Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BCMB)

The Bachelor of Science with a major in biochemistry and molecular biology is a program administered jointly by the Biology and Chemistry Departments. The degree provides a background for those interested in professional work in biochemistry and is an alternative for those pursuing acceptance into a health professions school.

Core Requirements for the Major:

Gene structure, function and regulation at the molecular level in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Recombinant DNA techniques (genetic engineering) and gene sequencing are covered in detail. Prerequisite: Three semesters of chemistry and BIO 201 or permission of the instructor. 4 credits
The study of the chemistry of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids. Topics covered include amino acid chemistry, protein structure and characterization, ligand binding, enzyme kinetics, membrane systems, membrane transport, and the use of recombinant DNA techniques in protein analysis. Prerequisites: CHM 214, 216 and 312 or permission. 3 credits.
The study of enzyme and coenzyme mechanisms, metabolic pathways, metabolic control, electron transport, and oxidative phosphorylation. Prerequisites: CHM 214, 216 and 312 or permission. 3 credits.
Investigations of the properties of proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids. Prerequisite: CHM 214, 216. 1 credit.
Readings, discussions, and reports on special topics in biochemistry. 1 credit.
A rigorous study of basic biological principles, which is designed for science majors. Topics emphasized include cell biology, genetics, taxonomy, histology, and evolution. Must be taken concurrently with BIO 113. 3 credits.
This course, also rigorous and designed for science majors, covers concepts in physiology, botany, embryology, and ecology. Must be taken concurrently with BIO 114. 3 credits.
Laboratory exercises include enzyme kinetics, carbohydrate analysis, isolation and identification of plant pigments, microscopy, and histological techniques. Must be taken concurrently with Biology 111. 1 credit.
Laboratory exercises include shark anatomy, invertebrate dissections, animal development, plant development in angiosperms, Stomate response to environmental changes, animal taxonomy, and an ecological field study. Must be taken concurrently with BIO 112. 1 credit.
A study of the principles, mechanisms and concepts of classical and molecular genetics. The laboratory stresses key concepts of genetics utilizing both classical and molecular approaches. Laboratory exercises include analysis of nucleic acids, genetic crosses, and studies of bacteria, bacteriophages and plasmids. Prerequisite: one year of chemistry or permission. 4 credits.
An introduction to chemistry for the science major. First semester topics include atomic and molecular structure, chemical reactions, calculations involving chemical concentrations, gas laws and bonding. Prerequisite: one year of high school chemistry of permission. 3 credits.
A continuation of first semester. Topics include kinetics, acids and bases, equilibrium, oxidation- reduction chemistry, thermodynamics, electro- chemistry and nuclear chemistry. Prerequisite: one year of high school chemistry or permission. 3 credits.
Laboratory course to accompany 111. Experiments cover stoichiometry, gas laws, quantitative analysis, equilibrium, electrochemistry, chemical synthesis and the use of computers for collecting data. Students are introduced to intrumentation including infrared, UV-visible, and atomic absorption spectrometers. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHM 111. 1 credit.
Laboratory course to accompany CHM 112. Experiments cover stoichiometry, gas laws, quantitative analysis, equilibrium, electro- chemistry, chemical synthesis and the use of computers for collecting data. Students are introduced to instrumentation including infrared, UV-visible, and atomic absorption spectrometers. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHM 112. 1 credit.
An introduction to the principles of organic chemistry. The focus of the course is on the structure of organic molecules and how the structure of various functional groups affects their reactivity. The concepts of reactivity, structure and mechanism are applied to organic synthesis. Prerequisite: CHM 112. 3 credits.
A continuation of the first semester. The focus of the course is on the structure of organic molecules and how the structure of various functional groups affects their reactivity. The concepts of reactivity, structure and mechanism are applied to organic systhesis. Prerequisite: CHM 112. 3 credits.
An introduction to the practice of classical organic chemistry and modern instrumental organic chemistry. The techniques of organic synthesis are taught along with instrumental methods including infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. Prerequisite or corequisite:CHM 114 and CHM 213. 1 credit.
A continuation from CHM 215. Introduction to the practice of classical organic chemistry and modern instrumental organic chemistry. The techniques of organic synthesis are taught along with instrumental methods including infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. Prerequisite or Corequisite: CHM 214. 1 credit.
A calculus sequence covering functions, limits, differentiation, integration and applications. Prerequisite: placement testing or MAS 102. MAS 161 is a prerequisite for MAS 162. 3 credits per semester.
An introduction to the fundamental concepts and laws of the various branches of physics, including mechanics, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, optics, and atomic and nuclear structure, with laboratory work in each area. 4 credits.
A continuation of PHY 103. Fundamental concepts and laws of the various branches of physics, including mechanics, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, optics, and atomic and nuclear structure, with laboratory work in each area. 4 credits.
† indicates a required course

Total: 51 credits

Major Electives:

At least nine credits from the following courses

BIO 304 Developmental Biology An organismal and molecular approach to the study of animal development using typical invertebrate and vertebrate organisms. The laboratory includes experiments on fertilization, teratogenesis, and differential gene expression. Prerequisite: BIO 201. Writing process. 4 credits.
A study of cell ultrastructure and the microscopic anatomy of vertebrate tissues, including the structure and function of membranes and organelles, cell motility and excitability, and vertebrate tissue similarities and specialization in relation to function. Laboratory includes the preparation and staining of sections using selected histochemical and histological procedures as well as a variety of microscopic techniques. 4 credits.
A study of the morphology, physiology and biochemistry of representative microorganisms. The laboratory emphasizes basic bacteriological techniques and procedures. Prerequisite: three semesters of chemistry or permission. 4 credits.
A study of the functioning of plants, with emphasis on vascular plants. Prerequisite: three semesters of chemistry or permission. Writing process. 4 credits.
A study of the principles of vertebrate body function, with emphasis on the mechanisms by which cells and organs perform their functions and the interactions of the various organs in maintaining total body function. Prerequisites: One semester of chemistry or permission. Writing process. 4 credits.
An introduction to the anatomical, physiological and biochemical factors underlying the immune response. The course begins with a discussion of non-specific immunity, cellular immunity and antibody-mediated immune responses. The course then moves into a study of contemporary immunological topics which are discussed with respect to major research papers in each area. Topics include autoimmunity, histocompatibility, immunogenetics and acquired immune deficiencies. Prerequisites: CHM 111, 113 or equivalent or permission. 4 credits.
An introduction to the use of techniques for scanning and transmission electron microscopic studies. Through laboratory experience the students will learn the proper use, application and limitations of the appropriate instruments. Prerequisite: BIO 305 or permission of instructor. 4 credits.
Topics for this course include statistical methods; activity and activity coefficients; chemical equilibria involving complex systems; volumetric analyses including acid/base, precipitation, redox, and compleximetric tritrations; principles of electrochemistry, potentiometry, alectrogravimetry, coulometry, and voltametry. Prerequisites: CHM 112 and MAS 161. 3 credits.
Basic types of chemical instrumentation and their applications in analytical chemistry are examined. These include gas and liquid chromatography; infrared, UV-VIS, fluorescence, atomic absorption, and plasma emission spectrophotometry; nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry; and radiochemical methods. Prerequisite: CHM 112 and MAS 161. 3 credits.
Volumetric, spectrophotometric, and electrochemical methods are applied to the analysis of unknowns. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHM 305. 1 credit.
Chemical instrumentation is utilized in analytical method development and analysis. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHM 306. 1 credit.
The study of thermodynamic laws and functions, including phase and reaction equilibria. Systems under study include ideal and real gases, ideal and non-ideal solutions, and multi-component phase transitions. Also included are electrochemistry, kinetic and transport processes, and surfaces. Prereqisite: CHM 112, MAS 162, and PHY 104 or 112. 3 credits.
The study of chemical systems from a molecular perspective. Basic concepts of quantum chemistry and statistical theory applied to atomic and molecular structure. Prerequisite: CHM 311. 3 credits.
Total: 60 to 63 credits