BA in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

The Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (BMB) major provides students with a strong foundation in biology and chemistry followed by the opportunity to focus on particular aspects of these disciplines through electives and undergraduate research. Laboratory work is stressed throughout, since biochemistry and molecular biology are experimental sciences that require a broad range of practical skills. Upper-level courses emphasize state-of-the-art research and experimental techniques used to probe the structures and functions of biologically important molecules from the intracellular to systems levels. The BMB curriculum provides exceptional preparation for pursuing advanced degrees in the biomedical sciences as well as entering the biotechnology workforce.

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate mastery of both fundamental and advanced concepts in Biology and Chemistry, with a strong focus on the molecular biological and biochemical components of these disciplines.
  • Demonstrate expertise in the scientific method, specifically the ability to apply the scientific method—which includes the critical assessment of the scientific literature, analysis of data, and use of modeling and simulation in their understanding and communication of the BMB discipline.
  • Attain the technical and/or analytical skills required for employment or postgraduate education in BMB or BMB-related careers, including professional careers and science education.

Requirements

All students entering as freshmen in Fall 2018 and after will pursue coursework in the BU Hub, a general education program that is integrated into the entire undergraduate experience. BU Hub requirements are flexible and can be satisfied in many different ways, through coursework in and beyond the major and, in some cases, through co-curricular activities. Students majoring in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (BMB) will ordinarily, through coursework in the major, satisfy BU Hub requirements in Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning, as well as some of the requirements in the Intellectual Toolkit. Remaining BU Hub requirements will be satisfied by selecting from a wide range of available courses outside the major or, in some cases, co-curricular experiences.

The BMB major requires a minimum of 14 biology and chemistry courses. Students must also complete a total of four related courses in math and physics.

A grade of C or higher is required in all courses taken for credit in the major.

Excluding Foundation Courses, at least five courses must be taken in the BU Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Program.

Course titles and full descriptions are located in the Courses portion of this Bulletin. Unless otherwise noted, all required courses are 4 credit hours.

Foundation Courses (7–9 courses)

Biology

  • CAS BI 108
  • CAS BI 213 recommended (or BI 203 or BI 218)
  • CAS BI 216 recommended (or BI 206)

Chemistry

  • Choose one of the following general chemistry sequences:
Sequence I (recommended) Sequence II Sequence III
CAS CH 109 &
CAS CH 110		 CAS CH 111 &
CAS CH 112		 CAS CH 101 &
CAS CH 102 &CAS CH 201

AND

  • Choose one of the following organic chemistry sequences:
Sequence I (recommended) Sequence II Sequence III
CAS CH 203 (or CH 218) &
CAS CH 214		 CAS CH 211
CAS CH 212		 CAS CH 203 (or CH 218) &
CAS CH 204 &
CAS CH 220

Core Courses (4 courses)

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

BMB Electives (2 courses)

Choose two courses from the following list:

  • CAS BB 522
  • CAS BI 311
  • CAS BI 315
  • CAS BI 327
  • CAS BI 385
  • CAS BI 410
  • CAS BI 411
  • CAS BI/NE 445
  • CAS BI/NE 455
  • CAS BI/NE 481
  • CAS BI 513
  • CAS BI/NE 525
  • CAS BI/NE 535
  • CAS BI 551
  • CAS BI 553
  • CAS BI 560
  • CAS BI 565
  • CAS BI 572
  • CAS BI 576
  • ENG BF 527
  • GRS BI 735
  • GRS BI 753
  • GRS CH 625
  • GRS CH 626
  • GRS CH 634
  • GRS CH 724
  • GRS MB 722
  • CAS BB 391 (4 credits)^
  • CAS BB 392 (4 credits)^
  • CAS BB 491^
  • CAS BB 492^

^ Students can use one semester of 4-credit Undergraduate Research in BMB to fulfill a BMB elective if not using Undergraduate Research or Honors Research to complete the advanced lab elective. Please see Undergraduate Research Options section below.

Note: Other courses, including those in some study abroad programs, may fulfill BMB electives by petition, but students still need to adhere to the requirement for five BU Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Program courses.

Advanced Lab Elective (1–2 courses)

Choose one option from the following list:

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

Note: A course cannot fulfill a BMB elective and the Advanced Lab elective requirement simultaneously.

Related Requirements (4 courses)

Mathematics/Computer Science

Choose a total of two courses from the lists below. At least one course must be calculus or statistics:

Calculus Courses
  • CAS MA 121
  • CAS MA 122
  • CAS MA 123
  • CAS MA 124
  • CAS MA 127
  • CAS MA 129
  • CAS MA 196

Note: Only one of CAS MA 121 and 123 can be taken for credit; similarly, only one of CAS MA 122, 124, 127, or 129 can be taken for credit.

Statistics Courses
  • CAS MA 115
  • CAS MA 116
  • CAS MA 213
  • CAS MA 214

Note: MA 113 will not satisfy major requirements. Students cannot take more than one of the following for credit: CAS MA 113, 115, or 213; similarly, students cannot take more than one of the following for credit: CAS MA 116 or 214.

Computer Science Courses
  • CAS CS 105
  • CAS CS 108
  • CAS CS 111

Physics

Choose one of the following sequences:

  • CAS PY 105 & 106 or
  • CAS PY 211 & 106 or
  • CAS PY 211 & 212 or
  • CAS PY 241 & 242

Undergraduate Research Options

Laboratory research is a central feature of the BMB program. In addition to structured lab courses, many students volunteer, work, or receive academic credit for research conducted in BMB faculty or outside labs. Students may receive academic credit for research through the Undergraduate Research in BMB program and the following courses require students to submit an online application and receive approval from the BMB Research & Honors Chair.

Freshman BB 191/192 2 credits
Sophomore BB 291/292 2 credits
Junior BB 391/392 2 or 4 credits
Senior BB 491/492 4 credits

Notes:

  • Students must have a 3.0 GPA in BMB major courses to participate in Undergraduate Research in BMB.
  • Senior-level research (including Honors) can be used to satisfy the advanced lab elective if both semesters of research are taken.
  • Students can use one semester of 4-credit research to fulfill a BMB elective if not using research courses to complete the advanced lab elective.
  • Seniors may pursue Honors Research in BMB; see the Honors in the Major section below.

Please visit the BMB website for additional information on undergraduate research.

Honors in the Major

Honors Research in BMB requires senior standing and a 3.5 GPA (both overall and in BMB major courses). Students must complete two semesters of Honors Research (CAS BB 401 & 402) and two semesters of the Honors Seminar (CAS BB 497 & 498). In addition, Honors students must write and defend a senior thesis as well as present their research at the annual BMB Senior Symposium. Honors Research can be used to satisfy the BMB advanced lab elective if both semesters of research are completed.

Additional Information

Please see the Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Program portion of this Bulletin for information on the following topics:

  • Advanced Credit (AP & IB Exams)
  • Intercollege Cross-Registration
  • Premedical Students
  • Program Residency Requirements
  • Study Abroad Programs