Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (B.S.)
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Program Overview
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (B.S.)
The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program is designed to prepare students for postgraduate studies in biomedical sciences. The combination of chemistry-based curriculum with a significant biology research component provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the structure and function of compounds like DNA, enzymes, and proteins.
Program Description
The program focuses on the principles of biochemistry and molecular biology, with an emphasis on hands-on experimentation. Students engage in high-level work that most of their peers do not experience until graduate school. The curriculum includes courses in biology, chemistry, and physics, providing a well-rounded education in the natural sciences.
Requirements
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major (B.S., 62 hours)
- BIO 1400FYW Introduction to Biological Inquiry (4 hours)
- BIO 2200 Genetics and Cell Biology (4 hours)
- BIO 2300 Ecology and Evolution (4 hours)
- BIO 3800 Molecular Genetics (3 hours)
- BIO 3850 Molecular Genetics Lab (1 hour)
- CHEM 1110 Chemical Principles I (3 hours)
- CHEM 1110L Chemical Principles I Laboratory (1 hour)
- CHEM 2100 Organic Chemistry I (3 hours)
- CHEM 2100L Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1 hour)
- CHEM 2110 Organic Chemistry II: Synthesis and Mechanisms (3 hours)
- CHEM 2110L Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (1 hour)
- CHEM 1120 Chemical Principles II (3 hours)
- CHEM 1120L Chemical Principles II Laboratory (1 hour)
- CHEM 3410 Biochemistry (3 hours)
- CHEM 3410L Biochemical Methods (1 hour)
- CHEM 3510 Physical Chemistry I, Thermodynamics and Kinetics (3 hours)
- CHEM 3510L Physical Chemistry Laboratory (1 hour)
- CHEM 3440 Analytical Chemistry and Instrumental Analysis (4 hours)
- CHEM 4420 Advanced Biochemistry (3 hours)
- CHEM 4980 Chemistry Seminar (1 hour)
- PHYS 1600 Principles of Physics I or PHYS 2000 General Physics I (4 hours)
- PHYS 1700 Principles of Physics II or PHYS 2100 General Physics II (4 hours)
- MATH 1600 Calculus I (5 hours)
- Capstone: BIO-4990 or CHEM 4950 Independent Study (1 hour)
- MATH 1610 Calculus II is strongly recommended.
Course Descriptions
BIO 1400FYW Introduction to Biological Inquiry
This course is designed for biology majors and replaces traditional introductory biology courses. The overarching goal is to introduce students to collegiate biology by teaching them how to carry out scientific research.
BIO 2200 Genetics and Cell Biology
This course emphasizes molecular mechanisms associated with intracellular structures, metabolism, genetic information transfer, heredity, and evolution in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms.
BIO 2300 Ecology and Evolution
An introduction to the interaction of life with the environment at the molecular, organismal through ecosystem levels, highlighting the major factors influencing evolutionary change.
BIO 3800 Molecular Genetics
A study of the systems, mechanisms, and methods of molecular genetics with a particular emphasis on the analysis of the genetic material--mutagenesis, replication, regulation, transcription, and translation--and its protein products and their biological function.
BIO 3850 Molecular Genetics Lab
A laboratory course that focuses on modern methods and instrumentation used in molecular genetics-based research.
CHEM 1110 Chemical Principles I
A study of fundamental principles of chemistry including structures of atoms and molecules, periodicity, stoichiometry, reactions, solutions, gases, and thermochemistry.
CHEM 1110L Chemical Principles I Laboratory
Laboratory supporting CHEM 1110 Chemical Principles I.
CHEM 2100 Organic Chemistry I
A survey of the structure and reactions of carbon-containing molecules.
CHEM 2100L Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
A laboratory supporting CHEM 2100 Organic Chemistry I.
CHEM 2110 Organic Chemistry II: Synthesis and Mechanisms
A continuation of CHEM 2100 Organic Chemistry I. A study of reactions of importance in the synthesis and biosynthesis of carbon compounds, including reaction mechanisms and spectroscopic methods for the determination of structures.
CHEM 2110L Organic Chemistry II Laboratory
A laboratory supporting CHEM 2110 Organic Chemistry II: Synthesis and Mechanisms.
CHEM 1120 Chemical Principles II
A continuation of CHEM 1110 Chemical Principles I. Topics include reaction kinetics, aqueous equilibria, thermodynamics (Entropy and Gibbs Free Energy), electrochemistry, colligative properties, nuclear and coordination chemistry.
CHEM 1120L Chemical Principles II Laboratory
A laboratory supporting CHEM 1120 Chemical Principles II.
CHEM 3410 Biochemistry
A comprehensive introduction to the field of biochemistry that will stress the role of molecular structure and reactivity in determining biological function.
CHEM 3410L Biochemical Methods
An introduction to biochemical methods used to isolate and characterize biomolecules from natural sources.
CHEM 3510 Physical Chemistry I, Thermodynamics and Kinetics
An introduction to physical chemistry consisting of fundamentals of chemical thermodynamics, chemical and physical equilibrium, and chemical kinetics presented using a calculus-based mathematical treatment.
CHEM 3510L Physical Chemistry Laboratory
Laboratory exercises in the measurement of physical and chemical properties of chemical systems.
CHEM 3440 Analytical Chemistry and Instrumental Analysis
The course will cover the principles and applications of chemical equilibrium and chemical analysis, data acquisition and analysis, as well as the theory and practice of instrumental methods of chemical analysis.
CHEM 4420 Advanced Biochemistry
An advanced study of selected areas of biochemistry that will include enzyme reaction mechanisms, DNA-protein interactions, rational drug design, and other topics.
CHEM 4980 Chemistry Seminar
Reading, study, and discussion of one or more major topics in chemistry with significant implications for the broader society.
PHYS 1600 Principles of Physics I
The principles of classical mechanics, energy and motion designed for majors in the natural and health sciences.
PHYS 2000 General Physics I
An introduction to classical mechanics, energy and motion designed for majors in physics, mathematics, and closely related sciences.
PHYS 1700 Principles of Physics II
A continuation of PHYS 1600 with emphasis on waves, sound, electricity, magnetism, and electronics.
PHYS 2100 General Physics II
A continuation of PHYS 2000 with emphasis on waves, sound, electricity, magnetism, and electronics.
MATH 1600 Calculus I
An introduction to calculus of a single variable. Topics include limits, continuity, differentiation, and beginning integration with applications.
MATH 1610 Calculus II
A continuation of MATH 1600 Calculus I. Topics studied include integration techniques and applications, differential equations, numerical approximations, sequences and series, and vectors.
Archway Curriculum
The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program is part of the Archway Curriculum, which provides a comprehensive education in the natural sciences. The curriculum includes courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, as well as a capstone experience that integrates knowledge from multiple disciplines.