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. The minimum requirements for the Biochemistry Major are as follows:
Two semesters of General Chemistry and laboratory
* CH 109-110 (or CH 117 and CH 118) lecture
* CH 111-112 (or CH 119-120) laboratory
Two semesters of Introductory Biology
* BI 200-202 lecture
Two semesters of Organic Chemistry and laboratory
* CH 231-232 (or CH 241-242) lecture
* CH 233-234 laboratory
Prerequisite: CH 109-110 or CH 117-118
Two semesters of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics
* BI 304-305 lecture
Prerequisite: BI 200-202
Two semesters of Biology Laboratory
* BI 310 Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics Laboratory I
* BI 311 Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics Laboratory II
One semester of Analytical Chemistry and laboratory
* CH 351 & CH 353 lecture and laboratory
Prerequisite: CH 109-110 or CH 117-118
One semester of Physical Chemistry
* CH 473 lecture
Prerequisite: MT 100-101, PH 211-212
Two semesters of Biochemistry/Molecular Biology
* CH 561-CH 562 Biochemistry I and II lecture or
* BI 435 and BI 440 Biological Chemistry, Molecular Biology lecture
Prerequisite: CH 231-232
One semester of Biochemistry laboratory
* BI 480 or CH 563 laboratory
Two advanced electives from the following list:
* BI 454 Introduction to the Literature of Biochemistry
* BI 474 Principles of Metabolism
* BI 506 Recombinant DNA Technology
* BI 509 Vertebrate Cell Biology
* BI 515 Biophysical Chemistry
* BI 535 Structural Biochemistry of Neurological Diseases
* BI 556 Developmental Biology
* BI 558 Neurogenetics
* BI 570 Biology of the Nucleus
* CH 564 Physical Methods in Biochemistry
* CH 565 Chemical Biology: Nucleic Acids
* CH 566 Bioinorganic Chemistry
* 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
* CH 588 Computational Biochemistry
In addition to the above, the following courses are also required:
* Two semesters of Physics with laboratory
o PH 211-212 lecture and laboratory
* Two semesters of Calculus
o MT 100-101 lecture
Students are also strongly urged to engage in a Senior Research project under the direction of a faculty member involved in biochemical research. With approval,† this year-long project may replace the requirement for Biochemistry Laboratory (BI 480 or CH 563).
* BI 463-464 Research in Biochemistry†
* CH 593-594 Introduction to Biochemical Research† or (BI 399, CH 399) Scholar of the College†
†With approval of Professor Kantrowitz (Merkert 239) or Professor Annunziato (Higgins 422)
Recommended Course Sequence
First Year
* Introductory Biology (BI 200-202)
* General Chemistry (CH 109-110 or CH 117 and CH 118) with laboratory
* Calculus (MT 100-101)
Second Year (Fall)
* Physics (PH 211) with laboratory
* Organic Chemistry (CH 231 or CH 241) with laboratory
* Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (BI 304)
* Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics Laboratory I (BI 310)
Second Year (Spring)
* Physics (PH 212) with Laboratory
* Organic Chemistry (CH 232 or CH 242) with laboratory
* Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (BI 305)
* Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics Laboratory II (BI 311)
Third Year (Fall)
* Biological Chemistry (BI 435) or Biochemistry I (CH 561)
* Analytical Chemistry (CH 351)
Third Year (Spring)
* Molecular Biology (BI 440) or Biochemistry II (CH 562)
* Physical Chemistry (CH 473)
Fourth Year
* Biochemistry Laboratory (BI 480 or CH 563)
* Two advanced electives
For additional information, contact either Professor Kantrowitz (Merkert 239) or Professor Annunziato (Higgins 422).
