The programs offered by the Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry are planned for students interested in the molecular and chemical basis of biological processes and are well suited to students hoping to attend medical school or pursue graduate studies in biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, or biophysics. The B.S. major, designed for those with a strong commitment to research, provides an intensive introduction to laboratory techniques in biochemistry and biophysics. Students in this program usually carry out research projects in faculty laboratories during their junior and senior years. The B.A. major provides the intellectual discipline of biochemistry and biophysics for students who also wish to have sufficient time to pursue in-depth studies outside the major or who are interested in molecular biology as a liberal education; they, too, may engage in research during their junior and senior years.</p>
<p>Basic science prerequisites. The basic science courses required of all majors include one term of introductory biology (MCDB 120a or E&EB 122b); a general chemistry course with laboratory (CHEM 112a, 113b, or 114a, 115b, and 116La, 117Lb; or 118a and 119La); a year course in organic chemistry with laboratory (CHEM 124a, 125b and 126La, 127Lb; or either 220a, 221b or 225b, 227a, and the two-term sequence 222La or Lb, 223La or Lb); one term of physical chemistry (CHEM 328a); two terms of calculus (MATH 112a or b and 115a or b); and one year of physics with laboratory (either PHYS 180a, 181b and 165La, 166Lb, or 200a, 201b and 205La or Lb, 206La or Lb; 150a, 151b are allowed only with permission of the director of undergraduate studies). The B.A. major also requires one term of biology laboratory (MCDB 121La or E&EB 123Lb). Any of these prerequisites may be satisfied by receiving scores on Advanced Placement tests sufficient to earn acceleration credits in the particular subjects, even if the student does not choose to accelerate.</p>
<p>B.S. degree. Ten courses are required beyond the prerequisites: MB&B 300a, 301b, 302b, 360Lb, and 490b; two additional upper-level MB&B electives, one of which must be a lecture course; one quantitative reasoning elective (MATH 120a or b or above, STAT 105a or above, CPSC 201a or b or above, or ENAS 130b or above); one biology elective at the 200 level or higher; and one elective in the natural sciences at a level higher than required in the prerequisites. Students choose the elective courses in consultation with a faculty adviser (see below). Only two course credits of MB&B 470a, 471b, and 478a, 479b may count toward these electives. Students may substitute CHEM 333b for MB&B 302b. The quantitative reasoning requirement may not be fulfilled by Advanced Placement test scores.</p>
<p>B.A. degree. Seven courses are required beyond the prerequisites: MB&B 251La, 300a, 301b, 302b, and 490b; one additional upper-level MB&B elective; and one quantitative reasoning elective (MATH 120a or b or above, STAT 105a or above, CPSC 201a or b or above, or ENAS 130b or above). Students choose the elective courses in consultation with a faculty adviser (see below). Students may substitute CHEM 333b for MB&B 302b. The quantitative reasoning requirement may not be fulfilled by Advanced Placement test scores.</p>
<p>Senior requirement. The senior requirement for both the B.S. and the B.A. is fulfilled by successful completion of MB&B 490b, The Senior Project. Students enrolled in this course prepare a written report and make an oral presentation of a literature project. Students meet with faculty members in charge of the colloquium during the first two weeks of the spring term to agree on a topic and an approach. It is appropriate for students who took research for credit earlier in their training to write on their research topic. It is inappropriate for students to submit a revised version of a past research report or to resubmit a literature paper prepared for another course. The literature project for the senior requirement should be original work approved by the faculty member overseeing the senior colloquium.</p>
<p>The written report is expected to be 1525 pages in length (double-spaced, twelve-point font exclusive of figures). A first draft of the paper is due two weeks prior to the date of the oral presentation. Faculty in charge of the program will review the draft and return it to the student with suggestions. A final draft of the paper is due the first day of the reading period in the student’s final term.</p>
<p>Students make a fifteen-minute oral presentation during the last three weeks of their final term in a general scientific forum open to the public. Other students in the series are expected to attend all presentations.</p>
<p>Credit/D/Fail option. Courses taken Credit/D/Fail may not be counted toward the requirements of the major.</p>
<p>Recommended courses. All B.S. majors are encouraged to include MB&B 470a or 471b among their MB&B electives. The prerequisites in either general or organic chemistry should be taken in the freshman year.</p>
<p>Students with a strong interest in biophysics, including those planning to attend graduate school, are strongly encouraged to take courses beyond the basic requirements of the major. Such students are advised to take mathematics through differential equations (ENAS 194a or b, MATH 246a or b, or PHYS 301a) and a full year of physical chemistry (CHEM 328a or 332a, and 333b). In place of one term of biophysics (MB&B 302b) they may elect a full year of upper-level biophysics (MB&B 420a and 421b). Such revisions to the basic curriculum must be made in consultation with the faculty adviser.