Advantages of the Concentration

     Concentrators have the opportunity to expand their knowledge beyond the traditional fields of Biology and Chemistry while still having a solid grounding in a major discipline. Biochemistry is intimately intertwined with modern avenues of research in Physical, Organic, Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry as well as Genetics, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Medical Science, Immunology, Neurobiology, Microbiology and Developmental Biology.

An interdisciplinary persepective will put students at the cutting edge of modern science and will be a very effective preparation for graduate and medical studies, as well as attractive to potential employers in the Bio-Pharma industry.

Plus, you will get to know your fellow concentrators and professors very well, and be assured an opportunity to do research!

Structure of the Concentration

     Concentrators major in either Biology or Chemistry and take additional courses to fulfill the concentration requirements.  All students also complete a year-long independent research program.

General Requirements

 —Successful completion of the course requirements for the concentration. In addition to completing the requirements for a degree in Chemistry or Biology, these include one semester of General Biology 1 with lab (for chemistry majors), both semesters of Biochemistry with lab, Classical Physical Chemistry (for Biology majors, lab optional), and an additional course in Biology with a lab that is biochemistry-oriented (please consult the concentration directors for approval).

—A cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all math and science courses, including labs. If you have your current academic transcript (available from STAR), you can use this on-line calculator to determine your current math and science GPA.

— A full academic year of research, devoted to the completion of a thesis.

—Fulfillment of the course requirements, including end of year presentations and seminars, set by the research advisor of my full-year research project. (Note that it is possible to fulfill the research requirement in an off-campus lab. If you elect this option, the Biochemistry committee member from your major department will serve as your on-campus research advisor.)

—Participation in the year-end college-wide Academic Conference with fellow Biochemistry Concentrators, which will include an oral presentation of thesis work.

—Submission of a brief research prospectus, signed by future research advisor and approved by the Biochemistry Concentration committee, submitted by May 1 of junior year.

—Submission of a research-progress report, signed by advisor, by January 15 of senior year.

—Submission of a bound thesis, including a thesis acceptance coversheet signed by research advisor (and a second reader at advisor’s and student's discretion), to the Biochemistry committee before the last day of class during senior year. All concentrators must fulfill the requirements for their major (Biology or Chemistry).