Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, B.S.
Few areas of Biological Sciences remain that are not impacted by studies at the chemical and molecular level. The major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is designed to provide a comprehensive background in this modern, conceptual understanding of biology. Students who wish to begin in-depth study of the molecular basis in any of a variety of fields, including development, gene expression, immunology, pathogenesis, disease, virology, and evolution, can do so through this major. This program will be especially attractive to those students who intend to pursue an advanced degree in biological or medical sciences.
The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major is based upon required courses in Advanced Biochemistry and Advanced Molecular Biology (BIO SCI M114 and BIO SCI M116 ). These courses, together with a wide variety of elective course offerings, provide majors the choice to either explore the breadth of the field or follow a more in-depth study of any of its subdisciplines. For students interested in the interface between biology and chemistry, this program articulates well with a second major in Chemistry.
The program of study emphasizes laboratory experience and its integration with basic theory. This is accomplished in three ways: first, through coordination between the advanced courses in Biochemistry (BIO SCI M114 ) and Molecular Biology (BIO SCI M116 ), and laboratory courses in Biochemistry (BIO SCI M114L ) and Molecular Biology (BIO SCI M116L ) which provide students with the basic laboratory skills and an appreciation for the experimental foundations of the field; second, through advanced laboratories in Immunology (BIO SCI M121L ) and Virology which provide students with the opportunity to develop cutting edge research skills; and third, by emphasizing independent research sponsored by a participating faculty member. The program encourages the research interests of students in subdisciplines other than immunology or virology by offering the opportunity to substitute one year of independent research for the advanced laboratory.
The major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is designed to provide students with the appropriate tools and training to successfully pursue graduate degrees that emphasize basic scientific research, including Ph.D. and M.S. training as well as combined M.D./Ph.D. programs. In addition, and particularly with the explosive growth in biotechnology and its significant influence in everyday life, graduates could use their backgrounds very effectively to pursue careers in business, education, law, and public affairs.
The major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is open to junior- and senior-level students only. Applications to declare the major are due in the spring (typically of the second year). Review of applications submitted at that time and selection to the major by the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Board is completed during the summer. Information can also be found at the UCI Change of Major Criteria website. Double majors within the School of Biological Sciences or with Public Health Sciences, Biomedical Engineering: Premedical, Nursing Science, or Pharmaceutical Sciences are not permitted.
All students must meet the University Requirements.
All students must meet the School Requirements.
Major Requirements
| A. Required Major Courses: | |
| BIO SCI M114 | Advanced Biochemistry |
| BIO SCI M116 | Advanced Molecular Biology |
| B. Upper-Division Laboratories: | |
| BIO SCI M114L | Biochemistry Laboratory |
| BIO SCI M116L | Molecular Biology Laboratory |
| Select one of the following: | |
| Experimental Microbiology Laboratory | |
| Advanced Immunology Laboratory | |
| BIO SCI 199 Study in Biological Science Research (Approved by the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Board.) | |
| C. Upper-Division Biology Electives: | |
| Select three of the following: | |
| BIO SCI M119–M189 | |
| Select one of the following: | |
| Eukaryotic and Human Genetics | |
| Genomics, Development, and Medicine | |
| BIO SCI M119–M190 | |
| Introduction to Chemical Biology | |
| Chemical Thermodynamics, Kinetics, and Dynamics | |
| Quantum Principles, Spectroscopy, and Bonding | |
| Molecular Structure and Elementary Statistical Mechanics | |
| Molecular Pharmacology I | |
| Physical Biochemistry | |
| Select two four-unit courses from the following: | |
| BIO SCI D103–D189, E106–E189, M119–M190, N110–N189 | |
| Introduction to Chemical Biology | |
| Chemical Thermodynamics, Kinetics, and Dynamics | |
| Quantum Principles, Spectroscopy, and Bonding | |
| Molecular Structure and Elementary Statistical Mechanics | |
| Molecular Pharmacology I | |
| Physical Biochemistry | |
| No course may be used to satisfy more than one requirement. | |
Application Process to Declare the Major: The major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is open to junior- and senior-level students only. Applications to declare the major can be made at any time, but typically in the spring of the sophomore year. Review of applications submitted at that time and selection to the major by the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Board is completed during the summer. Information can also be found at the UCI Change of Major Criteria website. Double majors within the School of Biological Sciences or with Public Health Sciences, Biomedical Engineering: Premedical, Nursing Science, or Pharmaceutical Sciences are not permitted.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
| BIO SCI 93 | BIO SCI 94 | CHEM 1C- 1LC |
| BIO SCI 93L | BIO SCI 94L | STATS 7 or 8 (or Math 5A or General Education) |
| CHEM 1A | CHEM 1B | Lower-Division Writing1 |
| BIO SCI 2A | Lower-Division Writing1 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
| BIO SCI 97 | BIO SCI 98 | BIO SCI 99 |
| CHEM 51A | CHEM 51B- 51LB | CHEM 51C- 51LC |
| CHEM 1LD | MATH 5B (or General Education) | |
| MATH 5A or 5B | ||
| Junior | ||
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
| Biochem./Mol. elective | BIO SCI M114 | BIO SCI M116 |
| Research/Elective | Biochem./Mol. elective | BIO SCI M116L |
| BIO SCI 100 | BIO SCI M114L | PHYSICS 3C- 3LC |
| PHYSICS 3A | PHYSICS 3B- 3LB | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
| Biochem./Mol. elective | Bio. Sci. elective or lab | Bio. Sci. elective or lab |
| Biochem./Mol. elective | Research/Elective | Research/Elective |
| Research/Elective | General Education/Elective | General Education/Elective |
| General Education/Elective | ||
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Students have the option of taking HUMAN 1AS, HUMAN 1BS, HUMAN 1CS or WRITING 40, WRITING 50, WRITING 60 in order to fulfill the lower-division writing requirement.