BIOCHEMISTRY DEGREE OBJECTIVES
The Biochemistry degree was created to meet the demand for students who are interested in working at the interface between biology and chemistry. This is a very exciting and rapidly growing field because of its many applications in biotechnology, physiology, genetics, cancer research, and the health sciences in general. The program is designed to prepare students for a broad range of career possibilities in teaching, research, industry, and the health professions.

BIOCHEMISTRY DEGREE LEARNING OUTCOMES
After successful completion of the biochemistry degree program, students will have a foundational knowledge of chemistry comparable to a chemistry degree recipient; be familiar with common biotechnology techniques and processes; and have the ability to apply pertinent biochemical knowledge to the solution of diverse scientific, environmental, and social problems. Students will also be able to:

- Appreciate and understand the structure of the major classes of biochemical compounds;
- Relate the structural attributes of biochemical compounds to their function within a cell or organism;
- Perform pertinent biochemical calculations involving enzyme kinetics and bioenergetics;
- Appreciate and understand the metabolism of the major classes of biochemical compounds;
- Facilitate comparisons of similar and dissimilar features of metabolism for opposing anabolic and catabolic pathways, and provide a discussion of their regulation;
- Promote an understanding of the integrated nature of all biochemical processes;
- Perform biochemistry laboratory techniques and procedures independently;
- Create complete laboratory reports detailing the experimental analysis, and discussion of applicable techniques; and
- Think scientifically and independently.

BIOCHEMISTRY DEGREE MEANS OF ASSESSMENT
To assess students learning, the faculty will employ traditional evaluation techniques such as homework assignments, quizzes, examinations, and evaluation of laboratory experiments. The ACS offers standardized exams in every field of chemistry, including biochemistry, and these will be administered to our students upon completion of their coursework to see how they compare to national averages. In addition, a service learning component will be incorporated in selected courses. Finally, students will be required to fulfill a capstone project, typically independent undergraduate research under the supervision of a chemistry faculty member. The project concludes with the student’s oral and written presentation to the faculty and to his/her peers. We anticipate that most biochemistry students will also present their research at national meetings of scientific societies, such as the American Chemical Society.

CHEMISTRY DEGREE OBJECTIVES
The chemistry degree program prepares chemistry majors for graduate work in pure and applied chemistry, for employment as research chemists and chemical technicians, for entrance into schools for education in the health science and environmental fields, for governmental civil service and teaching positions.

CHEMISTRY DEGREE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Eastern Oregon University chemistry graduates will understand the basic chemical principles in the major specialty areas which include inorganic, organic, physical and analytical chemistry. They will be proficient in using appropriate and safe laboratory practices and techniques including the use of instrumentation and computers. The graduates will be able to design and conduct chemical research with appropriate documentation including literature searches. They will understand the importance of their discipline to modern society and be able to communicate chemical knowledge both orally and in writing to their peers and to the lay public.

CHEMISTRY DEGREE MEANS OF ASSESSMENT
Students are assessed by standardized examinations as they progress through the courses they take. This measures them in comparison to national standards. In addition, the capstone courses they take involve assessment by the entire chemistry faculty members during their oral presentations. The results of their individual research projects are measures of their proficiency to design and conduct meaningful experiments.