The biochemistry and molecular biology (BMB) interdisciplinary major was designed in recognition of the increasing intimacy of the subject matter, objectives, and methodology of biochemistry and a variety of related biological disciplines. Application for admission to the major is by submission of a declaration of major form to the BMB Committee. Except in unusual cases, this application should be made no later than the end of the sophomore year. Before registering for thesis, BMB majors must pass junior qualifying examinations in both biology and chemistry.
Requirements for the Major
This program supplants both ad hoc and formalized student programs devoted to this subject area in the biology and chemistry departments.
Exclusive of work needed to meet general college requirements:
1. Biology 101 and 102 (Introductory Biology); three units from among the following courses: 322 (Plant Physiology), 351 (Developmental Biology), 356 (Genetics and Gene Regulation), 358 (Microbiology), 363 (Genes, Genetics, and Genomes), 372 (Cellular Biology), and 381 (Animal Physiology). One unit, but not more than two units must include Biology 356, 358 or 363.
2. Chemistry 101 (Molecular Structure and Properties) and 102 (Chemical Reactivity); 201 and 202 (Organic Chemistry); 332 (Statistical Thermodynamics and Chemical Dynamics); and 391/392/394 (Biochemistry sequence).
3. One additional unit of 300-level biology, 300-level chemistry or Chemistry 212 (Introductory Inorganic Chemistry).
4. Physics 101 and 102 (General Physics I and II).
5. Mathematics 111 (Calculus) and 112 (Introduction to Analysis). Mathematics 141 (Introduction to Probability and Statistics) may be substituted for Mathematics 112 only after consultation with a member of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Interdisciplinary Committee.
6. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 470 (thesis); candidates must submit a brief proposal to the interdisciplinary committee by the end of the second week of the semester in which thesis work is to commence.