Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Faculty

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Biological Sciences

Charles J. Bieberich
Rachel Brewster
Mauricio M. Bustos
Nessly C. Craig
David M. Eisenmann
Philip J. Farabaugh
Stephen J. Freeland
Lasse Lindahl
Patricia McGraw
Tamra Mendelson
Stephen M. Miller
Michael C. O'Neill
Kevin Omland
Phyllis R. Robinson
Suzanne O. Rosenberg
Harold Shreier
Richard E. Wolf, Jr.
Janice Zengel

Chemistry and Biochemistry

C. Allen Bush
Daniele Fabris
James C. Fishbein
Ramachandra S. Hosmane
Richard L. Karpel
Lisa A. Kelly
William R. LaCourse
H. Mark Perks
Katherine L. Seley-Radtke
Paul J. Smith
Michael F. Summers
Veronika A. Szalai

Courses in this program are listed under BIOL and CHEM.

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program (under the auspices of the Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry and Biochemistry) offers students an interdisciplinary curriculum that exposes students to a diverse range of faculty members. With a curriculum drawing from both disciplines, as well as specific biochemistry courses, the program provides a broad background in the physical and life sciences. It is suitable for students planning careers in laboratory research or further training in graduate, medical or other biomedical professional programs, such as medicine, dentistry and medical technology. Research centers for electron and light microscopy, mass spectrometry, X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and labs specializing in varied topics, including gene regulation, neurobiology, laser spectroscopy and plant molecular biology, give students the opportunity to work in actual research programs while being mentored by experienced, enthusiastic and dedicated faculty.

Career and Academic Paths

A significant proportion of UMBC biochemistry graduates continue their education in graduate and other professional programs, including at such highly competitive schools as Harvard; University of Virginia; Duke; Washington University; Stanford; University of California, San Francisco; MIT; The Johns Hopkins University; Princeton; Cal Tech and Carnegie Mellon.

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 FDA.

Academic Advising

First-year students (both freshman and transfer students) who express an interest in biochemistry and molecular biology initially will be advised by the program’s first-year advisor. After one year, they will be assigned to one of the participating faculty for advising. Students are required to see their advisors at least once each semester. Academic progress is monitored through graduation.

Major Program

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

The B.S. program consists of 75-78 credits distributed as 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 Lab
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 (15 credits)

BIOL 100
Concepts of Biology
BIOL 100L
Concepts of Biology Laboratory
BIOL 302
Molecular and General Genetics
BIOL 303
Cell Biology

BIOL 302L
Molecular and General Genetics Laboratory
OR
BIOL 303L
Cell Biology Laboratory

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 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 445
Signal Transduction
BIOL 451
Neurobiology
BIOL 454
Vision Science
BIOL 456
Plant Molecular Biology
BIOL 475
Biology of Bacteria
BIOL 476
Antibiotics: Origin, Mechanism, Resistance
BIOL 483
Evolution: From Genes to Genomes
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 470
Toxicological Chemistry
CHEM 472
Enzyme Reaction Mechanisms
CHEM 601
Special Topics in Chemistry: Advance NMR Spectroscopy
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
CHEM 684A
Special Topic: Organic Spectroscopy

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

F. Individual Lab 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 electives in those years when their topic is appropriate (subject to confirmation in each case by the Biochemistry 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.

Honors Program

While the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program does not have an honors program, specific honors sections of BIOL 100H: Concepts of Biology and CHEM 101H and CHEM 102H: Introductory Chemistry courses are offered. 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.

Combined B.S./M.S.

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 at www.umbc.edu/biosci/grad/amb.php.

Special Opportunities

Biochemistry 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 students in labs of eminent scientists nationally and internationally.

Many advanced biochemistry and molecular biology majors are tutors in the Chemistry Tutorial Center, helping to provide free tutoring for fellow students enrolled in freshman and sophomore chemistry courses.