Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Advising

Introduction

Our understanding of the fundamental chemical processes that take place within the cells of living organisms has undergone dramatic change during the past several decades.  The discovery of the structure of the DNA molecule in the early 1950s has emerged as one of the central events in the history of both biology and chemistry and has led to unprecedented advances in our knowledge of life and in the ways by which we go about studying it. The approaches now becoming available offer promise of revolutionary changes in human health care and the treatment of disease. In some areas, the boundaries between Biology and Chemistry have disappeared and the traditional disciplines have merged into new fields such as biochemistry and molecular biology. Dickinson’s program in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology is an interdisciplinary major administered and taught by faculty from both the Biology and Chemistry departments.

Courses appropriate for prospective majors

Note: Students planning to enroll in CHEM 131 or CHEM 141 MUST take the Chemistry and Math Placement Exams. The Math placement test determines eligibility to enroll in either version, and the Chemistry placement test determines eligibility to enroll in CHEM 141.

First Semester Courses: 

• CHEM 131 or CHEM 141, depending on placement scores
• BIOL 131 or BIOL 132 (these courses may be taken in either order)

Second Semester Courses:

• CHEM 132, if CHEM 131 was taken during the first semester
• BIOL 131 or BIOL 132 (these courses may be taken in either order)
• MATH 170, depending on placement score

For course descriptions and requirements for the major, please refer to the Academic Bulletin: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Courses that fulfill distribution requirements

Quantitative Reasoning (QR):

• BIOL 216, Genetics with Lab
• CHEM 132, General Chemistry II with Lab
• CHEM 141, Accelerated General Chemistry with Lab

Laboratory Science:

• BIOL 131, Introduction to Organisms, Populations, and Ecosystems Topics with Lab
• BIOL 132, Introduction to Molecules, Genes, and Cells Topics with Lab
• CHEM 131, General Chemistry I with Lab
• CHEM 141, Accelerated General Chemistry with Lab

Note: A course that fulfills both the laboratory science and quantitative reasoning (QR) may fulfill only one or the other

Writing in the Discipline (WiD):

The following courses are generally taught as WiD courses: 

• BIOL 326, Microbiology with Lab
• BIOL 425, The BIology of Cancer with Lab

Suggested curricular flow through the major

There are several approaches for completion of the major; flexibility is provided to enable students to study abroad.

It is best to start Chemistry during the first semester (based on placement scores in Chemistry and in Math). In addition to CHEM 131 or 141, interested students should take either a Math class or a Biology 130-level course.

If starting Chemistry during the first semester of college is not recommended (based on Math placement), then interested students should take MATH 151 during the first semester (see Option 3, below).

Students also should complete the BIOL 130-level coursework during the first year (one BIOL class in each semester).

Therefore, during the first year, students are encouraged to complete four science/math courses towards the major.

For more details in terms of planning the academic program after the first semester, it is helpful to get advice from BCMB faculty following arrival to Campus.

Honors

The BCMB faculty will award honors to a BCMB major based on the entirety of the candidate’s BCMB program. This includes grades in all courses required for the major (and related additional courses in Biology and/or Chemistry) and successful completion of a two semester (or summer and one semester) research experience. A minimum GPA of 3.20 is required in courses counting towards the BCMB major, including transfer (and study abroad) courses that receive BCMB credit.  The Honors research project should be distinguished by the originality and definition of the research problem, the sophistication of the experimental design and its execution, and the analysis and presentation (written and oral) of the results. Generally, Honors reports should be of publishable or near-publishable quality. The Honors Committee will consider all these factors in its recommendation to the Program faculty, and the Program faculty should be cognizant of all these factors when voting on Honors.

For specific guidelines and procedures see the Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Department web site.

Additional Remarks

Careers. The Biochemistry & Molecular Biology field is one of the most active and exciting areas of science. Opportunities abound in medicine, industry, and academics for those with strong credentials in this area. The major includes all of the science and mathematics courses normally required for students planning to apply to medical school or to related Ph.D. programs. It also enables those who seek employment immediately after graduation to compete successfully for jobs in the rapidly growing biotechnology field.

Off-campus study information. In addition to off-campus research internships, it is possible for majors to spend a semester or year abroad. The most likely sites for this would be the Dickinson Science Program at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England (all year or one semester) or study at the University of Otago (one semester). Again, very careful planning well in advance of the junior year is required.

Further information.  Inquiries are welcomed from students or faculty who seek additional information about the Biochemistry & Molecular Biology program. Please contact the program director, Prof. Dana Somers at 717-254-8131 or email somersd@dickinson.edu or any of the contributing faculty.