Biochemistry
College of Arts & Sciences
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Principles of Biochemistry
CAS CH 373
Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 105 or CAS BI 108 or CAS NE 102 or ENG BE 209; and CAS CH 204 o r CAS CH 214 or CAS CH 212 or CAS CH 174; or equivalent. - Prereq: (CAS BI 105 or CAS BI 108 or CAS NE 102 or ENG BE 208) and (CAS CH 174 or CAS CH 204 or CAS CH 212 or CAS CH 214) or equivalent. Introductory biochemistry focusing on structure/function with applications to medicine, nutrition, and biotechnology, including acid/base chemistry, protein structure, enzyme mechanisms, thermodynamics, and kinetics; nucleic acid structure/function and information transfer, carbohydrates and carbohydrate metabolism, lipids and lipid metabolism, and bioenergetics of oxidative energy metabolism. Students must register for two sections: lecture and discussion. 4 cr. Tuition: $3380
Summer 2 (June 29-August 7)
B1 (LEC) Mon./Tues./Wed./Thurs. 10 am-12 noon Add & Drop DatesCourse Start Date Monday, June 29, 2026 Last day to add Monday, July 6, 2026 Last day to drop without "W" grade Monday, July 6, 2026 Last day to drop with "W" grade Wednesday, July 22, 2026 Course End Date Friday, August 7, 2026 Location: SCI 117 ... Open SeatsMust register for Lec (B1) & Dis (B2, B3, or B4)B2 (DIS) Mon./Tues./Wed. 1-2 pm... Open SeatsB3 (DIS) Mon./Tues./Wed. 1-2 pm... Open SeatsB4 (DIS) Mon./Tues./Wed. 1-2 pm... Open Seats -
Biochemistry 1
CAS BB 421
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASCH 204 or CASCH 212 or CASCH 214) and First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CASWR 100 or CASWR 120). Introductory biochemistry. Protein structure and folding, enzyme mechanisms, kinetics, and allostery; nucleic acid structure; macromolecular biosynthesis with emphasis on specificity and fidelity; lipids and membrane structure; vitamins and coenzymes; introduction to intermediary metabolism. Students must register for three sections: lecture, discussion, and a laboratory. Effective Summer 2025, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Critical Thinking, Teamwork/Collaboration. 4 cr. Tuition: $3380; lab fee: $200; total charge: $3580
Summer 1 (May 19-June 26)
A1 (LEC) Mon./Tues./Wed./Thurs. 10 am-12 noon Add & Drop DatesCourse Start Date Tuesday, May 19, 2026 Last day to add Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Last day to drop without "W" grade Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Last day to drop with "W" grade Thursday, June 11, 2026 Course End Date Friday, June 26, 2026 Location: PHO 206 ... Open SeatsBlair SzymczynaMust register for Lec (A1), Dis (A2), & a Lab (A3 or A4). Meets w/ CAS BB 423 A1A2 (DIS) Thurs. 9-10 am Add & Drop DatesCourse Start Date Tuesday, May 19, 2026 Last day to add Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Last day to drop without "W" grade Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Last day to drop with "W" grade Thursday, June 11, 2026 Course End Date Friday, June 26, 2026 Location: PHO 206 ... Open SeatsBlair SzymczynaA3 (LAB) Mon./Wed. 1:30-5:30 pm Add & Drop DatesCourse Start Date Tuesday, May 19, 2026 Last day to add Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Last day to drop without "W" grade Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Last day to drop with "W" grade Thursday, June 11, 2026 Course End Date Friday, June 26, 2026 Location: SCI 162 ... Open SeatsBlair SzymczynaA4 (LAB) Tues./Thurs. 1:30-5:30 pm Add & Drop DatesCourse Start Date Tuesday, May 19, 2026 Last day to add Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Last day to drop without "W" grade Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Last day to drop with "W" grade Thursday, June 11, 2026 Course End Date Friday, June 26, 2026 Location: SCI 162 ... Open SeatsBlair Szymczyna -
Biochemistry Lecture 1
CAS BB 423
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASCH204 or CASCH212 or CASCH214) or equivalent. -Lecture-only biochemistry. Not acceptable for credit toward the chemistry major or minor (unless you have prior departmental approval). For students who do not require laboratory credit. 3 cr. Tuition: $2535
Summer 1 (May 19-June 26)
A1 (LEC) Mon./Tues./Wed./Thurs. 10 am-12 noon Add & Drop DatesCourse Start Date Tuesday, May 19, 2026 Last day to add Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Last day to drop without "W" grade Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Last day to drop with "W" grade Thursday, June 11, 2026 Course End Date Friday, June 26, 2026 Location: PHO 206 ... Open SeatsBlair SzymczynaMeets w/CAS BB 421 A1
Choosing the Right Biochemistry Course: CAS CH 373 or CAS BB 421.
CAS CH 373 is a one-semester course designed for students who do not require two semesters of biochemistry (some biological and health science majors). CAS CH 373 does not fulfill the prerequisite requirement for any second-semester biochemistry course offered at Boston University.
CAS BB 421 is the first semester of a two-semester sequence of biochemistry. The course is designed for science concentrators who require a two-semester biochemistry sequence (chemistry, biochemistry).
CAS BB 423 is the lecture component (no lab) of CAS BB 421.