I am writing this petition on behalf of all biology majors who are required to take Biochemistry and lab in order to graduate from the University of Texas at San Antonio. The issue with enrolling in Biochemistry arose when students were failed to be informed of the changes made to their degree plan. Most students, including myself, did not know of these changes and this petition is to bring to their attention the causes of lowering what was once known as an upper-division course. By lowering the biochemistry lecture (BCH-2903) and lab (BCH-2912), it puts a vast amount of students to a "hold" on graduating in the next offered semester due to it not being offered in Summer of 2024. Biochemistry is a requirement for Biology degree plans and should also be considered as an upper-division level course that students who are enrolled in now have the advantage of taking. 

This matter presents a financial and academic disadvantage to students currently enrolled in organic chemistry II, which is still considered an upper-division course, due to its difficulty. According to the UTSA 2023-24 Student Policies - Courses tab "Courses beginning with “1” or “2” are lower-division (freshman and sophomore level). Courses beginning with “3” or “4” are upper-division (junior and senior level)". By making this course a lower-division course, it allows more students to join implying that they have completed the pre-requisites of taking organic chemistry I & II, which, may I remind you, are upper-division courses.

By reinstating biochemistry as an upper-division course, this will allow us not only to complete our degree as planned, but to stay on track for our applications to any graduate or medical school of our choice.