Declaring Biochemistry as a Major

1. Meeting the Entry Requirements. The entry requirements for the biochemistry major are: a grade of C+ or higher in either BIO 326 (Genetics and Cell Biology I) or BIO 327 (Genetics and Cell Biology II), a grade of C+ in CHE 275 (Organic Chemistry I) and at least 30 credits in courses graded A-F at Syracuse University. The criteria used to judge that entry requirements have been met are that the required courses, with assigned letter grades, appear on the record of the student as provided by the Office of the Registrar. A student who has not completed the entry requirements for the biochemistry program but for some reason needs to officially declare a major, may decide to declare Chemistry, Biology or another program/major not having entry requirements. Once the entry requirements for the biochemistry major have been met, it is a simple process to switch from any current major to the biochemistry major following steps 2 and 3 below.

2. Official Academic Plan. In order to declare the biochemistry major the student must complete the "Designation of Official Academic Plan" sometimes referred to as the, "Declaration of Major" form. These forms are available from the departmental offices of Biology and Chemistry as well as from the College of Arts and Sciences Office (329 HL). The form with the student's name, SU ID and "Biochemistry" as the declared academic plan (major) should be submitted to either of the primary biochemistry advisors, Professor S. Chan (Office, 310 BRL, sachan@syr.edu or Biology Office, 122 Lyman Hall) or Professor J. C. Dabrowiak (Office 2-016D CST jcdabrow@syr.edu or Chemistry Office, 1-014, CST). After checking that entry requirements have been met, the form will be signed by the primary advisor and the student notified by e-mail that the form is ready.

3. Submission of Official Academic Plan to the College of Arts and Sciences Office. The signed Official Academic Plan form should be submitted by the student to the College of Arts and Science Office (329 HL), for the approval signature of the dean of the home college. This completes the declaration process for the biochemistry major.