BA in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

The major in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (BMB) includes a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, physics, and calculus, core courses in biochemistry, molecular biology, and physical biochemistry, and advanced electives that may include undergraduate research. Laboratory work is stressed throughout, since biochemistry and molecular biology are experimental sciences that require a broad range of practical skills. A minimum of 18 science and math courses is required for the major, in addition to the college requirements for the BA. A grade of C or higher is required in all courses taken for credit in the major.

Course titles and full descriptions are located in the Courses portion of this bulletin.

Foundation Courses (11 courses):

Biology:

• CAS BI 108 (or 118)
• CAS BI 213 (or BI 203) and
• CAS BI 216 (or BI 206)

Chemistry:

• CAS CH 109 (or CH 111, or CH 101)
• CAS CH 110 (or CH 112, or CH 102 & 201)
• CAS CH 203 (or CH 211) and
• CAS CH 214 (or CH 204 & CH 220, or CH 216 & CH 220)

Physics:

• CAS PY 105 (or PY 211, or PY 241) and
• CAS PY 106 (or PY 212, or PY 242)

Math/Computer Science (students must take at least one semester of calculus):

• CAS MA 121 (or MA 123) and
• CAS MA 122 (or MA 124)
  OR
• CAS MA 115 and X
• CAS MA 213 and X
• CAS CS 108 and X
• CAS CS 111 and X

Note: X = MA 121, or 122, or 123, or 124, or 127, or 129.

Core Courses (4):

• CAS BI/CH 421
• CAS BI/CH 422
• CAS BI 552 and
• CAS CH 525

Advanced Lab Elective (1):

• CAS BB 522 or
• CAS BI 513 or
• CAS BB 401 and BB 402 or
• CAS BB 491 and BB 492

Advanced Electives (2):

• *CAS BB 401 and BB 402 (refer to asterisked note under Undergraduate Research Options, below)
• *CAS BB 491 and BB 492 (refer to asterisked note under Undergraduate Research Options, below)
• CAS BB 522
• CAS BI 311
• CAS BI 315
• CAS BI 385
• CAS BI 410
• CAS BI 445
• CAS BI 446
• CAS BI 455
• CAS BI 481
• CAS BI 485
• CAS BI 502
• CAS BI 513
• CAS BI 551
• CAS BI 553
• CAS BI 556
• CAS BI 572
• CAS BI 576
• CAS BF 527
• GRS BI 708
• GRS BI 735
• GRS CH 625
• GRS CH 626
• GRS CH 634
• GRS MB 722

Of the seven courses required beyond the foundation courses, five must be taken through Boston University. Courses taken outside of Boston University must be approved for the BMB major by petition. Prior approval is recommended.

Undergraduate Research Options

Laboratory research is a central feature of the BMB program. In addition to structured lab courses, many students conduct directed research for academic credit, or work or volunteer in BMB faculty labs.

*Undergraduate research can be used to satisfy one advanced elective (4 credits) but both semesters of research must be taken. The remaining 4 credits go toward the CAS graduation credit requirement. (BMB majors must have a 3.0 GPA to participate in junior- and/or senior-level research.)

Premedical Students

The BMB major satisfies all premedical requirements. Premedical students are strongly urged to take CAS BI 315 (Systems Physiology) as an advanced elective. CAS PH 150 Introduction to Ethics is recommended as a Divisional Studies course, which meets CAS requirements.