Program Overview

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Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bachelor of Science

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

Overview

The Bachelor of Science with a major in biochemistry and molecular biology requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including at least 70 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

All students majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology are initially placed in the Bachelor of Arts degree program. Students in good academic standing can switch to the Bachelor of Science degree program after completing one semester of organic chemistry (CHEM:2210 Organic Chemistry I or CHEM:2230 Organic Chemistry I for Majors). Students who wish to change their degree program to the Bachelor of Science should contact the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

The biochemistry and molecular biology major for the Bachelor of Science degree is intended primarily for students planning careers in research. The BS program prepares students to pursue graduate degrees, such as an MS, PhD, or a combined MD/PhD, or to work as research technicians. The BS program requires 12 sh. or more in science and laboratory electives than the BA program.

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 (6 s.h.)
• BMB:3140: Experimental Biochemistry (3 s.h.)
• BMB:4240: Biophysics and Advanced Biochemistry (3 s.h.)
• BIOL:1411 and BIOL:1412: Foundations of Biology and Diversity of Form and Function (8 s.h.)
• CHEM:1110 and CHEM:1120: Principles of Chemistry I and Principles of Chemistry II (8 s.h.)
• CHEM:2210: Organic Chemistry I (3 s.h.) or CHEM:2230: Organic Chemistry I for Majors
• CHEM:2220: Organic Chemistry II (3 s.h.) or CHEM:2240: Organic Chemistry II for Majors
• CHEM:2410: Organic Chemistry Laboratory (3 s.h.) or CHEM:2420: Organic Chemistry Laboratory for Majors
• MATH:1850: Calculus I (4 s.h.) or MATH:1550: Engineering Calculus I or MATH:1460: Calculus for the Biological Sciences
• PHYS:1511: College Physics I (4 s.h.) or PHYS:1611: Introductory Physics I
• PHYS:1512: College Physics II (4 s.h.) or PHYS:1612: Introductory Physics II
• One of the following:
  • BIOS:4120: Introduction to Biostatistics (3 s.h.)
  • MATH:1560: Engineering Calculus II (4 s.h.)
  • MATH:1860: Calculus II (4 s.h.)
  • STAT:3510: Biostatistics (3 s.h.)

Additional Requirements

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

• One of the following:
  • CHEM:4430: Principles of Physical Chemistry (3 s.h.)
  • CHEM:4431: Chemical Thermodynamics (3 s.h.)
  • CHEM:4432: Quantum Mechanics and Chemical Kinetics (3 s.h.)
• One of the following options:
  • BMB:4999: Advanced Undergraduate Biochemistry Research (6 s.h.)
  • Advanced laboratory courses (6 s.h.)
• And:
  • Advanced science electives as listed in the student handbook (9 s.h.)

Teacher Licensure

Students interested in teaching in elementary and/or secondary schools should seek admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) in the College of Education.

BS/PhD

The combined Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Philosophy in the biochemistry and molecular biology program permits students to transition into the PhD program during their senior year and to count 12 s.h. of credit toward both the BS and PhD requirements. The combined program provides a research-intensive experience and shortens the training time for students interested in pursuing independent biochemistry research careers. Students in the program typically receive financial support during the second half of their senior year and throughout their PhD study.

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.

University of Iowa Honors Program

In addition to honors in the major, students have opportunities for honors study and activities through membership in the University of Iowa Honors Program.

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.

Academic Plans

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:3150 Development of Senior Research Project, one semester of BMB:3993 Undergraduate Biochemistry Research for students planning to take BMB:4999 Advanced Undergraduate Biochemistry Research, BMB:3120 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, BMB:3130 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, BMB:3140 Experimental Biochemistry, two science electives, and at least 90 s.h. earned toward the degree.
• Before or during the eighth semester: BMB:4240 Biophysics and Advanced Biochemistry or CHEM:4430 Principles of Physical Chemistry or CHEM:4431 Chemical Thermodynamics or CHEM:4432 Quantum Mechanics and Chemical Kinetics, a science elective, and at least 2–3 s.h. (total of 6 s.h.) of BMB:4999 Advanced Undergraduate Biochemistry Research. Enrollment in all remaining coursework in the major, all remaining GE CLAS Core courses, and a minimum of 120 of s.h. to graduate.