Program Overview

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Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bachelor of Arts

The curriculum for the BA with a major in biochemistry and molecular biology is identical to the BS degree in the first two years of study to maximize student flexibility.

Overview

The Bachelor of Arts with a major in biochemistry and molecular biology requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including at least 58 s.h. of work for the major. Students must maintain a grade-point average (GPA) of at least 2.00 in all courses for the major and in all UI courses for the major. They must also complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS Core.

Requirements

The biochemistry and molecular biology major for the Bachelor of Arts degree provides a rigorous education in biochemical concepts and practice in the laboratory while giving students flexibility to specialize in additional disciplines and to obtain clinical volunteer experience. The BA program is intended for most students majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology, including those with pre-medicine, pre-pharmacy, pre-dental, and other pre-health professions interests. It also is appropriate for students earning more than one major.

Common Requirements

Students complete the following during their first three years.

• BMB:3120 and BMB:3130: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II
• BMB:3140: Experimental Biochemistry
• BMB:4240: Biophysics and Advanced Biochemistry
• BIOL:1411 and BIOL:1412: Foundations of Biology and Diversity of Form and Function
• CHEM:1110 and CHEM:1120: Principles of Chemistry I and Principles of Chemistry II
• CHEM:2210: Organic Chemistry I
• or CHEM:2230: Organic Chemistry I for Majors
• CHEM:2220: Organic Chemistry II
• or CHEM:2240: Organic Chemistry II for Majors
• CHEM:2410: Organic Chemistry Laboratory
• or CHEM:2420: Organic Chemistry Laboratory for Majors
• MATH:1850: Calculus I
• or MATH:1550: Engineering Calculus I
• or MATH:1460: Calculus for the Biological Sciences
• PHYS:1511: College Physics I
• or PHYS:1611: Introductory Physics I
• PHYS:1512: College Physics II
• or PHYS:1612: Introductory Physics II
• One of the following:
  • BIOS:4120: Introduction to Biostatistics
  • MATH:1560: Engineering Calculus II
  • MATH:1860: Calculus II
  • STAT:3510: Biostatistics

Additional Requirements

In addition to the common requirements listed, students must complete the following.

• Advanced science electives, as listed in the student handbook: 6 s.h.

Honors in the Major

Students have the opportunity to graduate with honors in the major. They must maintain a cumulative University of Iowa grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.33 and a GPA of at least 3.33 in coursework for the major. They must earn 6 s.h. in BMB:4999 Advanced Undergraduate Biochemistry Research and present their research results as a written manuscript and in an oral presentation given at the Lata Undergraduate Research Symposium.

GE CLAS Core

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS Core requirements provide students with a broad foundation of knowledge and a focused practice of transferable skills necessary for a lifetime of learning.

Communication and Literacy

• Understanding Cultural Perspectives: a minimum of 3 s.h.
• Interpretation of Literature: a minimum of 3 s.h.
• Rhetoric: a minimum of 4 s.h.
• World Languages Pathways: required credit varies

Sustainability

Students complete this requirement by choosing an approved GE CLAS Core course that integrates Sustainability (with no additional semester hours) with a course from the Natural, Quantitative, and Social Sciences category or the Culture, Society, and the Arts category.

Natural, Quantitative, and Social Sciences

• Natural Sciences: a minimum of 7 s.h.; must include one lab
• Quantitative or Formal Reasoning: a minimum of 3 s.h.
• Social Sciences: a minimum of 3 s.h.

Culture, Society, and the Arts

• Historical Perspectives: a minimum of 3 s.h.
• International and Global Issues: a minimum of 3 s.h.
• Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts: a minimum of 3 s.h.
• Values and Society: a minimum of 3 s.h.

Career Advancement

Biochemistry and molecular biology graduates with bachelor's degrees often work as research assistants in industry, government, academia, or health services; teach in secondary schools; or go on to advanced study in medicine, dentistry, or other areas. The program offers solid preparation for careers in biochemistry, medicine, biology, chemistry, dentistry, research, or related sciences. About one-third of biochemistry and molecular biology majors go on to study medicine; others enter graduate programs or professional degree programs.

Four-Year Graduation Plan

The following checkpoints list the minimum requirements students must complete by certain semesters in order to stay on the university's Four-Year Graduation Plan.

• Before the third semester begins: CHEM:1110 Principles of Chemistry I, CHEM:1120 Principles of Chemistry II, and two semesters of advanced math (e.g., Calculus I, Calculus II, or Biostatistics).
• Before the fifth semester begins: BIOL:1411 Foundations of Biology, BIOL:1412 Diversity of Form and Function, CHEM:2210 Organic Chemistry I or CHEM:2230 Organic Chemistry I for Majors, CHEM:2220 Organic Chemistry II or CHEM:2240 Organic Chemistry II for Majors, and CHEM:2410 Organic Chemistry Laboratory or CHEM:2420 Organic Chemistry Laboratory for Majors.
• Before the seventh semester begins: PHYS:1611 Introductory Physics I or PHYS:1511 College Physics I, PHYS:1612 Introductory Physics II or PHYS:1512 College Physics II, BMB:3120 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, BMB:3130 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, BMB:3140 Experimental Biochemistry, a science elective, and at least 90 s.h. earned toward the degree.
• Before or during the eighth semester: BMB:4240 Biophysics and Advanced Biochemistry, a science elective, and all remaining coursework in the major, all remaining GE CLAS Core courses, and a minimum of 120 total s.h. to graduate.

Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor.

• First Year:
  • Fall: CHEM:1110 Principles of Chemistry I, MATH:1850 Calculus I, RHET:1030 Rhetoric: Writing and Communication, CSI:1600 Success at Iowa, Elective course
  • Spring: CHEM:1120 Principles of Chemistry II, Major: biostatistics/calculus course, ENGL:1200 The Interpretation of Literature, GE CLAS Core: Understanding Cultural Perspectives, Elective course
• Second Year:
  • Fall: BIOL:1411 Foundations of Biology, CHEM:2230 Organic Chemistry I for Majors, GE CLAS Core: Historical Perspectives, GE CLAS Core: World Languages First Level Proficiency or elective course
  • Spring: BIOL:1412 Diversity of Form and Function, CHEM:2240 Organic Chemistry II for Majors, CHEM:2410 Organic Chemistry Laboratory, GE CLAS Core: World Languages Second Level Proficiency or elective course
• Third Year:
  • Fall: BMB:3120 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, PHYS:1611 Introductory Physics I, GE CLAS Core: Values and Society, GE CLAS Core: World Languages Third Level Proficiency or elective course
  • Spring: BMB:3130 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, BMB:3140 Experimental Biochemistry, PHYS:1612 Introductory Physics II, GE CLAS Core: Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts, GE CLAS Core: World Languages Fourth Level Proficiency or elective course
• Fourth Year:
  • Fall: Major: advanced science elective, Major: research, independent study, or elective course, GE CLAS Core: International and Global Issues, Elective course, Elective course
  • Spring: BMB:4240 Biophysics and Advanced Biochemistry, Major: advanced science elective, Major: research, independent study, or elective course, GE CLAS Core: Social Sciences, Elective course, Degree Application: apply on MyUI before deadline (typically in February for spring, September for fall)