Interdisciplinary Programs

Biochemistry Program

Program Website: oakland.edu/biochemistry

Coordinator: Zijuan Liu (Biological Sciences)

Biochemistry Committee: Sitaramayya Ari (Chemistry), Arthur W. Bull (Chemistry), Anne Hitt (Biological Sciences), Sanela Martic (Chemistry), Chhabi Govind (Biological Sciences), Zijuan Liu (Biological Sciences)

This interdepartmental program offers a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biochemistry. The biochemistry program is based on faculty resources and research facilities in the departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for a career in biochemical research, graduate study in biochemistry or molecular biology, or professional education in medicine, dentistry or other health sciences.

Undergraduate students in the biochemistry program have access to faculty research laboratories and are encouraged to participate in various ongoing research programs such as studies in metabolism, gene expression, hormone action, immunochemistry, molecular biology, molecular genetics and macromolecular structure.

The minimum requirement for a B.S. in biochemistry is 124 credits, including coursework in biological sciences (16 credits), chemistry (32 credits) and biochemistry (12 credits). No more than 8 credits of course work used to fulfill the requirements of a major or minor in biology may be used to fulfill the requirements of a major in biochemistry. Courses used to fulfill the requirements for a major in biochemistry may not be used simultaneously to fulfill the requirements for a major or minor in chemistry.

Admission to major standing

Students may apply for major standing after completion of 18 credits of chemistry and at least 8 credits of biology from the requirements listed below, with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.50 in those courses. The biochemistry committee must approve major standing and a detailed plan of study at least three semesters prior to graduation.

Program honors

Program honors may be granted to graduating seniors in biochemistry on the basis of high academic achievement (minimum 3.60 overall grade point average) and excellence in biochemical research at Oakland University.

Pre-medical studies concentration: medicine, dentistry, optometry and veterinary medicine

Pre-Medical Studies: Medicine, Dentistry, Optometry and Veterinary Medicine Concentration  

The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biochemistry provides students with all the requirements for a pre-medical studies concentration. The Bachelor of Science degree and the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in chemistry provide students with all the requirements for a pre-medical studies concentration with the exception of five courses in biology/biochemistry that must be completed. Students interested in a medical career should refer to the pre-medical studies concentration in medicine, dentistry, optometry and veterinary medicine (Other Academic Options) and consult with the biology or biochemistry adviser and with the pre-medical studies adviser, Professor Keith Berven.

Programs & cores

Biochemistry, B.S.  

Environmental Science Program

260A SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING BUILDING (248) 370-2320
Fax: (248) 370-2321
Program Website: oakland.edu/environmental-science

Director: Linda Schweitzer (Chemistry)

Faculty: Edith Chopin, Marcella Colling, Gaylon Jolley, Jim Leidel, D. David Newlin, Linda Schweitzer, David Szlag, Wendy Wilson

Designed to integrate applied scientific specialties within the broad field of environmental science, the environmental science curricula prepare students for a variety of professional opportunities in government as well as the private sector, and for graduate study in such fields as toxic substance management, public health, toxicology, pharmacology, industrial hygiene and environmental planning.

Graduates of the program should be able to identify and evaluate a broad range of environmental problems. In addition, they should be able to offer solutions, anticipate hazards and prevent future problems. Studies include such areas as health in the workplace, toxic substance regulations, applied ecology, pollution prevention, air resources, water resources and public environmental policy.

Programs & cores

Environmental Science, B.S.  

Environmental Science Minor  

Environmental Studies Concentration  

Liberal Studies Program

(248) 370-4680
Program Website: oakland.edu/bals

Director: Cynthia Sifonis

Liberal Studies Executive Committee: Ken Elder (Physics), Henri Gooren (Sociology and Anthropology), Eric LaRock (Philosophy), Daniel Lorca (Modern Languages and Literatures)

Chief Adviser: Cynthia Sifonis (Psychology)

Based in the College of Arts and Sciences, the liberal studies major program is an innovative and rigorous interdisciplinary approach to undergraduate education. The objectives of this program are in harmony with the goals of a liberal education: that is, to cultivate the individual’s ability to integrate diverse fields of human knowledge and activity. The outcomes of this program include enhanced abilities in critical and analytical thinking and writing in addition to development of creative and collaborative abilities. 

Program honors

Program honors may be granted to graduating seniors in liberal studies on the basis of high academic achievement (minimum 3.60 overall grade point average) and excellence in the senior thesis (LBS 495 /LBS 496 ). The Liberal Studies Executive Committee will determine program honors recipients.

Programs & cores

Liberal Studies, B.A.  

Women and Gender Studies Program

(248) 370-2154

Program Website: oakland.edu/wgs

Director: Jo Reger (Sociology)

Women and Gender Studies Executive Committee:  Fabia Ursula Battistuzzi (Biological Sciences), Ami Harbin (Philosophy and Women and Gender Studies), Lan Jiang (Biology), Laura Landolt (Political Science), Jennifer Lucarelli (Health Sciences), Valerie Palmer-Mehta (Communication), George Sanders (Sociology), Robert Sidelinger (Communication), Anne Switzer (Kresge Library)

Chief adviser: Jo Reger (Sociology)

Women and Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary field devoted to the study of the dynamics of gender, sex and power. Particular attention is given to differences among women in various social and cultural contexts, the representation of women in literature, art and the media, and the conditions that promote and impede women’s progress. In addition, women and gender studies puts gender, what it means to be feminine or masculine, at the center of the analysis. This includes questioning how gender shapes societal participation, privileges, statuses, and experiences. Women and gender studies uses feminist methodologies and theories to describe and analyze the impact of social movements, historical events, public policy and other social forces on women and men. Specific attention is given to how gender intersects with race, class, sex, sexual identity, national identity and religion.

Program honors

To be a candidate for honors in women and gender studies, students must be graduating seniors who have taken a minimum of 20 credits of their women and gender studies major course work at Oakland University and have earned a minimum GPA of 3.60 in that coursework with an overall minimum GPA of 3.0. In addition, a letter of reference is required concerning the student’s volunteer involvement in a service activity relevant to women’s issues.

Additional information

PA 510 and PA 511 are graduate level courses open to undergraduate students with instructor, and women and gender studies director permission.

Programs & cores

Women and Gender Studies, B.A.  

Women and Gender Studies Minor  

Schedule of classes

Specific offerings for each semester may be found in the Schedule of Classes: sail.oakland.edu.

Interdisciplinary programs list of courses

The programs offers selected courses from this catalog as warranted by student needs and availability of faculty (Go to Departments to see course listings).