Overview
Program Committee
Max Majireck (Chemistry), director
Ryan Martini (Chemistry)
Natalie Nannas (Biology)
The goal of the Biochemistry/Molecular Biology Program is to encourage students to explore biochemical concepts through extensive research opportunities and close collaboration between students and instructors.
Students Will Learn to:
- Evaluate the scientific literature and other forms of professional communications in biochemistry and molecular biology
- Solve problems at the interfaces of chemistry and biology using scientific reasoning
- Communicate fundamental concepts of biochemistry and molecular biology to both expert and layperson in writing and oral presentations
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-211. 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.