Professors Cameron, E. Dawley, R. Dawley, Ellison, Favero, Lyczak, Reig, Roberts; Associate Professors Bailey, Finney, Lobo (Co-Coordinator), Straub, Walvoord, Williamsen (Co-Coordinator); Assistant Professors Bove, J. King, S. King, Leslie, Pfennig, Price, Wilner, Yost; Assistant Professor, Visiting Gabel, Gorenberg, Klein, Smeller, Wagner; Instructor, Visiting Benfer.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BCMB) is an interdisciplinary major that includes courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. Students pursuing this major will explore the chemical interactions that underlie life’s diversity. Courses in the major will cover the theoretical basis of knowledge in biochemistry and molecular biology and the experimental strategies used by scientists in these fields. Laboratories will foster creative experimental work by students and familiarize them with current techniques and equipment used by biochemists and molecular biologists. It is the goal of this program to prepare majors for graduate study in biochemistry and molecular biology, post-baccalaureate study in the health sciences, and careers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Requirements for Majors

A major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BCMB) consists of the following components:

Courses Required of All Majors:

• BCMB-202, 307, 351, 452W
• BIO-101Q, 102Q, 201W
• CHEM-107/107LQ 108/108L, (CHEM-151/151LQ can be taken instead of CHEM-107/107LQ and 108/108L), 207/207L, 208/208L
• MATH-112
• PHYS-111Q/111L or 121Q/121L
• Advanced Molecular Biology Course (one of the following): BCMB-426W, 429W, 433W; BIO-425W, BIO-428W, 449W, 459W; BIO/NEUR-431W
• Advanced Molecular Biology Laboratory (one of the following): BCMB-429L (in conjunction with BCMB/BIO-429W), 433L (in conjunction with BCMB-433W), 493; BIO-328L (in conjunction with BIO-328), 426L (in conjunction with BCMB/BIO-426W); BIO/NEUR-431L in conjunction with BIO/NEUR-431W
• Advanced Biology or Chemistry Course (one of the following): BCMB-350; BIO-306, 328, 345, 346; CHEM-310, 315, 322, approved 340 sections (twice on different topics); after fulfilling the Advanced Molecular Biology Course requirement, a second course from that list may fulfill this requirement.
• Advanced Chemistry Laboratory (one of the following): BCMB-307L; CHEM-315L, 322L 

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology majors fulfill the capstone, writing, and oral presentation requirements in the major by completing BCMB-452W and one of the Advanced Molecular Biology Courses.

Departmental Honors in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Students successfully completing BCMB-491/492 may be awarded honors but no additional credits will be given. Description of the honors program, including qualifications, is detailed in this catalog.

S/U Guidance

For medical or graduate programs, prerequisite courses for the program should not be taken with S/S-/U grading.

BCMB-202.  Foundations in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology  

Discussion of milestones and current topics in biochemistry and molecular biology. Students will be introduced to key BCMB skills and resources.  Co- or Prerequisites: BIO-201W, CHEM-108/108L or 151/151LQ, CHEM-208/208L (or currently), a declared BCMB major, and sophomore status. One hour per week. One semester hour.

BCMB-291.  Introduction to Research  

Laboratory and library work, under the direction of a faculty member, designed to introduce the student to fundamental research procedures and data interpretation in the context of a research project. Upon completion of the work, a formal presentation must be given. This course may be taken more than once. At the time of registration, written consent of the instructor is required. Three hours of laboratory per week. Graded S/U. One semester hour.

BCMB-307.  Biophysical Chemistry  

An in-depth study of the theory and applications of chemical and physical equilibria in cells, enzyme kinetics, and thermodynamics of biochemical processes. Examples of such applications may include the study of the thermodynamics of metabolism, biological redox reactions, double strand formation in nucleic acids, equilibrium and energetics of protein denaturation, membrane potential, potassium ion channels, ligand binding, buffers, and osmosis and dialysis. Prerequisites: BIO-102W; CHEM-108 or 151; MATH-112; and PHYS-111Q or 121Q. Three hours per week. Three semester hours.

Note: Students may not receive credit for both BCMB-307 and CHEM-309.

BCMB-307L. Biophysical Chemistry Laboratory

This laboratory course is intended to complement the material presented in Biophysical Chemistry (BCMB-307) in an experimental setting. Techniques and instrumentation will be introduced that are commonly used to characterize biophysical processes such as enzyme kinetics, DNA melting, and hemoglobin oxygenation. An emphasis will be placed on data analysis, error propagation, and lab report writing skills. Prerequisite: BCMB-307 (or currently). Three hours of laboratory work per week. One semester hour.

Note: A student cannot take both BCMB-307L and CHEM-309L for credit.

BCMB-350.  Selected Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 

A course offered periodically in an area of special interest to students by a faculty member or a visiting lecturer. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Three hours per week, plus either intensive writing or three hours of laboratory, depending on the topic. Four semester hours. 

BCMB-351.  Biochemistry I: Protein Biochemistry 

The study of properties, structure, function and role(s) in life processes of proteins. Enzymatic mechanisms, kinetics, and the biochemical basis of selected physiological processes are also included. The laboratory introduces the theory and methods of protein isolation and analysis, including chromatography, electrophoresis, and enzyme kinetics. Prerequisites: BIO-201W; CHEM-108/108L or 151/151LQ; and CHEM-208/208L; or permission of instructor. Three hours of lecture; three hours of laboratory. Four semester hours.

Students who have received credit for CHEM-347 may not enroll in BCMB-351.

BCMB-380. Off-Campus Research 

An approved, off-campus laboratory research experience supervised by an on-site adviser and faculty liaison involving a minimum of 120 hours of work. Before beginning the project, the student must submit a proposal to be approved by both the BCMB faculty and the on-site adviser. Upon completion of the work, written and oral reports must be presented to the department. Prerequisites: BIO-201L, CHEM-108/108L or 151/151LQ; and CHEM-208/208L. Graded S/U. Three semester hours. (XLP.)

BCMB-381.  Internship 

An academic/work experience with a primary focus on a laboratory research project. Students must document their experience according to the requirements delineated in the College catalogue section on Internships. Before beginning the internship, the student must submit a proposal to be approved by the faculty internship advisor. Upon completion of the work, written and oral presentations must be made to the program faculty. Open to juniors and seniors. The term during which the internship work is performed will be noted by one of the following letters, to be added immediately after the internship course number: A (fall), B (winter), C (spring), or D (summer). Internships undertaken abroad will be so indicated by the letter I. The intern must complete a minimum of 120 hours of work. Prerequisites: BIO-201W,  CHEM-108/108L or 151/151LQ; and CHEM-208/208L. Graded S/U. Three semester hours. (XLP.)

BCMB-382.  Internship  

An academic/work experience with a primary focus on a laboratory research project. Students must document their experience according to the requirements delineated in the College catalogue section on Internships. Before beginning the internship, the student must submit a proposal to be approved by the faculty internship advisor. Upon completion of the work, written and oral presentations must be made to the program faculty. Open to rising juniors and seniors. The term during which the internship work is performed will be noted by one of the following letters, to be added immediately after the internship course number: A (fall), B (winter), C (spring), or D (summer). Internships undertaken abroad will be so indicated by the letter I. The intern must complete a minimum of 160 hours of work. Prerequisites: BIO-201W, CHEM-108/108L or 151/151LQ; and CHEM-208/208L. Graded S/U. Four semester hours. (XLP.)

BCMB-391.  Research/Focused Inquiry  

Laboratory and library work, under the direction of a faculty member, designed to introduce the student to fundamental research procedures and data interpretation in the context of a research project. Upon completion of the work, a formal presentation must be given. This course may be taken more than once. At the time of registration, written consent of the instructor is required. Six hours of laboratory per week. Graded S/U. Two semester hours.

BCMB/BIO-426W.  Molecular Biology  

A survey of gene structure, transcription, translation, regulation, and replication, as well as the theory underlying laboratory techniques used in their study. Laboratory experiments will include DNA and protein isolation, enzymatic manipulations, electrophoresis, and nucleic acid hybridization in an attempt to clone and analyze a bacterial gene. Prerequisites: BIO-201W; or permission of the instructor. Three hours of lecture; three hours of laboratory. Four semester hours.

BCMB/BIO-429W.  Structural Biology  

An introduction to the principles of protein and DNA structure, X-ray crystallography, structure visualization and interpretation, and bioinformatics. The use of these concepts to understand biological function at the level of individual molecular interactions and at the level of complex processes will be demonstrated through specific biological examples. Laboratory work will emphasize structure-determining techniques and use of scientific databases and protein visualization software. Prerequisite: BIO-201W; two semesters of chemistry strongly recommended; or permission of the instructor. Three hours of lecture; three hours of laboratory per week. Four semester hours.

BCMB/BIO/NEUR-433W.  Molecular Neurobiology 

This course focuses on the cellular and molecular basis of neuronal communication. The lecture explores the structure of neurons, neurotransmitter regulation, synaptic plasticity, neurological disorders and their current pharmacological therapies. During the semester students will examine scientific literature through presentations and increase their understanding of molecular neurobiology mechanisms through laboratory cell culture techniques. Prerequisites: BIO-201W; or permission of the instructor. Three hours of lecture; three hours of laboratory per week. Four semester hours.

BCMB-452W.  Biochemistry II: Metabolism  

The study of diverse, complex interactions among biomolecules.  A comprehensive survey of metabolism including the cellular mechanisms underlying metabolic regulation.  The laboratory introduces advanced biochemical methods. This course (together with BCMB-426W, 429W or 433W) fulfills the capstone, oral and writing requirements of the major.  Prerequisite:  BCMB-351.  Three hours of lecture; three hours of laboratory. Four semester hours.

Note: Students who have received credit for CHEM-347 may not enroll in BCMB-452W.

BCMB-480. Off-Campus Research

An approved, off-campus laboratory research experience supervised by an on-site adviser and faculty liaison involving a minimum of 160 hours of work. Before beginning the project, the student must submit a proposal to be approved by both the BCMB faculty and the on-site adviser. Upon completion of the work, written and oral reports must be presented to the department. Prerequisites: BIO-201L; CHEM-108/108L or 151/151LQ; and CHEM-208/208L. Graded S/U. Four semester hours. (XLP.)

BCMB-491.  Independent Research  

Independent laboratory and library investigation in biochemistry and/or molecular biology, with oral progress reports and a research paper presented to the faculty research mentor. This course may be taken more than once. At the time of registration, written consent of the research advisor is required. 12—14 hours of laboratory per week. Four semester hours. (XLP.)

BCMB-492W.  Independent Research 

A continuation of BCMB-491 with an oral presentation to the BCMB faculty and a thesis or paper describing research work. Emphasis is placed on oral and written presentation, as well as advanced laboratory techniques. Prerequisites: BCMB-491, BCMB-452W (or concurrently). 12—14 hours of laboratory per week. Four semester hours. (XLP.)

BCMB-493.  Molecular Biology Research 

A course taken by a student who wishes to fulfill the molecular biology laboratory major requirement in a research setting. Work is done within a BCMB-391, BCMB-491, BCMB-492W or Summer Fellows research project. Beyond fulfilling the requirements of the research course, the student must demonstrate an understanding and facility with multiple techniques commonly used in the molecular biology laboratory. A student enrolls in this course the semester after successfully completing the requirements. Graded S/U. Prerequisite: Permission of research advisor and BCMB coordinators. Zero semester hours.

*Note: Students must complete the associated research component (BCMB-391, BCMB-491, BCMB492W) prior to their last semester.