaii.edu

4-Year Plan


This is a sample academic plan. Students should meet with an academic advisor prior to registration to formulate their own plan.

Year 1


Total Credits 30


Year 2


Fall


Credits 14

Spring


Credits 17

Total Credits 61


Year 3


Total Credits 92


Year 4


Fall


Credits 14

Spring


Credits 14

Total Credits 120


Notes:

Students must take placement exams to be able to register for CHEM 161  and MATH 215  or MATH 241 .
Students must incorporate all focus requirements into this plan. Focus designations (i.e., W, E, O, H) are CRN specific & semester specific.
Minimum 45 upper division (300+ course) credits are required, or a combination of no fewer than 25 upper division credits and 35 major-required lower division credits.
Students must complete a minimum of 11 credits of approved major electives, including at least one Lab class.

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