Chemical Biology Major

Goal 1: Students will understand the role of chemical properties in biological systems and processes. 

Outcome 1.1: Students will understand and be able to describe biochemical processes of living organisms and the role of macromolecules in these processes.

Outcome 1.2: Students will understand and be able to describe how organisms interact with their abiotic and biotic environment. 

Goal 2: Students will gain an appreciation of the integration of chemistry and biology to solve scientific problems. 

Outcome 2.1: Students will understand and be able to apply fundamental chemical principles of bonding, molecular structure and interactions, stoichiometry, kinetics, and thermodynamics to explain biological systems, processes, and structure.

Goal 3: Students will acquire research experience through faculty-supervised independent projects in chemistry or biology.

Outcome 3.1: Students will search the literature for published work relevant to a problem of interest.

Outcome 3.2: Students will be able to design an experiment, operate basic laboratory equipment, reduce and present data that includes the interpretation of statistical tests.

Goal 4: Students will effectively communicate scientific information.

Outcome 4.1: Students will be able to develop cogent written and oral presentations of scientific content.

The traditional undergraduate programs includes a minimum of 120 credits distributed across three components: A General Education component divided into Signature Courses, Variable Courses, and an Integrative Learning requirement; a Major and Divisional component; and Free Electives. In addition to course requirements as specified in each area, students must complete one certified course in each of the following overlay areas1:

  1. Diversity, Globalization or Non-western Area Studies,
  2. Ethics Intensive
  3. Writing Intensive, and
  4. Diversity
1

Overlay requirements are part of the 120 credit requirements

General Education Signature Courses

See this page about Signature courses

General Education Variable Courses

See this page about Variable courses. Six to Nine courses

Mathematics
MAT 155Fundamentals of Calculus3
or MAT 161 Calculus I
Natural Science
Select one of the following:
General Physics II
and General Physics Laboratory II
University Physics II
and University Physics Lab II

General Education Overlays

See this page about Overlays.

General Education Integrative Learning Component

See this page about Integrative Learning Component. Three courses:

Biology
BIO 101
101L
Bio I: Cells
and Bio I: Cells Lab
4
or BIO 150L Bio I: Cells Lab Phage
Select one of the following:
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry Lab I
General Chemistry Honors I
and General Chemistry Lab I
Select one of the following:
General Physics I
and General Physics Laboratory I
University Physics I
and University Physics Lab I

GEP Electives

At least six courses

Major Requirements:

Fourteen courses

Required Courses:
MAT 128Applied Statistics3-4
or MAT 162 Calculus II
BIO 102
102L
Bio II: Genetics
and Bio II: Genetics Lab
4
or BIO 151L Phage Lab
BIO 201
201L
Bio III: Organismic Biology
and Bio III: Organismic Biol Lab
4
CHM 125
125L
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry Lab II
3-4
or CHM 126 General Chemistry Honors II
CHM 330
330L
Instrumental Analysis
and Instrumental Analysis Lab
5
CHM 210
210L
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Lab I
4
CHM 215
215L
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Lab II
4
CHM 320Physical Chem for Chem Bio3
or CHM 310 Physical Chemistry I
Select three of the following:12
Advanced Cell Biology
and Advanced Cell Biology Lab
Molecular Genetics
and Molecular Genetics Lab
Neurobiology
and Neurobiology Lab
Immunology
and Immunology Lab
Microbiology
and Microbiology Lab
Applied&Environ Microbio
and Applied & Environ Micro Lab
Molecular&Cellular Biophysics
and Mol & Cell Biophysics Lab
Biotechnology
and Biotechnology Lab
Bacterial Pathogenesis
and Bacterial Pathogenesis Lab
Select one of the following in-depth Chemistry courses:3
Nanochemistry
Chemistry of the Earth
Biophysical Chemistry
Atmospheric Environmental Chem
Mechanisms in Organic Chem
Tech Applications of Chemistry
Organometallic Chemistry
Aqueous Environmental Chem
Inorganic Biochemistry
Spectroscopy
Select one of the following:3-4
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Select one of the following: *3
Undergraduate Research in Bio
Undergraduate Research in Bio
Junior Research I
Junior Research II
Senior Research I
Senior Research II
Total Hours51-54

A Chemical Biology major must register for Chemical Biology Seminar each semester as a junior and a senior (4 total).

*The research requirement can also be satisfied with CMB 490 “Introduction to Research” and an in-depth Chemistry course or a Biology elective course listed above.