Many UMBC Biochemistry and Molecular Biology graduates continue their education in graduate and professional programs including at such highly competitive schools as Harvard University; University of Virginia; Duke University; Washington University; Stanford University; University of California, San Francisco; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; The Johns Hopkins University; Princeton University; California Institute of Technology and Carnegie Mellon University. Program graduates also compete well in the workforce, finding employment with such organizations as the National Cancer Institute, Hoffmann LaRoche, Proctor & Gamble, GlaxoSmithKline and the Food and Drug Administration.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)The B.S. program consists of 78-81 credits as detailed in the following

list. Note that CHEM 437, 438, 437L and the two electives must be
completed at UMBC. Taking any other courses required for the major
while enrolled at UMBC must be approved by the program.

A. Chemistry (26-27 credits)

• CHEM 101
  Principles of Chemistry I
• CHEM 102
  Principles of Chemistry II
• CHEM 102L
  Introductory Chemistry Laboratory
• CHEM 300
  Analytical Chemistry
• CHEM 301
  Physical Chemistry I
• OR
  CHEM 303
  Physical Chemistry for the Biochemical Sciences

• CHEM 351
  Organic Chemistry I
• CHEM 352
  Organic Chemistry II
• CHEM 351L
  Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
• CHEM 352L
  Organic Chemistry Laboratory II

B. Biology (18 credits)

• BIOL 141
  Foundations of Biology: Cells, Energy and Organisms
• BIOL 142
  Foundations of Biology: Ecology and Evolution
• BIOL 302Molecular and General Genetics
• BIOL 303
  Cell Biology
• BIOL 302L
  Molecular and General Genetics Laboratory
  OR
• BIOL 300L
  Experimental Biology Laborator

C. Biochemistry (12 credits)

• CHEM 437
  Comprehensive Biochemistry I
• CHEM 437L
  Biochemistry Laboratory
• CHEM 438
  Comprehensive Biochemistry II

D. Any two of the following electives (6-8 credits)

• BIOL 411
  Bacterial Physiology
• BIOL 414
  Eukaryotic Genetics and Molecular Biology
• BIOL 418
  Human Molecular Biology
• BIOL 420
  Advanced Topics in Cell Biology
• BIOL 425
  Immunology
• BIOL 426
  Approaches to Molecular Biology
• BIOL 428
  Computer Applications in Molecular Biology
• BIOL 434
  Microbial Molecular Genetics
• BIOL 443
  Advanced Topics in Developmental Biology
• BIOL 444
  Development and Cancer
• BIOL 445 Signal Transduction
• BIOL 451
  Neurobiology
• BIOL 454
  Vision Science
• BIOL 456
  Plant Molecular Biology
• BIOL 476
  Antibiotics: Origin, Mechanism, Resistance
• BIOL 483
  Evolution: From Genes to Genomes
• BIOL 486
  Genome Science
• CHEM 406
  Bioinorganic Chemistry
• CHEM 431
  Chemistry of Proteins
• CHEM 432
  Advanced Biochemistry
• CHEM 433
  Biochemistry of Nucleic Acids
• CHEM 435
  Biochemistry of Complex Carbohydrates
• CHEM 441
  Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules
• CHEM 442
  Physical Biochemistry
• CHEM 443
  Molecular Spectroscopy of Biomacromolecules
• CHEM 444
  Molecular Modeling in Biochemistry
• CHEM 450
  Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds
• CHEM 451
  Mechanisms of Organic Reactions
• CHEM 453
  Organic Chemistry of Nucleic Acids
• CHEM 455
  Biomedicinal Chemistry
• CHEM 457
  Total Synthesis of Natural Products
• CHEM 461
  Advanced Instrumental Methods of Analysis
• CHEM 465
  Mass Spectrometry at the Chemistry-Biology Interface
• CHEM 470
  Toxicological Chemistry
• CHEM 472
  Enzyme Reaction Mechanisms
• CHEM 635
  Biochemistry of Complex Carbohydrates
• CHEM 640
  Special Topics in Molecular Structure
• CHEM 680
  Seminar in Biophysical Chemistry
• CHEM 682
  Current Topics in Biochemistry

E. Mathematics and Physics (16 credits)

• PHYS 121
  Introductory Physics I
• PHYS 122
  Introductory Physics II
• MATH 151
  Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
• MATH 152*
  Calculus and Analytic Geometry II
  NOTE:

The curriculum for the Biological Sciences undergraduate major is in the process of changing. This new curriculum will phase out certain BIOL courses, necessitating changes to the requirements of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major. For the latest information on requirements, please consult the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
program web site (href="http://www.umbc.edu/biosci/undergrad/biochem.php"> [http://www.umbc.edu/biosci/undergrad/biochem.php).
]

F. Individual Laboratory Research

1-4 credits (recommended)

Students have the opportunity to integrate what they have learned by doing independent research with participating faculty. Those working with a biological sciences faculty member may register for BIOL 399 or
499. Those working in a chemistry and biochemistry faculty laboratory may register for CHEM 399 or 499.

* MATH 251 and CHEM 302 are recommended for those anticipating
graduate study in chemistry, biophysical chemistry or biophysics.

G. Electives

The following courses, which have variable topics, may be approved as Biochemistry and Molecular Biology electives in those years when their topic is appropriate (subject to confirmation in each case by the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Undergraduate Committee):

• CHEM 490A
  Special Topics in Chemistry
• CHEM 601
  Current Topics in Chemistry
• CHEM 670
  Special Topics in Dynamics and Mechanisms
• CHEM 684
  Special Topics in Chemistry

In fulfilling major requirements, CHEM 437, 438 and 437L must be completed at UMBC, with a grade of “C” or better. An overall “C” average must be maintained in required courses. Prerequisites for all courses in the major must be satisfied with a grade of “C” or better.

Under the General Education Program, students are required to complete one Writing Intensive (WI) course. The requirement is met by completion of CHEM 437L Biochemistry Laboratory, which has been approved as a WI course.

While the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program does not have an honors program, specific honors sections are offered for BIOL 141H and BIOL 142H Foundations of Biology and CHEM 101H and CHEM 102H: Introductory Chemistry. In addition, selected upper-level courses are offered as honors program courses. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology majors are eligible for departmental honors in the Department of Biological Sciences and in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Information on the requirements for departmental honors are available in the sections of this catalog devoted to each department.

Students interested in the Applied Molecular Biology (APMB) Program will be considered for admission to the program on a competitive basis. Students can use up to two courses from their undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and, in so doing, save money and reduce their graduate course work.

Students should consult with the director of the Applied Molecular Biology Program for advisement as to which courses will be appropriate for both degrees. Application for admission should be submitted prior to the final semester of the senior year. For more information, see the APMB Web site atwww.umbc.edu/biosci/grad/amb.php.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology majors have the opportunity to participate in research in both participating departments at UMBC, as well as at nearby institutions such as the National Institutes of Health. Special programs and fellowships have placed Biochemistry and Molecular Biology students in labs of eminent scientists nationally and internationally. Many advanced Biochemistry and Molecular Biology majors are tutors in the Chemistry or Biology Tutorial Centers, helping to provide free tutoring for fellow students enrolled in freshman and sophomore courses.

Chemistry/Biochemistry and Biology Councils of Majors Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Majors play an active role in the Chemistry/Biochemistry Council of Majors (CHEM/COM), an American Chemical Society student affiliate chapter, and in the Biology Council of Majors (BioCOM). Both councils support active professional and social programs. Links to information on CHEM/COM and BioCOM activities are provided in the undergraduate information sections of the respective departmental web sites. Majors are also active in various on campus pre-professional societies (pre-medical, pre-dental, etc.).