Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry (4 years)

Offered by the Faculty of Pharmacy – Department of Biochemistry

Description

Biochemistry is the branch of science concerned with the chemistry of biomolecules (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids) and chemical processes of life. It is multidisciplinary, standing at the crossroads between the physical sciences (chemistry and physics) and the life sciences (botany, zoology, microbiology, and genetics). The BS Biochemistry program offers students the understanding of the structure and function of biomolecules, studying the way these molecules are organized, and the interactions that take place among them in order to maintain life processes.

This four-year pre-medicine program equips the students with the fundamental principles and theories, as well as applications in research and industry.

The curriculum provides a balanced chemical, biological and computational components with excellent training in the following areas of biochemistry:

- Analytical and Physical Chemistry
- Biochemical Techniques in Protein, Carbohydrate, Lipid, and Nucleic Acid Chemistry
- Bioinformatics or Computational Biology
- Physical Biochemistry
- Nutritional and Enzyme Biochemistry
- Recombinant DNA and Transformation Biotechnology
- Pharmacology
- Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology
- Intermediary Metabolism
- Biochemical Principles in Immunology, Virology and Cancer

Identity

Becoming Part of the Program

Identity

Thomasian Graduate Attributes

The University of Santo Tomas, in pursuit of truth, guided by reason and illumined by faith, dedicates herself to the generation, advancement, and transmission of knowledge to form competent and compassionate professionals committed to the service of the Church, the nation, and the global community.

I am a Thomasian. I carry the SEAL of Thomasian education. I am a Servant leader, an Effective communicator and collaborator, an Analytical and creative thinker, and a Lifelong learner. With Christ at the center of my formation as a Thomasian, I am expected to demonstrate the following Thomasian Graduate Attributes (ThoGAs):

SERVANT LEADER

Show leadership abilities to promote advocacies for life, freedom, justice, and solidarity in the service of the family, the local and global communities, the Church, and the environment.
Implement relevant projects and activities that speak of Christian compassion to the poor and the marginalized in order to raise their quality of life.
Show respect for the human person, regardless of race, religion, age, and gender.

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATOR AND COLLABORATOR

Express oneself clearly, correctly, and confidently in various environments, contexts, and technologies of human interaction.
Work productively with individuals or groups from diverse cultures and demographics.
Show profound respect for individual differences and/or uniqueness as members of God’s creation.

ANALYTICAL AND CREATIVE THINKER

Show judiciousness and resourcefulness in making personal and professional decisions.
Engage in research undertakings that respond to societal issues.
Express personal and professional insights through an ethical and evidence-based approach.

LIFELONG LEARNER

Engage in reflective practice to ensure disciplinal exellence and professional development.
Exhibit preparedness and interest for continuous upgrading of competencies required by the profession or area of specialization.
Manifest fidelity to the teachings of Christ, mediated by the Catholic Church, in the continuous deepening of faith and spirituality in dealing with new life situations and challenges.

Program Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of the program, the student will:

demonstrate creative application of concepts and methods geared toward proficiency in the practice of biochemistry in the allied health, biological, and environmental sciences;
exemplify cooperative leadership that promotes good work ethics in the practice of one’s profession;
generate innovative ideas and practical solutions by utilizing logical and systematic methods in biochemistry and applying these to real-life situations;
apply through research and innovation new and existing knowledge in biochemistry to the development of concepts and products beneficial to the society;
exhibit Catholic values and moral principles true to the Thomasian ideals as biochemists contributing to the improvement of the quality of life;
demonstrate effective competencies in communication and relational skills through collaborations, utilizing available information technologies, in expressing concepts and principles in biochemistry; and
apply the concepts, principles, and techniques of Biochemistry in intellectual discourse and collaborative research of various disciplines, guided by the Thomasian values, to address global needs and challenges.

Becoming Part of the Program

Application

Application Period: August to November of each year

Application Website

Release of Results: Second Quarter of the following year

Fees

Go to THIS PAGE and look for the “Faculty of Pharmacy” tab for the tuition fees.

Career Opportunities

This program prepares the students for future careers in the following fields:

- Doctor of Medicine
- Academic Professor
- Scientist/Biochemist in Research Institutions
- Forensic Expert in Crime Laboratories
- Research & Development Expert/Quality Control Analyst in Pharmaceutical/Food/Agribusiness Companies
- Technical Sales Representative in Medical/Scientific Instruments and Chemical Companies
- Process Analyst in Manufacturing Firms

Student Experience and Support

The University of Santo Tomas provides student services that cater to academic, spiritual, and wellness concerns of students. These support units are found in the different parts of the campus and can be accessed by Thomasians. When the University shifted to distance learning, the services also transitioned to online services to continue addressing the needs of Thomasians.

Program Curriculum (New)

Effectivity: A.Y. 2023-2024

This curriculum may have some changes upon the availability of new guidelines.

Program Schedule

Year	First Term (August – December)	Second Term (January – May)	Special Term (June – July)
1	/	/	none
2	/	/	none
3	/	/	/
4	/	/	none

First Year - 2 Terms

First Term

Abbreviation	Description	Lec. Hrs.	Lab. Hrs.	Units	Pre-Requisites	Co-Requisites
BCE 621	Mathematical Analysis 1: Differential Calculus	3	0	3
BCE 622	Physics 1	3	1	4
BCM 621	Principles of Chemistry	3	2	5
BCM 622	Introduction to the Biochemistry Profession	3	0	3
FIL	Panimulang Pagsasalin	3	0	3
MATH_MW	Mathematics in the Modern World	3	0	3
NSTP 1	National Service Training Program 1	0	3	3
PATH-FIT 2	Physical Activities Towards Health and Fitness 2: Exercise-based Fitness Activities	2	0	2
THY 1	Christian Vision of the Human Person	3	0	3
UND_SELF	Understanding the Self	3	0	3
TOTAL		26	6	32


Second Term

Abbreviation	Description	Lec. Hrs.	Lab. Hrs.	Units	Pre-Requisites	Co-Requisites
BCE 623	Mathematical Analysis 2: Integral Calculus	3	0	3	BCE 621
BCE 624	Physics 2	3	1	4	BCE 622
BCM 623	Inorganic Chemistry 1	3	0	3	BCM 621
BCM 624	Organic Chemistry 1	3	0	3	BCM 621
BCM 624L	Organic Chemistry 1 (Laboratory)	0	2	2	BCM 621
BCM 625	Anatomy and Physiology with Pathophysiology	3	2	5
GE ELEC I	Elective I	3	0	3
NSTP 2	National Service Training Program 2	0	3	3	NSTP 1
PATH-FIT 1	Physical Activities Towards Health and Fitness 1: Movement Competency	2	0	2
PURPCOM	Purposive Communication	3	0	3
THY 2	Christian Vision of Marriage and Family	3	0	3	THY 1
TOTAL		26	8	34

Second Year - 2 Terms

First Term

Abbreviation	Description	Lec. Hrs.	Lab. Hrs.	Units	Pre-Requisites	Co-Requisites
BCM 626	Analytical Chemistry 1	3	0	3	BCM 623
BCM 626L	Analytical Chemistry 1 Laboratory	0	2	2	BCM 623
BCM 627	Organic Chemistry 2	3	0	3	BCM 624
BCM 627L	Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory	0	2	2	BCM 624
BCM 628	Physical Chemistry 1	3	2	5	BCE 622, BCE 623, BCM 621
BCM 629	Genetics	3	0	3	BCM 625
LIWORIZ	Life and Works of Rizal	3	0	3
PATH-FIT 4	Physical Activities Towards Health and Fitness in Sports, Martial Arts, Outdoor and Adventures Activities	2	0	2	PATH-FIT 1, PATH-FIT 2
THY 3	Christian Vision of the Church in Society	3	0	3	THY 1, THY 2
TOTAL		20	6	26


Second Term

Abbreviation	Description	Lec. Hrs.	Lab. Hrs.	Units	Pre-Requisites	Co-Requisites
ART_APP	Art Appreciation	3	0	3
BCM 6210	Analytical Chemistry 2	3	0	3	BCM 626
BCM 6210L	Analytical Chemistry 2 Laboratory	0	2	2	BCM 626
BCM 6211	Physical Chemistry 2	2	2	4	BCM 628
BCM 6212	Nucleic Acid Biochemistry	3	0	3	BCM 622, BCM 627
BCM 6213	Carbohydrate and Lipid Biochemistry	3	0	3	BCM 622, BCM 627
BCM 6214	Biochemical Techniques 1: Carbohydrates and Lipids	0	2	2	BCM 622, BCM 627
ETHICS	Ethics	3	0	3
PATH-FIT 3	Physical Activities Towards Health and Fitness in Dance and Recreational Activities	2	0	2	PATH-FIT 1, PATH-FIT 2
THY 4	Living the Christian Vision in the Contemporary World	3	0	3	THY 1, THY 2, THY 3
TOTAL		22	6	28

Third Year - 3 Terms

First Term

Abbreviation	Description	Lec. Hrs.	Lab. Hrs.	Units	Pre-Requisites	Co-Requisites
BCM 6215	Analytical Chemistry 3 with Biostatistics	3	1	4	BCM 6210
BCM 6216	Protein Chemistry	3	0	3	BCM 622, BCM 627
BCM 6217	Biochemical Techniques 2: Proteins	0	2	2	BCM 622, BCM 627
BCM 6218	Enzyme Biochemistry	3	2	5	BCM 622, BCM 627
BCM 6219	Fundamentals of Microbiology	3	0	3	BCM 627
BCM 6219L	Fundamentals of Microbiology Laboratory	0	2	2	BCM 627
ELE 1	Professional Elective 1	3	0	3
READ_PH	Readings in Philippine History	3	0	3
TOTAL		18	7	25


Second Term

Abbreviation	Description	Lec. Hrs.	Lab. Hrs.	Units	Pre-Requisites	Co-Requisites
BCM 6220	Bioethics and Biosafety	3	0	3
BCM 6221	Metabolism 1	3	0	3	BCM 6212, BCM 6213, BCM 6216
BCM 6222	Intermediary Metabolism Laboratory	0	2	2	BCM 6212, BCM 6213, BCM 6216
BCM 6223	Biochemical Techniques 3: Nucleic Acids	0	2	2	BCM 6212
BCM 6224	Nutritional Biochemistry	3	0	3	BCM 6212, BCM 6213, BCM 6216
BCM 6225	Molecular Biology and Transformation Biotechnology	3	0	3	BCM 6212, BCM 6216
BCM 6226	Bioinformatics	2	1	3	BCM 6212, BCM 6216
BCM 6227	Technical Writing	3	0	3	BCM 6212, BCM 6213, BCM 6216, BCM 6218
ELE 2	Professional Elective 2	0	2	2
TOTAL		17	7	24


Special Term

Abbreviation

Description

Lec. Hrs.

Lab. Hrs.

Units

Pre-Requisites

BCM 6228

Advanced Practice Experience / Practicum

BCM 6214,
BCM 6215,
BCM 6217,
BCM 6218,
BCM 6219,
BCM 6219L,
BCM 6221,
BCM 6226

TOTAL

Fourth Year - 2 Terms

First Term

Abbreviation	Description	Lec. Hrs.	Lab. Hrs.	Units	Pre-Requisites	Co-Requisites
BCM 6229	Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology	3	0	3	BCM 6219, BCM 6221
BCM 6229L	Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology Laboratory	0	2	2	BCM 6219, BCM 6221
BCM 6230	Seminar 1	1	0	1	BCM 6211, BCM 6220, BCM 6228
BCM 6231	Thesis 1	1	1	2	BCM 6211, BCM 6220, BCM 6224, BCM 6225, BCM 6227, BCM 6228
CONTEM_W	The Contemporary World	3	0	3
ELE 3	Professional Elective 3	3	0	3
ELE 4	Professional Elective 4	3	0	3
GE ELE II	Elective II	3	0	3
STS	Science, Technology and Society	3	0	3
TOTAL		20	3	23


Second Term

Abbreviation	Description	Lec. Hrs.	Lab. Hrs.	Units	Pre-Requisites	Co-Requisites
BCM 6232	Molecular Pharmacy	3	0	3	BCM 6218, BCM 6221
BCM 6233	Pharmacology Laboratory	0	2	2	BCM 6218, BCM 6220, BCM 6221
BCM 6234	Physical Biochemistry	3	1	4	BCE 624, BCM 6211, BCM 6218, BCM 6221
BCM 6235	Seminar 2	1	0	1	BCM 6230
BCM 6236	Thesis 1	1	1	2	BCM 6231
ELE 5	Professional Elective 5	3	0	3
ELE 6	Professional Elective 6	3	0	3
GE ELEC I	Elective I	3	0	3
TOTAL		17	4	21

Effectivity: A.Y. 2021-2022

This curriculum may have some changes upon the availability of new guidelines.

Program Schedule

Year	First Term (August – December)	Second Term (January – May)	Special Term (June – July)
1	/	/	none
2	/	/	none
3	/	/	/
4	/	/	none

First Year - 2 Terms

First Term

Abbreviation	Description	Lec. Hrs.	Lab. Hrs.	Units	Pre-Requisites	Co-Requisites
BCE 621	Mathematical Analysis 1: Differential Calculus	3	0	3
BCE 622	Physics 1	3	1	4
BCM 621	Principles of Chemistry	3	2	5
BCM 622	Introduction to the Biochemistry Profession	3	0	3
FIL	Panimulang Pagsasalin	3	0	3
MATH_MW	Mathematics in the Modern World	3	0	3
NSTP 1	National Service Training Program 1	0	3	3
PATH-FIT	Physical Activities Towards Health and Fitness in Dance	2	0	2
THY 1	Christian Vision of the Human Person	3	0	3
UND_SELF	Understanding the Self	3	0	3
TOTAL		26	6	32


Second Term

Abbreviation	Description	Lec. Hrs.	Lab. Hrs.	Units	Pre-Requisites	Co-Requisites
BCE 623	Mathematical Analysis 2: Integral Calculus	3	0	3	BCE 621
BCE 624	Physics 2	3	1	4	BCE 622
BCM 623	Inorganic Chemistry 1	3	0	3	BCM 621
BCM 624	Organic Chemistry 1	3	0	3	BCM 621
BCM 624L	Organic Chemistry 1 (Laboratory)	0	2	2	BCM 621
BCM 625	Anatomy and Physiology with Pathophysiology	3	2	5
GE ELEC I	Elective I	3	0	3
NSTP 2	National Service Training Program 2	0	3	3	NSTP 1
PATH-FIT	Human Enhancement	2	0	2
PURPCOM	Purposive Communication	3	0	3
THY 2	Christian Vision of Marriage and Family	3	0	3	THY 1
TOTAL		26	8	34

Second Year - 2 Terms

First Term

Abbreviation	Description	Lec. Hrs.	Lab. Hrs.	Units	Pre-Requisites	Co-Requisites
BCM 626	Analytical Chemistry 1	3	0	3	BCM 623
BCM 626L	Analytical Chemistry 1 Laboratory	0	2	2	BCM 623
BCM 627	Organic Chemistry 2	3	0	3	BCM 624
BCM 627L	Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory	0	2	2	BCM 624
BCM 628	Physical Chemistry 1	3	2	5	BCE 622, BCE 623, BCM 621
BCM 629	Genetics	3	0	3	BCM 625
LIWORIZ	Life and Works of Rizal	3	0	3
PATH-FIT	Physical Activities Towards Health and Fitness in Sports	2	0	2
THY 3	Christian Vision of the Church in Society	3	0	3	THY 1, THY 2
TOTAL		20	6	26


Second Term

Abbreviation	Description	Lec. Hrs.	Lab. Hrs.	Units	Pre-Requisites	Co-Requisites
ART_APP	Art Appreciation	3	0	3
BCM 6210	Analytical Chemistry 2	3	0	3	BCM 626
BCM 6210L	Analytical Chemistry 2 Laboratory	0	2	2	BCM 626
BCM 6211	Physical Chemistry 2	2	2	4	BCM 628
BCM 6212	Nucleic Acid Biochemistry	3	0	3	BCM 622, BCM 627
BCM 6213	Carbohydrate and Lipid Biochemistry	3	0	3	BCM 622, BCM 627
BCM 6214	Biochemical Techniques 1: Carbohydrates and Lipids	0	2	2	BCM 622, BCM 627
ETHICS	Ethics	3	0	3
PATH-FIT	Fitness Exercises for Specific Sports	2	0	2
THY 4	Living the Christian Vision in the Contemporary World	3	0	3	THY 1, THY 2, THY 3
TOTAL		22	6	28

Third Year - 3 Terms

First Term

Abbreviation	Description	Lec. Hrs.	Lab. Hrs.	Units	Pre-Requisites	Co-Requisites
BCM 6215	Analytical Chemistry 3 with Biostatistics	3	1	4	BCM 6210
BCM 6216	Protein Chemistry	3	0	3	BCM 622, BCM 627
BCM 6217	Biochemical Techniques 2: Proteins	0	2	2	BCM 622, BCM 627
BCM 6218	Enzyme Biochemistry	3	2	5	BCM 622, BCM 627
BCM 6219	Fundamentals of Microbiology	3	0	3	BCM 627
BCM 6219L	Fundamentals of Microbiology Laboratory	0	2	2	BCM 627
ELE 1	Professional Elective 1	3	0	3
READ_PH	Readings in Philippine History	3	0	3
TOTAL		18	7	25


Second Term

Abbreviation	Description	Lec. Hrs.	Lab. Hrs.	Units	Pre-Requisites	Co-Requisites
BCM 6220	Bioethics and Biosafety	3	0	3
BCM 6221	Metabolism 1	3	0	3	BCM 6212, BCM 6213, BCM 6216
BCM 6222	Intermediary Metabolism Laboratory	0	2	2	BCM 6212, BCM 6213, BCM 6216
BCM 6223	Biochemical Techniques 3: Nucleic Acids	0	2	2	BCM 6212
BCM 6224	Nutritional Biochemistry	3	0	3	BCM 6212, BCM 6213, BCM 6216
BCM 6225	Molecular Biology and Transformation Biotechnology	3	0	3	BCM 6212, BCM 6216
BCM 6226	Bioinformatics	2	1	3	BCM 6212, BCM 6216
BCM 6227	Technical Writing	3	0	3	BCM 6212, BCM 6213, BCM 6216, BCM 6218
ELE 2	Professional Elective 2	0	2	2
TOTAL		17	7	24


Special Term

Abbreviation

Description

Lec. Hrs.

Lab. Hrs.

Units

Pre-Requisites

BCM 6228

Advanced Practice Experience / Practicum

BCM 6214,
BCM 6215,
BCM 6217,
BCM 6218,
BCM 6219,
BCM 6219L,
BCM 6221,
BCM 6226

TOTAL

Fourth Year - 2 Terms

First Term

Abbreviation	Description	Lec. Hrs.	Lab. Hrs.	Units	Pre-Requisites	Co-Requisites
BCM 6229	Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology	3	0	3	BCM 6219, BCM 6221
BCM 6229L	Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology Laboratory	0	2	2	BCM 6219, BCM 6221
BCM 6230	Seminar 1	1	0	1	BCM 6211, BCM 6220, BCM 6228
BCM 6231	Thesis 1	1	1	2	BCM 6211, BCM 6220, BCM 6224, BCM 6225, BCM 6227, BCM 6228
CONTEM_W	The Contemporary World	3	0	3
ELE 3	Professional Elective 3	3	0	3
ELE 4	Professional Elective 4	3	0	3
GE ELE II	Elective II	3	0	3
STS	Science, Technology and Society	3	0	3
TOTAL		20	3	23


Second Term

Abbreviation	Description	Lec. Hrs.	Lab. Hrs.	Units	Pre-Requisites	Co-Requisites
BCM 6232	Molecular Pharmacy	3	0	3	BCM 6218, BCM 6221
BCM 6233	Pharmacology Laboratory	0	2	2	BCM 6218, BCM 6220, BCM 6221
BCM 6234	Physical Biochemistry	3	1	4	BCE 624, BCM 6211, BCM 6218, BCM 6221
BCM 6235	Seminar 2	1	0	1	BCM 6230
BCM 6236	Thesis 1	1	1	2	BCM 6231
ELE 5	Professional Elective 5	3	0	3
ELE 6	Professional Elective 6	3	0	3
GE ELEC I	Elective I	3	0	3
TOTAL		17	4	21

Program Recognitions

ASEAN University Network – Quality Assurance Certified

PACUCOA Level III 1st Re-Accreditation