About the Program
Directors: Adam Cassano, Assistant Professor of Chemistry; Stephen Dunaway, Assistant Professor of Biology
RISE Fellows: Arnold Demain, Barbara Petrack
Students interested in biochemistry may complete programs leading to an interdisciplinary major in biochemistry, a chemistry major with an emphasis in biochemistry, or a minor in biochemistry, all of which draw from offerings in the departments of biology and chemistry. Consult the course listings for these departments for further information.
The interdisciplinary major in biochemistry and molecular biology investigates biological phenomena at the molecular and chemical levels. The intersection of biology and chemistry provides an integrative focus for understanding the molecular processes of life, and students engage the material using contemporary methods of biochemical analysis and molecular biology. The curriculum consists of required courses which provide a strong background for further study in both fields and electives which allow students to pursue their interests in either biology, chemistry, or both. Although not required, students are encouraged both to take PHYS 11 & 12 (rather than PHYS 1 & 2) and to pursue a second semester of research.
Students graduating with an interdisciplinary major in biochemistry have a strong foundation for entering graduate and medical schools or industrial positions. However, please note that due to the breadth of the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology, no single curriculum can prepare students for all graduate school programs and industrial positions available in these areas. Therefore, students are strongly encouraged to consult with their advisors when choosing their elective courses so that they will have a background appropriate to pursue their post-graduation goals.
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Requirements for the Interdisciplinary Major (75-77 Credits)
I. Required Courses (61 credits)
CHEM 6 or 6A/Principles of Chemistry I (4)
CHEM 7/Principles of Chemistry II (4)
CHEM 25, 26/Organic Chemistry I, II (4, 4)
CHEM 117, 119/Biochemistry I, II (4, 4)
BIOL 7/Ecology and Evolution (4)
BIOL 9/Diversity of Life: Animals, Plants, and Microbes (4)
BIOL 22/Molecular and Cellular Biology (4)
BIOL 156/Molecular Genetics (4)
MATH 7, 8/Calculus and Analytical Geometry I, II (4, 4)
PHYS 11, 12/University Physics I, II with laboratory (4, 4) OR PHYS 1, 2/Introductory Physics I, II with laboratory (4, 4)
BCHM 120/Research in Biochemistry (4)
BCHM 121/Senior Seminar (1)
II. Four upper-level biology or chemistry electives from the following group; at least two of the electives must include a laboratory experience (14-16 credits)
CHEM 27/Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry (4)
CHEM 103/Physical Chemistry I (4)
CHEM 105/Physical Chemistry II (4)
CHEM 106/Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry (4)
CHEM 107/Advanced Analytical Chemistry (4)
CHEM 116/Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (4)
BIOL 102/Microbiology (4)
BIOL 120/Cell and Molecular Neurobiology (4)
BIOL 121/Systems Neurobiology (4)
BIOL 127/Diseases of the Brain(4)
BIOL 134/Endocrinology (4)
BIOL 138, 139/Advanced Cellular Biology and Laboratory (4)
BIOL 142, 143/Developmental Biology and Laboratory (4)
BIOL 152/Virology (4)
BIOL 154, 155/Immunology and Laboratory (4)
BIOL 166/Evolutionary Genetics (4)
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Requirements for the ACS Chemistry Major with an Emphasis in Biochemistry (68 Credits)
I. Required Courses (60 credits)
CHEM 6 or 6A/Principles of Chemistry I (4)
CHEM 7/Principles of Chemistry II (4)
CHEM 25, 26/Organic Chemistry I, II (4, 4)
CHEM 27/Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry (3)
CHEM 103/Physical Chemistry I (4)
CHEM 105/Physical Chemistry II (4)
CHEM 106/Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry (4)|
CHEM 107/Advanced Analytical Chemistry (4)
CHEM 117//Biochemistry I (3)
CHEM 118/ Laboratory in Biochemistry (1)
CHEM 119/Biochemistry II (4)
CHEM 120/Laboratory in Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (1)
CHEM 129/Research in Chemistry (4)
MATH 7, 8/Calculus and Analytical Geometry I, II (4, 4) OR PHYS 11, 12/University Physics I, II (4, 4)
II. Four (4) credits chosen from
BIOL 7/Ecology and Evolution (4)
BIOL 9/Diversity of Life: Animals, Plants, and Microbes (4)
III. BIOL 22/Molecular and Cellular Biology (4)
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Requirements for the Minor (36-40 Credits)
I. Required Courses (36 credits)
CHEM 6 or 6A/Principles of Chemistry I (4)
CHEM 7/Principles of Chemistry II (4)
CHEM 25, 26/Organic Chemistry I, II (4, 4)
CHEM 117, 119/Biochemistry I, II (4, 4)
BIOL 7/Ecology and Evolution (4)
BIOL 9/Diversity of Life: Animals, Plants, and Microbes (4)
BIOL 22/Molecular and Cellular Biology (4)
II. Biology and Neuroscience majors who choose the Biochemistry minor must complete BIOL 156/ Molecular Genetics.
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