University of Redlands
The Program Advisors
The Program
The major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is an interdisciplinary major at the interface of biology and chemistry designed to prepare students for careers in biochemistry and molecular biology, and in the related fields of cell biology, microbiology, molecular genetics, or in the health sciences.
Students who intend to major Biochemistry and Molecular Biology must file an “intent to major” form with the secretary of the departments of Biology and Chemistry at the time they declare their major. This form must be signed by the student and a program advisor.
Learning outcomes for this program may be found at www.redlands.edu/BS-BIOC/learningoutcomes.
Bachelor of Science
Degree Requirements
Students planning to continue their education in graduate or professional school are strongly advised to look at graduate or professional school requirements at universities to which they may apply as they may require specific upper-level courses.
Of the 5 courses, students may choose between BIOL 325 Medical Genetics (3-4) OR BIOL 326 Neuroscience OR BIOL 332 Nutrition (4) OR BIOL 343 Microbiology (4) OR BIOL 345 Immunology (4) OR BIOL 348 Developmental Biology (4) OR the third course from the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Advanced Core.
Introduction to the study of the diversity of living organisms and how organisms meet the challenges faced by all living things. Laboratory work emphasizes quantitative data collection and analysis while introducing students to biological diversity and physiological techniques.
Prerequisite: CHEM 131.
Introduction to the study of life including molecules and biological processes, the structure of cells, and molecular and transmission genetics. Laboratory work emphasizes biochemical and genetic techniques, data collection and analysis.
Prerequisite: CHEM 131 or by permission.
This course emphasizes the importance of molecular genetics in contemporary biology. Patterns of inheritance, gene structure and function, and techniques using recombinant DNA technology will be emphasized. Laboratory includes classical genetic analysis as well as molecular and biochemical techniques.
Prerequisites: BIOL 200 and 201.
Clinical aspects of genetic disease and current issues in medical genetics. Etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of genetic diseases; rare inheritance patterns (anticipation, imprinting); complex genetics (diabetes, obesity, mental illness, cancer); gene therapy; embryonic stem cells/ cloning; genetic counseling; ethics; and governmental legislation. Intensive writing and reading of primary literature. No laboratory.
Prerequisite: BIOL 239.
Offered as needed.
Study of cellular/molecular mechanisms, anatomy, circuitry, and functions of the nervous system. Emphasis on clinical neurology and experimental methods. Includes topics such as the senses, movement, language, emotions, consciousness, and learning. The laboratory includes descriptive and hypothesis testing activities. Credit cannot be received for both BIOL 104 and BIOL 326.
Prerequisites: BIOL 238 or BIOL 239 or PSYC 300.
Offered as needed.
The physiology, biochemistry, and practical aspects of nutrition along with an examination of current controversial issues. Four-and-a-half hours of lecture.
Prerequisites: BIOL 238 or BIOL 239.
Offered as needed.
An in-depth study of cell biology: how a living cell emerges from the complex network of its chemical components and the social interactions among cells. Topics include cell membranes, energetics, cell signaling, cytoskeleton, cell-division cycle, stem cells, and cancer. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory.
Prerequisite: BIOL 239.
Offered as needed.
Study of the physiological, molecular, and cellular basis of host defense. Emphasis will be on the human immune system and its pathogens. Diseases of the immune system, such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and AIDS will also be examined.
Prerequisite: BIOL 239.
Descriptive and experimental approach to the development of selected vertebrate and invertebrate animals from fertilization through aging. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory.
Prerequisite: BIOL 239.
Offered as needed.
Please note, students may choose between CHEM 330 OR CHEM 331.
Introduction to chemistry, including properties, structure, and reactivity of atoms and molecules, with concurrent laboratory. CHEM 131 covers fundamental concepts of atomic structure, stoichiometry, aqueous reactions, states of matter, molecular structure and bonding, and thermochemistry. Four hours lecture and three hours laboratory.
Prerequisites: Placement into MATH 100 or higher mathematics course, completion of MATH 100 or higher mathematics course, or permission of chemistry department.
Corequisite: CHEM 131L.
Introduction to chemistry, including properties, structure, and reactivity of atoms and molecules, with concurrent laboratory. First semester covers fundamental concepts of atomic structure, stoichiometry, aqueous reactions, states of matter, molecular structure and bonding, and thermochemistry. Second semester emphasizes group projects in equilibrium, electrochemistry, thermodynamics, kinetics, inorganic synthesis, and spectroscopy. Fall: four hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Spring: seven hours laboratory and group learning.
Prerequisite: CHEM 131 with a minimum grade of 2.0 or higher or by permission. Placement into or completion of MATH 118 or higher. Mathematics course or permission of Chemistry department.
Chemistry of carbon-containing compounds; their structure, nomenclature, physical properties, spectroscopy (IR, GC-MS, NMR), stereochemistry, chemical reactivities, mechanisms of reaction, and synthesis. Four hours lecture and three hours laboratory.
Prerequisite for CHEM 231: Grade of 2.0 or higher in CHEM 132.
Chemistry of carbon-containing compounds; their structure, nomenclature, physical properties, spectroscopy (IR, GC-MS, NMR), stereochemistry, chemical reactivities, mechanisms of reaction, and synthesis. Four hours lecture and three hours laboratory.
Prerequisite for CHEM 232: CHEM 231.
Study of the structure and function of biological molecules (including proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids), enzymes, and metabolic pathways. Four hours lecture and three hours laboratory.
Prerequisite: CHEM 232 or by permission.
Principles of analytical chemistry with emphasis on precise measurements and instrumental methods, including molecular and atomic absorption spectrometry, potentiometric and electrolytic methods, separation techniques, chromatography, mass spectrometry, and other specialized instrumental techniques. Experimental design, sampling, and error reduction are studied along with statistical methods of evaluating uncertainty in laboratory results. Four hours lecture and three hours laboratory.
Prerequisites: CHEM 231 and one course from MATH119, MATH 121, MATH 122, OR MATH 221.
Quantum chemistry, spectroscopy, and statistical thermodynamics applied to the study of the physical and chemical properties of matter. The laboratory involves the systematic study of the theory and practice of modern spectroscopic methods. Four hours lecture and three hours laboratory.
Prerequisites: CHEM 132 and MATH 122 or higher math course and PHYS 220 or higher physics course or by permission.
Equilibrium thermodynamics and kinetics applied to the study of the physical and chemical properties of matter. CHEM 331 need not be taken before CHEM 332.
Prerequisites: CHEM 132 and MATH 122 or higher math course and PHYS 220 or higher physics course or by permission.
Choose two of the following courses:
In-depth study of biochemical topics. Specific focus will vary and may range from bioorganic chemistry to the biochemistry of processes taking place at the level of the whole organism. Three or four hours lecture/seminar.
Prerequisite: CHEM 320 or by permission.
Offered as needed.
An in-depth study of cell biology: how a living cell emerges from the complex network of its chemical components and the social interactions among cells. Topics include cell membranes, energetics, cell signaling, cytoskeleton, cell-division cycle, stem cells, and cancer. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory.
Prerequisite: BIOL 239.
Offered as needed.
Exploration of the analysis of nucleic acid and protein sequence through the use of computer software and high throughput molecular methods. Topics include genome sequencing, the study of gene expression and function, and applications in medicine.
Prerequisite: BIOL 239.
Offered as needed.
Choose one of the following groups:
Recent advances in biology presented in a seminar format by Redlands faculty, seniors, and visiting scholars.
Credit/no credit only.
Selected areas of biology studied through experimental work. Areas selected range from the molecular cellular level, to organismal, to ecology and the environment. One career-focused seminar, one discussion period, three hours laboratory, and additional independent laboratory time expected per week. Together, BIOL 460 and 461 satisfy the university capstone requirement. Offered as needed.
Numeric and Evaluation grade only.
Selected areas of biology studied through experimental work. Areas selected range from the molecular cellular level, to organismal, to ecology and the environment. One career-focused seminar, one discussion period, three hours laboratory, and additional independent laboratory time expected per week. Together, BIOL 460 and 461 satisfy the university capstone requirement.
Offered as needed.
Numeric and Evaluation grade only.
Or
• 3 credits of CHEM 378 Chemistry Research (1–4) (depending on chemistry degree track)
• 1 credit of CHEM 478 Senior Research and Thesis (1)
• Three semesters of CHEM 394 Chemistry Seminar (1)
• One semester of CHEM 494 Communication in Chemistry (3)
Related Field Requirements
Choose one of the following groups:
Functions and their graphs; successive approximation and limits; local linearity and differentiation; applications of differentiation to graphing and optimization; and the definite integral, antiderivatives, and differential equations.
Prerequisite: Permission based on Mathematics Placement Exam.
Riemann sums and the definite integral; techniques of integration and application of integrals; introduction to differential equation; sequences and series.
Prerequisite: MATH 121 or MATH 119 or by permission.
For students whose programs require calculus but who, based on their background and placement examination scores, are not prepared for MATH 121. Topics from precalculus include properties of linear, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions; and compositions, transformations, and inverses of these functions. Calculus topics include successive approximation and limits of functions; local linearity and differentiation; applications of differentiation to graphing and optimization; and the definite integral, antiderivatives, and differential equations.
Prerequisite: MATH 002L or Math Placement at MATH 118 level or by permission.
For students whose programs require calculus but who, based on their background and placement examination scores, are not prepared for MATH 121. Topics from precalculus include properties of linear, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions; and compositions, transformations, and inverses of these functions. Calculus topics include successive approximation and limits of functions; local linearity and differentiation; applications of differentiation to graphing and optimization; and the definite integral, antiderivatives, and differential equations.
Prerequisite: MATH 118 or by permission.
Riemann sums and the definite integral; techniques of integration and application of integrals; introduction to differential equation; sequences and series.
Prerequisite: MATH 121 or MATH 119 or by permission.
Choose one of the following groups:
Introduction to Newtonian mechanics, fluids, and thermodynamics. Includes lecture and laboratory components. Expects competency in high school algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
Introduction to oscillations, waves, electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics. Includes lecture and laboratory components.
Prerequisite: PHYS 220.
Quantitative study of classical Newtonian mechanics. Includes lecture and laboratory components.
Prerequisite: MATH 119, MATH 121, MATH 122 or MATH 221.
Introduction to classical electricity and magnetism. Includes lecture and laboratory components.
Prerequisite: PHYS 231; Pre- or corequisite: MATH 122 or MATH 221.
