Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major

Foundations courses:

• BIO 111 - Explorations in Biology I: Life in Context (4 Cr.)
• BIO 112 - Explorations in Biology II: The Research Process (4 Cr.)
• BIO 220 - Principles of Genetics (4 Cr.)
• BIO 224 - Techniques in Genetics and Molecular Biology (1 Cr.)
• BIO 254 - Microbiology (4 Cr.) OR  BIO 278 - Developmental Biology (4 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 (4 Cr.) (May only be counted towards a single major or minor.)
• CHE 442 - Techniques in Biochemistry (2 Cr.) (May only be counted towards a single major or minor.)
• BIO 324 - Molecular Biology (4 Cr.) OR  BIO 327 - Molecular Genetics and Genomics (4 Cr.)  OR  BIO 336 - Cellular Biology (4 Cr.)   

One Seminar Selected 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.)

One capstone experience selected from:

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

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

• BIO 324 - Molecular Biology (4 Cr.)
• BIO 327 - Molecular Genetics and Genomics (4 Cr.)
• BIO 336 - Cellular Biology (4 Cr.)
• 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.)
• 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:

• DMC 172 - Applied Calculus (4 Cr.)
• 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 254  (WEC) or BIO 278  (WEC), 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, students must complete one year (4 Cr.), or summer plus one semester (2 Cr.), of independent research (BIO 490  or CHE 495 ) with a grade of A- or better, on a project approved by BCMB faculty. In addition, a minimum GPA of 3.5 must ordinarily be achieved in all biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics courses counted toward the major.