Biochemistry

Students considering a major in Biochemistry should take CH 1010 Chemical Properties, Bonding, And Forces. If you have AP or Transfer Credit for CH 1010, you can consider taking  a Biology course in it's place. More information about which Biology courses to take can be found below. CH 1010 is the first course in the sequence and is a recommended background for future Chemistry courses.

CH 1010 and CH 1020 review material that is generally found in high school chemistry courses, and may not be necessary for students with a good chemistry background. CH 1030 and CH 1040 (offered C and D terms) are highly recommended as they provide an introduction to working in a laboratory, a key part of the skills necessary to become a biochemist.

Additional courses can be selected from the Humanities, Great Problems Seminars, and Social Sciences.  For students who receive AP credit for chemistry we recommend taking a Great Problems Seminar in place of the chemistry courses.

Your second course should be a GPS, Humanities and Arts, Social Science, or Biology Course. More information is available about these courses below. 

GPS stands for Great Problems Seminar, which are courses exclusively for first year students that allow students to learn about a problem in the world and work with a group on how to fix it. These courses are helpful with the transition to college as well as useful for students when preparing for projects such as IQP and MQP in junior and senior year. GPS courses run for both A and B term, so you will only need to choose one. More information can be found here.

Every student at WPI must complete the Humanities and Arts (HUA) Requirement. This consists of 6 courses in HUA subjects. The subjects available for HUA are:

• Art/Art History (AR)
• Music (MU)
• Theatre (TH)
• Modern Languages - Spanish (SP), German (GN), Arabic (AB), Chinese (CN), Integrated Skills in English (ISE)
  • For Spanish Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Angel Rivera (arivera@wpi.edu) 
  • For German Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Daniel DiMassa (ddimassa@wpi.edu)
  • For Arabic Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Mohammed El Hamzaoui (melhamzaoui@wpi.edu)
  • For Chinese Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Wen-Hua Du (wdu2@wpi.edu)
  • For Integrated Skills in English Information: The placement exam is not currently required and students are welcome to register for all ISE courses. Please contact Prof. Esther Boucher-Yip (efboucher@wpi.edu) or Prof. Althea Danielski (amdanielski@wpi.edu) if you have any questions.
• Literature (EN)
• Writing/Rhetoric (WR)
• History (HI)
• Humanities (HU)
• International and Global Studies (INTL)
• Philosophy (PY)
• Religion (RE)

You should pick courses in subjects you are interested in. When you come to campus you will learn more about the HUA requirement and how you will complete it. 

You are required to take two Social Science Courses in your time at WPI. The subjects that are considered Social Science are:

• Development (DEV)
• Economics (ECON)
• Environmental Studies (ENV)
• Government, Political Science, and Law (GOV)
• Psychology (PSY)
• System Dynamics (SD)
• Sociology (SOC)
• Social Science (SS)
• Society/Technology Studies (STS)

Note: ID 2050 is a course that is required before you go away for IQP and counts as one of your Social Science Courses. If you are planning on going away for IQP in your junior year, you may only want to take one social science course in your first year. 

Since biochemists work at the interface of chemistry and biology, a background in biology is also essential. Biology course are available at a variety of levels. BB 1101-Foundations of Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology should be taken first. 

Biochemistry Majors are required to take 6 classes in Math and Physics throughout their four years, with two of those courses typically being Physics. It is recommended that Biochemistry majors complete the calculus sequence (MA 1021-1024) by the end of their first year. The calculus sequence is typically taken as follows:

• MA 1021 Calculus I or MA 1020 Calculus I with Preliminary Topics (Semester-long)
• MA 1022 Calculus II or MA 1120 Calculus II (Semester-long)
• MA 1023 Calculus III or MA 1033 Theoretical Calculus III
• MA 1024 Calculus IV or MA 1034 Theoretical Calculus IV 

In choosing which Math course you will begin with, please consider the following.  

1. Complete the Math Placement Exam. The Math Placement Exam will tell you which Calculus course you should start in based on your current knowledge. If you are recommended to start in MA 1020, this will be your math course for both terms.
2. Consider if you have AP Credit (new policy as of 10/20/25):
   Students who obtain a score of “4” on the AB-level Exam will receive credit for MA 1021 and should begin with MA 1022 in A term followed by MA 1023 in B term. Those that obtain a score of "5" on the AB-level Exam will receive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022 and should begin with MA 1023/1033 in A term followed by MA 1024/1034 in B term.
   Students who obtain a grade of “4” or “5” on the BC-level Exam will receive credit for MA 1021, MA 1022 and MA 1023 and could begin with MA 1024 in A-term then MA 2051 in B-term, OR MA 1033 in A-term followed by MA 1034 in B-term. 
3. If you received a 6 or 7 on the IB, you will receive 2/3 credit of MA 1000, and you should use your math placement exam results to decide which math class to take.
4. Consider the possibility of retroactive credit. If the Math Placement Exam recommends that you start in MA 1022, MA 1023/1033, or MA 1024 but you do not have AP credit, this could be a great option for you. If, in your first year, you complete MA 1022 and MA 1023/1033 on your first attempt, you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021. If, in your first year, you complete MA 1023/1033 and MA 1024/1034 on your first attempt you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022.  If, in your first year, you complete MA 1024 and MA 2051, you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022. Please note that there is no retroactive credit for MA 1023. In determining if this is the right path for you, we strongly recommend completing the Math Placement exam and following the suggestion given to you. 

The sequence MA 1033 Theoretical Calculus III and MA 1034 Theoretical Calculus IV is an alternative to the MA 1023, MA 1024 sequence in A and B terms. The sequence is designed to give a deeper and more mathematically rigorous presentation of the relevant calculus topics. If you really enjoy math and have credit for Calculus I and II already, you should consider this sequence instead of the MA 1023-MA 1024 sequence.

Students considering a major in Chemistry should take CH 1020 Chemical Reactions in B term.

CH 1010 and CH 1020 review material that is generally found in high school chemistry courses, and may not be necessary for students with a good chemistry background. CH 1030 and CH 1040 (offered C and D terms) are highly recommended as they provide an introduction to working in a laboratory, a key part of the skills necessary to become a biochemist.

Additional courses can be selected from the Humanities, Great Problems Seminars, and Social Sciences.  For students who receive AP credit for chemistry we recommend taking a Great Problems Seminar in place of the chemistry courses.

Your second course should be a GPS, Humanities and Arts, Social Science, or Biology Course. More information is available about these courses below. 

GPS stands for Great Problems Seminar, which are courses exclusively for first year students that allow students to learn about a problem in the world and work with a group on how to fix it. These courses are helpful with the transition to college as well as useful for students when preparing for projects such as IQP and MQP in junior and senior year. GPS courses run for both A and B term, so you will only need to choose one. More information can be found here.

Every student at WPI must complete the Humanities and Arts (HUA) Requirement. This consists of 6 courses in HUA subjects. The subjects available for HUA are:

• Art/Art History (AR)
• Music (MU)
• Theatre (TH)
• Modern Languages - Spanish (SP), German (GN), Arabic (AB), Chinese (CN), Integrated Skills in English (ISE)
  • For Spanish Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Angel Rivera (arivera@wpi.edu) 
  • For German Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Daniel DiMassa (ddimassa@wpi.edu)
  • For Arabic Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Mohammed El Hamzaoui (melhamzaoui@wpi.edu)
  • For Chinese Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Wen-Hua Du (wdu2@wpi.edu)
  • For Integrated Skills in English Information: The placement exam is not currently required and students are welcome to register for all ISE courses. Please contact Prof. Esther Boucher-Yip (efboucher@wpi.edu) or Prof. Althea Danielski (amdanielski@wpi.edu) if you have any questions.
• Literature (EN)
• Writing/Rhetoric (WR)
• History (HI)
• Humanities (HU)
• International and Global Studies (INTL)
• Philosophy (PY)
• Religion (RE)

You should pick courses in subjects you are interested in. When you come to campus you will learn more about the HUA requirement and how you will complete it. 

You are required to take two Social Science Courses in your time at WPI. The subjects that are considered Social Science are:

• Development (DEV)
• Economics (ECON)
• Environmental Studies (ENV)
• Government, Political Science, and Law (GOV)
• Psychology (PSY)
• System Dynamics (SD)
• Sociology (SOC)
• Social Science (SS)
• Society/Technology Studies (STS)

Note: ID 2050 is a course that is required before you go away for IQP and counts as one of your Social Science Courses. If you are planning on going away for IQP in your junior year, you may only want to take one social science course in your first year. 

Since biochemists work at the interface of chemistry and biology, a background in biology is also essential. Biology course are available at a variety of levels. BB 1101-Foundations of Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology (offered in A and C term) should be taken first. Students who have taken BB 1101 in A term may explore BB 2550 Cell Biology in B term. 

In B Term you should take the next course in the Calculus series beyond your A term course. The following is the typical MA sequence for WPI Students.

• MA 1021 Calculus I or MA 1020 Calculus I with Preliminary Topics (Semester-long)
• MA 1022 Calculus II or MA 1120 Calculus II (Semester-long)
• MA 1023 Calculus III or MA 1033 Theoretical Calculus III
• MA 1024 Calculus IV or MA 1034 Theoretical Calculus IV 

In order to select which Math course you should take first please consider the following. 

1. Complete the Math Placement Exam. The Math Placement Exam will tell you which Calculus course you should start in based on your current knowledge. If you are recommended to start in MA 1020, this will be your math course for both terms.
2. Consider if you have AP Credit (new policy as of 10/20/25):
   Students who obtain a score of “4” on the AB-level Exam will receive credit for MA 1021 and should begin with MA 1022 in A term followed by MA 1023 in B term. Those that obtain a score of "5" on the AB-level Exam will receive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022 and should begin with MA 1023/1033 in A term followed by MA 1024/1034 in B term.
   Students who obtain a grade of “4” or “5” on the BC-level Exam will receive credit for MA 1021, MA 1022 and MA 1023 and could begin with MA 1024 in A-term then MA 2051 in B-term, OR MA 1033 in A-term followed by MA 1034 in B-term. 
3. If you received a 6 or 7 on the IB, you will receive 2/3 credit of MA 1000, and you should use your math placement exam results to decide which math class to take.
4. Consider the possibility of retroactive credit. If the Math Placement Exam recommends that you start in MA 1022, MA 1023/1033, or MA 1024 but you do not have AP credit, this could be a great option for you. If, in your first year, you complete MA 1022 and MA 1023/1033 on your first attempt, you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021. If, in your first year, you complete MA 1023/1033 and MA 1024/1034 on your first attempt you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022.  If, in your first year, you complete MA 1024 and MA 2051, you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022. Please note that there is no retroactive credit for MA 1023. In determining if this is the right path for you, we strongly recommend completing the Math Placement exam and following the suggestion given to you. 

The sequence MA 1033 Theoretical Calculus III and MA 1034 Theoretical Calculus IV is an alternative to the MA 1023, MA 1024 sequence in A and B terms. The sequence is designed to give a deeper and more mathematically rigorous presentation of the relevant calculus topics. If you really enjoy math and have credit for Calculus I and II already, you should consider this sequence instead of the MA 1023-MA 1024 sequence.

Students considering biochemistry as a major should make sure that by the end of the first year, that they have completed the general chemistry sequence (CH 1010-1040). 

CH 1030 Kinetics, Equilibrium And Thermodynamics is only offered in C term or E term (summer). Therefore, Biochemistry majors who have completed CH 1010 and CH 1020 in the fall should take CH 1030 in C term.

Students who did not take CH 1010 and 1020 in the fall should take CH 1010 in C term.  

Your second course should be a Humanities and Arts, Social Science, or Biology Course. More information is available about these courses below. 

Every student at WPI must complete the Humanities and Arts (HUA) Requirement. This consists of 6 courses in HUA subjects. The subjects available for HUA are:

• Art/Art History (AR)
• Music (MU)
• Theatre (TH)
• Modern Languages - Spanish (SP), German (GN), Arabic (AB), Chinese (CN), Integrated Skills in English (ISE)
  • For Spanish Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Angel Rivera (arivera@wpi.edu) 
  • For German Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Daniel DiMassa (ddimassa@wpi.edu)
  • For Arabic Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Mohammed El Hamzaoui (melhamzaoui@wpi.edu)
  • For Chinese Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Wen-Hua Du (wdu2@wpi.edu)
  • For Integrated Skills in English Information: The placement exam is not currently required and students are welcome to register for all ISE courses. Please contact Prof. Esther Boucher-Yip (efboucher@wpi.edu) or Prof. Althea Danielski (amdanielski@wpi.edu) if you have any questions.
• Literature (EN)
• Writing/Rhetoric (WR)
• History (HI)
• Humanities (HU)
• International and Global Studies (INTL)
• Philosophy (PY)
• Religion (RE)

You should pick courses in subjects you are interested in. When you come to campus you will learn more about the HUA requirement and how you will complete it. 

You are required to take two Social Science Courses in your time at WPI. The subjects that are considered Social Science are:

• Development (DEV)
• Economics (ECON)
• Environmental Studies (ENV)
• Government, Political Science, and Law (GOV)
• Psychology (PSY)
• System Dynamics (SD)
• Sociology (SOC)
• Social Science (SS)
• Society/Technology Studies (STS)

Note: ID 2050 is a course that is required before you go away for IQP and counts as one of your Social Science Courses. If you are planning on going away for IQP in your junior year, you may only want to take one social science course in your first year. 

Since biochemists work at the interface of chemistry and biology, a background in biology is also essential. Biology course are available at a variety of levels. BB 1101-Foundations of Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology should be taken first and is offered in A and C terms. Students who have completed BB 1101 may look to take BB 2550 Cell Biology or BB 2920 Genetics, both of which are required for Biochemistry majors.

Biochemistry Majors are required to take 6 classes in Math and Physics throughout their four years, with two of those courses typically being Physics. It is recommended that Biochemistry majors complete the calculus sequence (MA 1021-1024) by the end of their first year. Biochemistry majors should take the next course in the calculus sequence following what they take in B term.  

The calculus sequence is typically taken as follows:

• MA 1021 Calculus I or MA 1020 Calculus I with Preliminary Topics (Semester-long)
• MA 1022 Calculus II or MA 1120 Calculus II (Semester-long)
• MA 1023 Calculus III or MA 1033 Theoretical Calculus III
• MA 1024 Calculus IV or MA 1034 Theoretical Calculus IV 

The sequence MA 1033 Theoretical Calculus III and MA 1034 Theoretical Calculus IV is an alternative to the MA 1023, MA 1024 sequence in A and B terms only. MA 1023 and 1024 are the only Calculus III and IV options available in C and D terms.

Students considering biochemistry as a major should make sure that by the end of the first year, that they have completed the general chemistry sequence (CH 1010-1040). 

CH 1040 Spectroscopy In Organic And Polymer Chemistry is only offered in D term. Therefore, Biochemistry majors who have completed CH 1010, CH 1020, and CH 1030 should take CH 1040 in D term.

Students who did not take CH 1010 and 1020 in the fall should take CH 1020 Chemical Reactions in D term.  

Your second course should be a Humanities and Arts, Social Science, or Biology Course. More information is available about these courses below. 

Every student at WPI must complete the Humanities and Arts (HUA) Requirement. This consists of 6 courses in HUA subjects. The subjects available for HUA are:

• Art/Art History (AR)
• Music (MU)
• Theatre (TH)
• Modern Languages - Spanish (SP), German (GN), Arabic (AB), Chinese (CN), Integrated Skills in English (ISE)
  • For Spanish Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Angel Rivera (arivera@wpi.edu) 
  • For German Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Daniel DiMassa (ddimassa@wpi.edu)
  • For Arabic Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Mohammed El Hamzaoui (melhamzaoui@wpi.edu)
  • For Chinese Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Wen-Hua Du (wdu2@wpi.edu)
  • For Integrated Skills in English Information: The placement exam is not currently required and students are welcome to register for all ISE courses. Please contact Prof. Esther Boucher-Yip (efboucher@wpi.edu) or Prof. Althea Danielski (amdanielski@wpi.edu) if you have any questions.
• Literature (EN)
• Writing/Rhetoric (WR)
• History (HI)
• Humanities (HU)
• International and Global Studies (INTL)
• Philosophy (PY)
• Religion (RE)

You should pick courses in subjects you are interested in. When you come to campus you will learn more about the HUA requirement and how you will complete it. 

You are required to take two Social Science Courses in your time at WPI. The subjects that are considered Social Science are:

• Development (DEV)
• Economics (ECON)
• Environmental Studies (ENV)
• Government, Political Science, and Law (GOV)
• Psychology (PSY)
• System Dynamics (SD)
• Sociology (SOC)
• Social Science (SS)
• Society/Technology Studies (STS)

Note: ID 2050 is a course that is required before you go away for IQP and counts as one of your Social Science Courses. If you are planning on going away for IQP in your junior year, you may only want to take one social science course in your first year. 

Since biochemists work at the interface of chemistry and biology, a background in biology is also essential. Biology course are available at a variety of levels. BB 1101-Foundations of Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology should be taken first. 

In  D Term you should take the next course in the Calculus series beyond your C term course. The following is the typical MA sequence for WPI Students.

• MA 1021 Calculus I or MA 1020 Calculus I with Preliminary Topics (Semester-long)
• MA 1022 Calculus II or MA 1120 Calculus II (Semester-long)
• MA 1023 Calculus III or MA 1033 Theoretical Calculus III
• MA 1024 Calculus IV or MA 1034 Theoretical Calculus IV 

The sequence MA 1033 Theoretical Calculus III and MA 1034 Theoretical Calculus IV is an alternative to the MA 1023, MA 1024 sequence in A and B terms only. MA 1023 and 1024 are the only Calculus III and IV options available in C and D terms.