Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology |
The biochemistry, cell and molecular biology (BCMB) major prepares students for careers in one of the most exciting areas of science: the interface between biology, chemistry and physics. The development of techniques like genetic engineering and microscale analysis have brought an increasingly molecular focus to the traditional scientific disciplines of chemistry, biology and the health sciences. Biochemistry, cell and molecular biology are at this interdisciplinary crossroad.
DEGREE OPTIONS
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) is intended to meet the needs of students interested in pursuing cross-disciplinary careers that merge a strong science background with a field of its application. Students preparing for health professional schools (medical, veterinary, dental, optometry) would be well served with this majors. Other fields such as bioinformatics, forensics, management, marketing, education, public relations, biophysics, biotechnology law, and others that are approved by the BCMB Board of Directors.
The Bachelor of Science (BS) is intended to meet the needs of students seeking careers in molecular life science industries (e.g. biotechnology, biomedicine, drug, food, agriculture and clinical industries), and students interested in graduate programs in molecular life sciences (e.g. biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, genetic engineering, medicinal chemistry). The major meets the guidelines of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
PROGRAM SIZE
There are currently about 65 students in the program. This size allows faculty and peers to help students with academic issues, as well as provide mentoring for research experiences, professional networking and planning for postgraduate education and career choices.
FACULTY
The BCMB program incorporates courses and faculty from the Chemistry and Biology Departments with interests in molecular life science. The BCMB Board of Directors includes 4 faculty and one external biochemist and two students. All faculty have doctoral degrees in their respective disciplines. Research opportunities for students include projects with these faculty as well as off-campus collaborations with regional industry and health-care systems.
ACADEMIC PREPARATION
There are no prerequisite high school courses or requirements needed for enrollment in the BCMB program, but students should have a well-rounded academic high school curriculum.
REQUIRED CREDIT HOURS AND COURSES FOR A MAJOR
The BCMB major introduces students to the chemistry of living organisms and the experimental techniques that are used to probe the structures and functions of biologically important molecules. The BCMB program emphasizes student centered curricula, early participation in research and broad-based skills development. Students typically become authors on abstracts and manuscripts and work closely with professional scientists.
Both the BA and BS degrees require students to demonstrate knowledge of course-based content, compile a portfolio, and pass cumulative competency examinations. They differ in their content requirements as shown below.
BCMB Core Course Requirements - Credit hours
BIO 1/2 or 11/12 - Intro to Bio. Sciences - 8 hrs.
BIO 105 - Genetics - 3 hrs.
BIO 165 - Cell Biology - 4 hrs.
CHEM 1/3, 2/4 - General Chemistry - 8 hrs.
CHEM 107/109, 108/10 - Organic Chemistry - 8 hrs.
CHEM 130/131, 132/134 - Biochemistry - 8 hrs.
BIO 186/187 - Molecular Biology - 4 hrs.
CHEM 137 - Adv Mol. Life Sci. Lab, or BCMB 199 - Research, or BCMB 198 - Internship - 3 hrs.
BA Core Course Requirements - Credit hours
BCMB 99 - Professional Development - 3 hrs.
Statistics course or Math 50 (calculus) - 3-4 hrs.
IS 101 - Information Systems - 3 hrs.
Technical Writing Course - 3 hrs.
*Career Focus Area - 15 hrs.
*BA students must choose a career focus to complement the science courses by taking at least 15 hours in one allied career field: computer science, pre-law, business, chemistry, physics, biology, pre-medicine, public relations, science writing, or others upon approval
BS Core Course Requirements - Credit hours
PHY 11, 12 - Physics I, II - 8 hrs
MATH 50 - Calculus - 4 hrs.
BCMB 161 - Biophysical Chemistry, or CHEM 165 - Physical Chemistry, or CHEM 182 -Advanced Analytical - 3-4 hrs.
REQUIRED CREDIT HOURS AND COURSES OUTSIDE MAJOR
The Drake Curriculum, required of all undergraduates, is designed to help students meet personal and professional goals as they acquire fundamental knowledge and abilities in ten Areas of Inquiry, including communication, critical thinking, artistic experience, historical consciousness, information and technology literacy, international and multicultural experiences, scientific and quantitative literacy, values and ethics and engaged citizenship. Students work closely with their academic advisers to create, implement and revise, as needed an individual Drake Curriculum plan.
The Drake Curriculum also requires first-year seminars, which foster development of critical thinking and written and oral communication skills through a topical focus; and a Senior Capstone, in which students demonstrate the capacity to bring information, skills and ideas to bear on one project.
SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES/INTERNSHIPS
Research is very important in the BCMB Department. Students begin research as soon as possible, probably during the second semester of their first year. Faculty and collaborating scientists provide a wide range of potential research projects in which students may engage. Through collaborations with regional faculty and industry, many internship sites are available both during the school year and over the summers; these often provide stipends for experienced students. Research possibilities include projects on trauma, cell cytoskeletal proteins, prairie plant biodiversity, gene therapy, genetic engineering of crop plants, and more.
During their junior and senior years, students participating in the Advanced Molecular Life Sciences course are directly involved in collaborative research. Students write and orally present their research projects during their senior year as part of the Capstone experience. Students often present their research at professional scientific meetings and in scientific journals.
CAREER OPTIONS
Graduates of the BCMB curriculum typically find employment or continue postgraduate studies in a variety of disciplines in or related to the sciences and medicine. According to the professional biochemistry and molecular biology association, FASEB, "Career prospects seem bright for someone trained in the molecular life sciences. Projections for the next 20 years indicate that there will be thousands of unfulfilled science and engineering jobs. A large fraction of that shortage will be in the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology. Further, while employment for BCMB professionals remains strong in these traditional areas, it is expected to increase more in cross-disciplinary areas like agriculture, environment and informatics."
The BCMB major is excellent preparation for health professional schools, including medical, veterinary, dental, and optometry schools. Basic science graduate programs open to BCMB majors include those in biology, biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, molecular genetics, structural biology, chemistry, neurobiology, nutrition, and all of the basic science departments in medical schools, including departments of pharmacology and medicinal chemistry.
In addition to these careers, BCMB graduates will also find work in a variety of laboratories, management and business. Specific examples are drug discovery, formulations and drug delivery, forensics, food sciences, receptor biology, clinical research, regulatory compliance, bioprocess engineering, bioinformatics, medical diagnostics, quality control, science sales and marketing, intellectual property (and patent law), science education (high school, college), science manufacturing management, science business development and licensing, bioanalytical chemistry, and industrial safety.
ORGANIZATIONS
Undergraduate students may become student members of the American Chemical Society (ACS) or the American Society for Biochemists and Molecular Biologists (ASBMB).
Visit the BCMB website
