The disciplines of biochemistry, molecular biology, and biophysics focus on the molecular mechanisms of life processes using a variety of genetic, biochemical, and spectroscopic approaches.

General education courses. The department offers several courses without prerequisites on a rotating basis for nonmajors: e.g., Nutrition in Health and Disease (MB&B101)The Science of Human Health (MB&B107); Biology and Chemistry in the Modern World: A Survey of Drugs and Disease (MB&B119); Light and Life: Vision, Photosynthesis, DNA, and Melanoma (MB&B109); Making the Science Documentary (MB&B140); Science and Film: Defining Human Identity (MB&B202); Copernicus, Darwin, and the Human Genome Project (MB&B203). The introductory courses for majors (MB&B181 or 195, 182, 191, 192) are also available for students with appropriate backgrounds (see below).

Major requirements. We recommend that students begin working toward the major in the first year to be able, in later years, to take advantage of upper-level courses and research opportunities. We note, however, that the major can also be started successfully in the sophomore year. The following courses are required: Principles of Biology I: Cell Biology and Molecular Basis of Heredity (MB&B181) or Honors Introductory Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics (MB&B195); Principles of Biology II (MB&B182); and the associated laboratories (MB&B191/192); Molecular Biology (MB&B208); either Introductory CHEM141 and 142 or (preferably) CHEM143 and 144; Principles of Organic Chemistry I and II (CHEM251 and 252); the Introductory Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM152); Biochemistry (MB&B383); and two upper-level electives in molecular biology and biochemistry (see below for details). MB&B381 Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences and one semester of mathematics are also required. MB&B381 can be replaced with either one year of physics or one year of physical chemistry (CHEM337 and 338). Students are also required to take one semester of an advanced laboratory course (MB&B294 or MB&B395), generally recommended in either their junior or senior year.  Students who are considering medical school or graduate school should know that most programs require laboratories in organic chemistry (CHEM257 and 258), one year of mathematics, and a course in physical chemistry.

A typical prospective major, as a first-year student, would probably take MB&B181 or 195 for students with stronger backgrounds, 182, 191, and 192 and either CHEM141/142 or CHEM143/144 and the associated laboratory CHEM152. Students with weak scientific backgrounds are encouraged to take CHEM141/142 or 143/144 and 152 as first-year students and defer MB&B181 or 182, 191, 192, 195 until their sophomore year. Students who prefer a smaller and more interactive classroom environment should consider registering for one of the smaller sections of MB&B181. In the second year, MB&B208 along with CHEM251/252 can be taken. Students are also encouraged to take a seminar course (Research Frontiers in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, MB&B209) in the spring of the first or sophomore year. A typical major might then take Biochemistry (MB&B383) and an upper-level elective in the junior year and the second elective in the senior year. Two electives are required. One of the electives must be a 300-level MB&B course. The second may be an MB&B course or an approved course from the Biology or Chemistry departments. Two consecutive semesters of research for credit (in the same laboratory) (MB&B421/422) with an MB&B faculty member (or a preapproved faculty member in another department conducting research in molecular biology/biochemistry/biophysics) can also be substituted for the second elective. If a 200-level elective or research for elective credit is taken, the second elective must be at the 300-level. Approved courses outside MB&B that can be taken for elective credit include BIOL218 and BIOL323 (if BIOL323 is used for elective credit, then students must choose MB&B395 for their required advanced lab). Majors who are interested in a concentration in molecular biology should take MB&B294. MB&B294 is offered in the spring semester and can be taken either in the junior or senior year. Students who are interested in a concentration or certificate (see below) in molecular biophysics should take MB&B395 in the fall semester in either their junior or senior year. Please note that if you are interested in taking MB&B395, you must plan ahead because it is taught every other year. Details regarding the molecular biophysics Certificate Program are given below and at the certificate Website.

Students are strongly encouraged to pursue independent research. Independent research is a highly valuable experience for proper scientific training and it can enhance a student's application to graduate, medical, or other professional schools. Research provides a completely different dimension of experience, enabling the student to interact with graduate students and faculty members on a professional level. The research interests of the faculty include a wide variety of topics in the areas of molecular biology, biochemistry, and molecular biophysics, a description of which can be found on the Web at the MB&B Website and in the departmental office (Room 205, Hall-Atwater).

In conjunction with the Biology Department, the department sponsors a seminar series Thursdays at noon at which distinguished scientists from other institutions present their research. There is also a Wednesday evening Seminar in Biological Chemistry (MB&B587/588) for which credit may be obtained.

Upper-level undergraduates are encouraged to take graduate-level courses and seminars. Undergraduates who choose to do research in a faculty member’s laboratory usually interact closely with the graduate students in that laboratory.

Honors in molecular biology and biochemistry. To be considered for departmental honors, a student must

• Be a MB&B major and be recommended to the department by a faculty member. It is expected that the student will have a B average (grade-point average 85) in courses credited to the major.
• Submit either a research thesis, based upon laboratory research, or a library thesis, based upon library research, carried out under the supervision of a member of the department.

Certificate program in molecular biophysics Molecular biophysics at Wesleyan is an interdisciplinary program supported by the departments of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Physics. To receive a certificate in molecular biophysics, students should major in either the Chemistry or MB&B departments. Interested students need to take MB&B395 Structural Biology Laboratory, MB&B381 or CHEM337 and 338, and two upper-level elective courses in molecular biophysics. Students are also encouraged to join the weekly Molecular Biophysics Journal Club (MB&B307/308). Students are also strongly encouraged to conduct independent research in the laboratory of a faculty member in the Molecular Biophysics program. If students are interested in a certificate in molecular biophysics, they should contact Professor I. Mukerji.

Certificate program in Integrative Genomic Sciences (IGS) An integrative program of undergraduate and graduate offerings in bioinformatics, genomics, computational biology, and bioethics, the integrative genomic science program is intrinsically interdisciplinary, involving faculty and students in the life sciences, physical sciences, information sciences, and philosophy. Please see the certificate program Website for current and planned courses. The IGS program is supported by grants from the W. M . Keck Foundation, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and the Fund for Innovation Grants from Wesleyan University.