Bachelor of Science in BioChemistry
Biochemistry, the study of the molecules of life, encompasses chemical tools to provide an understanding of biological processes at the molecular level. Biochemistry now enjoys a premier spot in researches worldwide. The BS Biochemistry program is aimed at producing well-trained graduates with a sound understanding of chemical and biological concepts. The program is an excellent background for those who want to be admitted to a school of medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine. In addition, graduates are qualified to take the Chemistry Licensure Examination conducted by the Professional Regulation Commission and become licensed chemists.
Table 1. Summary of the BS Chemistry major in Food Science curriculum
| DLSU | CHED Minimum Requirements for BS Chem |
|
| General Education Courses | 50 units | 50 units |
| Lasallian Core Curriculum | 12 | |
| Foundation Courses | 14 | |
| Chemistry | 63 (Core) | 54 |
| Electives | 6 | 6 |
| Thesis + Practicum | 6 | 6 |
| Other Science Courses | 23 | 14 |
| Program specific Courses | 13 (Biology) 8 (Biochemistry) |
|
| Total Number of Units | 186 + (9) units | 124 + (6) units |
| Duration | 12 terms |
Program Outcomes
Critical and creative thinker
- demonstrate a conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills in the fields of analytical, organic, inorganic, biochemistry, and physical chemistry
- show a depth of knowledge in Food Science reflecting an appropriate level of specialization and relate concepts to those of other disciplines
- able to dissect a problem into its key features; develop problem-solving skills relating to qualitative and quantitative information
- demonstrate skills in data collection, analysis, statistical evaluation and interpretation of results
- able to plan experiments, understand their limitations and develop suitable alternative procedures and methods
Effective communicator
- able to present scientific information in a clear and concise manner and to discuss them intelligently and confidently both orally and in writing
- able to collaborate with other researchers and work in a team
- able to comprehend, explore and evaluate ideas and express them clearly, logically and coherently
Reflective lifelong learner
- acquire study and self-development skills needed for continuing professional development and life-long learning
- able to reactively and pro-actively identify and address biochemical medical issues and trends
- able to recognize dynamics between biochemistry and the medical and health sciences
Service – driven citizen
- exercise ethical principles and social responsibility in his / her professional and personal endeavors
- practice effective interpersonal skills in order to interact peacefully with others
- apply critical thinking skills to solve problems and generate designs, systems or products relating to chemistry and/or food science for the purpose of improving human life and meeting current needs of society
Table 2. Summary of Units
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | |
| Year 1 | 17 (1) | 16 (3) | 16 (3) |
| Year 2 | 18 (1) | 18 | 19 |
| Year 3 | 16 (1) | 17 | 18 |
| Year 4 | 18 | 4 | 13 |
Lasallian Core Curriculum
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
| LASARE1 | Lasallian Recollection 1 | 0 |
| LASARE2 | Lasallian Recollection 2 | 0 |
| LASARE3 | Lasallian Recollection 3 | 0 |
| LCLSONE | Lasallian Studies 1 | (1) |
| LCLSTWO | Lasallian Studies 2 | (1) |
| LCLSTRI | Lasallian Studies 3 | (1) |
| LCASEAN | The Filipino and ASEAN | 3 |
| LCENWRD | Encountering the Word in the World | 3 |
| Total | 6 + (3) |
General Education Courses
| NSTP-C1/R1 | NSTP Program-Civic Welfare Training Service Military Science 1 | (3) |
| NSTP-C2/R2 | NSTP Program-Civic Welfare Training Service Military Science 1 | (3) |
| GEFTWEL | Physical Fitness and Wellness | 2 |
| GEDANCE | Physical Fitness and Wellness in Dance | 2 |
| GESPORT | Physical Fitness and Wellness in Individual/Dual Sports | 2 |
| GETEAMS | Physical Fitness and Wellness in Team Sports | 3 |
| GEMATMW | Math in the Modern World | 3 |
| GEFILI1 | Introduksiyon sa Filipinolohiya | 3 |
| GEFILI2 | Mga Usaping Pang-wika sa iba’t-ibang Larangan | 3 |
| GEUSELF | Understanding the Self | 3 |
| GEARTAP | Art Appreciation | 3 |
| GEETHIC | Ethics | 3 |
| GERIZAL | Life and Works of Rizal | 3 |
| GESTSOC | Science, Technology and Society | 3 |
| GERPHIS | Readings in Philippine History | 3 |
| GEWORLD | The Contemporary World | 3 |
| GEPCOMM | Purposive Communication | 3 |
| GELITPH | Literatures of the Philippines | 3 |
| Total | 60+ (6) |
Chemistry Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | No. of Units |
| KEMPRN1 | Principles of Chemistry 1 | 3 |
| KEMPRN2 | Principles of Chemistry 2 | 3 |
| LBYKM10 | Principles of Chemistry laboratory | 2 |
| KEMINO1 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| KEMORG1 | Organic Chemistry 1 | 3 |
| LBYKM31 | Organic Chemistry 1 laboratory | 2 |
| KEMANA1 | Analytical Chemistry 1 | 3 |
| LBYKM21 | Analytical Chemistry 1 Laboratory | 2 |
| KEMORG2 | Organic Chemistry 2 | 3 |
| LBYKM32 | Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory | 2 |
| KEMANA2 | Analytical Chemistry 2 | 3 |
| LBYKM22 | Analytical Chemistry 2 laboratory | 2 |
| KEMBIO1 | Biochemistry 1 | 3 |
| LBYKM41 | Biochemistry 1 laboratory | 1 |
| KEMINO2 | Inorganic Chemistry 2 | 1 |
| KEMORG3 | Organic Chemistry 3 | 3 |
| KEMANA3 | Analytical Chemistry 3 | 1 |
| LBYKM23 | Analytical Chemistry 3 laboratory | 3 |
| KEMBIO2 | Biochemistry 2 | 1 |
| KEMPYS1 | Physical Chemistry 1 | 3 |
| LBYKM51 | Physical Chemistry 1 Laboratory | 1 |
| LBYKM42 | Biochemistry 2 laboratory | 3 |
| KEMPYS2 | Physical Chemistry 2 | 1 |
| LBYKM52 | Physical Chemistry 2 laboratory | 2 |
| KEMPYS3 | Physical Chemistry 3 | 3 |
| KEMRESC | Chemistry Research | 3 |
| KEMSEMI | Chemistry Seminar | 3 |
| KEMBEL1 | Biochemistry Elective 1 | 3 |
| KEMBEL2 | Biochemistry Elective 2 | 3 |
| Total | 73 | |
Practicum + Thesis
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
| PRCBCHM | Practicum | 3 |
| THSBCMA | Thesis 1 | 1 |
| THSBCMB | Thesis 2 | 1 |
| THSBCMC | Thesis 3 | 1 |
| Total | 6 | |
Biochemistry Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
| KEMBGEN | Biochemistry of the Gene | 3 |
| LBYKM43 | Biochemistry of the Gene laboratory | 1 |
| KEMBPYS | Physical Biochemistry | 3 |
| LBYKM53 | Physical Biochemistry laboratory | 1 |
| LBYKM44 | Food Microbiology laboratory | 1 |
| Total | 8 | |
Biology Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
| Comparative Anatomy lecture | 3 | |
| Comparative Anatomy laboratory | 2 | |
| Industrial Microbiology lecture | 2 | |
| Industrial Microbiology laboratory | 1 | |
| Physiology lecture | 3 | |
| Physiology laboratory | 2 | |
| Total | 13 | |
Foundation Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
| BASMATH | Mathematics Foundation Course | 5 |
| BASPHYS | Physics Foundation Course | 3 |
| BASSTAT | Statistics Foundation Course | 3 |
| BASBIOL | Biology Foundation Course | 3 |
| Total | 14 |
Other Science Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | No. of Units |
| Physics 1 | 3 | |
| Physics 2 | 3 | |
| Physics 1 (Lab) | 1 | |
| Physics 2 (Lab) | 1 | |
| KEMSTAT | Chemometrics | 3 |
| KEMATH1 | Math Analysis 1 | 3 |
| KEMATH2 | Math Analysis 2 | 3 |
| KEMATH3 | Math Analysis 3 | 3 |
| DIFEQUA | Differential Equations | 3 |
| Total | 23 | |
Course Descriptions
Foundation Courses
| Basic Biology, 3 units | This is a lecture course on the general concepts and principles in Biology which includes an overview on basic biological chemistry, cell structures and functions, cell metabolism, reproduction, genetics, evolution and classification of living organisms. It emphasizes the study of the organ systems of vascular plants and vertebrate (mammalian) animals with reference to other groups as needed. |
| Basic Mathematics, 5 units | This is a course on pre-calculus covering the following topics: Basics of algebra, equations and inequalities in one variable, functions and their graphs, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometric functions, trigonometric identities, inverse trigonometric functions, trigonometric equations, polar coordinate system, coordinates and lines, curve sketching, conic sections, systems of equations, sequences, mathematical induction, and the binomial theorem. |
| Basic Physics, 3 units | This is a study of the conceptual foundations of Newtonian mechanics, electricity and magnetism. In examining the concepts mentioned and its relevant consequences, vector methods, as well as the basic concepts of calculus will be used. |
| Basic Statistics, 3 units | This is a course covering basic rules of probability, discrete and continuous probability distributions, and introduction to inferential statistics. |
Core Chemistry Courses
Level 1
| Principles of Chemistry, 3 units | This course emphasizes fundamental chemical concepts and inorganic structures. Topics to be discussed include atomic and molecular structure, the periodic table and periodicity, chemical bonding, thermochemistry, kinetics and reaction rates, chemical equilibrium, acid-base and solubility equilibria and basic thermodynamics. |
| Principles of Chemistry laboratory, 2 units | This course develops basic chemistry laboratory skills. It includes experiments and exercises illustrating the concepts covered in Principles of Chemistry. A more detailed discussion of topics not covered extensively in the lecture is provided through additional experiments and exercises. |
| Inorganic Chemistry 1, 3 units | This course is devoted to the study of the principles and trends in the chemistry of the elements and the essentials of structure, bonding and reactivity of inorganic systems. Topics include electrochemistry, reduction-oxidation reactions, nuclear chemistry, descriptive chemistry of non-metals and metals. |
| Organic Chemistry 1, 3 units | This course is devoted to the study of the structure and stereochemistry, nomenclature, physical properties including infrared, nuclear magnetic and mass spectroscopic analysis, and synthesis and reactivity of organic molecules. Reaction mechanisms are discussed. The first course covers the alkanes, alkyl halides, alcohols, ethers, and epoxides. |
| Organic Chemistry 1 laboratory, 2 units | This laboratory course is designed to develop skills and techniques in handling organic compounds. The course includes the isolation and purification of organic compounds and classical organic analysis. It provides the basic concepts and techniques involved in the determination of physical properties of organic compounds, qualitative analysis of organic compounds, and the separation and purification of organic mixtures. |
| Analytical Chemistry 1, 3 units | This course is designed to give the student an understanding of the principles and practice of gravimetric and volumetric methods, potentiometry and spectrophotometry, analytical measurements and data analysis. |
| Analytical Chemistry 1, 2 units laboratory | This course applies sampling, calibration, errors and statistical analysis to chemical determinations. Specific volumetric and spectrophotometric analytical techniques covered include aqueous solution equilibria involving acids and bases, complex formation, redox reactions, and solubility equilibria. |
| Physical Chemistry 1, 3 units | This course provides the foundation in chemical thermodynamics, physical and chemical equilibria, and an introduction to statistical thermodynamics. |
| Physical Chemistry 1 laboratory, 1 unit | This course applies the principles of thermodynamics, kinetics and spectroscopy in some illustrative experiments. It provides an interconnection between experimental observations and underlying theoretical principles in physical chemistry through a variety of physico-chemical measurement techniques. |
Level 2
| Inorganic Chemistry 2, 3 units | This course is a continuation of Inorganic Chemistry 1. It is devoted to the study of the principles and trends in the chemistry of the elements and the essentials of structure, bonding and reactivity of inorganic systems. Topics include bonding theories, symmetry and group theory, crystalline solids, and structure, electronic spectroscopy, and reactions of coordination compounds. Selected topics in organometallic and bioinorganic chemistry and catalysis are introduced. |
| Organic Chemistry 2, 3 units | This course is a continuation of Organic Chemistry 1. It is devoted to the study of the structure and stereochemistry, nomenclature, physical properties including infrared, nuclear magnetic and mass spectroscopic analysis, and synthesis and reactivity of organic molecules. Reaction mechanisms are discussed. The functional classes of alkenes, alkynes, aromatic compounds, carbonyl compounds, carboxylic acids and derivatives, and amines are covered. |
| Organic Chemistry 2 laboratory, 2 units | This course illustrates various types of organic reactions and their application in organic synthesis. It is designed to develop skills and techniques in the synthesis and characterization of organic compounds, including selected spectroscopic methods. |
| Biochemistry 1, 3 units |
This course covers the fundamental aspects of biochemistry: the structure and function of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids and selected methods of analysis, as well as some processes involved in the flow of biological information. |
| Biochemistry 1 laboratory, 1 unit | This laboratory course includes experiments on isolation and qualitative and quantitative tests of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acid; preparation of buffer solutions, enzyme assay, and enzyme kinetics. |
| Analytical Chemistry 2, 3 units | This course is designed to develop knowledge and skills for analytical separations and instrumental methods of analysis. Emphasis shall be placed on the principles of instrumentation, instrument components, the limitations of measurements, and the selection of appropriate techniques for specific analytical problems. |
| Analytical Chemistry 2 laboratory, 2 units |
This course introduces chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques in chemical analysis. Methods include UV-visible spectroscopy, IR spectrometry, atomic absorption and emission spectrometry and fluorescence- and phosphorescence-based methods; and liquid and gas chromatography. |
| Physical Chemistry 2, 3 units | This course is a continuation of Physical Chemistry 1. It covers the application of chemical thermodynamics to physical and chemical equilibrium systems, electrochemistry, transport properties, chemical kinetics and surface chemistry. |
| Physical Chemistry 2 laboratory, 1 unit | A laboratory course covering experiments in electrochemistry, transference and conductance in electrolytic solutions, kinetics, absorption, polymer properties, radiochemistry and crystal structure. |
Level 3
| Analytical Chemistry 3, 3 units | This course is designed to deepen the knowledge and skills in analytical chemistry particularly in the evaluation and assurance of quality in analytical data. It includes the application of statistics for the results of the evaluation of the results of chemical analysis, as well as principles and methods of quality assurance applied to the analytical chemistry laboratory. It also presents the principles of sampling, sample preparation and calibration. |
| Analytical Chemistry 3 laboratory, 1 unit | This course encompasses a comprehensive approach in technical analysis, design and validation of experiments. The course is designed to hone the skills of chemistry students in laboratory techniques through the performance of industrial laboratory analyses and exposure to current good laboratory practices. |
| Biochemistry 2, 3 units | This course covers bioenergetics, design and regulation of metabolic pathways; and specific molecular processes involved in the synthesis and degradation of major cellular components such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acid. |
| Biochemistry 2 laboratory, 1 unit | This laboratory course introduces students to contemporary tools used in biochemistry and molecular biology including SDS-PAGE, DNA/RNA extraction, PCR and agarose electrophoresis. |
| Physical Chemistry 3, 3 units | This course is an introduction to the basic principles of quantum mechanics and its applications. It focuses on a conceptual understanding of quantum theory and the application of these and related concepts to solve chemical problems. The course traces the development of the atomic theory to quantum theory. The concepts and postulates of quantum mechanics are introduced and illustrated using simple systems including the particle in a box, the hydrogen atom, the helium atom, the hydrogen molecule ion, and the hydrogen molecule. |
Ancillary Courses
| Math Analysis 1, 3 units | A first course in Analysis covering plane analytic geometry, limits and continuity, derivatives of algebraic functions, and their applications. |
| Math Analysis 2, 3 units | A continuation of Analysis 1. It covers differentials, indefinite and definite integrals and their applications, derivatives and integrals of logarithmic and exponential functions, trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions, and techniques of integration. |
| Physics 1 – Optics, 3 units | A study of the fundamental concepts of oscillations, waves and optics. It deals with simple harmonic motion, mechanical waves, vibrating bodies, acoustics, electromagnetic waves, and geometrical and physical optics. Some topics on relativity are also included. |
| Physics 1 lab | This course supplements the topics discussed in the lecture class. Specifically, experiments in waves and optics are performed to provide the student concrete applications of concepts learned in the lecture class. |
| Physics 2 – Electronics, 3 units | |
| Physics 2 – lab |
Elective Courses
| Biochemistry Elective 1, 3 units | This course focuses on the molecular principles to explain the structure, function, dynamics and bioenergetics of biological membranes. The molecular basis of selected diseases and drug therapy is also included. |
| Biochemistry Elective 2, 3 units | This course is an introduction to the biochemistry of foods of plant origin. The course is designed to give students a basic understanding of the biochemical components of plant foods and the changes that occur during the processing of specific food types. An overview of plant biochemistry, including discussions of photosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, nitrogen fixation, reduction and assimilation, is also included. |
Research and Professional Engagement
| Thesis 1, 1 unit |
These courses allow the student to develop the research topic proposed in Chemistry Research, through experimentation. A defended oral presentation and the submission of the written scientific report is expected in the final course. |
| Thesis 2, 1 unit | |
| Thesis 3, 1 unit | |
| Practicum, 3 units | This course provides students the opportunity to gain work experience and practical skills and develop desirable attitudes in the workplace under the supervision of a Chemistry Practicum Coordinator |
Biochemistry Courses
| Physical Biochemistry, 3 units lecture + 1 unit laboratory |
This course covers fundamental concepts of physical chemistry and their application to understanding the behavior of biological systems. Topics include thermodynamics of biochemical reactions and molecular folding, kinetics of chemical reactions, and molecular spectroscopy. |
| Biochemistry of the Gene, 3 units lecture + 1 unit laboratory | The course introduces the students to basic concepts and principles involved in the science of genetics. A balanced view of both classical and molecular genetics is presented. |
Biology Courses
| Comparative Anatomy, 3 units lecture + 2 unit laboratory | A course that deals with basic patterns of vertebrates through dissection of representative animals. |
| Industrial Microbiology, 2 units lecture + 1 unit laboratory | The course deals with the study of anatomy, physiology and genetics of microorganisms, in particular, those of typical and atypical bacteria, viruses, viroids and prions. |
| Physiology, 3 units lecture + 2 unit laboratory | This course presents the fundamental principles and mechanisms of vertebrate physiology with emphasis on the human systems. Concepts of the internal environment and generalized components of the homeostatic control systems are discussed as well as structure-function relationships of the different systems. |
Additional Courses (non-CMO/PSG)
| Principles of Chemistry 2, 3 units | This course is intended to take the Chemistry major into a deeper discussion of chemical bonding (valence bond and molecular orbital theories), solids, and solutions. Electrochemistry and nuclear chemistry is also covered. Applications of general chemistry concepts and principles to social issues and the environment, particularly the atmosphere, are added as enrichment topics. |
| Chemometrics, 3 units | The course is an introduction to applied chemometrics and very relevant to data analysis within chemoinformatics, bioinformatics and process chemistry. Chemometric methods, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression, including common data pre-processing are covered. Some mathematical and statistical expressions will be used in the course and a variety of data (e.g. chemical, sensory and spectroscopic data) will be used as examples. |
| Math Analysis 3, 3 units | A continuation of Analysis 2. It covers polar coordinates, indeterminate forms and improper integrals, infinite sequences and series, 3-dimensional space, quadratic surfaces, functions of several variables and evaluation of multiple integrals in Cartesian coordinates. |
| Differential Equations, 3 units | This is a course in the solution of first order differential equations, and higher order differential equations, Laplace transforms, power series method and boundary value problems. |
| Organic Chemistry 3, 3 units | This course covers advanced topics in organic chemistry including molecular orbitals, pericyclic reactions, and enolates. Molecular structure elucidation from NMR spectra, utilizing one- and two-dimensional techniques, along with mass spectral information is emphasized. |
| Chemistry Research, 2 units | This course is designed to prepare students to undertake research in chemistry. It is devoted to the conceptualization, organization and planning of an original project in chemistry. It seeks to familiarize the student with the chemical literature as well as with legal and social issues confronting researches, ethics, and conduct of research, intellectual property rights, scientific writing. The course requirements include the submission of a research proposal. |
| Chemistry Seminar, 1 unit | This course is designed to help the student to develop an awareness of recent developments in the field by attending and actively participating in chemistry seminars. The course seeks to train the students to present result, conclusion and views in public. The student is required to present a seminar on a chosen topic, attend department seminars and prepare reaction papers. |
Table 3. Comparison with other Chemistry programs
| Courses | BS CHY-FSC | BS BCH | BS CHY | BS CHYB | CHED Minimum Requirements for BS Chemistry |
| General Education | 44 + (6)* units | 44 + (6)* units | 44 + (6)* units | 44 + (6)* units | 44 + (6)* units |
| Lasallian Core Curriculum | 9 + (3)* | 9 + (3)* | 9 + (3)* | 9 + (3)* | |
| Foundation | 14 | 14 | 11 | 11 | |
| Chemistry | 66 | 63 | 69 | 69 | 54 |
| Electives | 6 | 6 | 9 | 9 | |
| Thesis + Practicum | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Other Sciences | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 14 |
| Program specific | 22 (Food Science) |
13 (Biology) 8 (Biochemistry) |
12 (Business) |
6 | |
| Total Number of Units | 190 + (9)* | 186 + (9)* | 171 + (9)* | 183 + (9)* | 124 + (6)* |
| 199 | 195 | 180 | 192 | 130 | |
| Duration | 12 terms | 12 terms | 12 terms | 12 terms | 8 semesters |
* non academic units