The Biological Chemistry track within the chemistry major:

The Chemistry Department recognizes that a number of students each year are interested in a major program containing both a strong biology or biochemistry component and somewhat less emphasis on chemistry than the standard chemistry major. In response to this interest, the Chemistry Department now offers a biological chemistry track. This track would, for example, be an excellent preparation for medical school or graduate school in biochemistry. (Students interested in chemistry as a profession are advised to take the standard chemistry major track, which provides a better preparation for graduate school in chemistry.)

    To begin a major in this track, a student should complete a year of Introductory Chemistry (CHEM141/142, or, preferably CHEM143/144, and the associated laboratory, CHEM152), unless the student has been given Advanced Placement credit. In addition, one year of organic chemistry (CHEM251/252), the concurrent laboratories (CHEM257/258), and a semester of biology (BIOL181 or 195) are required. One year of advanced laboratory (CHEM375/376, Integrated Chemistry Laboratory) and two semesters of the Chemistry Symposia (CHEM521/522) are also required. MB&B/CHEM395, Structural Biology Laboratory, may be substituted for one semester of CHEM375/376 by petition. The major is completed with Biochemistry (CHEM383) and Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences (CHEM381). The two semester physical chemistry sequence, CHEM337/338 can be substituted for CHEM381 and one of the three electives. Students who have been exempted from CHEM144 must take CHEM361, Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, in order to gain familiarity with inorganic chemistry. The three electives normally required for Chemistry majors should be taken from the following: CHEM301, Biological Molecules or CHEM/MB&B321, Biomedicinal Chemistry or CHEM/MB&B325, Introduction to Biomolecular Structure, CHEM385, Enzyme Kinetics, CHEM/MB&B386, Physical Principles of Biological Techniques, CHEM387, Enzyme Mechanisms, Biological Thermodynamics or CHEM390/MB&B340, any other Chemistry courses, 300-level or higher, and BIOL/MB&B182, Principles of Biology II or MB&B208, Molecular Biology. One upper-level MB&B course can be used as an elective upon prior approval by the faculty advisor (note, however, that only one MB&B course, not cross-listed with chemistry, may count as an elective towards the major).  Also required is MATH121; MATH122, Calculus I & II and one year of physics. One of the electives may be replaced by two semesters of research (CHEM409/410 or 421/422). Participation in the weekly biochemistry evening seminar (CHEM587/588) and in research, both during the academic year and over at least one summer, are strongly recommended.

Click here  to preview the Biological Chemistry Track Outline.