Academic Programs Catalog

College of Natural Science

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Undergraduate Programs
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

The Bachelor of Science program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology for students in the College of Natural Science combines the elements of a liberal education with thorough preparation in biochemistry and molecular biology and the underlying principles of biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. It is intended primarily for those students who wish to pursue a career in which a sound knowledge of biochemistry and molecular biology is necessary, or for students who plan further studies at the graduate or professional level. With suitable choice of electives, the B.S. program offers the option of merging rigorous training in biochemistry and molecular biology with development of writing or pedagogical skills, leading to career options in science writing or teaching.

Undergraduate students are taught by professors who are familiar with the changing directions and emphases in the field of biochemistry and molecular biology. Interested undergraduates are encouraged to participate, along with graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, in the on–going research of one of the faculty members.

Students seeking admission to the program should complete the high school science or college preparatory curriculum, ensuring that their programs include courses required for admission to the university.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree  in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

  1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

    The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major is met by completing Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 495 or 499. Those courses are referenced in item 3. below.

    Students who are enrolled in the College of Natural Science may complete the alternative track to Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences that is described in item 1. under the heading Graduation Requirements in the College statement.  Certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be used to satisfy the alternative track.
  2. The requirements of the College of Natural Science for the Bachelor of Science degree.

    The credits earned in certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be counted toward College requirements as appropriate.
  3. The following requirements for the major:
a. The following courses outside the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (58 to 64 credits):
(1) All of the following courses (8 credits):
CEM 355 Organic Laboratory I 2
CEM 356 Organic Laboratory II 2
CMSE 201 Computational Modeling and Data Analysis I 4
(2) One of the following groups of courses (8 or 9 credits):
(a) BS 161 Cell and Molecular Biology 3
BS 162 Organismal and Population Biology 3
BS 171 Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory 2
(b) BS 181H Honors Cell and Molecular Biology 3
BS 182H Honors Organismal and Population Biology 3
BS 191H Honors Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory 2
(c) LB 144 Biology I: Organismal Biology 4
LB 145 Biology II: Cellular and Molecular Biology 5
(3) One course from each of the following groups of courses (7 or 8 credits):
(a) CEM 141 General Chemistry 4
CEM 151 General and Descriptive Chemistry 4
CEM 181H Honors Chemistry I 4
LB 171 Principles of Chemistry I 4
(b) CEM 142 General and Inorganic Chemistry 3
CEM 152 Principles of Chemistry 3
CEM 182H Honors Chemistry II 4
LB 172 Principles of Chemistry II 3
(4) One of the following groups of courses (2 credits):
(a) CEM 161 Chemistry Laboratory I 1
CEM 162 Chemistry Laboratory II 1
(b) LB 171L Introductory Chemistry Laboratory I 1
LB 172L Principles of Chemistry II - Reactivity Laboratory 1
(c) CEM 185H Honors Chemistry Laboratory I 2
(5) One course from each of the following groups of courses (6 credits):
(a) CEM 251 Organic Chemistry I 3
CEM 351 Organic Chemistry I 3
LB 271 Organic Chemistry  3
(b) CEM 252 Organic Chemistry II 3
CEM 352 Organic Chemistry II 3
(6) One course from each of the following groups of courses (6 to 8 credits):
(a) MTH 132 Calculus I 3
MTH 152H Honors Calculus I 3
LB 118 Calculus I 4
(b) MTH 133 Calculus II 4
MTH 153H Honors Calculus II 3
LB 119 Calculus II 4
(7) One of the following courses (3 credits):
CEM 383 Introductory Physical Chemistry I 3
CEM 484 Molecular Thermodynamics 3
(8) One of the following groups of courses (8 or 10 credits):
(a) PHY 183 Physics for Scientists and Engineers I 4
PHY 184 Physics for Scientists and Engineers II 4
(b) PHY 221 Studio Physics for Life Sciences I 4
PHY 222 Studio Physics for Life Sciences II 4
(c) PHY 231 Introductory Physics I 3
PHY 232 Introductory Physics II 3
PHY 233B Calculus Concepts in Physics I 2
PHY 234B Calculus Concepts in Physics II 2
(d) PHY 241 Physics for Cellular and Molecular Biologists I 4
PHY 242 Physics for Cellular and Molecular Biologists II 4
(e) LB 273 Physics I 4
LB 274 Physics II 4
(9) Ten additional credits in approved courses at the 300-400 level.
b. The following courses in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (18 credits):
All of the following courses:
BMB 101 Frontiers in Biochemistry 1
BMB 370 Introductory Biochemistry Laboratory 3
BMB 461 Advanced Biochemistry I 3
BMB 462 Advanced Biochemistry II 3
BMB 470 Advanced Molecular Biology Laboratory  4
BMB 471 Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory 4
c. One of the following capstone courses (2 to 8 credits):
BMB 495 Undergraduate Seminar (W) 2
BMB 499 Senior Thesis (W) 2 to 8
LB 492 Senior Seminar (W) 4