Biological Chemistry

The material on this page is from the 1995-96 catalog and may be out of date. Please check the current year's catalog for current information.

Professor Wenzel (Chemistry), Chair; Associate Professor Pelliccia (on leave, winter semester and Short Term); Assistant Professors Abrahamsen (Biology), Baker (Biology), and Lawson (Chemistry)

Biological chemistry encompasses the study of the form and function of the proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids found in living organisms. Traditionally, biological chemistry has been an interdisciplinary field, drawing on techniques and expertise from physics, medicine, biology, and chemistry. The required courses for the major give a student a solid foundation in basic science, while the array of elective courses allows wide latitude in pursuing an area of individual interest. The thesis provides a final integrating experience.

Major requirements: The major requires fifteen courses for a B.A. in biological chemistry, sixteen for a B.S.

Required thesis: A one- or two-semester thesis in either department is required. Laboratory theses are preferred, but library theses may substitute. Students may choose thesis advisors from faculty not formally part of the Committee on Biological Chemistry, but thesis topics must be approved by the Committee.
Seminar requirement: To be determined by the student's thesis supervisor.
Comprehensive exam: None required although students are encouraged to take the GRE exam in Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology.
B.S. requirements: Two semesters of calculus (Math 105-106) and two semesters of physics (Physics 107-108) are required. Since three of these courses are required for Chemistry 203, only Physics 108 is an additional requirement.

For further information, see Professors Wenzel, Lawson, Pelliccia, Abrahamsen, Baker, and the College catalog.

Required Courses
*Chemistry 107-108. Principles of Chemistry I and II.
+Chemistry 203. Thermodynamics and Kinetics.
Chemistry 217-218. Organic Chemistry I and II.
Chemistry 321-322. Biological Chemistry I and II.

Biology 101. Biological Principles.
Biology 102. Plant and Animal Biology.
Biology s42. Cellular and Molecular Biology.

Elective courses
(Choose three, including at least one from biology and one from chemistry)

Chemistry 206. Quantum Chemistry and Statistical Mechanics.
Chemistry 212. Separation Science.
Chemistry 215. Inorganic Chemistry.
Chemistry 223. Analytical Spectroscopy and Electrochemistry.
Chemistry 325o. Organic Synthesis.
Chemistry 326e. Advanced Organic Chemistry.

Biology 215. Bacteriology.
[Biology 216. Molecular Aspects of Development].
Biology 231. Genetics.
Biology 244. Biostatistics.
Biology 314. Virology.
[Biology 331. Molecular Biology].
Biology 337. Animal Physiology.
Biology 351. Immunology.
Biology 352. Membrane and Receptor Biology.