Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology department web site
The information on this page pertains to program requirements for students who matriculated in the 2023-2024 academic year. View requirements for previous catalog years here.
The biochemistry, cell and molecular biology (BCMB) major prepares students for careers at the critically important interface between biology, chemistry and physics many of which are in high demand.
Our curriculum follows national guidelines from our professional organization, the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). It emphasizes the molecular aspects of biology and life science aspects of chemistry. It emphasizes student-centered curricula, early participation in research and broad-based skills development.
The Bachelor of Arts major is intended to meet the needs of students interested in pursuing cross-disciplinary careers that merge a strong science background with a field of its application. These fields include medicine, bioinformatics, forensics, management, marketing, education, public relations, biophysics, biotechnology law and others upon approval of the BCMB Board of Directors.
| Course | Credits |
| BIO 001 - Biological Sciences for Non-Majors, or BIO 012 - General/Pre-Professional Biology I, or BIO 013 - General/Pre-Professional Biology II, or BIO 018 - Intro to Anatomy & Physiology, or BIO 019 - Intro to Botany |
8 |
| BIO 105 - Genetics | 3 |
| BIO 165 - Cell Biology | 4 |
| BIO 186 - Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIO 187L - Molecular Biology Lab | 1-3 |
| CHEM 001 - General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 002 - General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 003 - General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 004 - General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 097 - Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 098 - Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 108 - Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 110 - Organic Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 130 - Biochemistry I: Fundamentals | 3 |
| CHEM 131 - Biochemistry I: Fundamentals Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 132 - Biochemistry II: Metabolism | 3 |
| CHEM 133 - Biochemistry II: Metabolism Lab | 1 |
| At least one credit of a research equivalent experience. Select from one of the courses below. | 1-12 |
| BCMB 137 - Advanced Molecular Life Sciences Lab, or BCMB 198 - Internship, or BCMB 199 - Research |
3 1-12 1-3 |
| BCMB 195 - Senior Seminar | 1 |
| MATH 050 - Calculus I, or STAT 060 - Statistics for the Life Sciences |
3 3 |
| Career Focus Area - individually developed with advisor | 15 |
| Advanced electives - select two from the following: | |
| BIO 104 - Virology | 3 |
| BIO 116 - Bioinformatics | 3 |
| BIO 126 - Developmental Biology | 3 |
| BIO 176 - Neurophysiology | 3 |
| BIO 182 - Immunology | 3 |
| BIO 185 - Human Genetics | 3 |
| BIO 188 - Structural Biology | 2 |
| BIO 189 - Regulatory Biology | 2 |
| CHEM 161 - Biophysical Chemistry and Lab | 4 |
| NSCI 126 - Neurochemistry | 3 |
| PHY 132 - Medical Biophysics | 3 |
| TOTAL | 43 |
The Bachelor of Science degree is appropriate for all the careers described for the B.A. but is especially well-suited for more laboratory intensive careers such as molecular life science industries (biotechnology, drug, food, agriculture and clinical industries) and graduate programs in molecular life sciences (biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, genetic engineering and medicinal chemistry). The major follows the guidelines of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
| Course | Credits |
| BIO 001 - Biological Sciences for Non-Majors, or BIO 012 - General/Pre-Professional Biology I, or BIO 013 - General/Pre-Professional Biology II, or BIO 018 - Intro to Anatomy & Physiology, or BIO 019 - Intro to Botany |
8 |
| BIO 105 - Genetics | 3 |
| BIO 165 - Cell Biology | 4 |
| BIO 186 - Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIO 187L - Molecular Biology Lab | 1-3 |
| CHEM 001 - General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 002 - General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 003 - General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 004 - General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 081 - Analytical Methods | 4 |
| CHEM 097 - Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 098 - Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 108 - Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 110 - Organic Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 130 - Biochemistry I: Fundamentals | 3 |
| CHEM 131 - Biochemistry I: Fundamentals Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 132 - Biochemistry II: Metabolism | 3 |
| CHEM 133 - Biochemistry II: Metabolism Lab | 1 |
| At least one credit of a research equivalent experience. Select from one of the courses below. | 1-12 |
| BCMB 137 - Advanced Molecular Life Sciences Lab, or BCMB 198 - Internship, or BCMB 199 - Research |
3 1-12 1-3 |
| CHEM 161 - Biophysical Chemistry and Lab, or CHEM 165 - Thermodynamics and Kinetics, or CHEM 182 - Instrumental Methods of Analysis |
4 |
| BCMB 195 - Senior Seminar | 1 |
| MATH 050 - Calculus I | 3 |
| PHY 011 - General Physics I | 4 |
| PHY 012 - General Physics II | 4 |
| TOTAL | 65 |
The information in this catalog does not constitute a contract between the university and the student. The university reserves the right to make changes in curricula, admission policies and processes, tuition and financial aid, academic standards and guidelines, student services and any other regulations or policies set forth in this catalog without giving prior notice.