Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major

Foundations courses:

• BIO 101 - Explorations in Biology I: The Research Process (4 Cr.)
• BIO 102 - Explorations in Biology II: Life in Context (4 Cr.)
• BIO 210 - Cell Biology and Biochemistry (4 Cr.)
• BIO 220 - Principles of Genetics (4 Cr.)
• BIO 224 - Techniques in Genetics and Molecular Biology (1 Cr.)
• CHE 111 - Principles of Chemistry I with Lab (4 Cr.)
• CHE 151 - Principles of Chemistry II with Lab (4 Cr.)
• CHE 230 - Organic Chemistry I with Lab (4 Cr.)
• CHE 235 - Organic Chemistry II with Lab (4 Cr.)

Core courses:

• CHE 340 - Biophysical Chemistry with Lab (4 Cr.)
• CHE 341 * - Biochemistry I (4 Cr.)
• CHE 442 * - Techniques in Biochemistry (2 Cr.)

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• BIO 324 - Advanced Molecular Biology (4 Cr.) OR
• BIO 327 - Advanced Genetics (4 Cr.)
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• *Note that these courses may only be counted towards a single major or minor.

One Seminar chosen from:

• BIO 420 - Seminar in Neurobiology (2 Cr.)
• BIO 445 - Seminar: Biochemistry of Gene Expression (2 Cr.)
• BIO 454 - Seminar in Infectious Diseases (2 Cr.)
• BIO 456 - Seminar in Microbial Mutualism (2 Cr.)
• BIO 474 - Seminar in Mechanisms of Aging and Cancer (2 Cr.)
• BIO 477 - Seminar in Human Physiology (2 Cr.)
• BIO 482 - Seminar in Genetics and Human Disease (2 Cr.)
• BIO 487 - Seminar in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (2 Cr.)

One capstone experience chosen from:

• BIO 497 - Capstone in Biological Sciences (2 Cr.)
• CHE 497 - Capstone in Chemistry (1 Cr.)
• A BIO 490  or CHE 495Y  research project approved by BCMB faculty to be related to the major.

An additional 4 credits at the 300- or 400-level chosen from:

• BIO 324 - Advanced Molecular Biology (4 Cr.)
• BIO 327 - Advanced Genetics (4 Cr.)
• BIO 333 - Plant Physiology (4 Cr.)
• BIO 354 - Microbiology (4 Cr.)
• BIO 362 - Endocrinology (4 Cr.)
• BIO 378 - Developmental Biology (4 Cr.)
• BIO 420 - Seminar in Neurobiology (2 Cr.)
• BIO 445 - Seminar: Biochemistry of Gene Expression (2 Cr.) (formerly CHE 345* - Biochemistry of Gene Expression - *see note above)
• BIO 454 - Seminar in Infectious Diseases (2 Cr.)
• BIO 456 - Seminar in Microbial Mutualism (2 Cr.)
• BIO 474 - Seminar in Mechanisms of Aging and Cancer (2 Cr.)
• BIO 482 - Seminar in Genetics and Human Disease (2 Cr.)
• CHE 330 - Organic Chemistry III (2 Cr.)
• CHE 355 - Modern Methods of Chemical Analysis and Lab (4 Cr.)
• CHE 380 - Medicinal Chemistry (2 Cr.)

Supporting coursework:

• MA 172 - Calculus through Data and Modeling (4 Cr.) OR MA 170 INACTIVE and MA 180  Calculus II (4 Cr.)

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• PHY 115 - Principles of Physics I (4 Cr.) or
• PHY 125 - General Physics I (4 Cr.)

Note:

Laboratory proficiency and writing proficiency in the major are required and are evaluated in BIO 224 , CHE 442 , and additional upper level labs as necessary.

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major with ASBMB Certification

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology majors have the option of earning certification of their degree by the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology by passing a nationwide written exam. No additional coursework is required.

Honors in the major

For honors in the major (with or without ACS certification), BIO 490  or CHE 495Y  must be completed with a minimum grade of A-, and a minimum GPA of 3.5 must ordinarily be achieved in all biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics courses counted toward the major.