Major Requirements

The concentration consists of 11 courses:

• BCH 270S (same as Chem 270S and Bio 270S)
• BCH 320, 321F or 322S (same as Chem 320, 321F, 322S)
• BCH 346F (same as Bio 346 and Chem 346)
• Biology: both (110F and 111S) or 115F
• Biology 248S
• Chemistry 120F or 125F
• Chemistry 190S, 225F
• One additional course from: Chem 321F, 322S or Bio 331S, 336F, 443S, 448F, 551.
• BCH 550F,S

Suggested sequence:

Courses

270S Biological Chemistry.
A survey of the chemical and physical nature of biological macromolecules, including nucleic acids, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates; biochemistry of enzyme catalysis; bioenergetics and regulatory mechanisms. Principles and techniques of experimental biochemistry, focusing on isolation methods and techniques for analyzing structure and function. Three hours of class and three hours of laboratory. (Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning.) Prerequisite, 190. (Same as Chemistry 270 and Biology 270.) Elgren.

320S Biophysical Chemistry.
A study of the fundamental concepts and principles of physical chemistry applied to biological systems. Topics include the spectroscopy, thermodynamics and kinetics of proteins and other biomolecules, and the use of this knowledge to explain the physical basis of biochemical properties. Prerequisite, Chemistry 270 and Mathematics 114. Physics 105, 195 or 205 is recommended. (Same as Chemistry 320.) Cotten.

321F Physical Chemistry I.
A study of the fundamental concepts and principles of quantum chemistry. Topics include quantum mechanics and the nature of the chemical bond; applications of molecular quantum mechanics; spectroscopy. Laboratory focuses on experiments that lead to the development of quantum mechanics, on molecular modeling and on spectroscopy. Laboratory includes applications to biochemistry. Three hours of class plus laboratory. Prerequisite, 125 or 190, Mathematics 114, Physics 105, 195 or 205. (Same as Chemistry 321.) Van Wynsberghe.

322S Physical Chemistry II.
A study of the fundamental concepts and principles of thermodynamics and kinetics. Topics include the laws of thermodynamics, prediction of the direction and extent of chemical reactions, equilibrium, chemical kinetics, catalysis, reaction rate theory and photochemistry. Three hours of class plus laboratory. Prerequisite, 125 or 190, Mathematics 114, Physics 105, 195 or 205. The department recommends that students take 321 prior to 322. (Same as Chemistry 322.) Van Wynsberghe.

346F Biochemistry.
The advanced study of biochemical pathways in living organisms, with emphasis given to gene regulation and metabolism of four major macromolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Includes in-depth discussion of contemporary developments in molecular biology and comprehensive training in molecular techniques. Three hours of class and three hours of laboratory. Prerequisite, 101 and 102, 115, or consent of instructor. (Same as Biology 346.) Chang.

550F,S Senior Thesis I.
A research project carried out in association with a faculty member. One course credit. Must be approved by May of the junior year. The Program.

551S Senior Thesis II.
A research project carried out in association with a faculty member. Includes written and oral presentations. Candidates for honors should elect both 550 and 551. Prerequisite, 550. One course credit. The Program.