Professors:Robert Cluss (chemistry and biochemistry),Stephen Sontum (program director, chemistry and biochemistry), Grace Spatafora (biology; on leave academic year); Associate Professors: Roger Sandwick (chemistry and biochemistry); Assistant Professors: Jeremy Ward (biology), Catherine Combelles (biology); Visiting Assistant Professor: Margaret Daugherty (chemistry and biochemistry), Associate in Science Instruction: Susan DeSimone; Program Coordinator: Judy Mayer
The Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (MBBC) program is a community of students and faculty with common interests in the disciplines of biochemistry, of cellular, developmental and molecular biology, and of evolution and genetics. The mission of the MBBC Program is to integrate these disciplines in the tradition of the liberal arts through (1) the exploration of fundamental concepts and their relationships with other biological and chemical disciplines; (2) the practical use of experimental tools and methods to investigate the structure, function, regulation and evolution of genes and their phenotypes; and (3) the consideration of the historical development of these concepts and phenomena and their relevance to society. The program also encourages in its members the development of critical and independent thought as well as effective oral and written communication. Molecular Biology and Biochemistry are dynamic fields that explore living systems at a molecular level.
Required for the Major: The major in molecular biology and biochemistry is composed of 13 required courses and 2 electives. Students may be able to bypass introductory courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, or physics on the basis of AP credit or proficiency exams. Those who bypass CHEM 0103 may begin with CHEM 0104 (fall or spring) or CHEM 0107 (fall only). Students considering taking summer courses, or courses abroad, which will count towards the major must get approval in advance from the program director.
Required courses:
MATH 0121
MATH 0122
PHYS 0109
PHYS 0110
BIOL 0140
BIOL 0145
BIOL 0310 or CHEM 0353
BIOL 0314
CHEM 0103
CHEM 0104
CHEM 0241
CHEM 0242
CHEM 0322
Two electives out of the following:
BIOL 0225 Human Genetics
BIOL 0305 Developmental Biology
BIOL 0310 Microbiology*
BIOL 0330 Mechanisms of Microbial
Pathogenesis
BIOL 0331 The Genetics of Cancer
BIOL 0440 Membranes in Health and
Disease
CHEM 0324 Structural Bioinformatics
CHEM 0353 Physical Biochemistry*
CHEM 0425 Biochemistry of Metabolism
CHEM 0430 Current Topics in Biochemistry
CHEM 0441 Organic Mechanisms of Enzyme
Catalysis
* When not taken as a requirement these courses may be used as an elective.
BIOL 0500 Independent Studies in Biology
or
CHEM 0400 or CHEM 0500 Independent
Study in Chemistry and Biochemistry;
MBBC 0700 Senior Honors Thesis
Winter term courses in selected topics (e.g., Streptococcal Genetics, Key Issues in Genetic Engineering, Molecular Endocrinology, The Genetics of Cancer)
There is no minor in molecular biology and biochemistry.
Program Honors: Majors are encouraged to undertake independent research with an MBBC faculty mentor. Research towards senior honors may be initiated in BIOL 0500 or CHEM 0400 by any junior with a minimum GPA of 3.3 in the major and the consent of a mentor. Students who are completing senior honors research should enroll in MBBC 0700. Any major not meeting the minimum GPA standard is still eligible to perform an independent study research project (BIOL 0500, CHEM 0500). Please note, however, that registration in BIOL 0500, CHEM 0400 and CHEM 0500 requires a waiver from the faculty research mentor.
Students considering senior research are urged to begin conversations with faculty early in their junior year (certainly by winter term) because many thesis projects begin during the summer preceding the senior year. Those eligible for high honors or honors in molecular biology and biochemistry will: (1) complete at least two semesters of research, which may include winter term; (2) graduate with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the major; (3) present a public seminar describing the significance, methodology, results, and conclusions of their research; (4) successfully defend their thesis before a committee of three faculty, two of whom must be affiliated with the MBBC program; and (5) earn a grade of at least B+ for MBBC 0700, as determined by the members of the MBBC program, with the grade based on their research performance, their written thesis, and their thesis presentation and thesis defense.
MBBC 0700 Senior Honors Thesis (Winter, Spring)
Students conducting independent honors research in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry must register for MBBC 0700 while completing research projects initiated in BIOL 0500 or CHEM 0400. Students will organize and lead regular discussions of their research and research methods, and attend weekly meetings with their designated laboratory group to foster understanding of their special area, and practice the stylistic and technical aspects of scientific writing needed to write their thesis. (CHEM 0400 or BIOL 0500) (Staff)
Suggested Schedule
First year fall
CHEM 0103 General Chemistry I **ifCHEM
0103 satisfied, then either
CHEM 0104 General Chemistry II or
CHEM 0107 Advanced General Chemistry
MATH 0121 Calculus I
BIOL 0140 Ecology and Evolution OR
BIOL 0145 Cell Biology and Genetics (or
spring semester)
First year spring
CHEM 0104 General Chemistry II (if not
already taken)
MATH 0122 Calculus II
Sophomore year fall
CHEM 0241 Organic Chemistry I
BIOL 0140 Ecology and Evolution OR
BIOL 0145 Cell Biology and Genetics (or
spring semester)
Sophomore year spring
CHEM 0242 Organic Chemistry II
Junior year fall
CHEM 0322 Biochemistry of Macromolecules or
BIOL 0310 Microbiology
PHYS 0109 Newtonian Physics
(Either BIOL 0310 or CHEM 0353 below is
required for the major.)
Junior year spring
BIOL 0314 Molecular Genetics
PHYS 0110 Electricity and Magnetism
CHEM 0353 Physical Biochemistry
(Either CHEM 0353 or BIOL 0310 above is
required for the major.)
Senior year fall
CHEM 0322 Biochemistry of Macromolecules
(if not already taken)
BIOL 0310 Microbiology (if CHEM 0353 has
not already been taken)
Senior thesis research and/or electives