The Major

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major provides the foundation for applications in an ever-increasing array of emerging and established areas such as medical genetic diagnostics, pharmaceutical design, neurobiology, bioinformatics, genomics, nano-technology, and paleontology. Career opportunities for students trained in this discipline are vast. The highly integrated curriculum prepares students either for employment at the B.S. level or for further training in professional or graduate schools. Majors receive fundamental instruction in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics, and begin their introduction to biochemistry in the sophomore year. The program also encourages students to engage in independent research work in faculty laboratories. A strong high school background in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics is recommended.

Requirements

Students are required to meet with their academic adviser to discuss course selections.

Foundational Courses:

Introductory Biology I, II, and III (BIO 151, 152, and 153)
General Chemistry I and II (CHEM 111/121H and 112/122H)
Calculus I and II (MATH 127/131 and 127/132)

Core Courses:

Cellular & Molecular Biology (BIOCHEM 285)
Organic Chemistry I, II, and Lab (CHEM 261, 262, and 269)
Physics I and II (PHYSICS 131/151 and 132/152)
Intro to Statistics or Multivariate Calculus (STATS 240 or MATH 233)

Upper-Level Courses:

Genetics (BIOCHEM 311)
Introductory Biochemistry Lab (BIOCHEM 376)
Real World Biochemistry (BIOCHEM 394RI)
General Biochemistry I (BIOCHEM 423)
General Biochemistry II (BIOCHEM 424)
Biochemistry Capstone Research Laboratory (BIOCHEM 426)
Biochemistry Writing Seminar (BIOCHEM 430H)
Elementary Physical Chemistry (BIOCHEM 471)
Advanced Elective Requirements: Minimum total of 8 CREDITS not including courses required for the BMB major or Practica courses. Independent Study/Research credits may be counted as advanced elective credits.

GPA Requirements

Students in BMB must have a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher in Calculus I and II and General Chemistry I and II by the end of the third semester as a BMB major. Students may not repeat more than two courses required for the major in their first 3 semesters as a BMB major.

BMB majors must earn grades of “C-” or better in all upper-level BIOCHEM courses in order for those courses to count toward graduation. BMB majors must earn grades of “C” or better in Introductory Biology I, II, and III, as well as grades of “C-” or better in General Chemistry I and II, before taking Cellular & Molecular Biology. BMB majors must also achieve a grade of “B-” or better in Cellular & Molecular Biology before taking any subsequent BIOCHEM courses.

Independent Study/Research and Advanced Elective courses

To graduate, BMB majors must have a total of 8 credits of Advanced Electives earned by working on Independent Research in a lab and/or by taking approved advanced elective science and/or math courses numbered 300 and above.