Course planning advice here is limited to majors. For a full description of degree requirements, please see this
overview of the Academic Program and refer to the
Catalog for details and official rules. Any discrepancy between the Course Planning Pages and the Catalog will be resolved in favor of the Catalog.
Possible Degree Path – starting in the first year. The following is a typical plan for this 14 course major. Other paths through the major are possible, but this table represents the most likely or typical route. Please consult with your advisor to create your unique path.
| |
Fall Semester |
Spring Semester |
| First Year |
Gen Chem I (CHEM 110) |
Gen Chem II (CHEM 120)
Calculus I (MATH 130) |
| Sophomore |
Fundamentals of Cellular Life (BIOL 150)
Organic Chem I (CHEM 240)
Gen. Physics I (PHYS 230 or PHYS 235)
|
Organic Chem II (CHEM 250)
Genetics (BIOL 250)
|
| Junior |
If co-op is in spring or summer:
- Biological Chem (CHEM 330)
- Eukaryotic Cell Biology (BIOL 355)
If co-op is in fall:
|
If co-op is in fall:
- Physical Chem II (CHEM 320)
- Biological Chem (CHEM 330)
If co-op is in summer:
- Physical Chem II (CHEM 320)
- Adv Biological Chem (CHEM 335)
|
| Senior |
If co-op was in fall:
- Eukaryotic Cell Biology (BIOL 355)
- BIOL Elective
If co-op was in spring:
- BIOL Elective
- Independent Research (BCMB 498/499)
If co-op was in summer:
|
If co-op was in fall:
- Adv Biological Chem (CHEM 335)
- Senior Seminar (BCMB 497)
- Independent Research (BCMB 498/499)
If co-op was in spring:
- Physical Chem II (CHEM 320)
- Adv Biological Chem (CHEM 335)
- Senior Seminar (BCMB 497)
If co-op was in summer:
- Senior Seminar (BCMB 497)
- Independent Research (BCMB 498/499)
|
Possible Degree Path – starting in the second year. The following is a typical plan to complete this major. Other paths through the major are possible, but this table represents the most likely or typical route. Please consult with your advisor or a member of the Department for your unique path.
| |
Fall Semester |
Spring Semester |
| First Year |
-
|
| Sophomore |
Gen Chem I (CHEM 110)
Fundamentals of Cellular Life (BIOL 150)
|
Gen Chem II (CHEM 120)
Genetics (BIOL 250)
Calculus I (MATH 130)
|
| Junior |
If co-op is in summer or spring:
- Organic Chem I (CHEM 240)
- Eukaryotic Cell Biology (BIOL 355)
- Gen. Physics I (PHYS 230 or PHYS 235)
If co-op is in fall:
|
If co-op is in fall:
- Organic Chem I (CHEM 240)
- BIOL Elective
If co-op is in summer:
- Organic Chem II (CHEM 250)
- Physical Chem II (CHEM 320)
|
| Senior |
If co-op was in fall:
- Organic Chem II (CHEM 250)
- Biological Chem (CHEM 330)
- Gen. Physics I (PHYS 230 or PHYS 235)
- Eukaryotic Cell Biology (BIOL 355)
If co-op was in spring:
- Organic Chem II (CHEM 250)
- Biological Chem (CHEM 330)
- BIOL Elective
If co-op was in summer:
- Biological Chem (CHEM 330)
- BIOL Elective
|
If co-op was in fall:
- Physical Chem II (CHEM 320)
- Adv Biological Chem (CHEM 335)
- Senior Seminar (BCMB 497)
- Independent Research (BCMB 498/499)
If co-op was in spring:
- Physical Chem II (CHEM 320)
- Adv Biological Chem (CHEM 335)
- Senior Seminar (BCMB 497)
- Independent Research (BCMB 498/499)
If co-op was in summer:
- Adv Biological Chem (CHEM 335)
- Senior Seminar (BCMB 497)
- Independent Research (BCMB 498/499)
|
Capstone: The BCMB capstone includes a comprehensive exam, written research report and oral presentation related to the required research experience (both done in the context of BCMB 497). Consult with a BCMB faculty member for more details.
Planning Recommendations:
- Physics II (PHYS 240 or PHYS 245) is not required for the BCMB major; but many professional health programs require Physics II (PHYS 240 or PHYS 245). Please check with your advisor.
- Undergraduate Research is a key component of the BCMB major. The BCMB Program must approve all research prior to the start of the research project. Consult with a BCMB faculty member for more details. Research can be:
- one summer in a full time research project (on campus or off campus);
- part-time for two semesters on-campus;
- for academic credit or only as a credit towards graduation requirements.
- Students considering graduate work should consult with their advisors to ensure that requirements beyond the major are met.
- Study Away/Study Abroad - Due to the highly gated nature of the major, students will need to carefully plan for a study abroad experience. Summer programs are a good choice as are foreign schools that offer science courses that count towards the major.