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Home > Courses > College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics > Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | Courses | Faculty


Lederle GRC Towers

Degrees: Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts

Contact: John H. Nordin

Office: 1228 LGRC Towers

Phone: 545-2461

Head of Department: Professor Lila Gierasch. Professors Cheung, Fitzgerald-Hayes, Fournier, Jacobson, Mason, O'Brien, Slakey, Zimmer-mann; Associate Professors Cumberledge, Gross; Assistant Professors Hebert, Normanly; Research Faculty M. Cannon, Pinkham, Wu.

The Field

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology aim to understand the chemical and physical principles that make life occur as we know it. The tools of molecular biology and the study of gene structure and function are also central to modern biochemistry. The study of biochemistry began with observations of intact organisms. During much of the twentieth century biochemists worked to identify individual chemical structures and reactions from separated cellular fractions. Now we focus on understanding the interaction of diverse chemical events in living systems.

The interconnectedness of scientific disciplines is especially apparent in biochemistry. The faculty have degrees in botany, genetics, microbiology, physics, and polymer chemistry. Students whose interest spans the fields of both biology and chemistry are frequently attracted to this discipline. A strong high school background in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology is recommended.

The Major

The program for majors includes mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and genetics. Specific courses in biochemistry build on this base, and prepare students well for either employment or further study. Opportunity for participation in the laboratory research activities of faculty is emphasized. The major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is an exciting and rewarding course of study, and we are proud of the quality and commitment of the students who elect it.

Requirements:

1. Three semesters of mathematics (two for the B.A. degree): 131, 132, and STATIS 501; or 135, 136 and STATIS 501; or 127, 128, Calculus for the Life Sciences and STATIS 501. MATH 233 may be substituted for STATIS 501 with permission of adviser. RES EC 211 can be substituted for STATIS 501.

2. Two or three semesters of general physics with lab sections: 131-134 or 151-154; 261/2.

3. Six semesters of chemistry including:

121,122 General Chemistry for Majors

or 111, 112 General Chemistry for Science Majors

265/7, 266/8 Organic Chemistry for Majors (recommended);

or 261, 262 and 290A for non-majors

315 Quantitative Chemistry

or 312 Analytical Chemistry 471

Elementary Physical Chemistry

or 475, 476 Physical Chemistry

4. Three courses in biology: 100, 101 Introductory Biology I and II, and 283 General Genetics

5. Biochemistry core:

285 Cell and Molecular Biology

523, 524 General Biochemistry I, II

526 Biochemistry Laboratory

491 Senior Seminar

6. Advanced Degree Requirements

7. BIOCHM 491H Senior Seminar

8. Advanced Course Requirements:

B.S. Degree: Three semesters of advanced electives in the life sciences, physics, chemistry, or biochemistry in consultation with adviser. For students who qualify, two of these may be satisfied by research participation.

B.A. Degree: One advanced course in the life sciences, physics, chemistry, or biochemistry.

For the Departmental Honors Program a student must, in addition to meeting the B.S. and University Honors requirements, take the Honors Colloquium section of Biochemistry 523 (HO1), and write a thesis based on a research project.

Majors must obtain a grade of C or better in BIOL 100 and BIOL 101 for admission to BIOCHM 285. A grade of C or better is also required for admission to BIOCHM 523.

Off-Campus Study

Students may participate in the Junior-year Abroad Program at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England. This program allows students to obtain their four-year degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and enjoy the benefits of a year of education in England. Cooperative internships are available at some laboratories in New England. These provide the student with an opportunity to gain valuable work experience in a research environment while earning academic credit.

Career Opportunities

The program in biochemistry trains students to be directly employable at the Bachelor's degree level in a wide variety of fields. Graduates frequently find positions with major chemical and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, the food industry, clinical laboratories, scientific equipment suppliers, and various university, government, and medical research laboratories. Biochemistry majors are particularly well trained to undertake graduate work in biochemistry and in many areas related to the health sciences such as microbiology, cell or molecular biology, pharmacology, virology, physiology, nutrition, and environmental law. Biochemistry majors enjoy a high success rate in acceptance into medical and dental schools.

Five-Year Master's Program

It is possible for students to earn a Master's degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in one year plus a summer, following completion of the B.S. degree in our program. Interested students should begin discussing their plans with their advisers as early as the sixth semester, in order to start making the appropriate course choices. All of the usual Graduate School regulations pertaining to study for the M.S. degree apply in this program, but with careful planning, the time required to obtain the degree will be less than usual. Six credits taken as an undergraduate can count towards the Master's degree if they are in excess of these courses required for the Bachelor's. An independent study project begun as an undergraduate is desirable for admission to the M.S. Program. This program may be advantageous to students by giving them extra laboratory experience before entering the job market or applying to graduate or medical school.

Secondary Teacher Education

Students majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology may obtain teacher certification for General Science, Chemistry or Biology. For the first two of these fields, no science courses beyond those already required for the major are needed. For Biology, one course in ecology and one course in human biology must be taken. All three programs require, in addition to the science courses, certain education and psychology courses and a teaching internship. To obtain information about these requirements and to enter the program, students should contact the director of the Academic Disciplines Program for Science Teachers or the STEP Office, 125 Furcolo Hall.

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | Courses | Faculty

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