Continuation Policy
- A cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher in the courses listed below:
- Math 127 - Calculus I or an equivalent course
- Math 128 - Calculus II or an equivalent course
- Chemistry 111 - General Chemistry I or an equivalent course
- Chemistry 112 - General Chemistry II or an equivalent course
- The grades in these courses must be achieved by the end of the third semester as a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major.
- Students may not repeat more than two courses required for the major in the first three semesters as a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major.
Students who do not complete the above courses with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or greater in the first three semesters in the major will be discontinued from the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major and advised to transfer into another undergraduate major on campus. Any student who was discontinued from the major, but later improves his/her performance, can petition to return into the major. This requirement also applies to both internal and external transfer students.
Foundational Courses
- Bio 151, Bio 152, Bio 153
- Chem 111 and 112 (Chem 121H and 122H for Honors)
- Math 127/131, Math 128/132
Core Courses
- Biochem 285 (Cellular & Molecular Biology)
- Prerequisites: Bio 152 AND Chem 112/122H
- Chem 261, Chem 262, Chem 269 (Lab)
- Stats 240 or equivalent
- Physics 131/151 and Physics 132/152
Upper-Level Courses
- Biochem 311 (formerly 390G) OR Bio 311 (formerly 283) (Genetics)
- Prerequisite: Bio 15 and Bio 152
- Biochem 376 (formerly 276) (Intro Lab)
- Prerequisite: Biochem 285
- Biochem 394RI (Integrative Experience)
- Prerequisite: Biochem 285
- Biochem 423 (General Biochemistry)
- Prerequisites: Chem 261 and Chem 262 and Biochem 285
- Students who have taken Biochem 320 cannot take Biochem 423
- Biochem 424 (Molecular Cell Biology)
- Prerequisite: Biochem 423
- Biochem 426 (Advanced Lab)
- Prerequisites: Biochem 376 and Biochem 423
- See BMB Capstone Information for alternative options for Biochem 426
- Biochem 430H (Science Writing)
- Prerequisite: Biochem 423
- Biochem 471 (Physical Chemistry)
- Prerequisites: Chem 112/122H AND Physics 132/152/182 AND Math 128/132
- Advanced Elective Requirements: minimum total of 8 CREDITS
- Not including courses required for the BMB major or Practica courses
- Independent Study/Research credits may be counted as advanced elective credits
BMB Capstone Information
In some cases, BMB majors may substitute work they are doing as Honors Research/Independent Study at the 300-level or above in place of the Biochem 426 Capstone course in their *senior* year.
Students interested in applying for this substitution must first consult with their research advisor to make sure that their research plans would meet these criteria, and then talk to the BMB Chief Undergraduate Advisor or to the BMB Honors Program Director (for Biochem 499Y/499T specifically) about how to apply for this substitution.
BMB Capstone Guidelines
- Applies to BMB majors who have plans for a rigorous Honors Thesis/Independent Study Capstone project in their senior year.
- Projects cannot be fully approved until the proposal is written for the Senior year project.
- Project must be BMB-related, specifically: must involve elucidation of molecular or cellular mechanisms of life processes. Project must include “wet lab” laboratory experimentation, and cannot be exclusively computational or theoretical.
- Project must be Capstone-like in its approach, and the research program must include 1) an original research project, 2) an oral presentation of the work, and 3) a final research manuscript that includes a literature review and includes drafts reviewed under guidance by the student’s research advisor and a committee member.
- Projects approved by the BMB HPD for Biochem 499Y/T (Departmental Honors) will generally satisfy these requirements. For other [Dept]499Y/T, students can submit their approved Honors Thesis Proposal to BMB Chief Undergraduate Advisor for consideration for BMB approval as substitution for Biochem 426.
- When approved, 4 CR of the student’s Biochem 499T (or equivalent) will be applied toward the Biochem 426 requirement.
Detailed information and guidelines regarding the BMB Capstone.
Pass/Fail Policy
BMB prohibits the use of pass/fail toward courses required for the major. Students can learn more about the university's pass/fail policy in the Academic Regulations handbook linked on the Registrar's website.
Completion Time
BMB keeps close track of graduation dates and eligibility and prioritizes primary majors getting out in 4 years. If students choose to add majors and minors, it may take them longer because our focus is on a single major in BMB in 4 years. To ensure that BMB majors graduate in a timely manner, enrollment in upper-level courses is monitored and students are prioritized based on how long they’ve been in the major.
Batch Enrollment is one of the many tools we use to make sure all BMB majors can graduate in a timely manner.