Overview

Program Committee

Rhea Datta (Chemistry)

Herman Lehman (Biology)
Max Majireck, director (Chemistry)
Natalie Nannas (Biology)
Michael Welsh (Chemistry)
Adam Van Wynsberghe (Chemistry)

The goal of Hamilton's Biochemistry/Molecular Biology Program is to encourage students to explore biochemical concepts through extensive research opportunities and close collaboration between students and instructors.

The departments of Biology and Chemistry offer an interdisciplinary concentration in biochemistry/molecular biology (BMB). Prospective concentrators should elect both chemistry and biology in their first year. The concentration consists of 10 courses (and MATH-113 and MATH-116, or equivalent, as prerequisites for certain courses), including four courses in BMB, two courses in biology, three courses in chemistry, and one course from a list of selected courses provided below. BMB courses must include BICHM-270, BICHM-346, BICHM-550 and either BICHM-321 or BICHM-322. Biology courses must include BIO-100 and BIO-248. Chemistry courses must include CHEM-120 (or CHEM-125), CHEM-190, and CHEM-255. MATH-113 and MATH-116, or equivalent, are prerequisites for BICHM-320, BICHM-321 and BICHM-322. The elective course must be chosen from BICHM-551, BIO-212, BIO-221, BIO-331, BIO-334, BIO-357, or BIO-454, and CHEM-321, CHEM-322 or CHEM-360. BICHM-346 satisfies the SSIH requirement for BMB concentrators. BICHM-550 satisfies the Senior Thesis requirement. A complete description of the Senior Program is available from the departments. Honors in BMB will be based on excellence in coursework and on both Senior Thesis BICHM-550 and BICHM-551.