On This Page |
Program Description
This interdisciplinary major in Biochemistry, administered jointly by the Chemistry and Biology Departments, provides the student with a broad background in biochemistry and related courses in chemistry and biology. This major is intended for those interested in the more chemical and molecular aspects of the life sciences. More information about the Biochemistry Major can be found at www.bc.edu/content/bc/schools/cas/biochemistry.html.
Biology and Chemistry course requirements for the Class of 2016 and beyond:
- BI 200 Molecules and Cells (3 credits)
- BI 201 Ecology and Evolution OR BI 303 Introduction to Physiology (3 credits)
- BI 204 Investigations in Molecular Cell Biology (3 credits)
- One course in cell biology from the following list (3 credits):
- One course in genetics or genomics from the following list (3 credits):
- CH 109-111 (or CH 117-119) General Chemistry I and Laboratory (4 credits)
- CH 110-112 (or Ch 118-120) General Chemistry II and Laboratory (4 credits)
- CH 231-233 (or CH 241-243) Organic Chemistry I and Laboratory (4 credits)
- CH 232-234 (or CH 242-234) Organic Chemistry II and Laboratory (4 credits)
- CH 351-353 Analytical Chemistry and Laboratory (4 credits)
- CH 473 Physical Chemistry for Biochemistry majors (3 credits)
- CH 561-562 Biochemistry I and II; OR
BI 435 Biological Chemistry and BI 440 Molecular Biology (6 credits) - PH 211-203 Physics I (calculus) and Laboratory (5 credits)
- PH 212-204 Physics II (calculus) and Laboratory (5 credits)
- MT 101 (or MT 105) Calculus II (4 credits)
- Two advanced electives from the following list* (6 credits)
-
BI 420 Introduction to Bioinformatics
BI 429 Medical Biochemistry and Metabolism
BI 432 Developmental Biology
BI 451 Cancer Biology
BI 457 Principles of Immunology
BI 483 Research in Molecular Biology Lab
BI 484 Research in Biochemistry Lab
BI 487 Research in Molecular Genetics Lab
BI 506 Recombinant DNA Technology
BI 529 Biomolecules: Driving Molecular Forces
BI 535 Structural Biochemistry and Neurological Disease
BI 536 Viruses, Genes and Evolution
BI 570 Biology of the Nucleus
CH 564 Physical Methods in Biochemistry
CH 565 Chemical Biology: Nucleic Acids
CH 566 Metallopharmaceuticals
CH 567 Chemical Biology: Structure and Function
CH 569 Chemical Biology: Enzyme Mechanisms
CH 570 Introduction to Biological Membranes
CH 582 Advanced Topics in Biochemistry
BI 463-464 Research in Biochemistry**
BI 498 Advanced Independent Biochemical Research**
CH 497-498 Advanced Research in Biochemistry**
CH 593-594 Introduction to Biochemical Research**
- BI304 Cell Biology
BI321 Plant Biology
BI414 Microbiology
- BI315 Introduction to Genomics
BI319 Genetics and Genomics
BI417 Microbial Genetics
Total Credits: 64
* Additional electives may sometimes be announced in this category,
depending upon advanced course offerings in the Biology and Chemistry Departments.
** With Biology or Chemistry Department approval, two semesters of Undergraduate Research may be substituted for ONE advanced elective.
Advanced Placement: Biochemistry majors who have a 5 on the Biology AP exam in their senior year may elect to begin the major with BI304 Cell Biology, and take an additional course from the advanced elective list (total of three advanced electives).
Biochemistry Major requirements for the Class of 2013, 2014 and 2015
Biochemistry Major requirements as described above for the Class of 2016 represent minor adjustments to the current Biology intermediate course requirements and advanced elective options. Members of the Class of 2013, 2014 and 2015 may follow this new curriculum or they may continue with the current requirements. The current requirements can be found on the Biochemistry web site. While no new requirements have been added for the Classes of 2013, 2014 and 2015, the current requirements have been updated to include additional options. See the Biochemistry website (www.bc.edu/content/bc/schools/cas/biochemistry.htm) for complete information.
Recommended course sequencing for Biochemistry Majors
Freshman Year
- General Chemistry and Labs
BI 200 and either BI 201 or BI 303
BI 204 lab (if possible)
Sophomore Year
-
Organic Chemistry and Labs
One course from the cell biology list
One course from the genetics/genomics list
BI 204 lab (if needed)
Junior Year
-
Biochemistry sequence
Senior Year
- Analytical Chemistry and lab
Physical Chemistry
Two advanced electives
Note:
- Calculus is typically completed by the end of the Sophomore year.
- Physics can be taken at any time beginning with the Sophomore year.
- Students are encouraged to participate in Undergraduate Research, typically beginning in the Junior year; other options are available. Students should speak to individual professors regarding research opportunities.